Path of Exile 2 has numerous powerful endgame builds, but the Infernal Witch can be a simple powerhouse when done correctly. PoE 2's endgame can be a true challenge for even the most experienced ARPG fans. The game's switch to a more soulslite combat system was a large shakeup that every class had to adjust to. Instead of just breezing through rooms of weak enemies, enemies were fewer but higher in quality.

While one of PoE 2's best solo classes, Witch can largely subvert many of these changes when built properly. This isn't to say they can stand still and let their minions do all the work, but their kit is designed to keep them as safe as possible. Still, positioning will be crucial no matter which Witch build is used, as they will naturally have a harder time getting to the same tank-like levels other classes can reach with ease.

Best Equipment For A Minion Army Infernalist Witch Build In PoE 2

The Best Offense Is A Good Defense

One thing that stays consistent for Witch is the equipment they use and the ideal stats. For armor, this should be anything that gives the maximum possible energy shield. This shield will be crucial for surviving fights and keeping the health bar untouched. The only concern about this is poison damage, which will bypass energy shields. Some armor pieces can be mixed pieces that provide armor and shields if players desire, but the majority being max energy shields is best.

Two other specific must-have items for the Witch are Scepters and Amulets. Scepters are how the class can summon minions and should have a high Spirit boost, as Spirit is needed to summon minions and use Spirit Gems, along with stats that buff minion damage, attack speed, or movement speed. Second, a suitable Solar Amulet is crucial, as this will further boost the max Spirit and can offer bonus levels to minion skills.

For sub-stats, look for armor, maximum life, energy shield, and elemental resistances. When done right, these will help the Witch stay alive and transform her into a pseudo-tank. Two other important must-haves are extra movement speed on the boots and Intelligence wherever it can be found. Intelligence will help raise the mana pool and access better skills in PoE 2, while the movement speed can keep enemies out of range.

Best Skill Gems For A Minion Army Infernalist Witch Build In PoE 2

Raising An Undead Army

What Skill Gems a Witch uses is where builds can start to be varied according to player preference. The two most popular options for endgame content are between Reavers and Arsonists. Reavers use their natural high damage with Archer support to get a boss's attention and burst them down. Meanwhile, Arsonists play it a bit safer and won't die as much, but put more pressure on the player to soak up attention and stay alive.

Both of these builds utilize a few Skill Gems that are crucial to maximum success. The most important two are Skeleton Clerics, which will heal/revive other minions, and Pain Offering, which turns one minion into a totem that massively buffs other minions. Detonating Dead is another crucial skill, allowing the Witch to help clear enemies with the numerous corpses her minions will create. After these three, the other slots can be filled with what suits players best.

Another version of this that can work well is a Pyromancer Infernalist. This variant utilizes the same core Witch minion skills but supplements the rest of the slots with Sorceress fire spells for maximum damage. The most crucial trio here is the Raging Spirits Spirit Gem, Flame Wall, and Flammability. The last of these will lower a target's fire resistance, which helps both the Witch and her minions. If skill slots remain open, quick-cast Fire spells like Solar Orb are good fits.

Best Passive Skills For A Minion Army Infernalist Witch Build In PoE 2

Prioritization Is Key

The passive skills of a Witch may be the simplest part of her build. Outside the base three attributes, the majority of the points should be used to buff minions. This means looking for clusters of nodes that buff minion damage, minion maximum life, and minion elemental resistances. It is hard to make the minions super tanky against bosses, but every little bit helps them survive waves of regular enemies. Without minions, a Witch is a sitting duck that constantly moves and waits for the respawn.

Anything left over should be used to maximize the Witch's defense. The closest options will be energy shields and elemental resistances, which will pair perfectly with how the armor is built. Offensive passive skills can also be chosen if desired, but this may take away from the minions, who are this setup's primary focus and damage dealers.

Best Spirit Gem For A Minion Army Infernalist Witch In PoE 2

Complementing The Playstyle

For the most common builds, the only Spirit Gem necessary is Grim Feast. This gem will cause enemies and minions to occasionally drop essences on death. These essences can then be collected to refill or overflow the Witch's energy shield. This can be crucial to conserve healing charges or make up for when they run out.

The other Spirit Gem to look for is the aforementioned Raging Spirits. This spell will summon small Fire minions when Fire spells are used. They have a short life but can cause a lot of damage. Raging Spirits synergizes excellently with Flame Wall and Flammability, leaving debuffed enemies caught in a fiery circle of death.

Best Ascendencies For A Minion Army Infernalist Witch In PoE 2

A Clear Path To Follow

Like with the Passive Skills, which Infernalist skills a Witch should use after learning how to Ascend in PoE 2 are simple. The first one is Loyal Hellhound, which will summon a tanky Hellhound minion that absorbs 20% of the damage a Witch takes. After that is Altered Flesh, which will convert 20% of Cold and Lightning damage to Fire damage, along with 20% of Physical damage to Chaos. This makes it a little easier to build resistance and puts importance on Fire and Chaos being the top two.

After those two, Beidat's Will and Beidat's Hand are the best choices. Both will reserve 25% of life and offer buffs in return. Beidat's Will gives one maximum Spirit for every 25 Maximum Life, which can be a huge boost for minions. Meanwhile, Beidat's Hand will give one energy shield point for every eight maximum Life. These may not seem like much on paper, but with an endgame-ready character with a lot of health, the bonuses will stack up quickly.

Overall, an Infernalist Witch can be one of the strongest characters in all of PoE 2. It may not be for everyone as it has a simple playstyle, but watching a minion army lay waste to every map node can be a great time. Thus, it is well worth the investment to try out the best endgame builds for Infernalist Witch in Path of Exile 2. Your PoE2 currency and Path of Exile 2 items also will be vital to optimizing this build. From minion-supporting gear to Fire damage-enhancing items, you'll need to focus on acquiring the best possible equipment to maximize your minion potential.

MMOexp POE 2 Team