Path of Exile 2: The Ultimate League Starter Tactician Build Guide
The Tactician stands out as one of the most reliable and enjoyable League Starter options in Path of Exile 2. While it may not reach explosive endgame damage immediately, it offers exceptional defenses, consistent clearing capability, and a smooth leveling experience. Using a combination of Mortar Cannon, Mirage Archer, and various Grenade Skills, this build transforms your character into a mobile battlefield engineer, launching explosives from afar while maintaining tight control of encounters. As you progress, smart gearing and clever use of POE 2 Currency will help you refine your setup further.
This guide breaks down everything you need to start and optimize a Grenadier-style Tactician, from early leveling all the way to endgame mapping.
How the Tactician Build Works
The Tactician specializes in using Grenades and automated projectile abilities to clear large packs while staying safe. Early on, you begin with Explosive Grenade and Explosive Shot before gradually transitioning into the full setup once key Skill Gems become available.
Mirage Archer requires Uncut Skill Gem Level 8. Mortar Cannon unlocks at Uncut Skill Gem Level 11. You'll comfortably acquire both by around level 40.
Path of Exile 2's 0.4 patch introduced a 10-second cooldown to Mirage Archer, but you can have multiple active simultaneously, making it a core part of the Tactician's passive damage engine.
Final Skill Setup
Below is the recommended endgame arrangement. Support Gems can be adjusted based on new patches, but the structure remains reliable:
Main Damage Skills
Explosive Shot:
Streamlined Rounds
Nova Projectiles
Fork
Magnified Area
Ratha's Assault
Mortar Cannon (Totem):
Explosive Grenade
Elemental Armament
Urgent Totems
Payload
Voltaic Grenade:
Elemental Armament
Lightning Attunement
Payload
Multishot
Mirage Archer:
Explosive Grenade
Lightning Attunement
Elemental Armament
Prolonged Duration
Utility Skills
Wind Dancer:
Blind
Maim
Knockback
Pin
War Banner:
Prolonged Duration
Daresso's Passion
Clarity
How to Play the Tactician
As a Tactician, you'll be deploying Mortar Cannon totems to blanket the area with explosives while relying on Explosive Shot to instantly trigger Grenade fuses. The synergy between these Skills allows for rapid clearing even when mob density increases dramatically.
Mortar Cannon delivers the bulk of your damage.
Explosive Shot exists primarily to detonate all nearby Grenades instantly.
Mirage Archer adds constant passive DPS even while you reposition.
Voltaic Grenade helps stack Electrocution and interrupt bosses or dangerous monsters.
War Banner increases attack speed and overall damage output, while Wind Dancer provides an extra defensive layer, crucial during early mapping.
You can optimize Mortar Cannon by placing it in a separate Weapon Swap setup. Path of Exile 2 allows you to assign specific Skills to Weapon Set I or II, and this build uses that mechanic to maximize scaling. If you prefer not to weapon swap, the build still works well, though damage will be slightly lower.
Setting Up Weapon Swap Passives
Path of Exile 2 provides Weapon Set Passive Skill Points, earned through Books of Specialisation. These differ from regular passive points and allow you to design two distinct passive configurations, one for each weapon set.
You earn 24 Weapon Set Passive Points throughout the main campaign.
Weapon Set I and II are visible in the top right of your passive tree.
Each set highlights nodes in unique colors for easy management.
Weapon Set I will generally focus on mobility, defensive layers, and utility nodes for Explosive Shot. Weapon Set II focuses entirely on Totem and Mortar Cannon enhancements, pushing their damage as high as possible.
Best Gear for the Tactician
The Tactician benefits heavily from having two similar crossbows, especially if you're weapon swapping. Your stronger weapon should always be paired with Mortar Cannon as it scales harder from offensive stats.
Recommended Uniques
Constricting Command (Helmet)
Valako's Vice (Gloves)
Idol of Uldurn (Amulet)
Key Gear Stats
Weapon 1 (Mortar Cannon setup):
Flat Physical Damage
Increased Physical Damage
Flat Fire Damage
Attack Speed
Attack Damage Leeched as Life
Weapon 2 (Explosive Shot setup):
Flat Physical Damage
Flat Fire Damage
+Level to Attack Skills
Increased Physical Damage
Attack Speed
Armor & Jewelry:
Aim for combinations of:
Life / Mana
Elemental Resistances
Evasion Rating
Item Rarity
Increased Flask Recovery
Charm Duration
Boots should prioritize Movement Speed, and belts should provide strong recovery.
Using POE 2 Currency wisely, such as crafting better physical rolls on your crossbows or upgrading resistances early, makes the leveling experience significantly smoother.
Passive Tree & Ascendancy
Because the build uses Constricting Command, the main passive tree prioritizes nodes that enhance the "Surrounded" mechanic. Weapon Set I (red nodes) remains active because Explosive Shot provides mobility and utility benefits from this section.
Weapon Set II (green nodes) improves Totem efficiency, projectile damage, and general explosive scaling for Mortar Cannon.
Your Ascendancy progression should follow:
1.A Solid Plan – cuts reservation cost by 50%, crucial for a multi-Skill setup.
2.Suppressing Fire – strong defensive and offensive bonus.
3.Right Where We Want Them – boosts damage against controlled enemies.
4.Polish That Gear – adds efficiency to your entire equipment setup.
The Tactician is a satisfying and powerful League Starter in Path of Exile 2. With clever use of Grenades, Mortar Cannon totems, Mirage Archer automation, and well-timed weapon swapping, you'll have a responsive build capable of clearing the campaign and early endgame content easily. Combine these strategies with efficient use of POE 2 Currency, and you'll be well on your way to crafting a top-tier mapping powerhouse.
MMOexp POE 2 Team