Path of Exile 2: Discover Why the Spear Outshines the Sword

In recent weeks, Path of Exile 2 has been on a rollercoaster ride. Initially, the buzz around the Dawn of the Hunt update had fans on the edge of their seats. Unfortunately, this excitement quickly turned into disappointment. The update introduced several nerfs to existing builds, skills, and items and the campaign didn’t exactly deliver, leaving many players dissatisfied. With the release of patch 0.2.0, the game’s sluggish pacing and the Huntress’s lackluster performance drew criticism. Yet, there’s a silver lining—GGG has since made significant adjustments, and the Huntress is now commanding attention with a standout build.

Spear skills have seen significant improvements post-update, although some still lag behind. Among various formidable Huntress builds—ranging from Bleed Explosions to Explosive Spear and Storm Lance—the standout is the Lightning Spear on the Amazon. This build is currently outperforming others in Path of Exile 2, rapidly dismantling endgame content and making alternative paths seem less appealing.

The Huntress’ Amazon Ascendancy shines with its potential for raw damage, largely due to its ability to scale critical hits through accuracy. While some builds prefer the Ranger’s Deadeye Ascendancy for damage, Lightning Spear has emerged as arguably the best skill in Path of Exile 2. It’s an all-in-one powerhouse: a single button press clears screens full of enemies and demolishes bosses with minimal setup needed. Essential for this build are Frenzy Charges and decent gear, with several ways to achieve this. Techniques like using Herald of Thunder or Lightning Spear to electrify foes with Kitoko’s Current or the Electrocute Gem make this build formidable. Alternatively, players can use Herald of Ice and The Three Dragons Unique helmet to pivot Lightning Spear into a freezing force, with Combat Frenzy ensuring steady Frenzy Charge generation. Thus equipped, the amplified Lightning Spear can effortlessly decimate PoE 2’s endgame, even after recent changes.

Lightning Spear’s versatility lies in its ability to create massive explosive effects, whether through shock, electrocution, or freezing variants. This, combined with the extra damage and area enhancement from Frenzy Charge consumption, makes it an exceptional clearing skill. Furthermore, its bosses-melting capability remains substantial, especially when combined with complementary skills like Explosive Spear, Storm Lance, and Sniper’s Mark for campaign bosses or the initial endgame tiers. For tackling higher-level challenges, more Lightning Penetration might be needed.

Despite Lightning Spear’s effectiveness, there’s a nostalgia factor that GGG should consider before making any drastic nerfs. Its animation and effects harken back to the beloved Javazon builds from Diablo 2. For many players, using Lightning Spear isn’t just about its power—it’s about reliving cherished gaming memories. While balancing is important, preserving this nostalgic fantasy might be worth considering to keep the community engaged.

In conclusion, while Lightning Spear might be on the chopping block due to its overwhelming presence, its role in evoking fond player memories suggests a gentler approach could be more beneficial, allowing players to continue enjoying both powerful gameplay and a nostalgic experience.