The Warbringer, a Warrior Ascendancy Class in Path of Exile 2, thrives on a blend of robust defenses and devastating offensive capabilities. By utilizing Jade stacks for damage absorption and leveraging armor-breaking mechanics, this build provides exceptional survivability and the ability to amplify damage. Combined with totem synergy, it offers a balanced playstyle that rewards strategic positioning and timing.
Ascendancy Nodes
1. Anvil’s Weight
This node is fundamental for breaking enemy armor. Every hit breaks armor equal to 10% of the damage dealt, significantly reducing enemy defenses and setting the foundation for the build’s offensive mechanics.
2. Jade Heritage
Grants access to the “Encase in Jade” skill. By consuming Jade stacks, this ability provides a temporary buff that absorbs all damage from hits, creating an essential tool for surviving high-damage scenarios. The passive generation of Jade stacks ensures consistent uptime of this defensive layer.
3. Imploding Impacts
Allows armor to be broken below zero, amplifying damage against weakened foes. This node synergizes perfectly with Anvil’s Weight, creating opportunities for substantial burst damage.
4. Answered Call
Unlocks the “Ancestral Spirits” skill, summoning minions through totems. These spirits add both offensive and defensive value, bolstering damage and distracting enemies.
5. Wooden Wall
Transfers 20% of damage taken from hits to the nearest totem, effectively mitigating damage and enhancing survivability. This node pairs well with Answered Call, as the summoned spirits further enhance the build’s defensive layering.
6. Renly’s Training
Increases block chance significantly when a shield is equipped, adding another defensive layer to the build.
7. Turtle Charm
35% Less Block chance
Can Block Damage from all Hits while shield is not Raised
8. Warcaller’s Bellow
Corpses in your Presence Explode when you Warcry
dealing 25% of their life as Physical Damage
9. Greatwolf’s Howl
Ignore Warcry Cooldowns
The Four Best Ascendancy Nodes for this build.
The Warbringer build focuses on balancing strong defenses with powerful offensive capabilities. By strategically utilizing Jade stacks, armor-breaking techniques, and clever placement of totems, you can maximize the build’s effectiveness. With only four Ascendancy Nodes available out of eight, here are the top choices to strengthen your core strategy:
1. Anvil’s Weight
- Effect: Breaks a portion of an enemy’s armor every time you hit them.
- Benefits:
- Essential for the build’s offensive potential.
- Weakens enemy defenses, making them significantly easier to damage.
- Forms the foundation of the Warbringer’s powerful attacks.
2. Jade Heritage
- Effect: Grants the Encase in Jade skill, a temporary shield that absorbs all damage.
- Benefits:
- Leverages Jade stacks to enhance survivability.
- Acts as a reliable safeguard against strong attacks, ensuring you can endure even the toughest encounters.
3. Answered Call
- Effect: Empowers your totems by summoning helpful spirits through them.
- Benefits:
- Spirits boost your damage output and distract enemies.
- Strengthens the Warbringer’s playstyle by making totems a critical component of both offense and defense.
4. Wooden Wall
- Effect: Redirects a portion of the damage you take onto your totems.
- Benefits:
- Extends your survivability by reducing direct damage.
- Works synergistically with Answered Call, as the summoned spirits provide additional targets to absorb damage.
- Encourages strategic placement of totems for optimal defense.
Primary Skill: Earthquake
The build revolves around this Slam skill to deal heavy area-of-effect damage, creating fissures that erupt for additional damage.
Recommended Support Skills:
- Fist of War: Grants periodic Ancestral boosts, amplifying Earthquake’s damage significantly.
- Area of Effect: Expands the skill’s coverage, improving its ability to handle groups of enemies.
- Jagged Ground: Adds damage-over-time zones, synergizing with the build’s focus on area control.
Secondary Skill: Boneshatter
Provides a potent mix of single-target and area damage with a shockwave effect that triggers on heavy stuns, perfectly aligning with the build’s armor-breaking mechanics.
Recommended Support Skills:
- Impact Shockwave: Creates additional shockwaves upon stunning enemies, doubling down on the skill’s natural effect.
- Overpower: Boosts stun buildup, ensuring frequent heavy stuns.
- Exploit Weakness: Adds significant damage when consuming broken armor.
- Dazing: Reduces enemy accuracy and evasion, adding a layer of crowd control.
Additional Skills
- Ancestral Warrior Totem: Acts as a defensive and offensive tool, utilizing socketed Mace skills. Summons additional spirits to fight, enhancing the build’s totem synergy.
- Encase in Jade: Absorbs incoming damage, critical for mitigating burst attacks.
Equipment
- Weapon: Mace
- Shield: A high-block shield.
- Armor: Focus on Life, Resistances, and Armor.
- Accessories: Look for modifiers that boost totem life, stun duration, and physical damage.
- Flasks: Life and Jade utility flasks for defensive uptime.
Passive Skill Tree Suggestions
Focus on nodes that enhance:
- Totem Life and Damage: To strengthen the build’s core defenses.
- Armor and Block: For survivability.
- Physical Damage and Stun Duration: To maximize offensive potential.
Gameplay
- Positioning: Place totems strategically to absorb damage and summon Ancestral Spirits for support.
- Timing: Use “Encase in Jade” against high-damage attacks to avoid lethal bursts.
- Offensive Rotation: Utilize Earthquake for crowd control and Boneshatter for high-damage, single-target encounters.
Strengths
- Exceptional survivability with Jade stacks and totems.
- High damage output through armor-breaking mechanics.
- Versatile playstyle suited for both crowd control and boss fights.
Weaknesses
- Vulnerable if totems are destroyed quickly.
- Relies on careful management of Jade stacks for defense.
- Limited mobility, requiring precise positioning.
This Warbringer build is a foundational guide designed to showcase the potential of the class. It offers a robust balance of offense and defense, relying on strategic use of totems and Jade mechanics. Use this as a base to adapt and refine your playstyle as you explore Path of Exile 2.
