Path of Exile 2 has brought new and exciting options for players to explore.
Among these, the Ranger class, especially Deadeye and Pathfinder, offers strong build choices that focus on maximizing damage through skills like Spiral Volley and Rain of Arrows.
This article will look at strategies and builds to help you pick the best starter build for your Ranger.
Ranger Starters: Deadeye vs. Pathfinder
Deadeye Build Overview
Deadeye builds use Frenzy charges to boost their skills’ damage and effectiveness. Two key skills in this build are Spiral Volley and Rain of Arrows. Let’s take a closer look at how each skill works in a Deadeye build.
Spiral Volley
- How it works: Spiral Volley, a T13 Ranger skill, lets the player shoot a bunch of arrows in a spinning motion that automatically targets enemies. This means you don’t need to aim carefully, as each arrow will find its target.
- Frenzy Charges: Using Frenzy charges increases the damage and chaining ability of the arrows. Each Frenzy charge boosts damage by 20% and adds a chaining effect, hitting more targets.
- Playstyle: Spiral Volley is similar to Diablo II’s Demon Hunter, allowing for a dynamic ‘spin and shoot’ style, good for clearing groups and hitting single targets.
Rain of Arrows
- How it works: Rain of Arrows is great for dealing big damage to single targets and works well with Spiral Volley. It shoots a bunch of arrows from above, hitting enemies in a small area.
- Frenzy Charges: This skill also benefits from Frenzy charges, with each charge leading to more arrows and increased damage.
- How to use it: Using Rain of Arrows as your main single-target skill while using Spiral Volley for groups gives you a balanced approach, good for clearing mobs and taking down tough enemies.
Important Nodes and Passives
- Avidity: Changes Frenzy charge generation into maximum Frenzy charges, increasing damage output.
- Thrilling Chase: Doubles the benefits from Frenzy charges, leading to better damage scaling.
- Gathering Winds and Tailwind: Increases movement speed, action speed, and evasion rating, giving better mobility and defense.
Deadeye Skill Tree Path
- Attack Speed and Projectile Damage: Focus on nodes that boost attack speed (like Honed Instincts) and projectile damage (Master Fletcher) at first.
- Flask Nodes: Choose nodes that increase life and mana recovery from flasks (Wellspring, Hail the Traveler) to stay alive longer.
- Elemental and Toxin Nodes: Adjust your path based on whether you’re using Lightning Arrow (picking Elemental nodes) or focusing on poison (stacking toxins).
Early Gem Setups
- Lightning Arrow: Use Multishot to spread attacks and Added Lightning Damage for consistent damage.
- Lightning Rod: Combine with Volley and area effect boosts for better crowd control and damage.
- Vine Arrow: Pair with Encumbrance and Corrosion to apply poison and slow enemies while reducing their armor.
Pathfinder Build Overview
Pathfinder builds focus on steady poison damage and using flasks to stay alive and deal more damage. Here’s how to build an effective Poison Pathfinder.
Poison Pathfinder
- Poison Mechanics: Poison builds are all about constantly applying poison to enemies, maximizing damage over time.
- Key Skills: Set up skills like Rain of Arrows, typically applying poison to multiple targets.
- Staying Alive: Use Poison Pathfinder’s natural flask recovery benefits, helping you stay alive through frequent flask use.
Important Pathfinder Passives
- Increased Flask Efficiency: Focus on nodes like Wellspring and Hail the Traveler early to keep your mana and health up through flasks.
- Poison Scaling Passives: Adjust nodes to maximize poisoning effectiveness, including nodes like Stacking Toxins and Projectile Damage nodes optimized for close-combat situations.
Early Gem Setups and Skill Variety
- Pathfinder Setup: Use skills like Vine Arrow with poison boosts, adding Chaos Damage to maximize poison effects.
- Hex Bloom & Decaying Hex: Spread poison effects widely; combining these with Chaotic Freeze allows Pathfinder to freeze enemies when poison hits, spreading the damage.
Single Target and AOE Adaptability
Concentrated Effect Support: Strengthens single-target attacks through skills like Rain of Arrows, trading area effect for higher concentrated damage.
Using Multiple Skills: Adapt skill use to different situations, using Spiral Volley for crowd control and Rain of Arrows for focused high-damage hits.
Skill Tree & Leveling Tips
Deadeye Skill Tree Route
- Early Game: Focus on getting attack speed, projectile damage, and mana/life flask nodes.
- Mid to Late Game: Tailwind and speed nodes provide continued survivability and efficiency.
Pathfinder Skill Tree Path
- Early Game: Focus on the right side path, getting attack speed, projectile damage, and essential flask nodes for sustain.
- Late Game: Add more poison-related nodes that ensure rapid spread and maximize poison damage output.
Summary & Decision Making
Choosing between Deadeye and Pathfinder in Path of Exile 2 mostly depends on how you like to play.
Deadeye is great for high burst damage and quick Frenzy charge generation, making it ideal for those who like speed and explosive gameplay.
Spiral Volley and Rain of Arrows allow for dynamic, versatile engagement with both groups and single targets.
On the other hand, Pathfinder offers a more sustainable approach, relying on poison spread and better flask management, providing steady, consistent damage over time with significant self-sustain.
In the end, both builds are compelling options and allow for significant customization based on player preferences and gameplay styles.
Try out both setups, adjusting your skill tree and items based on how you progress in the game.
Balancing between clear speed and survivability will shape the ultimate potential of your Ranger starter in Path of Exile 2.
Conclusion
Path of Exile 2’s Ranger class, featuring Deadeye and Pathfinder builds, offers strong and exciting options for both experienced and new players.
Whether choosing the burst-heavy, fast-paced Deadeye or the sustainable, poison-focused Pathfinder, players are in for a deep, engaging gameplay experience.
Look at each build’s strengths, adapt your strategy based on your playstyle, and dive into the expansive world of Path of Exile 2 with confidence and preparation.”
