Path of Exile 2, the eagerly anticipated sequel to the widely acclaimed ARPG, has introduced a variety of new builds and mechanics. However, one U4GM archetype that has consistently been powerful across both Path of Exile and its sequel is the Summoner build. Summoners are versatile, capable of controlling a massive army of minions to do their bidding. Whether it’s zombies, skeletons, or specters, summoners harness the power of the dead and turn it against their foes. In Path of Exile 2, this archetype continues to thrive with the ability to overwhelm enemies with sheer numbers, all while keeping the summoner relatively safe.
1. The Zombie Summoner
The Zombie Summoner build remains a strong choice for both new and veteran players alike. Zombies act as the primary damage dealers, and with proper scaling of their life, damage, and resistances, they become nearly indestructible forces. Path of Exile 2 has continued to improve on the minion system, and zombies can be enhanced with a variety of gear, passive skills, and skill gems to create a devastating front-line army. Adding further layers of support with minion life, increased minion damage, and other buffs, you can have a powerful army capable of clearing content quickly and efficiently.
A key feature of the Zombie Summoner in Path of Exile 2 is its ability to scale both defensively and offensively. Zombies have high life pools, making them hard to kill, and they can be further buffed with the right gear and support gems. Using the right aura skills, such as Vitality, Minion Damage, and Hatred, you can massively improve the effectiveness of your minions. Summoners will often take advantage of the Witch or Templar class for the best synergy, as these classes provide powerful auras, curses, and even passives that benefit minions greatly.
The Zombie build also enjoys flexibility, being able to switch from a more defensive setup that focuses on buffs and tanking damage, to an aggressive build that focuses on maximizing the zombies' damage output. With the introduction of various ascendancies and passives in Path of Exile 2, you can tailor your build to suit the content you're tackling, whether it's standard mapping, endgame bosses, or league-specific mechanics.
2. Spectre Summoner Build
Spectre summoners are another favorite choice for players looking to maximize their minion potential. Spectres differ from zombies in that they are more versatile, with different types of spectres offering unique abilities. Players often opt for spectres that deal large amounts of elemental or chaos damage, giving you a diverse arsenal to tackle various challenges.
With the ability to resurrect powerful specters from slain enemies, this build becomes one of the most dynamic in the game. The specter summoner thrives on scaling elemental damage and offering buffs and support to the rest of the party. Much like the Zombie build, minion life, minion damage, and aura support gems become integral parts of this build. You can easily clear screens of enemies by positioning your specters in advantageous locations, letting them deal with mobs while you focus on providing utility and protection.
In Path of Exile 2, spectre summoners have been given a wider array of specter options. Some of these specters specialize in dealing damage with spells, while others offer additional utility, such as applying curses or debuffs to enemies. Combining the right specter types with powerful support gems can easily make you one of the strongest damage-dealing summoners in the game.
3. Summoner Playstyle Tips
While both Zombie and Spectre builds dominate the summoner archetype, it’s important to note that there are some essential gameplay principles that are common to all summoner builds. Keeping your minions alive is crucial, so providing them with resistances, life leech, and damage mitigation is essential. Auras and curses are also your best friends, as they can provide massive damage buffs and debuffs for the enemies.
The summoner playstyle revolves around summoning your minions, supporting them with buffs, and positioning yourself safely. Most summoners will use their minions to tank damage and clear mobs while avoiding the front lines. Depending on the build, you'll often find yourself sitting back and providing support through defensive skills like frost shield or vortex to keep yourself safe from enemy attacks.
Summoner builds are ideal for players who prefer a more passive playstyle, focusing on managing minions and avoiding too much direct confrontation. With the right setup, you can tackle nearly all content in the game with relative ease.
