In this second installment of our Witch Minion build series for Path of Exile 2, we’ll dive into the leveling process, ensuring you can smoothly progress through each Act while maximizing the potential of your spectral army. Leveling a minion-focused Witch can be tricky, but with the right skills and strategies, you’ll cruise through Wraeclast with ease.

Early Game Strategy: Act 1 - Surviving the Toughest Phase

Act 1 is often the most challenging for a Witch due to fragile minions and limited resources. Here’s how to overcome it:

Key Skills to Focus On:

  • Unearth (Level 1) – Your first minion-generating ability. Unearth provides decent damage and ensures you always have backup skeletons.

  • Skeletal Sniper (Level 4) – Unlock this ASAP for ranged minion support. Skeletal Snipers deal strong burst damage, helping against tougher enemies.

  • Flame Wall (Level 5) – Pair this with Skeletal Snipers for increased AoE damage and boss clearing.

  • Bonestorm (Level 5) – Unlock and use this as your main DPS tool, scaling its damage with additional Spirit.

Act 1 Pro Tips:

  • Always summon minions before engaging enemies.

  • Use Flame Wall strategically to boost damage while staying safe.

  • Keep Gas Arrow from Skeletal Snipers active to deal consistent damage over time.

Upgrade Gear Quickly: U4GM’s POE 2 shop offers essential leveling gear to help you stay ahead of the curve.


Mid-Game Power Spike: Act 2 - Unlocking Ascendancy

Act 2 offers significant progression milestones, boosting your minion army’s effectiveness.

Critical Skills and Ascendancy Path:

  • Flammability (Level 12) – Replace early debuffs like Contagion with Flammability to amplify fire damage.

  • Infernalist Ascendancy – Complete the Trial of Sekhemas to unlock Infernalist. This path drastically enhances your minions’ damage output.

  • Loyal Hellhound – Choose this talent first. The Hellhound acts as a powerful tank and damage dealer.

Act 2 Pro Tips:

  • Focus on scaling Spirit to summon more minions.

  • Equip gear with increased Minion Health and Damage stats.

  • Don’t forget to constantly resummon fallen minions in tougher battles.


Late Game Transition: Act 3 - Preparing for Endgame

By Act 3, your Witch minion build begins to take shape, transitioning from fragile summons to a formidable undead army.

Key Abilities and Gem Links:

  • Skeletal Arsonist – Replace Skeletal Snipers to add fire-focused burst damage.

  • Feeding Frenzy (Level 24) – Boost minion attack and cast speed, increasing overall damage.

  • Fire Penetration – Link this to Raging Spirit to melt bosses with sustained fire damage.

  • Elemental Focus – Further amplifies elemental output, critical for late-game.

Act 3 Pro Tips:

  • Use a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb to unlock extra gem slots.

  • Rotate between Skeletal Arsonist and Bonestorm for consistent DPS.

  • Position carefully in boss fights—minions should engage first while you focus on applying debuffs.

Cruel Mode and Beyond: Endgame Preparation

Once you enter Cruel Mode, your build reaches near-endgame viability. Here’s how to push your Witch to the next level:

  • Unlock Skeletal Storm Mage – This ability applies Shock, boosting all damage taken by enemies.

  • Add Skeletal Clerics – Essential for keeping minions alive through healing and revival.

  • Swap Fire Penetration for Immolate – Further boosts fire damage on Raging Spirit.

Endgame Pro Tip: Equip weapons with +Minion Damage modifiers and craft gear that increases Spirit and Resistances to sustain longer fights

Final Thoughts

Leveling as a Witch in Path of Exile 2 is a rewarding experience when approached correctly. By following this guide, you’ll ensure smooth progression through the Acts, culminating in a powerful minion army ready to take on endgame bosses.

For faster leveling and access to essential gear, visit U4GM’s Path of Exile 2 store to gear up and dominate the battlefield.

Next, we’ll explore the passive skill tree and minion synergy—stay tuned!