In the harsh world of Wraeclast, survival depends on quick reflexes, smart planning, and an unrelenting drive for improvement. Among the several available classes in Path of Exile 2, the Ranger stands out for her speed, agility, and ranged prowess. With her proficiency in bows and traps, the Ranger is an excellent choice for players who enjoy a fast-paced, precision-driven play style. This guide will offer a comprehensive breakdown of an effective Ranger build that excels in leveling, endgame content, and bossing in Path of Exile 2.
TLDR
If you’re short on time, here’s the summary:
- The Ranger in PoE 2 is ideal for fast-paced, ranged gameplay specialized in bows and projectiles.
- This guide focuses on a Lightning Arrow / Ballista Totem hybrid build, offering both clear speed and bossing capabilities.
- Prioritize Dexterity gear, Projectile Damage, and Attack Speed on equipment.
- Use Ballistas to tackle tough bosses while you clear mobs with Lightning Arrow.
Build Concept: Lightning Arrow & Ballista Hybrid
This build leverages the wide-area coverage of Lightning Arrow for map clearing and the single-target strength of Ballista Totem Support to handle tough bosses and endgame encounters. It provides a balance of automated damage support (via totems) and manual control, giving you flexibility and ease of play without sacrificing power.
Why Choose Lightning Arrow?
Lightning Arrow is an AoE projectile skill that chains lightning damage between enemies, making it extremely effective for clearing large packs of mobs. It scales well with projectile buffs, elemental damage, and attack speed, all of which are easily accessible to the Ranger.
Why Use Ballistas?
Ballista Totems allow you to offload some of the damage-dealing responsibility, especially in high-risk situations. They work perfectly in a hybrid setup, attacking enemies with high frequency while you re-position or focus fire with your primary skill.
Ascendancy Choice: Deadeye
The preferred Ascendancy class for this build is Deadeye. It enhances all projectile-based skills, increases accuracy, adds extra projectiles, and improves clear speed drastically. Here are the essential nodes:
- Gathering Winds: Grants tailwind for insane movement speed and attack speed.
- Far Shot: Damage is increased the farther away you are from enemies—perfect for range-heavy play.
- Ricochet: Adds projectile chaining potential, synergizing with Lightning Arrow.
- Focal Point: Increases the effect of your marks and helps with debuffing key targets.
Core Skill Gems
Here are the key skill gems and ideal links to use:
Main Damage Skill:
Lightning Arrow (6-Link):
- Lightning Arrow
- Greater Multiple Projectiles
- Elemental Damage with Attacks
- Added Lightning Damage
- Inspiration Support
- Chain (or Pierce for early game)
Totem Setup:
Ballista Totem (4-Link):
- Ballista Totem Support
- Lightning Arrow or Galvanic Arrow
- Added Lightning Damage
- Elemental Damage with Attacks
Utility Gems:
- Sniper’s Mark + Mark on Hit Support
- Flame Dash or Dash for movement
- Grace or Determination (based on physical or evasion tanking preference)
- Summon Ice Golem for extra accuracy and crit chances
Gear and Stat Priorities
As a Ranger, you’ll want to prioritize the following stats on your gear:
Primary Offensive Stats:
- Attack Speed
- Projectile Damage
- Lightning Damage to Attacks
- Critical Strike Chance / Multiplier (if going crit path)
Defensive Stats:
- Life
- Evasion Rating (or Armor if pairing with Determination)
- Elemental Resistances
- Spell Suppression
Gear Recommendations:
- Bow: Look for increased elemental damage, high attack speed, and +1 to level of socketed bow gems.
- Quiver: Projectile Speed, Crit Multiplier, and Life.
- Helmet/Gloves/Boots: Life, resistances, Dexterity, Spell Suppression.
- Body Armour: Evasion or hybrid base with high life and maybe some spell suppression.
Passive Skill Tree Guidance
The skill tree should emphasize:
- Projectile Damage
- Totem Damage
- Attack Speed
- Elemental Damage
- Critical Strike nodes (optional)
- Life and Evasion
Some key keystones and notables include:
- Point Blank (Optional): More damage at close range—useful if you stay mid-range often.
- Ballista Cluster: Enhances Ballista support totems’ uptime and effectiveness.
- Acrobatics: Increases chance to dodge attacks, especially useful in evasion-focused builds.
- Blood Drinker: For added survivability through life leech.
Bandit Choice
For this type of build, the best option is typically:
- Kill all three for +2 passive skill points.
Alternatively, if you want slightly better quality of life early, Alira gives decent resistances and Mana Regeneration, but falls off in endgame.
Pantheon Choices
The Pantheon system grants minor and major gods with passive benefits. Ideal choices for this build:
Major:
- Brine King: Prevents being chain-stunned, very useful for ranged characters who get caught up in stunlock loops.
Minor:
- Garukhan: Adds movement speed and evasion rating, both perfect for a swift Ranger.
Flask Setup
Your flask lineup should help cover resistances, mobility, and sustain. Recommended flask choices:
- Life Flask with Bleed Immunity
- Diamond Flask (if crit-based)
- Quicksilver Flask for speed
- Jade Flask or Granite Flask (depending on defense preference)
- Sulphur or Basalt Flask for damage and survivability
Leveling Tips
The beauty of this build is its smooth leveling experience. Here’s an outline of what to do early on:
- Use Split Arrow or Rain of Arrows in early acts.
- Transition to Lightning Arrow by Act 3 or when you’re comfortable.
- Pick up Ballista Support in Act 4 to boost bossing power.
- Farm gear upgrades regularly and keep an eye on resistances before major bosses.
Endgame Potential
This build shines in mapping, but it can be specced into heavy bossing and pinnacle encounters with minimal changes. By investing in critical strike nodes or more Ballista clusters, you can take down even the hardest PoE 2 content like the revamped Elder or Maven fights.
Final Thoughts
The Ranger class
