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PoE 2 Build

[0.2] Xbow/Spear Witchhunter - Bigdaddies Witchhunter Xbow

Mercenary

Witchhunter

Creator

End Game

0.2 DotH

By BigDaddy Gaming

Updated on Apr 13, 2025

Apr 13, 2025

Build Overview

The #1 DPS/QoL Merc Xbow build from 0.1 is back for 0.2!

Build Features

Extremely good Single Target DPS with Shockburst Rounds
S+++ clear with Lightning Spear
No annoying combos (shocks for Shockburst Rounds are automated)
Evasion and ES combo for decent tank.

Check build variants out for CURRENT POBS!

0.1 PoBs (old)
https://pobb.in/gfxhTb5mQAmz
https://pobb.in/YlWATg4mMSR2
https://pobb.in/w0rBPiSngsI9
https://pobb.in/L4j6iXgPmzSz

I also have a MONK version that I personally like the best, If your interested check out: https://mobalytics.gg/poe-2/builds/bigdaddy-xbow-monk

Build Variants

High Budget

Companion (cheaper)

This ver is quite expensive.

https://pobb.in/xvVvcrSA86xd

Equipment

High Budget

Companion (cheaper)

Set 1

Set 2

Equipment Priority

Helmet

Expert Feathered Tiara

Main Hand

Expert Forlorn Crossbow

Left Ring

Breach Ring

Right Ring

Breach Ring

Amulet

Choir of the Storm

Body

Expert Waxed Jacket

Gloves

Grand Bracers

Belt

Ingenuity

Boots

Expert Silk Slippers

WEAPON: I Recommend you copy weapon from trade and import into your PoB BEFORE buying! Always check if its worth the upgrade or purchase!

The Ideal Weapon will depend on your current stats. For example, if you have low crit chance then getting a weapon with high critical hit chance will be a big DPS increase. If you have a lot of critical hit chance then getting more crit multi will be better.

Example Weapon:
350+ DPS (phys is best, flat lightning second)
Elemental damage with attacks: 70%+
1.7+ attack speed
8%+ crit chance
20%+ crit mult

Soul Cores should be Crit Multi

SPIRIT
Can get 100 from campaign, up to 60 on body armour, up to 30 on helm corrupt (not ideal) and up to 12 per notable on Against the Darkness Jewel

180 total for all auras (get on body armour and Against the Darkness Jewel)
120 total starter setup

See Gem section for info on aura setups!

Amulet anoint
Subterfuge Mask

Jewel Priority
1 Jewel with 2% of life gained on kill and some useful stats.
Rest should be ES or Eva + Crit chance/crit damage

Others should have stuff like:
Elemental Damage, Ailment or Shock Magnitude

Skill Gems

High Budget

Companion (cheaper)

Support Gem Requirements:

Str 30

Dex 65

Int 55

Expand all

Lightning Spear

Shockburst Rounds

Emergency Reload

Herald of Thunder

Blink

Cast on Shock

Lightning Bolt

Overwhelming Presence

Combat Frenzy

Orb of Storms

Sorcery Ward

Gem Priority

+31

Weapon Sets:

Option 1 (180 Spirit)

Weapon 1: Blink Cast on Shock Herald of Thunder Overwhelming Presence
Weapon 2: Blink Cast on Shock Herald of Thunder Combat Frenzy

Option 2 (120 Spirit)

Weapon 1: Cast on Shock Herald of Thunder Overwhelming Presence
Weapon 2: Blink Herald of Thunder Combat Frenzy

Tip: Herald of Thunder 21/20 gives 1 extra bolt. SO you can socket Lightning Mastery to make a level 20 gem 21 and benefit from the extra bolt. if you already have 21/20 then another damage support might be better.

Passive Tree

High Budget

Companion (cheaper)

main:

123

set 1:

set 2:

Against the darkness near Acrobatics . (Spirit + extra light dmg)

How it Plays

Mapping: Spam Lightning Spear
Bossing: Spam Shockburst Rounds

How it Works

Galvanic Shards has good clear with lots of coverage coming from chains and forks. We also have explode for more clear!

Shockburst Rounds has insane single target but requires the target to be shocked. We apply consistent shocks with Choir of the Storm.

Changelog

2025-04-13: Update all setups for 0.2!

2025-04-04: Update low budget for 0.2!

2025-02-08: Fixed incorrect Cast on Shock link setup on High budget. Added recommended defense stats in description.

2025-02-06: added a more defensive aura setup (Option 4) for low budget.

2025-02-05: updated Pob Configs and made custom modifiers description more readable. also added tip for min-maxing Herald of Thunder

2025-02-04: moved Lightning Infusion to Herald of Ice on low budget setup. Just realized that without Hand of Wisdom and Action or flat lightning on Xbow/Rings you probably won't have a lot of lightning damage and thus herald chaining will not be so good. try it out if your having issues.