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PoE 2 Build

Lundburgerr's 0.5 Shield Wall Smith Leaguestarter

Warrior

Smith of Kitava

Starter

Speed Leveling

0.5.5 FR

Mirror Tier

Beginner

Verified

By lundburgerr

Updated on Sep 22, 2026

Sep 22, 2026

Build Overview

Contrary to popular belief, Shield Wall didn't actually get nerfed that much this league and is still going to be one of the strongest league starts, and arguably the best league start because of how extremely simple it is to gear in maps. In 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4, there have been a Smith of Kitava at the very top of the XP ladder the first few days (In 0.2 it was me :)).

The base damage nerfed on shield wall and fortifying cry was simply to compensate for the base armour buff on Shields. We will however do around 30% less damage at worst case against single target in endgame due to the Fortifying Cry changes which prevents it from shotgunning.

But Shield Wall was already exceptionally strong in 0.4 and the strongest build during the first weekend of the league. It was obliterating bosses already so a 30% nerf for single target might be warranted.

PASSIVE TREE CHANGES IN 0.5

For the be most part, just use the same tree as listed here for the 0.4 tree. If you want to try something new, grab vaal pact and the leech nodes that gives attack speed while leeching, these could be very strong. Note that instant life flasks should still work with Vaal pact (not tested), so an Olroth flask is very good if you go vaal pact.

REGEX:

Strengths and Weaknesses

Easy to cap resistances in campaign and end game due to Smith of Kitava Ascendency
Very tanky in campaign after you ascend the first time
Screen wide clear with the endgame setup
Can immediately start stacking rarity on gear when you reach maps because of how easy it is to max your resistances
Can do all content and bosses very early on league start

Main skills not accessible until lvl 22
Damage and clear does not scale as hard when you get giga juiced gear compared to other builds. Might want to consider a second build to swap into once you farmed initial currency. Typically after one week depending on how much you play

Build Variants

Act 1 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 Before lvl 22 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 - Shield Wall Swap

Act 3

Act 4

Interludes

Maps

Giga Endgame

Shield Wall is not unlocked until lvl 22 unfortunately, so before that we will use Rolling slam + Boneshatter to clear and Perfect Strike after lvl 14 for Single target. Aim to get to lvl 14 right before fighting Count Geonor. Make sure you Talked to Leitis after killing the Executioner, she will then give you a guaranteed lvl 5 skill gem in town that you can use to cut Perfect Strike.

Rolling Slam + Boneshatter is a strong combo, but can take a little bit of practice to master.
Rolling slam has two slams built in, but you want to only do the first slam, then cancel the second slam by using Boneshatter before it. You can also control the rolling slam mid-attack by moving your mouse, which is sometimes useful, especially when rolling into a dangerous pack. You can then rolling slam into them from an angle to avoid getting hit by a bunch of attacks.

You can use a talisman on your swap if you want, but it's not super necessary, it will enable the usage of Pounce which helps you traverse the zones quicker. But this is more of a speedrunning tactic.

Equipment

Act 1 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 Before lvl 22 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 - Shield Wall Swap

Act 3

Act 4

Interludes

Maps

Giga Endgame

Set 1

Set 2

Equipment Priority

Skill Gems

Act 1 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 Before lvl 22 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 - Shield Wall Swap

Act 3

Act 4

Interludes

Maps

Giga Endgame

Support Gem Requirements:

Str 20

Dex 10

Int 20

Boneshatter

Mace Strike

Rolling Slam

Level 1

Frost Bomb

Infernal Cry

Perfect Strike

Herald of Ash

Gem Priority

+10

Keep your Rolling Slam at lvl 1! If you're forced to upgrade your Rolling Slam, make sure to keep the lvl 1 copy and don't upgrade it. If you need more stun buildup to prime enemies for stun for Boneshatter, you can always cut Brink I in act 1 in next league.

Support gem priority

1. Impact Shockwave (Boneshatter)
2. Concentrated Area (Mace Strike)
3. Fire Attunement (Mace Strike)
4. Magnified Area I (Boneshatter)
5. Tireless (Infernal Cry)
6. Window of Opportunity I (Perfect Strike)
7. Magnified Area I (Herald of Ash)
8. Rapid Attacks I (Rolling Slam)

Optional. Brink I (Rolling Slam)
If you have too high damage or stun build up, Rolling Slam might stun the enemies immediately which you don't want. You just want to have enough stun buildup so that you can proc the shockwave on Boneshatter. Enemies will have a white glowing orb on them when they have just the right amount of Stun buildup.

When you get Perfect Strike move Concentrated Area from Mace Strike to Perfect Strike. If you have issues timing and hitting with your Perfect Strike on bosses, you can slot in either Fire Attunement or Rapid Attacks I (Or both) instead of Window of Opportunity I or Concentrated Area.

Passive Tree

Act 1 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 Before lvl 22 - Rolling slam/Boneshatter

Act 2 - Shield Wall Swap

Act 3

Act 4

Interludes

Maps

Giga Endgame

main:

123

set 1:

set 2:

Quest Rewards

Check which quests you’ve completed on your character

Clearfell — Beira of the Rotten Pack

Not Specified1 choice

Hunting Grounds — The Crowbell

Not Specified1 choice

Freythorn — The King in the Mists

Not Specified1 choice

Ogham Farmlands — Una's Hut

Not Specified1 choice

Ogham Manor — Candlemass, the Living Rite

Not Specified1 choice

Keth — Kabala, Constrictor Queen

Not Specified1 choice

Valley of the Titans — Medallion

Not Specified2 choices

Deshar — Final Letter

Not Specified1 choice

The Spires of Deshar — Sisters of Garukhan

Not Specified1 choice

Jungle Ruins — Mighty Silverfist

Not Specified1 choice

The Venom Crypts — Venom Draught

Not Specified3 choices

Jiquani's Machinarium — Blackjaw, the Remnant

Not Specified1 choice

The Azak Bog — Ignagduk, the Bog Witch

Not Specified1 choice

The Molten Vault — The Molten Vault

Not Specified1 choice

Aggorat — Blood Sacrifice

Not Specified1 choice

Journey's End — Captain Hartlin

Not Specified1 choice

Eye of Hinekora — Navali's Rest

Not Specified1 choice

Halls of the Dead — Yama The White

Not Specified1 choice

Halls of the Dead — Tawhoa's Test

Not Specified2 choices

Abandoned Prison — Goddess of Justice

Not Specified2 choices

Halls of the Dead — Tasalio's Test

Not Specified2 choices

Halls of the Dead — Ngamahu's Test

Not Specified2 choices

Wolvenhold — Oswin, the Dread Warden

Not Specified1 choice

The Khari Crossing — Akthi and Anundr

Not Specified1 choice

The Khari Crossing — Molten Shrine

Not Specified1 choice

Qimah — Tabana's Pillar

Not Specified7 choices

Kriar Village — Lythara, the Wayward Spear

Not Specified1 choice

Howling Caves — The Abominable Yeti

Not Specified1 choice

How it Plays

When clearing:
Drop Shield Wall and either use a warcry or Shield Charge. Once you get to endgame, the more you can use Shield Charge, the faster your map clear is.

Against bosses:
1. Freezing mark (can be skipped after you get armour break from other sources)
2. Place Totem
3. Infernal Cry + Fortifying Cry (When you get it)
4. Spam Shield Wall
5. Sunder after armour is broken (When you get Sunder)
6. Repeat

Comments

Ash•4d ago

Thanks for sharing the build! Compared to my Infernalist a few Leagues ago its much safer.

Could you share what jewels you'd recommend for the maps/giga end game portion

Inversion472•12d ago

Just wanted to ask at what point you think switching off from this build would be best? I'm just getting into tier 15 waystones now so I have a ways to go, but wanna plan ahead.

lundburgerr

Author

•9d ago

I wrote the guide covering everything as far as I personally would take it. So keep going until the giga endgame version. You can skip getting Uul netols though and keep armour break somewhere else as Uul Netols is very expensive right now

View 1 reply

John•16d ago

Can you explain what leap slam is used for, its not mentioned in the how it plays section

lundburgerr

Author

•9d ago

Sorry for that, it's just used as a movement ability. You don't need to use it

DeadlyMask•17d ago

Hey, man! I just reached the endgame with this build, and I’m having a lot of fun with it so far. I haven’t had any trouble with it yet, but I have a couple of questions.

Why do you prioritize Fire Resistance over the other resistances? And which mace should I be looking for if I want to actually deal some good damage?

Thanks a lot, and God bless you!

DrBeatz•13d ago

If you have 6 points (or even 4) in your ascendancy skills you can acquire "Coal Stoker" Skill which uses your maximum fire resistance to add to your other resistances (not including chaos) by %50 of your fire resistances. Thus freeing up other spots for stuff that is more beneficial. Been loving the build even in 0.5.5 but have adapted a touch to my playstyle. cheers.

PraiseThaSun88•19d ago

Hey man, I been following this build since league start. Now that i am getting to t8 plus, the bosses and rares are taking a lot longer to die. i am pretty sure i have everything exact to your build. What ios the primary gem or abilillity for bossing?

PraiseThaSun88•18d ago

I TAKE IT BACK. The build is excellent. I realized that it scaled on the shield`s armor rating. I had an old ass shield. It cost 1 chaos to get a really good shield and i am smashing now.

View 2 replies

DrBeatz•19d ago

I signed up for an account just to let you know that I am having a blast playing your build. Although I am not playing it 100% to your specifications I have been thoroughly enjoying filling the screen with constant explosions from the fissure walls! I have incorporated more of the wolf (rend/pounce/Surge of the Tide) and haven't been disappointed! Thanks for a great .0.5.5 compatible league starter!

lundburgerr

Author

•17d ago

Thank you! I'm happy you enjoy the build :)

Pendaison•21d ago

Hey, i dont understand, it take like 5 min to kill a boss in t11 ... it s not a s tier endgame build ?

lundburgerr

Author

•21d ago

It is an S tier league starter build that you can push pretty far. But yes you should be able to find gear, without trading even, to melt T15 bosses. So you're missing something

DrBeatz•12d ago

There's a good chance you have neglected your shield's armor. It is crucial for your shield wall's damage scaling. As soon as you can, find a shield with as much armor as possible. It will scale your walls explosion big time.

Gaafah•22d ago

Amazing guide thank you so much!

Im just a bit confused about the Sunder part, do you EXCLUSIVELY use it AFTER the armour is broken?

lundburgerr

Author

•21d ago

yes it's only for sundered armour

FierceShadow•23d ago

uh, the fortifying cry requires a shield equipped on weapon set 2, do I just put some random shield justice to make it work? or I'm doing something wrong

lundburgerr

Author

•21d ago

You can have the same shield on both weapon sets, right click the "I" above the equipped weapon or shield in your inventory and it should lock it to both weapon sets.