The Assassin’s Blade Blast build in POE2 is a high-damage, high-mobility build that focuses on critical strikes and area-of-effect (AoE) explosions. This build is perfect for players who enjoy fast-paced, explosive combat and want to clear maps quickly while maintaining strong single-target damage for bossing. Below is a comprehensive guide to creating and optimizing this build, including ascendancy choices, skill gems, gear recommendations, and playstyle tips.
1. Introduction to the Assassin’s Blade Blast Build
The Assassin’s Blade Blast build revolves around the Assassin ascendancy, which specializes in critical strikes, mobility, and burst damage. This build uses Bladefall to create lingering blades on the ground, which are then detonated with Blade Blast to deal massive AoE damage. The build excels in both mapping and bossing, making it a versatile choice for all content in Path of Exile 2.
2. Ascendancy Choices
The Assassin ascendancy offers unique nodes that synergize perfectly with critical strike and AoE builds. Here are the key nodes for this build:
| Ascendancy Node | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Unstable Infusion | Grants power charges on critical strikes and increases critical strike chance. | Boosts damage output and sustain. |
| Deadly Infusion | Increases critical strike multiplier and grants additional power charges. | Enhances single-target and AoE damage. |
| Opportunistic | Increases damage against rare and unique enemies and reduces damage taken when no enemies are nearby. | Improves survivability and bossing potential. |
| Ambush and Assassinate | Grants increased critical strike chance and damage against enemies on full life. | Provides burst damage for clearing and bossing. |
3. Skill Gems and Links
The Assassin’s Blade Blast build relies on a combination of primary attack skills, utility skills, and support gems to maximize damage and survivability.
Primary Skills
- Bladefall: Creates lingering blades on the ground.
- Blade Blast: Detonates lingering blades to deal massive AoE damage.
Support Gems
- Increased Area of Effect: Enhances the AoE of Blade Blast.
- Controlled Destruction: Increases spell damage at the cost of critical strike chance.
- Unleash: Allows Bladefall to create more lingering blades.
- Critical Strike Affliction: Increases critical strike chance and damage.
Utility Skills
- Flame Dash: Provides mobility for repositioning.
- Herald of Ash: Adds fire damage to spells and creates burning ground.
- Steelskin: Creates a barrier that absorbs incoming damage.
4. Assassin’s Blade Blast Build Gear Recommendations
Gear is crucial for maximizing the build’s damage and survivability. Below is a table of recommended gear:
| Gear Slot | Item | Modifiers to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Void Battery | +Spell Damage, +Critical Strike Chance, +Power Charges |
| Helmet | Rare Helmet | +Life, +Resistances, +Critical Strike Chance |
| Body Armor | Shavronne’s Wrappings | +Energy Shield, Chaos Damage does not bypass Energy Shield |
| Gloves | Rare Gloves | +Life, +Resistances, +Critical Strike Chance |
| Boots | Rare Boots | +Movement Speed, +Life, +Resistances |
| Amulet | Presence of Chayula | +Energy Shield, +Chaos Resistance |
| Rings | Rare Rings | +Life, +Resistances, +Critical Strike Chance |
5. Assassin’s Blade Blast Build Passive Skill Tree
The passive skill tree for this build focuses on:
- Critical Strike Chance: Boosts the chance to deal critical hits.
- Spell Damage: Increases the damage of Blade Blast.
- Life and Energy Shield: Enhances survivability.
- Area of Effect: Improves the coverage of Blade Blast.
Key nodes include Heart of Ice, Annihilation, and Arcane Potency.
6. Playstyle and Tips
- Mapping: Use Bladefall to create lingering blades and Blade Blast to detonate them for massive AoE damage. Maintain Herald of Ash for additional damage.
- Bossing: Focus on stacking lingering blades with Bladefall and detonating them with Blade Blast for high single-target damage. Use Steelskin for additional survivability.
- Positioning: Stay mobile with Flame Dash to avoid enemy attacks. Keep Bladefall and Blade Blast active for continuous damage.
- Sustain: Rely on life leech and energy shield regeneration to stay alive during prolonged fights.
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the best weapon for this build? | Void Battery is ideal for boosting spell damage and critical strike chance. |
| How important is critical strike chance? | Critical strikes are essential for maximizing damage output. |
| Can this build handle endgame content? | Yes, the Assassin’s Blade Blast build excels in both mapping and bossing due to its high damage and survivability. |
| What are the best defensive layers? | Energy shield, life leech, and Steelskin are the core defensive layers of this build. |
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the Assassin’s Blade Blast build in Path of Exile 2 (POE2).
you can also check more POE2 builds