The Return of the Ancients update has completely reshaped Path of Exile 2’s endgame. Some familiar builds have remained at the top thanks to powerful interactions and recent buffs, while a few lesser-known setups have quietly climbed the rankings and are now capable of competing with the strongest characters in the game.
After looking through the current meta, boss performance, mapping speed, survivability, and scaling potential, a clear group of builds has separated itself from the rest. Some dominate every piece of content, while others specialize in specific areas such as boss farming or ultra-fast map clearing.
If you’re wondering what to invest your currency into for the late game, here’s a breakdown of the strongest endgame builds right now.
S-Tier Builds
These are the builds that excel in nearly every category. They offer incredible damage, strong defenses, excellent scaling, and can comfortably handle the toughest endgame encounters.
Whirling Assault Martial Artist
Whirling Assault Martial Artist currently sits at the top of the mountain.
The build revolves around Hollow Form clones repeatedly casting Whirling Assault while interacting with Loniial Caress gloves. This unique interaction allows the player to continuously generate and sustain important charges, keeping powerful defensive and offensive bonuses active almost permanently.
What makes the build truly special is how it bypasses some of the normal limitations of Whirling Assault. The result is absurd damage output while maintaining exceptional survivability.
Strengths:
- Outstanding boss damage
- Extremely tanky
- Excellent scaling throughout progression
- Strong mapping performance
- Powerful charge generation mechanics
Weaknesses:
- Slightly slower movement compared to some speed-focused builds
Even with that minor drawback, this is currently one of the most complete builds available.
Twister Spirit Walker
Twister has always been a strong skill, but Spirit Walker takes it to another level.
The build uses projectile speed scaling to maximize Twister’s ability to bounce around terrain and repeatedly hit enemies. Additional projectiles from Primal Bounty dramatically increase both clear speed and single-target damage.
One of the biggest reasons players love this build is how quickly it comes online. It performs well from the early stages and continues scaling into the deepest endgame content.
Strengths:
- Exceptional damage
- Fantastic mapping speed
- One of the strongest league starters
- Great scaling
Weaknesses:
- Less durable than top defensive builds
Despite being slightly squishier, its damage and speed are difficult to match.
Iceshot Deadeye
Iceshot Deadeye remains one of the safest recommendations for almost any player.
Recent defensive buffs significantly improved the build’s survivability without reducing its already impressive damage output. It clears maps incredibly quickly and melts bosses once proper gear is acquired.
The build can transition from Snipe-focused gameplay into a pure Iceshot setup later, giving players flexibility throughout progression.
Strengths:
- Excellent clear speed
- Strong boss damage
- Great scaling
- Improved survivability after recent patches
Weaknesses:
- Requires investment to fully reach its potential
For players who enjoy bow builds, it’s hard to go wrong with Iceshot Deadeye.
A-Tier Builds
These builds are extremely powerful but have one or two weaknesses preventing them from reaching S-Tier status.
Vivis Stampede Spirit Walker
This may be the fastest mapping build in the game.
The entire setup revolves around generating Wisps through movement and converting that movement into damage through Vivis Stampede. Dodge rolling becomes a major part of the gameplay loop, creating an incredibly fast and fluid playstyle.
Watching the build fly through maps is honestly impressive.
Strengths:
- Incredible clear speed
- Extremely mobile
- Strong damage output
- Fun and unique gameplay
Weaknesses:
- Not particularly tanky
- Boss damage is good rather than exceptional
If future optimizations improve survivability, this build could easily move into S-Tier.
Jin Disciple Parasha
Minion players have a lot to celebrate this league.
Jin Disciple Parasha received several indirect buffs and now performs far better than many expected. Recent improvements to command skills and minion scaling have helped solve several issues the build previously faced.
The result is a build capable of strong damage, solid defenses, and surprisingly efficient clearing.
Strengths:
- Excellent minion damage
- Strong survivability
- Good map clear
- Easy progression path
Weaknesses:
- Still dependent on minion mechanics
For players who enjoy commanding armies rather than casting spells themselves, this is one of the strongest options available.
Monkey Spirit Walker
Few builds can match this build’s boss-killing potential.
The entire setup revolves around a tamed monkey companion capable of delivering devastating critical strikes. At high investment levels, the companion can destroy even pinnacle bosses in remarkably short periods.
Strengths:
- Incredible boss damage
- Strong companion scaling
- Decent survivability
Weaknesses:
- Average map clearing
- Reliant on minion AI behavior
Boss hunters will find a lot to love here.
Iceshot Amazon
Iceshot Amazon shares many similarities with the Deadeye version but offers a different approach to scaling.
Accuracy-based damage scaling opens the door to powerful budget setups that are much easier to assemble compared to some high-end alternatives.
Strengths:
- Strong damage
- Budget-friendly options
- Good survivability
- Excellent progression
Weaknesses:
- Lower overall ceiling than Deadeye
Players looking for a more affordable route into endgame bow gameplay should strongly consider this option.
B-Tier Builds
These builds remain fully capable of clearing endgame content but generally require more investment or have more noticeable weaknesses.
Grim Pillars Oracle
Grim Pillars Oracle creates a battlefield covered in damaging pillars through a combination of totems and runic spells.
The visual spectacle alone makes the build worth trying.
Strengths:
- Good damage
- Strong critical strike scaling
- Effective map clearing
Weaknesses:
- Can feel fragile without significant investment
It performs well overall but lacks the durability of higher-ranked options.
Plants Abyssal Lich
Abyssal Lich continues to be a reliable spellcasting option.
Low-life mechanics provide solid survivability while maintaining respectable damage output. It may not dominate any single category, but it remains consistently effective across most content.
Strengths:
- Good balance of offense and defense
- Reliable progression
- Strong survivability
Weaknesses:
- Boss damage is merely average
A solid choice for players who prefer a well-rounded caster.
Grenade Gambling Legionnaire
Grenades continue to offer one of the most satisfying playstyles in Path of Exile 2.
The ability to throw explosives while constantly moving creates a fast-paced gameplay loop that feels great during leveling and mapping.
Strengths:
- Excellent campaign performance
- Strong burst damage
- Mobile gameplay
Weaknesses:
- Limited area coverage
- Slower map clear compared to top builds
The build remains competitive but currently lacks the efficiency needed to challenge higher-tier contenders.
Best Build Overall
If you’re looking for the strongest all-around build in Return of the Ancients, Whirling Assault Martial Artist currently holds that title.
It combines:
- Exceptional survivability
- Massive damage output
- Great scaling
- Strong mapping
- Powerful bossing
Very few builds can compete with its combination of offense and defense.
Best Build for Different Playstyles
Best Overall Build
Whirling Assault Martial Artist
Best League Starter
Twister Spirit Walker
Best Bow Build
Iceshot Deadeye
Best Budget Build
Iceshot Amazon
Best Boss Killer
Monkey Spirit Walker
Best Mapping Build
Vivis Stampede Spirit Walker
Best Minion Build
Jin Disciple Parasha
The current Path of Exile 2 meta feels surprisingly diverse. While Whirling Assault Martial Artist sits comfortably at the top, several other builds are close enough that player preference can matter just as much as raw power.
Bow players have multiple excellent choices, minion enthusiasts are enjoying one of their strongest leagues in recent memory, and speed-focused players have some of the fastest mapping builds the game has ever seen.
For pure efficiency, Whirling Assault Martial Artist remains the build to beat. However, Twister Spirit Walker, Iceshot Deadeye, and several A-Tier contenders are strong enough to comfortably tackle everything the Return of the Ancients endgame currently offers.