Sign Up
  • Verification Code
I want to get information about activities, sales and personal offers

or continue with social networks

twitch google steam reddit discord
Already have an account?
Log In
Remember me Forgot your password?

or continue with social networks

twitch google steam reddit discord
Not a member? Sign up now

Path Of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0 Winners And Losers: Which Builds Will Rise?

Posted: Sep 03, 2025 Views: 24

Posted: Sep 03, 2025

Source:  IGGM

Views: 24

Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0 has arrived. Players may not have the patience to read through the lengthy update from beginning to end. But I'm sure you're all very curious about whether the dominance of Lightning Spear Amazon build from 0.2.0 will return.

This will require us to see what buffs and nerfs patch 0.3.0 brings to various abilities, and which mechanics have received significant adjustments this season. So, let's take a look at which builds will rise and which will be nerfed in patch 0.3.0.

Path Of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0 Winners And Losers: Which Builds Will Rise?

Nerf Skills

Lightning Spear

First, Lightning Spear Amazon. It dominated the entire endgame in 0.2.0, surpassing other builds by a significant margin. In 0.3.0, its key skill, Lightning Spear, has been nerfed. Secondary projectiles are now fixed at 5 (previously 3-8 with level), and the 50% increased damage when consuming a Frenzy Charge has been removed.

This nerf significantly reduces the build's damage by approximately 40-50%, especially in terms of single-target burst, but has little impact on the speed of farming. Lightning Spear Amazon has essentially lost its status as a Tier S build, but if you're willing to invest significant POE 2 currency in it to build the right affixes, it can still deliver decent damage.

Incinerate

Incinerate received a skill rework in patch 0.3.0, requiring mana to acquire Fuel resource to activate, and no longer granting Burning Ground by default. Builds that relied on its Burning Ground to trigger Whirling Slash were severely impacted, and those who wanted to continue this playstyle would need to find a replacement for Incinerate or simply not play at all.

Infernal Cry

Many builds have added Infernal Cry to their skill list because it provides a significant amount of additional fire damage to melee builds. It's a very useful skill against non-boss enemies.

Patch 0.3.0 adjusted its damage. In previous leagues, this skill provided a fire bonus of approximately 150%, but now it only provides a bonus of around 60%. Despite the damage reduction, this skill is still usable.

Enhanced Skills

Arc

Arc is now a projectile, with increased chain attacks and a 50% increase in shock intensity. It can consume Lightning Infusion for additional buffs. Overall, this skill has great potential after the rework. As a projectile, it can stack a lot of damage and could be very effective when paired with Dead Eye, potentially increasing both map clearing and single-target damage.

Lightning Rod

Lightning Rod quality upgrade has changed from increasing the explosion radius to a chance to cause an additional explosion (maximum 20%). This is a wonderful change, as the increase in explosion radius isn't noticeable, but the single-target damage increase is significant, benefiting bow builds.

Storm Wave

Storm Wave now slightly hits enemies on either side of the character. This slight change significantly improves its feel and clearing efficiency, making it a fantastic addition for Monk players.

Contagion

Contagion received a similar rework to Lightning Rod. As its quality increases, its effect shifts from increasing debuff damage to granting additional infected targets. This skill allows Witches and Mercenaries to benefit from Chaos Damage Over Time builds, improving the efficiency of farming PoE 2 currency.

Comet

Comet's base damage has been increased by approximately 20%. This is a significant improvement compared to other skills that receive direct stat buffs, primarily because of the impact on critical strike. These buffs act as compensation for the impact on critical strikes.

Safe And Cheap POE 2 Patch 0.3.0 Currency Trade At IGGM.com

Ascendancy Class Changes

Blood Mage Witch

Sanguimancy passive node can now be freely allocated (saving 2 Ascendancy points). Additionally, Life Remnants spawn on hits and critical strikes, making it more likely that a Blood Mage Witch's health will be depleted.

The new node, Whispers of the Flesh, grants cursed enemies 15% health, which is actually a significant change, as keeping the curse active allows you to trigger other auras, increasing your damage.

Blood Mage Witch was already a strong contender in League, and this change directly benefits it with a significant direct damage increase, convenience, and talent point savings, making it one of the biggest winners of 0.3.0.

Gemling Legionnaire

Advanced Thaumaturgy Notable Passive now automatically generates red/green/blue orbs based on skill stat requirements;

Gem Studded Notable now provides powerful bonuses based on socket color (cost reduction, movement skill penalty reduction, critical damage reduction, etc.).

These changes transform Gemling Legionnaire from a utility talent into a more practical and powerful one, providing significant sustain and flexible buffs, potentially opening up new playstyles in patch 0.3.0.

Lich

Price of Power Notable Passive node now grants 40% more damage (up from 25%) and no longer excludes channeled skills. This simple change gives spell-based Lich builds a straightforward, massive damage boost.

Smith Of Kitava

Smith of Kitava's defenses saw nerfs to several of its core stats, such as the removal of its maximum fire resistance bonus and reduced health regeneration. This significantly reduced the tank of Ascendancy class, making it one loser in this patch.

POE 2 Patct 0.3.0 Currency Free Giveaways At IGGM Discord

Global Mechanic Adjustments

Besides changes to skills and sublime classes, this patch also has some significant global impacts. Critical damage modifiers have been reduced, with some weapons' critical damage modifiers dropping from 40% to 25%. This lowers the damage ceiling for all builds that rely on crit, making them vulnerable early on.

Furthermore, the block cap has been set to 50%, likely related to the new defensive mechanic, Deflect. Deflect's effect is similar to Spell Suppression from PoE 1, but applies to all types of hit damage. Players can convert a portion of their dodge value into deflection. Deflection chance can be stacked up to 100%, reducing hit damage and associated status effects by 40% upon success.

In Patch 0.3.0, bow and spell-based builds are the clear winners. Monks haven't been nerfed, and in fact, have become stronger. Some new PoE 2 currency has also been added, making it easier for players to craft their own gear. Lightning Spear builds, Incinerate Slash builds, and warriors who focus solely on blocking have all been nerfed. The remaining builds are up to the players' research and development.

Tags:

Previous: Path Of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0 Desecrated Items And Well Of Souls: How Do They Relate?
Surplus stock:
Connecting to online customer service, please wait.

.