PoE 2 Patch 0.5.0 Liminal Coil Curse Stacking Infernalist: A New Endgame Build That Scales Damage with Every Curse

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• Path of Exile 2 0.5.5 Will Introduce an Event with the New Economic System and Potential Ascendancies: More Than Just a Normal Patch!

  Nearly three months have passed since the release of Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0, during which time various hotfixes and patches 0.5.1-4 have been released to further maintain and enrich the game.

  At the initial release of 0.5.0, the developers stated that after this, until the official release of 1.0, Path of Exile 2 would not receive any new major updates, such as 0.6.0. However, this does not mean that the game will remain unchanged.

  In fact, when introducing Patch 0.5.4, the developers stated that 0.5.5 would bring a brand-new month-long event and a related new economic system.

  So, does this mean that PoE 2 0.5.5 will not be just a simple patch, but will use the new event to lay the groundwork for more content related to 1.0? What will its release date and specific content be? We will provide predictions and analysis.

  

  When might Patch 0.5.5 be released?

  The release of PoE 2 0.5.4 was at the end of June, but frankly, there's no fixed release interval for patches within these league cycles, making it difficult to predict the exact date.

  However, Path of Exile 2 team will be attending Gamescom from August 26-30, so 0.5.5 is unlikely to be released before then. The developers might announce related information at the event, possibly even including content from upcoming 1.0.

  Therefore, earliest the final release date for PoE 2 0.5.5 will be is early to mid-September. Considering ExileCon schedule and the desire to connect the offline event with Patch 0.5.5, it could be even later.

  What will PoE 2 Patch 0.5.5 include?

  After being mentioned briefly in 0.5.4 patch notes, PoE 2 developers also discussed 0.5.5 in subsequent interviews, providing more detailed information.

  Initially, it was only known that Patch 0.5.5 would bring a month-long event, similar to a limited-time mini-league, with a completely new economy. This means that during the event, you can retain and continue playing the regular PoE 2 league.

  Based on this, it's speculated that 0.5.5 will include some exclusive content not currently available in Runes of Aldur league. Furthermore, in a previous Tavern Talk livestream, the developers explicitly stated that PoE 2 0.5.5 would include significant balance adjustments.

  Therefore, the main content of Patch 0.5.5 will likely be based on the new event, bringing more skill changes or new skills, and possibly even new unique items.

  More specifically, the developers also indicated in the livestream that unique items will be a major focus, while skill and character balance adjustments likely refer to adding skills to existing classes when necessary or modifying skill mechanics.

  This means that your PoE 2 character will experience a significant improvement in everything from build crafting to controls, animations, and other details.

  What will the new event be like?

  Based on the livestreams, it's initially speculated that the new event in PoE 2 0.5.5 might be similar to Return of the Ancestors, which was released before the end of Path of Exile 3.28.

  More specifically, it involves taking some old ideas or unique concepts that wouldn't normally be part of the core game mechanics, recombining them, adding new twists, and creating a mini-limited-time league.

  This approach wouldn't require a long development time and would make PoE 2 worth replaying towards the end of Return of the Ancients.

  More potential new content (predictions)

  The above information is based on released videos and livestreams, and it's almost certain that it will appear in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.5.

  However, some new features or changes were mentioned by Path of Exile 2 development team as something they hoped to add to the game before the official release of version 1.0, but there's no explicit commitment yet to implement them in 0.5.5.

  However, as we mentioned at the beginning, there won't be any major official updates before version 1.0, so these expectations might be fulfilled in Patch 0.5.5.

  For example, more changes might be made to various acts to ensure a better early-game experience in the campaign after the official release. Another likely possibility is the introduction of more Ascendancies.

  Back when PoE 2 Early Access was released, the developers stated their hope to release all three Ascendancies for all 12 classes before the official game release, but this goal is still quite far off, as only eight basic classes have been released so far.

  Of these eight classes, six have three Ascendancies. If version 1.0 is indeed released before 2027, the remaining four basic classes may have to wait even longer, but the third Ascendanency for Druid and Ranger might appear in Patch 0.5.5.

  Of course, this is just speculation. Path of Exile 2 may introduce new Ascendancies later, or they may be carried over to version 1.0 along with the remaining classes. However, it would be better if all existing classes had full Ascendancies options before the official release.

  Don't miss ExileCon Qualifier Event!

  ExileCon 2026, in November, will feature a thrilling finals showdown between top PoE 1 and 2 players, and to select the finalists, the corresponding PoE 2 qualifiers are about to begin!

  The qualifiers will start on August 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM PDT, with a new session every other week for a total of four sessions. All you need is a game account and a Twitch account, and to participate, have them linked.

  To become the ultimate winner, you must be the first player to defeat Tavakai in Act 4 during the qualifiers. It's crucial to avoid dying midway through, as this will render your character immobile for two and a half minutes, severely impacting your chances of winning.

  If you win any of the qualifiers, you'll qualify for the finals at ExileCon 2026, and Path of Exile 2 will provide all the necessary travel, accommodation, and VIP tickets for the event! There's also a Demigod's Virtue Unique Helmet virtual item reward.

  In short, if you're a PoE 2 fan, the second half of this year is definitely something to look forward to! Keep up the good work in preparing for the potential new content!

  ---

  If you want to quickly progress after the new events in Patch 0.5.5 go live, it's best to buy PoE 2 currency on IGGM from the start to comfortably manage your new economy.

  Even if you only want to focus on Runes of Aldur league at that point, we've ensured you can easily upgrade any PoE 2 character through related for-sale services.

• Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0 Meta Answer? Ritualist Spark Totem Build: 3-Ring & 5-Totem Combo Wipes Screens Instantly

  Exiles, if you're tired of grinding combos until your hands cramp in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0, then you need a build that automatically clears the screen to give you a break. Ritualist Spark Totem build we're introducing today is specifically designed to solve your output operation problems.

  What's even more amazing is that it allows you to create three rings using the less common Ritualist build.

  Core Mechanics

  We chose Huntress Ascendancy class Ritualist as the core of this build because of its unique advantage of being able to wear three rings, something other Ascendancy classes can't achieve.

  While Gemling Legionnaire Ascendancy class is currently more popular in PoE 2, with builds for this class widely shared in the community and on platforms, our build aims to leverage Ritualist's three-ring mechanic in conjunction with a Negative Rarity farming strategy - even though this strategy was nerfed in Patch 0.5.0, our build still makes it effective.

  The attack skills used in this Ritualist Spark Totem build are very simple: Spark and Spell Totem. By automatically casting Spark through Spell Totem, efficient map clearing and boss kills are achieved. The operation is very simple, requiring only one click to handle most combat scenarios in PoE 2.

  

  Acquiring the Three Rings

  We must select Unfurled Finger node in Ritualist Ascendancy passives in PoE 2, as this is key to giving us a third ring slot, although we usually need to select a negative effect as a prerequisite first.

  Additionally, Ritualist possesses another crucial passive that enhances the bonuses gained from all equipped rings and amulets, further amplifying the stat value of our three rings.

  Specifically, the first two rings of this Ritualist Spark Totem use Mnemonic Ring, which was added in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0. However, note that the priority of the affixes is to increase Mana percentage, base Mana, Lightning Damage, Cast speed, all resistances, and Mana Regeneration Rate.

  For the third ring, we will use Kalandra's Touch to copy the best-performing Mnemonic Ring, so that Ritualist will actually have a total of three rings in the game that stack Mana and damage output attributes.

  It's important to note that this third ring is considered worn around the neck in PoE 2, therefore it does not benefit from the ring effect amplification from Ingenuity belt.

  Other Equipment

  Weapon

  We've chosen Runic Fork as our weapon for this Ritualist Spark Totem set, prioritizing the five-socket version (six sockets are not required).

  The core affix is ​​the chance for spell skills to fire two additional projectiles, as this significantly increases the number of projectiles from Spark, a key source of Ritualist burst damage.

  Amulet

  To achieve five Spell Totems and a full upgrade of spell skill levels, players should choose amulets with attributes that increase Mana percentage, base Mana, Mana Damage, and spirit. This is a relatively simple approach.

  Belt

  If your budget allows, choose Mageblood instead of Ingenuity to better complement the rings we're using, further amplifying their attributes. However, be careful that your belt doesn't interfere with the third amulet slot ring.

  Armor

  The helmet needs to maximize Energy Shield and prioritize Spirit Reservation Efficiency to ensure the number of Spell Totems.

  Gloves require high spell skill level and cast speed, while the chest armor prioritizes high Mana and Spirit.

  The boots for Ritualist Spark Totem require Intelligence, high Mana, 35% Movement Speed, and sufficient resistance.

  Except for Chaos Resistance, which is zero, all other resistances are stacked to the maximum through equipment affixes.

  Furthermore, all Ritualist Spark Totem gear is focused on maximizing Mana, as the core Unique Body Armour, The Rat Cage Scout's Vest, provides a critical strike chance and damage bonus based on every 100 points of maximum Mana, directly translating Mana into damage output.

  If you lack the aforementioned core equipment and cannot fully realize potential of Ritualist Spark Totem in the game, you can buy PoE2 currency from IGGM.com to pave the way for refining the necessary affixes and specific equipment.

  Passive Skill Tree

  In Passive Skill Tree, Ritualist must unlock Unfurled Finger node mentioned earlier.

  The required Keystone Passives are Mind Over Matter and Ancestral Bond. The former allows Mana to simultaneously absorb damage and deal damage, making Mana Regeneration Rate crucial to compensate for the 50% Regeneration Rate reduction from this skill.

  The latter doubles the number of Spell Totems in Ritualist Spark Totem, but each Spell Totem consumes additional Spirits. Therefore, three Spell Totems are actually sufficient for all PoE 2 content, with five Spell Totems being the ultimate goal.

  Advanced Alternative

  In reality, three Spell Totem in Ritualist Spark Totem are enough to clear Tier 16 maps and defeat Pinnacle bosses. You can even handle other tasks while farming, offering high efficiency and comfort.

  It's worth mentioning that there are PoE 1+2 currency free giveaways on IGGM Facebook, so if you participate and get selected, you can get a Mirror of Kalandra to duplicate non-unique gear, which might make this Ritualist Spark Totem set even more powerful!

  

  Of course, if you want to further increase the build ceiling, you might also want to try Spirit Walker or Gemling Legionnaire - two more popular classes - which could be an advanced alternative to Ritualist Spark Totem.

  In short, whether you want to free your hands in PoE 2 Patch 0.5.0 or face endgame head-on, Ritualist Spark Totem is now your best choice. Try unlocking Unfurled Finger now and unleash the full power of Ritualist Spark Totem!

• PoE 2 Patch 0.5.0 Jewels System Changed the Build Meta: Why Every Top Setup Is Chasing More Sockets?

  In Path of Exile 2, Jewels are items that could be placed in Jewel Sockets on the passive skill tree to gain various bonuses. However, in PoE 2 patch 0.5.0, many players began to notice a striking similarity in the final builds of top-tier characters and popular builds: they were constantly searching for more Jewel Sockets, continuously upgrading the quality of their jewels, and even redesigning their passive skill trees to accommodate more jewels.

  This raises a question for all players: what truly determines a character's strength - skills, gear, and talents, or has it become the number of jewels inserted?

  Why have Jewels become so powerful?

  

  The dominance of jewels is not accidental; it is the result of multiple system changes implemented since patch 0.5.0.

  5 Modifier Jewels Crafting

  Normally, Rare Jewels have a maximum of two Prefixes and two Suffixes, for a total of four affixes. However, the Potent Liquid of Contempt introduced in patch 0.5.0 can break this limitation. It adds an extra prefix or suffix slot to a jewel, making it a five-affix jewel with three prefixes and two suffixes, or two prefixes and three suffixes.

  The problem is that when you use Orb of Annulment to remove the +1 Prefix/Suffix Allowed affix added by Potent Liquid of Contempt, Chaos Orb will no longer be able to affect the side with three modifiable affixes. What does this mean?

  It means you can first use targeted crafting to make all three prefixes (or suffixes) perfect, and then use Chaos Orb infinitely to reroll the other two affixes - because Chaos Orb will only ever affect the modifiable side, and the three locked affixes will never be affected.

  This mechanism makes crafting with 5 Modifier Jewels predictable: you only need a decent starting jewel, open an extra slot with Potent Liquid of Contempt, remove restrictive affixes with Annulment, and finally use Chaos Orb to infinitely roll for the ideal dual-affix combination.

  As 5 Modifier Jewels become one of the most important power sources in builds, the demand for high-quality base Jewels has increased significantly. You can buy PoE 2 Jewels on IGGM.com and start crafting immediately.

  Zarokh's Gift

  Zarokh's Gift is a Delirium anoint in PoE 2 applied to helmets, providing an additional Sinister Jewel Socket. In the game, an anoint is essentially a choice. For example, your helmet can be chosen to increase critical strike chance, increase defense, or improve resource regeneration, etc., all of which involve trade-offs.

  Zarokh's Gift is the optimal solution for any build and any character. Because it provides the opportunity to socket an extra jewel, and this jewel provides all the above benefits, the choice for the player is obvious. Therefore, the biggest problem with Zarokh's Gift isn't that it's too powerful, but that it leaves players with no choice. It becomes the fixed answer that every build in Path of Exile 2 should use.

  Voices

  Voices is a unique Sapphire Jewel, dropped from Simulacrum of Delusion. It doesn't provide any stats itself, but directly assigns you 2 to 4 Sinister Jewel Sockets.

  Voices is an amplifier. It's not powerful on its own, but in patch 0.5.0 where jewels are already ridiculously powerful, it's like providing more equipment slots for free, allowing players to skip normal passive choices and frantically stack jewels, thus further leading all builds down the same path.

  The Consequences of Jewel Dominance: Death of Build Diversity

  The power of jewels themselves isn't the problem - the problem is that the power of jewels makes the ultimate form of all builds converge.

  Whether you're a spellcaster or a melee warrior, the strongest version of the passive skill tree looks the same: go around the outer edge and fill all available jewel sockets. Data shows that top-tier characters acquired massive amounts of jewel slots through this method, with each jewel contributing over 10% of total damage.

  One of the core charms of Path of Exile 2 lies in the diversity of builds. You need to carefully consider how to allocate talent points based on your skills, gear, and defensive mechanics - whether to focus on critical strike or damage, health or shields. However, when allocating jewel slots becomes the optimal solution in all situations, these choices become meaningless.

  What does the future hold for Jewels?

  The current state of jewels is the result of multiple systemic problems. 5 Modifier Jewels crafting mechanism transformed jewel crafting from random to predictable, targeted creation. With enough PoE 2 Chaos orb, you can eventually craft the perfect 5 Modifier Jewels.

  Zarokh's Gift's unconditionally optimal attribute is a design flaw; it eliminates player choice.

  Fixing the bug in 5 Modifier Jewels crafting and reassessing the role of Zarokh's Gift might be the first step towards restoring jewels to their role as build components.

  The deeper issue lies in this: when a single jewel provides a damage boost comparable to an entire branch of the passive tree, players will naturally choose to acquire as many jewels as possible. This isn't just a matter of numerical balance; it's a question of the jewel system's place within the overall gear ecosystem.

  Of course, whether it's truly time to drastically adjust the jewel system remains to be seen. After all, the game is still undergoing continuous updates, and the development team is constantly refining the balance based on player feedback.

  If you want to enhance your build through other means, you can participate in the ongoing PoE 1+2 currency giveaway on IGGM's Facebook. If you're lucky enough, you could win a free Mirror of Kalandra, which can duplicate top-tier gear!

  

  However, this discussion surrounding jewels at least reminds us of a crucial long-term concern: for a game that emphasizes build freedom, what truly needs balancing isn't a single numerical value, but whether players consistently have a rich and meaningful range of choices.

  Only when every progression path is worth trying, and every build has its own advantages, can players truly experience the joy of build completion. And this, perhaps, is the core experience that PoE2 should uphold.

• Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0 Whirlwind Lance Build Still Reigns Supreme Based on Deadeye Notable, Powerful Skill Gems, and More

  Despite the introduction of new mechanics and shifts in the meta, certain Path of Exile 2 builds that were already powerful several patches ago, such as Whirlwind Lance Build, retain their momentum and strength in Patch 0.5.0.

  If you haven't played this build before but want to give it a try, or if you wish to master the crafting details based on RoTA content, be sure to read this guide to the end!

  

  Overview of Whirlwind Lance Build in 0.5.0

  The core concept of this build is to utilize Whirlwind Lance and Twister to saturate the screen with overlapping skill effects, resulting in massive overlapping damage, incredibly fast map clearing, and remarkable survivability.

  This effect is achieved by combining Barrage (boosted by Frenzy Charges) with Salvo and Whirlwind Lance to fire a staggering number of projectiles. By utilizing all six Salvo Seals, you can instantly unleash a massive wave of lances.

  Incorporating support mechanics like Fork, Chain, and Dominus's Grasp ensures that projectiles don't just fire once; instead, they continuously chain and fork, bouncing between enemies and hitting multiple targets repeatedly with a massive AoE.

  Adding Uhtred's Constellation grants Barrage two additional uses, while Olroth's Conviction further empowers two other skill uses.

  With maxed-out Frenzy Charges and Salvo Seals, and enough surrounding enemies to fully capitalize on the extra forking and chaining, a single cast of Whirlwind Lance can theoretically generate over 200 projectiles.

  The value of Twister lies in its synergy with Whirlwind Lance. To maximize this, you should choose Deadeye as your Ascendancy class; this allows tornadoes to spawn additional tornadoes whenever they enter a whirlwind, based on that whirlwind's current stages.

  The value of Whirlwind Lance

  As the build's core skill, Whirlwind Lance is more than just a projectile skill that leaves whirlwinds on the ground; it also provides crowd control by slowing and blinding enemies.

  The blind effect boosts your Path of Exile 2 EHP by 20%, which is crucial for this build given its aggressive playstyle that requires frequently charging straight into enemy packs.

  Additionally, Twister also blinds enemies; combining the two ensures that nearby foes remain blinded almost constantly. This creates a robust defensive layer, effectively helping you maintain high health.

  Whirlwind Lance also features a key Collapse mechanic: moving into the skill's AoE triggers a collapse, dealing melee damage with a knockback effect, damage that also generates Rage upon hitting enemies.

  Empowered by Frenzy Charges, Whirlwind Lance can boost the collapse effect by an additional stage, reaching Stage 4. Each stage increase significantly raises damage and expands AoE.

  Furthermore, utilizing Deadeye passive that enhances Frenzy Charge consumption, increasing the skill's charge consumption efficiency by 50%, allows for even higher stages and greater damage output.

  Pairing this with Taming Prismatic Ring can further amplify the damage output of both Whirlwind Lance and the build as a whole.

  This ring allows any Wind-based skill to gain multiple elemental bonuses upon contact with specific elemental ground effects, enabling you to deal damage through various elemental sources simultaneously.

  Later, as you accumulate more PoE 2 currency, you can reroll the ring's modifiers to boost bonus values or unlock new buffs.

  Why choose Deadeye?

  As previously mentioned, Called Shots keystone is vital for generating Frenzy Charges.

  Mirage Deadeye assists with clearing maps by acting as an additional Twister launcher; whenever you attack and the skill is off cooldown, it appears and begins firing Twisters.

  Avidity passive grants a 50% chance to gain an extra Frenzy Charge whenever you acquire one. Combined with weapon runes, this ensures a steady supply of additional Frenzy Charges.

  The reliable source of defense

  Path of Exile 2 Whirlwind Lance Build offers not only impressive damage output but also exceptional survivability. Its base evasion rate is already quite high, around 70%, and increases further when using Constricting Command.

  Additionally, you gain extra evasion bonuses if you are moving or have recently consumed a Frenzy Charge. The build also boasts a substantial Energy Shield pool as an extra buffer; combined with the new Runic Ward mechanic introduced in version 0.5.0, your defensive capabilities are further bolstered.

  However, since Whirlwind Lance Build is a melee-oriented playstyle, there is a risk that enemy attacks could pierce your evasion, potentially leading to a sudden, fatal blow.

  Fortunately, while this scenario is theoretically possible given the aggressive playstyle, it rarely occurs in practice.

  Optimal gear setup

  Aside from the aforementioned ring, this PoE 2 build isn't overly demanding regarding gear. Even for the crucial weapon slot, common choices like Ordained Grand Spear and Sacred Flame Shrine Scepter perform excellently.

  Equipping Mageblood belt would be ideal if you can manage it, though it is not strictly necessary for the build to function. You simply need to ensure the belt compensates for any missing resistances or required stats, such as maximum life or cooldown recovery speed.

  For other gear slots, such as body armor, boots, and gloves, the priority is to stack as much evasion, Energy Shield, and resistance as possible.

  It is also highly beneficial to secure glove affixes that enhance skill effectiveness, such as +1 to Level of Projectile Skills or increased projectile damage; critical strike damage bonuses are another great option.

  Regarding the amulet, it is worth investing the necessary currency to craft a high-quality piece, as Whirlwind Lance Build requires a significant amount of Spirit to operate effectively. Furthermore, an affix granting +3 to level of Projectile Skills is essential.

  Essential consumables

  In Path of Exile 2, the need for consumables often depends on the specific challenges you are facing; however, certain items are indispensable for specific builds.

  For Whirlwind Lance Build, Stone Charms and Thawing Charms are excellent for boosting your overall survivability.

  You should also keep a reliable life flask and a flask that boosts recovery speed on hand. If you want to boost your mana regeneration rate, Lavianga's Spirit is the best choice; however, it isn't mandatory, any mana flask will do.

  That covers the strategy for crafting Whirlwind Lance Build in the current PoE 2 environment, along with a detailed explanation of how it works. If you're interested, why not unlock the relevant skills and gear and give it a try right away?

• PoE 2 Patch 0.5.0 Currency Farming: Is Tower Hopping still Worth It? | Real Profit Test Reveals the Truth

  When players complete Path of Exile 2 campaign and enter the engame Atlas, they will encounter Towers similar to Waystones but with a unique layout. Completing these Towers will reveal the surrounding area of ​​the map. Based on these Towers, players have already developed a method to farm money using them - Tower Hopping.

  Whether this method still works in patch 0.5.0, and what its actual profitability is, I will provide a detailed explanation based on actual testing.

  What is Tower Hopping?

  

  In PoE 2 Atlas map, there are numerous Towers. After clearing Towers, we can insert Irradiated Tablets to affect the map within the Tower's radiating area. Each Tower can have up to three Tablets inserted.

  The core idea of ​​Tower Hopping is to utilize a unique Irradiated Tablet called The Grand Project. With this tablet, completing a tower unlocks all maps within its radius.

  In other words, even if you don't have a direct unlock path to a map, as long as it's within the tower's radius, you can start farming. This means you can bypass many meaningless, low-yield maps and jump directly to high-value target maps, such as Citadel and The Jade Isles.

  Tower Hopping refers to continuously finding new towers, placing them on the tablet, and then only farming the most profitable maps nearby before moving on to the next tower.

  Core Configuration for Tower Hopping

  Map Selection

  To maximize profits, map selection must be targeted. Target maps mainly fall into three categories:

  1. Citadels: Including Iron Citadel, Stone Citadel, and Copper Citadel, these are the main sources of profit.
  2. Anomaly Maps: Such as The Jade Isles and Mansion in the Mists.
  3. Corruption Zone: Provides Fracturing Orb.

  Tablet Pairing Strategy

  For Citadels map, we used a tablet with the unique monsters having extra rare modifiers, and additionally stacked affixes that increase the number of rare monsters. This is because the drop rate of Crisis Fragments from Citadels boss is affected by the map's Waystone Drop Chance.

  For Anomaly Maps, we used Visions of Paradise unique tablet. This tablet adds new encounters and mechanics to maps already explored in Path of Exile 2, essentially allowing the map to be run twice. For high-yield maps like The Jade Isles, the rewards from running the map twice are quite substantial.

  Additionally, we can select nodes on Atlas Passive Skill Tree that increase tablet effects and the number of rare monsters, further amplifying the effects of tablet affixes and improving overall profitability.

  Actual Test Input vs. Output

  To further verify the money-farming efficiency of Tower Hopping, we conducted actual tests and meticulously recorded and statistically analyzed the total cost and returns.

  Cost of Investment

  According to the data, all Tablets used in this test cost approximately 120 Divine Orbs, including The Grand Project, Visions of Paradise, and other high-value Tablets (containing affixes such as high Waystone drop rate).

  As the data shows, one of the barriers to entry for this build is the need to prepare a large number of high-value Tablets in the early stages. If you want to complete the preparation work faster and start Tower Hopping earlier, you can also buy POE 2 currency from IGGM.com to save time accumulating in the early stages and focus more on farming maps and increasing profits.

  Profit Details

  This test completed approximately 39 core maps (some maps such as The Jade Isles and Mansion in the Mists were repeated challenges), plus some paving maps, ultimately yielding a total profit of approximately 180 Divine Orbs.

  In this profit, besides direct currency drops, the largest source was Crisis Fragments, including Ancient Crisis Fragment, Weathered Crisis Fragment, and Faded Crisis Fragment.

  Among them, Faded Crisis Fragment is significantly more expensive than the other two. This is because the Citadel corresponding to this Crisis Fragment cannot be enhanced with Tablets, resulting in lower production and thus maintaining a high market price.

  In addition to currency drops and Crisis Fragments, we also obtained 15 Ritual Tablets through Ritual content naturally generated from Path of Exile 2 map. These 15 Ritual Tablets, after being upgraded to Rare, are each worth approximately 0.5 Divine, contributing to the overall revenue. While not a large amount, it's still a pleasant surprise as a free extra source.

  Combining all drops, the total revenue from this Tower Hopping test was approximately 180 Divine orbs. After deducting the initial investment of approximately 120 Divine, the final net profit was approximately 50-60 Divine, depending on the market price at the time.

  However, it should be noted that this test included not only approximately 39 core maps but also a large number of paving maps used to find Towers and connect high-value maps; therefore, the actual number of maps completed exceeded 60. Overall, the net profit per map is only about 1 Divine.

  Therefore, while Tower Hopping in version 0.5.0 can still be consistently profitable, its returns are significantly lower compared to other popular farming strategies in the current patch, such as farming Ritual maps, Abyss maps, and Breach maps, and it's no longer considered a top-tier farming method.

  Additionally, if you want to earn more currency, why not participate in PoE 1+2 currency giveaway on IGGM Facebook? If you're lucky enough, you might get a free Mirror of Kalandra!

  

  In short, Tower Hopping is a usable but not groundbreaking farming strategy. It's suitable for mid-to-late game PoE 2 players who have already accumulated some capital and want to quickly approach Citadels. However, for players seeking to maximize their profit per unit of time, there are other more efficient options.

• Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.5.0 Infernalist Demon Form Witch Explained | The High Risk High Reward Build with Infinite Damage Scaling

  Infernalist is one of the coolest Ascendancy classes in Path of Exile 2. It allows you to command a demonic army or transform yourself into a fire-wielding demon.

  However, in PoE 2 Patch 0.5.0, Infernalist is not a particularly popular choice, and the pick rate of Demon Form is even lower. The reason is that this is not an easy build to control. It is extremely dangerous, and a single mistake can cause you to die instantly, leading to a frustrating experience. But at the same time, it is incredibly powerful. As long as you can stay alive, it can melt through almost everything.

  

  Demon Form Witch Mechanics

  Demon Form

  First, let's talk about the core skill, Demon Form. Its effect is that every second while transformed, you gain one stack of Demonflame state. Each stack of Demonflame grants 3% more Spell Damage. This is an independent damage multiplier, which can greatly increase your overall damage.

  In its default state, Demon Form has a maximum limit of 10 Demonflame stacks, meaning it provides 30% more Spell Damage. This may not sound like much, but if you also choose Mastered Darkness, you can remove this limitation and stack Demonflame infinitely.

  This means that with 200 stacks of Demonflame, you can easily gain 600% more Spell Damage. Without relying on extreme scaling methods, this level of damage amplification is almost impossible to reach through any other method in the game. In theory, your damage can continue scaling infinitely.

  Demonflame

  However, this power comes with a serious cost. Every stack of Demonflame causes you to lose life, and the higher the number of stacks, the faster your life drains. If you reach 200 Demonflame stacks without any form of life recovery, you will kill yourself within only a few seconds because of this drawback.

  Keep in mind that this life loss cannot be reduced by any defensive mechanic, including Armour, Evasion, Block, Deflection, or Energy Shield. Since you cannot prevent the life drain itself, you must recover life faster than Demonflame can take it away.

  Pyromantic Pact

  One of the solutions to this problem is Pyromantic Pact passive. It removes your Mana pool completely and replaces it with Infernal Flame.

  Unlike normal Mana costs, using skills will fill your Infernal Flame meter. When Infernal Flame bar becomes completely full, you immediately take Fire Damage equal to your maximum Life plus your maximum Energy Shield.

  This sounds like a drawback, but everything changes when combined with Recoup mechanic. Recoup collects a portion of Fire Damage you take and converts it into Life Recovery over the following few seconds.

  However, this is still not enough. You also need Sacrosanctum Corvus Mantle. This chest armour itself provides 20% of Damage Recouped as Life. It can also gain a Recoup modifier through corruption, further increasing your recovery. In addition, Damage Recouped as Life effect can also recover Energy Shield.

  With this setup, as long as you continuously cast skills and fill Infernal Flame bar, the overflow damage will ignite you. Your 75% Fire Resistance reduces three quarters of that damage, while the remaining portion becomes a Life Recoup effect that offsets Demonflame's drawback. Sacrosanctum also restores Energy Shield, helping prevent sudden deaths when you are hit by enemies.

  Maximum Mana

  This recovery cycle is not easy to build, and there are several traps you need to avoid. One important factor is that Infernal Flame's capacity equals twice your maximum Mana. If your maximum Mana is too high, filling Infernal Flame bar becomes extremely difficult, which breaks the entire cycle.

  You need to keep your maximum Mana under control, and ideally it should stay below 700.

  Skill Cost

  After solving the mana issue, the next problem is how to increase Mana consumption. The key point is that this build does not aim for low costs. Instead, it focuses on extremely high skill costs.

  The higher the skill cost, the faster you fill Infernal Flame bar, allowing you to trigger Recoup mechanic more frequently and recover Life.

  You can link Despair with Focused Curse Support Gem, which comes with a 120% Skill Cost Multiplier and greatly increases the cost of each cast.

  To make Infernal Flame bar smaller and easier to fill, you also have several other methods to reduce its required capacity.

  • Heroic Tragedy Timeless Jewel: Converts important passive nodes within its radius into Knightly Tenets, causing Intelligence to no longer provide base Mana and instead granting Evasion Rating.
  • Megalomaniac Diamond: Grants Vulgar Methods, which provides a 10% reduction to maximum Mana.
  • Melding (Passive): Provides another 10% reduction to maximum Mana.
  • Overzealous (Notable Passive): Grants 16% increased Cast Speed and 15% increased Skill Cost.

  With all of these combined, a single cast of Despair can almost fill the entire Infernal Flame bar. However, this might require you to invest in these items and unique gems. You can join PoE 1 & 2 currency giveaways in IGGM Facebook Group. If you win, The mirrors can be enough to completely revamp your build.

  

  Demon Form Witch Skills

  Active and Support Skills

  Active Skills	Support Gems
  Summon Infernal Hound	Meat Shield II
  	Amanamu's Tithe
  	Romira's Requital
  	Catha's Brilliance
  	Hulking Minions
  Blasphemy	Temporal Chains
  	Slow Potency
  	Heightened Curse
  	Magnified Area II
  	Ritualistic Curse
  Dark Effigy	Rapid Casting II
  	Overabundance II
  	Esh's Radiance
  	Concentrated Area
  	Urgent Totems III
  Ravenous Swarm	Withering Touch
  	Culling Strike II
  	Cooldown Recovery II
  	Blind II
  	Prolonged Duration II
  Contagion	Chaos Mastery
  	Prolonged Duration II
  	Swift Affliction II
  	Magnified Area II
  	Chaotic Freeze
  Despair	Focused Curse
  	Doedre's Undoing
  	Spell Cascade
  	Impending Doom
  	Trickster's Shard
  Demon Form	Cooldown Recovery II
  	Second Wind III
  	Helbrym's Hide
  Sigil of Power	Magnified Area II
  	Prolonged Duration II
  	Second Wind II
  Withering Presence	Prolonged Duration II
  	Chaos Mastery
  	Her Declaration

   

  Core Skills

  Doedre's Undoing also needs to be linked with Despair, completely changing how this skill works. Instead of being a normal curse that you directly apply to enemies, it turns Despair into a Cursed Ground effect placed on the ground. Any enemy entering the area will automatically become cursed. You can only have two active cursed areas at the same time.

  The limit of only two areas may seem like a weakness, but it is actually the foundation that allows the entire build to function. When linked with Spell Cascade Support, each cast creates three cursed areas.

  Whenever you cast a new Despair, the newest cursed area replaces the oldest one. This triggers the effect of Impending Doom Support, which grants Doom Blast. Doom Blast instantly deals Chaos Damage when the curse supported by it expires.

  Every new Despair cast replaces an existing cursed area. Interestingly, when a cursed area is overwritten by a new one, it counts as the old curse ending, which activates Impending Doom and creates a massive Chaos explosion.

  Doedre's Undoing also spawns Witchtoads on the ground after you cast Despair. They jump toward the nearest enemy and explode on contact, requiring no additional actions from you.

  Trickster's Shard is also linked with Despair. It creates up to four clones of yourself, and they repeatedly cast Despair with 50% less damage. This allows you to see your entire screen filled with explosions.

  

  What Should You Pay Attention To?

  This build feels extremely satisfying to play, but that experience depends entirely on constant casting. Even when there are no enemies nearby, you still need to keep casting. Otherwise, Demonflame's effect will eventually catch up with you and kill you.

  You also need to be extremely careful with maps that have modifiers such as "Players have less Life Recovery" and "Less Cooldown Recovery Speed." These maps are basically forbidden areas for this build because your recovery speed will not be able to keep up, causing you to die.

  Demon Form Witch is not suitable for beginners or players who simply want to press a single button and zone out. You need a clear understanding of your actions and capabilities to effectively manage the effects of Demonflame.