PoE 2 Best Builds Tier List Pre Patch 0.2.0 – Before Dawn of the Hunt

If you’re looking for the most powerful builds in Path of Exile 2 before the 0.2.0 update, you’re in the right place! We’ve compiled a list of the 23 best meta builds, ranked from worst to best, based on data from top-tier players and streamers. Keep in mind that gear and setup can shift a build up or down a tier, but this list represents the current state of PoE 2’s meta.

With that, we welcome you to our PoE 2 Best Builds to try before the release of the 0.2.0 update, the new league, or Dawn of the Hunt. But, before we get started, you might need a ton of PoE 2 Currencies, Gold, and Items after the release of the new update. For that, you can check out our PoE 2 MMOPixel Inventory, where you will find everything for cheap, with quick delivery, and secure payment options. 

PoE 2 D-Tier Builds – Struggling but Playable

These builds lag behind the meta due to nerfs, stronger alternatives, or inefficiency.

While they can still be fun, they demand a heavy investment to perform well.

1. Grenade Gambling Legionnaire

This Grenade Gembling Legionnaire build once had explosive potential, but has since lost its edge.

It relies on gas grenades detonated by explosive skills, creating massive AoE effects.

While the ascendancy provides extra damage and utility, it pales in comparison to stronger alternatives.

2. Grenade Deadeye

Grenade Deadeye is a mobility-heavy build using Lightning Warp for fast repositioning and Explosive Shot for AoE.

While it’s great for clearing packs, its weak single-target damage and lack of survivability hold it back in tough encounters.

3. Tempest Flurry Invoker

Once a powerhouse, this build leverages lightning speed boosts and distance scaling to trigger storm-based effects.

The Tempest Flurry utilizes Cast on Crit and Orb of Storms, but its damage no longer competes with the best invoker builds.

4. Poison Gambling Legionnaire

A high-speed farming build that stacks poison damage over time using Plague Barrier, Gas Arrow, and Snipe.

While it excels in clearing groups, its single-target damage struggles, making endgame bosses a real challenge.

PoE 2 C-Tier Builds – Niche and Inconsistent

These builds show promise but struggle with scalability, consistency, or competition from stronger options in their category.

They can work but require effort.

5. Storm Acolyte of Chayula

A lightning-infused acolyte build that bends dark energy for sustain and decent damage.

While its defensive toolkit is solid, its damage output lags behind top-tier monk builds, making it a suboptimal choice for high-end content.

6. Demon Infernalist

This fire-based setup harnesses demonic energy to unleash devastating AoE explosions.

It’s fantastic for clearing maps, but its weak single-target damage makes boss fights much harder, reducing its effectiveness in endgame scenarios.

7. Ice Chronomancer

A cold-based build utilizing Frost Walls and Ice Comets to bombard enemies with a frozen onslaught.

It performs well against groups but suffers from mobility issues and lacks the burst damage needed for tougher boss fights.

8. Permafrost Witch Hunter

A crowd-control Witch Hunter specialist that pairs Permafrost Bolts with explosive grenades for layered damage.

While its freezing potential is excellent for locking down enemies, its overall damage scaling falls short of stronger alternatives.

9. Ignite Titan

Built around Hammer of the Gods, this setup delivers powerful single-target blows with a lingering ignite effect.

However, its long cooldowns make it feel sluggish, and ignite scaling isn’t strong enough to push it into the meta.

10. Firestorm Weaver

A hybrid control build that mixes fireball spam with Frost Walls for battlefield manipulation.

While it’s effective at group combat, its lack of defensive options leaves it vulnerable in prolonged encounters.

PoE 2 B-Tier Builds – Strong but Outclassed

These builds are viable and effective, but they fall short of the absolute best options in PoE 2's current meta.

They can handle most content but may require extra effort.

11. Corrupting Cry Warbringer

A warrior-style setup that specializes in armor-breaking strikes and wide-range AoE explosions.

It’s great for clearing packs quickly, but its lack of strong single-target burst holds it back from being a top-tier choice.

12. Bonestorm Blood Mage

A crit-heavy blood magic build that ramps up damage over time while maintaining high lifesteal.

With the right synergy, it can be devastating, but its reliance on precise gear and skill combos makes it harder to optimize compared to stronger meta builds.

13. Shockwave Totem Warbringer

Currently one of the strongest warrior builds, using Shockwave Totems to deliver massive AoE one-shots.

While it dominates against groups, its weakness in prolonged battles prevents it from reaching true meta status.

PoE 2 A-Tier Builds – Extremely Viable

These builds are powerful, efficient, and capable of handling most content with ease.

While not the absolute best, they’re meta-contenders and highly effective.

14. Sniper Explode Infernalist

A minion-bombing setup utilizing Skeletal Arsonist and Detonate Dead to rapidly clear enemies.

It boasts great bossing potential and strong energy shield sustain, making it a well-rounded choice for high-end content.

15. Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder

One of the cheapest and easiest poison-based builds.

The damage-over-time mechanics allow it to melt enemies effortlessly without requiring heavy investment, making it a perfect starter build.

16. Galvanic Shards Witch Hunter

Combining Shockbuster Rounds with Chain Lightning, this build delivers huge AoE damage.

As one of the best shotgun-style builds, it can obliterate packs of enemies, though positioning is key.

17. Flicker Strike Invoker

A hyper-aggressive melee build that teleports across the screen, cutting down enemies in an instant.

However, it requires strong defenses to avoid getting one-shot in high-end encounters.

18. Explosive Shot Deadeye

With Dragon Mask boosting shock chance, this build uses Explosive Shot to create massive area damage.

Its insane clear speed makes it an excellent farming build, but it struggles slightly in boss fights due to lower single-target burst.

Best PoE 2 S-Tier Builds before 0.2.0 Dawn of the Hunt New League Update

These builds dominate the meta, excelling in speed, damage, and survivability.

If you want peak efficiency in PoE 2, these are your best options.

19. Lightning Arrow Deadeye

Arguably the fastest farming build right now.

It erases enemies in seconds, and with the right gear, it never runs out of mana. Perfect for speedrunning maps.

20. Spark Stormweaver

The Spark Sorceress reigns supreme, turning entire maps into electrified warzones.

One of the most visually satisfying and effective builds in the game.

21. Ice Shack Invoker

A top-tier bossing build that locks down enemies with quick frost bursts, ensuring maximum control and DPS.

Its consistent uptime makes it deadly in endgame fights.

22. Stormcaller Warden

A summoner-style Warden that controls storm entities for unstoppable AoE damage.

Excellent for map clearing, but also surprisingly tanky.

23. Arcane Ascendant Necromancer

Arcane Ascendant Necromaner is the best overall build pre-patch 0.2.0 before the Dawn of the Hunt update.

It combines advanced minion AI, energy shield regeneration, and insane damage scaling, making it the most consistent choice for all content.

Table of All Best S, A, B, and D Builds in PoE 2 Before 0.2.0 Dawn of the Hunt

Final Thoughts

PoE 2’s meta keeps evolving, and builds will shift with each update. This tier list represents the best pre-patch 0.2.0 choices based on current performance. Experiment, optimize, and enjoy your journey in Wraeclast!