The world of Path of Exile 2 has taken another step forward with the 0.2 update, introducing fresh mechanics, a new class, and a meta that—while more limited than veterans might expect—still offers exciting build opportunities for players willing to experiment. Among the roughly twenty viable options in the current meta, one build in particular has electrified the community: the Lightning Spear Huntress.

This spear-flinging, screen-shattering setup not only embodies the raw power of critical strikes but also leverages the unique strengths of the Huntress class, first introduced in Dawn of Hunt (POE2 Currency). For players looking to channel their inner Zeus, hurling bolts of devastating energy while dancing around enemies with finesse, this build is quickly becoming a favorite.

In this deep dive, we’ll explore the current state of the 0.2 meta, the Huntress class’s defining traits, the mechanics of the Lightning Spear build, and how to make it thrive from the campaign to endgame.

The 0.2 Meta: Limited But Focused

Compared to the sprawling diversity of viable builds in Path of Exile and even Path of Exile 2’s earlier 0.1 patch, the 0.2 meta feels narrower. With the introduction of new skills, ascendancies, and class reworks still ongoing, many archetypes simply aren’t tuned to compete with the top tier yet. As it stands, about twenty builds are capable of comfortably clearing high-end content without extreme investment.

Why the smaller pool? Two main reasons:

Balancing and Early Development – Grinding Gear Games is still iterating on skills, passives, and ascendancies. Many skills are in a transitional state, with placeholder numbers or incomplete scaling options.

New Class Specialization – The Huntress is the main headliner of 0.2, and naturally, the balance focus shifted toward her new ascendancy options, spear mechanics, and skill synergies.

That said, this smaller meta isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It gives players a clearer direction when choosing a starting build, and it’s easier to identify what’s strong and why. Among these options, Lightning Spear Huntress is not only competitive—it’s flashy, satisfying, and relatively accessible.

Meet the Huntress

The Huntress class in Path of Exile 2 is designed around agile melee and ranged hybrid combat with a strong affinity for spear weapons. Her defining features include:

Spear Weapon Specialization – Many of her passives and ascendancy nodes directly improve spear performance, including range, attack speed, and projectile behavior.

Critical Strike Ascendancy Node – The standout feature of the Lightning Spear build, this node offers massive crit chance for a minimal point investment, making it one of the most efficient damage boosts in the game.

High Mobility – The Huntress excels at moving quickly between positions, kiting enemies, and repositioning mid-combat.

The spear weapon type itself has been reimagined in POE2. Spears function as versatile hybrid tools—they can be used for close-range thrusts or ranged throws, with certain skills like Lightning Spear scaling dramatically with projectile mechanics.

Why Lightning Spear?

The Lightning Spear skill synergizes perfectly with the Huntress’s strengths. It transforms your spear throws into projectiles crackling with electric energy, capable of chaining between enemies or exploding in bursts of elemental destruction.

Key reasons the skill works so well in 0.2:

Screen-Wide Coverage – With the right projectile speed and chain mechanics, Lightning Spear clears packs before they even close in.

Critical Strike Scaling – Lightning’s naturally high damage spikes pair perfectly with the Huntress’s critical strike ascendancy.

Versatility – Works well in open maps for AoE farming and in boss arenas for focused single-target damage.

Visual Satisfaction – Let’s be honest—watching bolts of lightning arc through hordes of enemies never gets old.

Asmodeous, a well-known POE2 theorycrafter, helped popularize this particular variant. His version focuses on maximizing projectile spread while ensuring crit consistency, resulting in a build that’s both powerful and forgiving.

Core Build Mechanics

The Lightning Spear Huntress isn’t just about grabbing a spear and hurling lightning—it’s a carefully tuned interaction of skills, passives, and gear.

1. Critical Strike Focus

The build revolves around taking the Huntress’s critical strike ascendancy early. This not only boosts your crit chance dramatically but also allows you to invest in multiplier scaling without worrying too much about reaching base crit caps.

2. Projectile & Chain Scaling

To maximize clear speed, the build benefits greatly from increased projectile speed, additional projectiles, and chain effects. Items and passives that grant these stats are prioritized.

3. Lightning Damage Multipliers

Unlike physical spear builds, Lightning Spear scales off elemental damage. This means:

Increased Lightning Damage

Elemental Damage with Attacks

Lightning Penetration

4. Defensive Layers

While the build is offensively explosive, it still needs defenses for endgame content:

Evasion and Spell Suppression for dodge potential.

A moderate investment in life and elemental resistances.

Optional Life Gain on Hit from support gems or gear for sustain.

Passive Tree & Ascendancy Choices

The Huntress’s passive tree pathing for Lightning Spear typically follows:

Early Game – Projectile damage, attack speed, and crit chance.

Mid Game – Lightning damage clusters, elemental penetration nodes, and projectile speed.

End Game – Max crit multiplier scaling, large jewel sockets for projectile/elemental bonuses.

For ascendancy progression:

Critical Strike Node – Rush this first for massive early damage.

Projectile Mastery – Increases range and effectiveness of spear throws.

Elemental Specialist – Lightning-specific boosts and penetration.

Gear Recommendations

The build can function on a modest budget but truly shines with targeted investments.

Weapon – High base crit spear with +Lightning Damage to Attacks, attack speed, and ideally +1 to Level of All Lightning Skill Gems.

Helmet – Look for Lightning Damage, Life, and nearby enemies have -Lightning Resistance.

Body Armour – Evasion-based with Life and Resistances; eventually aim for a 6-link to fully support Lightning Spear.

Gloves – Attack speed, Life, and added Lightning Damage.

Boots – Movement speed (30%+), Life, and Resistances.

Jewelry – Rings with Lightning Damage, crit multiplier, and Resistances; amulet with +1 Lightning Skills or Crit Multiplier.

Flasks – Diamond Flask for crit consistency, Quicksilver Flask for mobility, and defensive flasks for armor/evasion boosts.

Skill Links

The ideal 6-link for Lightning Spear looks something like:

Lightning Spear

Added Lightning Damage

Elemental Damage with Attacks

Increased Critical Strikes

Chain Support

Increased Projectile Speed or Critical Damage

For utility skills:

Dash or Blink Strike for mobility.

Wrath Aura for flat lightning damage boost.

Sniper’s Mark for projectile damage and mana sustain.

Leveling the Build

One of the biggest advantages of Lightning Spear Huntress is that it levels smoothly.

Levels 1–30 – Use basic spear skills like Spear Throw while picking up early projectile and crit nodes.

Level 30+ – Transition to Lightning Spear once you have enough crit chance and damage scaling.

Campaign Bosses – Use single-target spear skills or swap supports for more concentrated damage.

Endgame Performance

In high-tier maps and bosses, Lightning Spear Huntress holds its own thanks to:

High Mobility – You’re rarely standing still, minimizing incoming damage.

Reliable Crits – Almost every spear throw is a crit, keeping damage output consistent.

Scaling Potential – While it works on a budget, the build scales impressively with investment in projectile enchantments and lightning multipliers.

The only notable weaknesses are:

Elemental Reflect Maps – Lethal without mitigation.

Single-Target Burst – While strong, it’s not the absolute best in the meta compared to some melee or totem setups.

Community Reception

Players have praised Lightning Spear Huntress for being:

Visually satisfying

Flexible between mapping and bossing

Beginner-friendly while still rewarding optimization

Its popularity in 0.2 has also helped highlight the Huntress as a versatile addition to POE2’s class roster.

Final Thoughts

The 0.2 meta in Path of Exile 2 may be smaller than veterans are used to, but within its condensed selection lies some of the most polished, enjoyable builds yet. The Lightning Spear Huntress is a shining—quite literally—example of how the right synergy between class design and skill mechanics can produce a build that’s both powerful and fun.

Whether you’re a returning POE1 veteran curious about what’s viable in POE2, or a new player looking to start strong in the current meta, this build offers a balanced mix of accessibility, spectacle, and competitive endgame performance. And let’s face it—few things in ARPGs feel as good as watching a single spear hurl forth and erupt into a cascade of lightning that wipes the screen clean cheap Path of Exile 2 Currency.

If the Huntress’s debut is any indication, Path of Exile 2 is setting the stage for a build environment where creativity and raw elemental force can coexist. In that electrifying future, Lightning Spear is already claiming its throne.