![[0.5] PoE 2 TANKY LEAGUE STARTER – MASTER SMITH - RETURN OF THE ANCIENTS - PoE 2 Builds](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/t_wEpOCElfk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Overview
This build leans on the Warrior’s Smith of Kitava ascendancy to deliver a sturdy, low-stress league starter for the 0.5 Return of the Ancients patch. The appeal is durability first: a heavily armoured melee frame that can wade into early-act packs and survive the rough opening days of a fresh league, when gear is scarce and every defensive layer matters.
The creator frames it as a build you can confidently roll on day one and grind the campaign with, rather than a glass-cannon that needs a unique or two before it functions. A dedicated leveling path and a single-target combo for tougher fights keep it moving through the acts without relying on an established economy.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Tanky from the start — built around armour so it weathers campaign damage spikes
- Genuine league-starter pedigree: works on a blank slate with no economy
- Includes a dedicated leveling guide and a single-target combo for act bosses
- Forgiving complexity, suitable for players new to the class
Cons
- Defensive bias means clear and single-target damage are steady rather than explosive
- Smith of Kitava’s payoff scales with gear, so the late game wants investment
- Endgame ceiling is modest compared with dedicated bossing or mapping specialists
Key Skills
- Smith of Kitava ascendancy — the build’s identity, providing the tanky, fire-flavoured Warrior core
- Single-target combo — the creator’s dedicated rotation for act bosses and tougher rares
- Armour-stacking defensive layer — the survivability backbone for league start
Gear & Anointments
A Warrior melee weapon archetype with an armour-focused setup. The guide walks through equipment, gems, jewels, the passive tree, and optional buffs in sequence. Specific uniques and anoints to be confirmed against the source video — the build is pitched to function on rares while you gather upgrades.
Credits & Source
Build credited to Path of Exile Builds. See the source video for the full build’s gameplay footage, equipment walkthrough, and leveling guide: [0.5] PoE 2 TANKY LEAGUE STARTER - MASTER SMITH - RETURN OF THE ANCIENTS.