Overview
This build reimagines the Infernalist Witch as a Chaos Demon Form caster that turns the screen into a constant chaos explosion. Instead of standing still and pressing a single spell, it layers Despair, Impending Doom, Hex Blast, Thunderstorm, and Shock into one self-triggering damage engine. Despair is both the primary curse and the fuse: linked with Impending Doom it detonates into burst damage, while a Cast on Elemental Ailment package auto-fires Hex Blasts and Spellslinger keeps Thunderstorms rolling to guarantee Shock.
The playstyle centers on Demon Form for high-damage casts and Blink for smooth, safe repositioning through dangerous ground. Once the trigger package is running, you focus on movement, positioning, and keeping Despair applied while the automated setup does the heavy lifting. The creator frames it as a build that scales into an “infinite DPS” feeling once everything is online, with strong mapping and real boss pressure.
It is not a pure glass cannon — the tree deliberately picks up energy shield, life, and recovery so Demon Form gameplay stays comfortable.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Heavily automated — triggers do the work while you position and keep the curse up
- Excellent pack clear as chaos explosions ramp up across the screen
- Strong single-target once Sigil of Power, Despair, and the triggers are set on a boss
- Balanced defenses: life, energy shield, capped resistances, and recovery
Cons
- Trigger and Demon Form setup has a learning curve before it feels smooth
- Gear-dependent — wants +chaos-spell-level wands and stacked spell levels to hit full damage
- Ramp-based: damage engine needs a moment to spin up on entry
- Not a leaguestarter; it wants the trigger gems and gear in place to shine
Key Skills
- Hex Blast — the payoff skill, auto-triggered by Cast on Elemental Ailment
- Despair (+ Impending Doom, Unleash, Compressed Duration) — main curse and burst source
- Thunderstorm (via Spellslinger, Overcharge, Shock Conduction) — guarantees and amplifies Shock
- Demon Form — core damage-scaling transformation from the Infernalist ascendancy
- Sigil of Power / Blink — bossing damage boost and mobility/escape
Gear & Anointments
The main weapon set is dual wands with +1 to all spell skills and, ideally, +5 to all chaos spell skills plus extra damage as cold and fire — spell levels and chaos-spell levels are the biggest scalers. A chiming staff on the second set provides Sigil of Power for bossing. Prioritize energy shield, cast speed, maximum life, and resistances across armour pieces; the amulet wants spirit, +3 to all spell skills, life, energy shield, and recoup. Kandra’s Touch can mirror a strong ring if budget allows. Ascendancy order: Demonic Possession, Mastery of Darkness, Bringer of Flame, Pyromantic Pact.
Endgame Notes
The build targets fast mapping and pinnacle boss pressure. Against bosses, open with Demon Form, drop Sigil of Power, apply Despair, then let Thunderstorm and Hex Blast trigger while you stay mobile with Blink and refresh the curse.
Credits & Source
Build credited to KaidGames. See the source video for the full skill links, tree routing, and gear list: Highest Damage Hexblast Chaos Build in 0.5 PoE2 Witch.