Overview
This Contagion + Essence Drain witch has been the top league-starter pick since Path of Exile 2 entered Early Access. It is built around a one-button single-target combo and an AoE chain that wipes packs by spreading Contagion across the screen. The creator highlights it as one of the most consistently demigod-tested builds across every Witch ascendancy.
Although the build runs on any Witch ascendancy, it is fastest on Infernalist, where Demon Form scaling and energy-shield-focused gearing come fully online in early Act 2. The screen-clear loop comes online at level six with Essence Drain unlocked, and single target kicks in at level 14 with Bonestorm — the kind of smooth early-campaign curve that makes it forgiving for newcomers while still rewarding optimized play for veterans.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- One-button single-target damage that does not require gear or crit setup to feel strong
- AoE clear that snowballs across full screens via Contagion spreading on death
- Online very early — clear at level 6, real single target by level 14
- Extremely cheap to gear — any plus-level wand and focus carries the build deep into endgame
- Forgiving defensive setup; tanky throughout the entire campaign
Cons
- Expected to transition out of the build at T15 maps into a more endgame-tuned setup
- Demon Form on Infernalist asks for some life-recovery management via Time of Need
- Greater/Lesser Jeweler Orbs gate the final supports (Burgeoning, Living Lightning)
Key Skills
- Chaos Bolt — opener single-target damage from level one until Essence Drain comes online
- Contagion — paired with Entangle for the screen-clear chain; corpses spread the DoT into entire packs
- Essence Drain — unlocked at level six and becomes the AoE workhorse
- Bonestorm — single-target spike at level 14, upgraded with Burgeoning support after Act 4
- Unearth — used for corpse generation and minion utility in the early acts
Gear & Anointments
Open with the starter wand, rattling scepter, and the Unearth skill gem from the beach. Through the campaign, prioritize wand and focus pieces that roll +level to spells — every spell level is a sharp damage step. Level 55 is a major power spike because weapons can roll an extra level. Throw spare Transmutes and Augments on every two-handed staff, wand, or focus you find. Specific uniques to be confirmed against the source video.
For links, the goal is Contagion + Magnified Effect + Rapid Casting on the AoE side, and Bonestorm + Burgeoning + Swift Affliction on the single-target side once you have Greater/Lesser Jeweler Orbs from the Act 4 league mechanic.
Endgame Notes
The build is described as a league-starter that carries you to roughly T15 maps with minimal investment, after which the creator recommends transitioning into a dedicated endgame setup rather than scaling Contagion further.
Credits & Source
Build credited to Mirror Tier | POE 2. See the source video for the full build’s gameplay footage and voice commentary: POE2 Witch The Easiest to Play S-Tier League Starter 0.5.