[PoE2 0.4 Remnants of the Druid]No failures for beginners to advanced users! Carefully recommended class complete guide & detailed build[Path of Exile 2 New League Strategy]

A new league in Path of Exile 2, also known as PoE2, “The Last of the Druids'' has started with the 0.4 patch. This league adds a new class, the Druid, and introduces the Fate of the Vaal-themed temple building mechanic. In this new element, where you build a temple room by room and aim for the boss battle with Queen Atziri, stable class selection in the early stages is the key to success. Now that the environment has changed dramatically, if you choose the wrong class, you will have a hard time even passing the campaign.

In this article, we will explain detailed builds based on the latest metadata, focusing on Witch, Ranger, Druid, and Mercenary. It covers the strengths and weaknesses of each class, skill composition, passive tree points, equipment evolution, and play style, and covers everything from league starters to end games. In terms of class usage, Druid is at the top, followed by Ranger and Witch. We will provide you with a guide that even beginners can put into practice right away.

1. Importance of class selection and environmental changes in new league 0.4 “Druid Remnants”

0.4 League brings a breath of fresh air to the Shapeshift mechanic with the addition of Druids. It can transform into a bear, wolf, or wyvern, and features hybrid combat combined with spell support in human form. Additionally, passive tree adjustments and ascendancy enhancements (e.g. Pathfinder QOL improvements, Stormweaver buffs) will transform class balance. Druid has the highest usage rate of poe.ninja, and Ranger Pathfinder is gaining popularity in laps. Temple mechanics require map exploration and require orbital speed and survivability. Avoid builds that focus on physical melee, which are prone to failure, and choose stable builds that utilize DoT (damage over time), long range, and minions. The class tier list is solid with Mercenary and Ranger at S-Tier and Witch at B+. Below we will take a deep dive into each recommended class.

2. Versatile Choice: Witch Strengths and Recommended Builds

Witches are intelligence-based spellcasters, and their greatest appeal is their wide range of options. In 0.4, DoT and minions will be stabilized by strengthening Blood Mage and Lich. Essence Drain (ED)/Contagion (Contagion) DoT builds are a staple for league starters and provide high DPS from the beginning.

Recommended build 1: ED/Contagion Lich – DoT specialized for beginners

• Strengths: You can clear the campaign in 4 hours with low investment. Contagion spreads poison and ED provides single DPS. Rich's Ascendancy has excellent durability and scaling. Perfect for going around the temple.
• Skill composition: Main: ED + Swift Affliction / Unleash / Concentrated Effect. Sub: Contagion + Escalating Poison. Spirit: Withering Presence → Herald of Plague. Support: Enhance Debuff with Despair.
• passive tree: Give priority to intelligence nodes and obtain DoT multi-stage/duration extension nodes (Vile Wounds). Ascendancy: Overwhelming Toxicity → Path Seeker.
• Equipment evolution: Act1: Use flat spell damage wand. Act3: Equip resistance/life ring. End: Expand the tree with Rakiata's Flow and utilize Chaos multi-stage staff.
• play style: Contagion spreads the pack and performs an ED hit. Delivers a burst with Plague Bearer. The boss will hit Despair + ED repeatedly. Mana is resolved with leech.
• beginning/end: Instantly dissolves Act1 Devourer. Compatible with the Pinnacle boss in the end game. SSF is possible.

Recommended Build 2: Spark Blood Mage – Critical Fast Clear

• Strengths: Use Cast on Crit (CoC) to fire Sparks repeatedly and clear the screen to the point where it disappears. Vitality Siphon has excellent recovery.
• skill: Spark + CoC + Lightning Bolt. Support: Increased Critical / Power Charge.
• tree/gear: Get the crit/lightning node and build the ES/life hybrid.
• style: Creates a Spark explosion on hit, allowing for high mobility and comfortable temple exploration.

Witch's build can be changed according to purpose, and minion Infernalist will also be stable. Its weakness is low melee resistance, but it can be covered with spell barrier.

3. Lap champion: Ranger's stable performance and build example

Rangers are agility-based ranged attackers. The lap performance and flexibility have been enhanced by 0.4, and it is the second most used. Pathfinder's “no knockback during sprint'' and “movement pena reduction'' greatly improve QOL.

Recommended build 1: Poisonburst Arrow Pathfinder – Strongest poison loop

• Strengths: Demonstrate infinite DPS with poison stack and comfortably perform dash laps. You can quickly break through the campaign.
• skill: Poisonburst Arrow + Concentrated Area / Escalating Poison / Unleash. Sub: Vine Arrow (boss), Contagion. Spirit: Herald of Plague.
• tree: Get Dex node, poison multi-stage/duration. Set 1: Attack set, Set 2: Movement.
• gear: Uses Warden Bow (phys flat) and requires MS boots. End: Utilize poison bottle/bow unique.
• style: Melt packs with Poisonburst and fix bosses with Vine. Temple map fast farm.
• Strategy: Perform Act1 Lightning Arrow migration and obtain Act2 Contagion. Immediately supports T15 map at the end.

Recommended Build 2: Lightning Arrow Dead Eye – Lightning Clear/Boss

• Strengths: An additional shot can erase the entire screen, and the boss burst is high.
• Skill/Tree: Get LA + Lightning Rod and utilize the chestnut/lightning node.

Ranger has excellent stability. The weakness is that durable investment is required.

4. New class: The fun and future of Druid

Druids are a Strength/Intelligence hybrid. It is full of new elements and ranks first in usage. By transforming, you can achieve both attacks and spells.

Recommended Build: Shapeshift Shaman – Transformation Hybrid

• Strengths: Flexible response with bear (durability)/wolf (mobility)/wyvern (single). Unleash an elemental explosion in Apocalypse.
• skill: Volcano + Flame Wall (human), Maul/Furious Slam (bear), Pounce (wolf), Fury of the Mountain. Spirit: Herald of Ash / Savage Fury.
• tree: Obtain Strength/Intelligence, Rage generation node (Bestial Rage).
• gear: Use animal talisman weapons to enhance your life/armor.
• style: Perform Volcano preposition and perform transformation Maul. Demonstrates Rampage burst. Bosses utilize Walking Calamity.
• Strategy: Perform Act1 Maul combo and unlock Act3 Rampage. Melt the temple boss at the end.

Its weakness is that it requires a lot of manipulation, but its future prospects are excellent.

5. Firepower/durability balance: Mercenary comfort

The Mercenary is a crossbow/grenade gunner. Boasts S-Tier durability/firepower.

Recommended Build 1: Explosive Grenade Witch Hunter – Explosive Lapse

• Strengths: Grenade range explosion and high durability. Faster temple construction.
• skill: Explosive/Gas Grenade, Wind Dancer.
• tree/gear: Optimize the set in Weapon Master and prioritize crossbows.

Recommended Build 2: Permafrost Bolts Tactician – Freeze Control

• Strengths: Immediately freezes the boss and is excellent as a league starter.

Compatible with all content with comfortable operation.

6. Comparison of other classes and points to avoid

Sorceress (Stormweaver lightning) is fast to clear but has low durability. Monk (Invoker) is strong in melee, but investment is heavy. Warriors will struggle in the early stages due to high SP consumption. Avoid Druid if you want to prioritize new elements, and choose the top 4 classes if you want stable play.

7. Final guide to choosing classes by purpose

• Lap/Farm: Ranger (Poisonburst)
• Stable DoT: Witch (ED)
• Fun/New Feature: Druid (Shapeshift)
• Firepower Endurance: Mercenary (Grenade)
• SSF: All available. Hardcore: Mercenary preferred.

8. Summary: Class selection technique to win the 0.4 league

In the 0.4 league “Druid Remnants”, QOL enhancements for rangers and mercenaries shine. The versatility of witches and the innovation of druids are attractive. Choose a build that suits your style and maximize your rewards with temple construction. We sincerely hope that this guide will help you enjoy the new league to the fullest.