If you’re stepping into Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict, one of the first big questions you’ll ask yourself is: What’s the best starter build? I’ve been around since the early days of PoE 1, and believe me when I say a good starter build can make or break your early league experience. You want something that’s strong with cheap gear, scales well into mid-game, and doesn’t demand you sell your soul farming maps for weeks.
Before diving into the list, let me just put this out there: currency management in PoE 2 is still as important as ever. If you want to accelerate your progress, some players turn to external marketplaces. Personally, I’ve seen folks head over to SSEGold to buy cheap PoE 2 currency just to smooth out those painful first few days. It’s not mandatory, but it can save you from hours of early grinding if you’re short on time.
Now, let’s talk builds. Below are my top five Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict starter builds that I’d recommend to any new or returning exile. These builds are tested, reliable, and most importantly — fun.
1. Lightning Arrow Deadeye
When people ask me what’s the easiest build to recommend to a newcomer, Lightning Arrow Deadeye is always at the top of my list. It’s fast, flashy, and clears packs like a lawnmower.
Why it works as a starter build:
Bows are plentiful and easy to craft early on.
Deadeye ascendancy gives you ridiculous clear speed with extra projectiles and accuracy bonuses.
Lightning Arrow scales well with basic stats like elemental damage and attack speed, meaning you don’t need ultra-rare uniques to feel strong.
Playstyle tip:
Focus on farming maps with tight layouts early. The chain lightning effect makes corridors a joke. For bosses, swap in a single-target skill like Barrage Support to supplement damage.
2. Bone Shatter Juggernaut
This build isn’t just good; it feels tanky and rewarding. Bone Shatter Juggernaut brings back the melee power fantasy without feeling clunky.
Why it works as a starter build:
Juggernaut’s defensive layers (armor, endurance charges, stun immunity) make it forgiving for beginners.
Bone Shatter scales from raw physical damage and attack speed, which are both easy to find on early rare gear.
It’s simple: hit things, survive, repeat.
Playstyle tip:
Don’t underestimate self-damage from Bone Shatter stacks. Manage your attack speed and use life regen or leech to keep the sustain steady. Pairing with Warcries makes it even smoother.
3. Toxic Rain Pathfinder
If you loved Toxic Rain in PoE 1, good news: it’s back and just as reliable in Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict. The skill blankets the screen with chaos pods that melt enemies over time.
Why it works as a starter build:
It’s effective with just a 4-link early game.
Pathfinder ascendancy boosts flask sustain and chaos damage, letting you spam your skill without resource issues.
The build shines both in clearing packs and chunking bosses.
Playstyle tip:
Get used to kiting while your pods do the work. Focus your early passive points into chaos damage and damage-over-time multipliers. A Quill Rain bow can carry you surprisingly far until maps.
4. Firestorm Elementalist
Sometimes, you just want to watch the world burn. That’s what Firestorm Elementalist offers — raining fire meteors that obliterate packs.
Why it works as a starter build:
Elementalist’s free exposure and increased area damage make Firestorm scale way above its weight.
Fire skills are beginner-friendly because +fire damage mods are common.
Cheap unique staves and scepters can turbocharge your early game without big investments.
Playstyle tip:
Firestorm thrives on area coverage. Learn boss mechanics so you can pre-cast firestorms in advance. Pair with Flame Wall or Fireball for extra punch against tankier targets.
5. Summon Raging Spirits Necromancer
No list of PoE starter builds is complete without mentioning a minion build. Summon Raging Spirits (SRS) Necromancer is one of the most comfortable ways to league start.
Why it works as a starter build:
Minions do the heavy lifting, letting you focus on positioning and dodging.
Necromancer ascendancy buffs minion life and damage, meaning your SRS won’t flop in mid-game.
It requires very little gear to feel powerful, making it ideal for a fresh economy.
Playstyle tip:
Cast constantly — the more spirits on the field, the stronger your army. Early on, link SRS with Melee Splash Support and Minion Damage. Later, you can scale into Unleash for smoother casting.
How These Builds Stack Up
Here’s a quick rundown comparing the Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict starter builds:
Fastest Clear: Lightning Arrow Deadeye
Tankiest: Bone Shatter Juggernaut
Most Budget-Friendly: Summon Raging Spirits Necromancer
Best Balance of Clear + Bossing: Toxic Rain Pathfinder
Most Explosive AoE Damage: Firestorm Elementalist
Depending on your personal playstyle, each one has its strengths. For beginners, I’d say Summon Raging Spirits and Lightning Arrow are the safest bets. Veterans looking for challenge might enjoy Bone Shatter more.
Veteran Tips for League Starting
As someone who has gone through countless leagues, here are some practical tips for making your Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict start smoother:
Plan your passive tree early. Use PoE planner tools to avoid wasting respec points.
Prioritize 4-links before anything else. Don’t obsess over 6-links too soon.
Farm currency consistently. Stick to layouts like Strand or Dunes that are easy to clear quickly.
Cap your resistances. It doesn’t matter how much damage you deal if you’re getting one-shot.
Don’t be afraid to adapt. Sometimes RNG blesses you with a rare unique — adjust your build accordingly.
Final Thoughts
Starting a new league in Path of Exile 2 The Third Edict is equal parts excitement and chaos. Picking the right starter build makes all the difference between smooth sailing and frustrating rerolls.
To recap, my top five builds are:
Lightning Arrow Deadeye
Bone Shatter Juggernaut
Toxic Rain Pathfinder
Firestorm Elementalist
Summon Raging Spirits Necromancer
Each of these is strong, cheap, and tested for early progression. Choose the one that fits your playstyle and roll into maps with confidence. And remember, if you ever find yourself short on resources, some exiles head to SSEGold to buy cheap PoE 2 currency as a shortcut — though grinding it out the old-fashioned way is always the purist’s path.
Whatever route you take, good luck out there, exile. The Third Edict isn’t going to conquer itself.
