If you’re looking for a hard-hitting, screen-clearing melee build in PoE 2, the Smith of Kitava Warrior is a top contender. This build uses Bone Shatter to obliterate packs of enemies while leveraging Wind Dancer to turn incoming hits into opportunities for massive crowd control. It’s incredibly satisfying, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly strong even with basic gear.
Why This Build is So Strong
The build revolves around stunning enemies and then detonating them with powerful AoE follow-ups. Thanks to the interaction between Bone Shatter and Wind Dancer, you’re able to clear dense packs of monsters quickly, even on higher-tier maps.
It performs exceptionally well in mid to late-game mapping, and because it doesn’t rely on rare unique or complex mechanics, it’s easy to set up and fun to play.
Key benefits include:
- Easy to level and scale into endgame
- High area-of-effect damage with wide reach
- A unique stun synergy that feels smooth and rewarding
- Great for farming, mapping, and general league progression
Ascendancy: Smith of Kitava
You’ll be playing the Warrior class with the Smith of Kitava ascendancy. This offers strong fire-themed bonuses and some early survivability that makes progression easier.
You can start rolling with just four ascendancy points, and the early nodes already give you:
- Cold and fire resistance
- Melee damage boosts
- Fire damage penetration
It pairs perfectly with the two-handed mace setup this build uses, reinforcing both your clear speed and bossing power.
Core Skill Setup: Bone Shatter
Your main damage source is Bone Shatter, a brutal melee attack that stuns enemies and sets up devastating explosions.
It becomes much more powerful when supported by the right links. Here’s a strong 6-link setup:
- Impact Shockwave
- Goaded Reach (for extra AoE)
- Magnified Effect
- Devastate
- Armor Explosion
- Optional: Bleed Chance
This combo not only hits hard but covers a wide area, allowing you to mow down packs in one or two hits after triggering your stun.
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The Wind Dancer Synergy
Here’s the twist that makes this build shine: Wind Dancer. Most builds use it defensively, but here it’s a core offensive mechanic.
Wind Dancer causes enemies to become more vulnerable to stun after hitting you. That means you can let monsters hit you first, then retaliate with Bone Shatter to instantly stun and blow them up.
It’s a reversal of the usual attack-first mindset and makes combat feel incredibly reactive and explosive.
To unlock this synergy early, use a low-level Wind Dancer spirit gem in your setup.
Passive Tree Highlights
This build focuses on stun chance, strength scaling, and two-handed melee damage. The passive tree is intuitive and doesn’t require complex rerouting as you progress.
Key passives to aim for:
- Blood Rush – boosts attack speed
- Giant’s Blood – synergizes with high strength
- Area of Effect nodes – to scale Bone Shatter’s clear radius
- Fire and bleed nodes – add extra layers of damage
- Resolute Technique – so your attacks never miss
Utility Skills and Support Options
In addition to Bone Shatter, you’ll use a few other skills for mobility and extra utility:
- Shield Charge (linked with Pin Support) for movement
- Infernal Cry to boost damage taken by enemies
- Perfect Strike for finishing off bosses
- Bloodhound’s Mark (experimental) to increase stun duration on priority targets
You can also swap in Mace Strike for general trash clearing if you want to alternate your playstyle.
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Gear Recommendations
You don’t need high-end gear to make this build work, which is one of its biggest strengths. Focus on stacking strength, resistances, and melee damage.
Key gear priorities:
- Two-handed mace with high physical damage, attack speed, and melee skill ranks
- Armor pieces with +Strength, resistances, and spirit or life
- A belt with +40 Strength (even a unique will do for budget builds)
- Rings and amulets with stat boosts and resists
- A mana flask for early sustain, and a speed flask for mapping
You can clear T11 maps with ease using this setup and upgrade slowly over time as needed.
How to Play It
Gameplay is simple and satisfying. Here’s your basic loop:
- Dash into a pack with Shield Charge
- Let them hit you to trigger Wind Dancer
- Slam with Bone Shatter
- Watch the stun go off, then the screen explodes
Rinse and repeat. Bosses may take a bit more setup, but using Perfect Strike and stacking bleeds will handle even tanky targets with ease.
Final Thoughts
The Smith of Kitava Warrior Build is one of the most fun and accessible melee builds in Path of Exile 2 right now. It’s not only powerful but also visually satisfying, thanks to the screen-wide shockwaves and explosions.
The use of Wind Dancer as an offensive tool is what makes this build truly unique—it flips the script and rewards an aggressive, reactive playstyle.
Whether you’re new to PoE or looking for a strong mapper to carry you through early league content, this build has you covered.
