Essence Drain Lich Leveling Build Guide

Ascendancy Overview

• Note: that if you plan on respeccing in endgame you need a bunch of Gold per node.

Passive Tree Progression

• Eldritch Empowerment:
  • Prioritises Early Game Damage, gaining 203% Increased Damage & 48% Increased Skill Effect Duration in 23 Points.
  • Then to increase Eldritch Empowerment's early game effectiveness, allocate Energy Shield Delay, Melding & Dampening Shield to reduce the delay before Energy Shield Recharge begins and to increase your total Energy Shield pool.
  • Next, acquires Void for more damage & Whispers of Doom to enable self-cast Despair & Blasphemy Temporal Chains.
  • Conclude the leveling progression by slowly filling out any remaining damage nodes, increased maximum Energy Shield nodes or faster start of Energy Shield Recharge nodes, as depicted in the planner.

• Note: Depending on your rare items, you may need to allocate Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence from Attribute Nodes.

Leveling Progression

Gem Swaps

Use the Skill Embed on the right for Step-by-Step Skill Gem Progression.

For a more in-depth Step-by-Step explanation of when each gem is acquired and socketed refer to the leveling progression section below.

Playstyle

Essence Drain is your primary single target ability; and in combination with Contagion is also your primary clearing ability.

Blasphemy & Temporal Chains are used for additional survivability and Withering Presence provides additional damage. For even more single target damage enemies are debuffed with Despair; and skills are comboed with Sigil of Power and Dark Effigy.

A regex is a code that can be copied to a vendor's search bar in Path of Exile 2 to filter the results. It highlights specific bases with modifiers appropriate to this build: Make sure to use it at the vendors whenever you are in town.

"\d+% i.+mov|d Spell D|os D|ell s|Lif|m En|red w"

This regex searches for:

• Movement Speed
• Increased Spell Damage
• Increased Chaos Damage
• +# to Level of All Spell, Chaos, Fire, Cold, Lightning Skills
• Life Regen
• Maximum Life
• Maximum Energy Shield
• Withered Wands

Essence Drain Lich Leveling Build Act Progression

With experience, the Leveling Progression outlined below is all you need. However, if you're looking for additional guidance, then review the Important Leveling Tips listed below and the Path of Exile 2 Campaign Walkthrough.

Act 1

• Level 2: After Bloated Miller
  • Chaos Bolt - Main Single Target Ability
  • Flame Wall - Main Clear Ability & Single Target Amplifier
  • Unearth - Secondary Clear Ability
• Clearfell
  • Search for the Abandoned Camp and Create Skeletal Sniper - Secondary Single Target via Command: Gas Arrow
  • Defeat Beira of the Rotten Pack, and Consume the Head of the Winter Wolf for +10% to Cold Resistance
    • Pro Tip: Use Unearth on the Wolves corpses to prevent her from summoning them and for additional damage.
• Mud Burrow
  • Defeat the Devourer
  • Create Fire Attunement, Link to Skeletal Sniper
  • Create Contagion, Remove Unearth
• Grelwood
  • Defeat Areagne, Forgotten Witch, Create Zenith I, Link to Contagion
• Red Vale
  • Defeat The Rust King, Loot the Uncut Skill Gem Level 3 and create Essence Drain
  • Reach Level 6 and Swap to Essence Drain & Contagion, to review:
  • Essence Drain - Chain I - Zenith I - Main Clear & Single Target Ability
  • Contagion - Combo with Essence Drain for Clear
  • Chaos Bolt - Single Target Amplifier via Wither Stacks
  • Skeletal Sniper - Additional Single Target via Command: Gas Arrow
  • Flame Wall - Skeletal Sniper Single Target Amplifier
• Grim Tangle
  • Optional: Defeat Ervig, Rotted Druid for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1
• Cemetery of the Eternals
  • Search the zone for the Ancient Ruin Secret and interact with the Sarcophagus for a guaranteed Ring
  • Search for the Entrance to the Tomb of the Consort and the Mausoleum
• Tomb of the Consort
  • Optional: Search for the Haunted Treasure Secret and defeat the Rare for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1
  • Defeat Asinia, Praetor Consort
• Mausoleum
  • Optional: Search for the Forgotten Riches Secret for a large surplus of Gold and Rare Items
  • Defeat Draven, Eternal Praetor
• Return to the Cemetery of the Eternals
  • Defeat Lachlann of Endless Lament
• Hunting Grounds
  • Optional: Follow and Defeat the Spirit to complete The Hunt Begins Quest and for Loot
  • Defeat The Crowbell for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
  • Find the entrance to Freythorn, take the Freythorn Waypoint, but progress ahead to the Ogham Farmlands
  • Optional: Search for the Dyadic Ritual for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1
• Ogham Farmlands
  • Search for Una's Lute, and return the Lute to Una in Town for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
• Level 10
  • Equip a higher level Life Flask Greater Life Flask
  • Equip a higher level Mana Flask Greater Mana Flask
• Ogham Village
  • Search for Renly’s Smithing Tools and interact with the nearby Blacksmith's Chest for a Blank Rune and a guaranteed Artificer's Orb
  • Speak to Renly in Town to unlock the Salvage Bench and for a Lesser Iron Rune
  • Use the Salvage Bench on any stashed Socketed Gear to create additional Artificer's Orbs
  • Use the Artificer's Orb(s) on your best weapon, ideally a Withered Wand, and socket the Lesser Iron Rune
  • Defeat The Executioner
  • Speak to Leitis in town for an Uncut Skill Gem Level 5
• Freythorn
  • Return to Freythorn, Clear the 3 Rituals and Defeat The King in the Mists
  • Consume the Gembloom Skull and create Withering Presence
  • Speak to Finn in Town and select either a Sapphire Charm or Ruby Charm
• The Manor Ramparts
  • Optional: Search for the Gallows Secret for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1
• Oghman Manor
  • Defeat Candlemass and consume Candlemass’ Essence for +20 to Maximum Life
  • Before Count Geonor: Equip a Sapphire Charm
  • Defeat Count Geonor
• End of Act 1 Link Review
  • Chaos Bolt - Unleash
  • Essence Drain - Chain I - Zenith I
    • Optional: Swap Swift Affliction I with Chain I on Bosses
  • Contagion - Rapid Casting I - Magnified Area I
  • Withering Presence - Prolonged Duration I
  • Optional: Skeletal Sniper - Fire Attunement
  • Optional: Flame Wall

Act 2

• Mawdun Quarry
  • Optional: Search for the Faridun War Cache for an Artificer's Orb
  • Optional: Farm this zone for extra levels, Gold, Blacksmith's Whetstone(s), Armourer's Scrap(s), and possibly any Weapon upgrades
  • Before Rudja, the Dread Engineer: Equip a Ruby Charm
• Level 16
  • Equip a higher level Life Flask Grand Life Flask
  • Equip a higher level Mana Flask Grand Mana Flask
• Traitor's Passage
  • Kill Balbala, the Traitor to receive the quest Djinn Barya for your ascension
  • Ascend now if confident, or at Level 27+, before entering the Dreadnought
• Level 22
  • Equip Temporal Chains + Slow Potency
• Bone Pits
  • Search for the Sun Clan Relic by defeating Hyena-like enemies
• Keth
  • Defeat Kabala, Constrictor Queen for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
  • Search for the Kabala Clan Relic by defeating Snake-like enemies
• Buried Shrines
  • Optional: Search for the Elemental Shrine Secret for a Magic Rarity Ruby, Sapphire or Topaz Ring
• Valley of the Titans
  • Search for the Waypoint and place the previously found Sun Clan Relic and Kabala Clan Relic in the nearby Altar for a choice between the following buffs:
    • 30% increased Charm Charges Gained, +1 Charm Slot
    • 30% increased Charm Effect Duration, +1 Charm Slot
• Titan Grotto
  • Optional: Search for the Titan's Sword Secret for a random but guaranteed Lesser Rune
• Level 25
  • Important: Equip a Chiming Staff in Weapon Set 2.
  • Important: Set all other skills for use in Weapon Set 1.
  • Use Sigil of Power in your Single Target rotation.
• Deshar
  • Search for the Fallen Dekhara for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
  • Optional: Search for The Unremembered Secret for an Artificer's Orb
• Spires of Deshar
  • Search for the Sisters of Garukhan for +10% Lightning Resistance
• Trial of the Sekhema
  • Before entering the Dreadnought, complete the Trial of Sekhemas for your first 2 Ascendancy Points.
  • Craft and equip relevant Energy Shield gear to pair with Eldritch Empowerment & faster start of Energy Shield Recharge
• The Dreadnought & Dreadnought Vanguard
  • Optional: Farm this zone for extra levels, Gold, and possibly an upgraded Weapon
  • Optional: Equip a Topaz Charm and/or Lightning Resistance Gear
  • Defeat Jamanra, the Abomination

Act 3

• Sandswept Marsh
  • Search for the Orok Campfire Secret, use the Lesser Jeweller's Orb on Essence Drain, add Swift Affliction II
  • Optional: Swap Considered Casting with Chain on Bosses
• Level 30
  • Equip a higher level Life Flask Colossal Life Flask
  • Equip a higher level Mana Flask Colossal Mana Flask
• Level 31
  • Equip Dark Effigy + Withering Touch + Poison II
  • Equip Despair + Decaying Hex + Heightened Curse
  • Note: Temporarily set aside Temporal Chains and use Despair as your self cast curse.
• Jungle Ruins
  • Defeat Mighty Silverfist for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
  • Optional: Search for the Troubled Camp Secret for a Secret Vendor and a guaranteed Rare Item
  • Optional: Search for the Jungle Grave Secret for a guaranteed Rare Belt
• Venom Crypts
  • Search for the Corpse-snake Venom and return it to Servi in town for an Artificer's Orb and a choice between the following permanent character buffs:
    • 25% increased Stun Threshold (Recommended)
    • 30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold
    • 25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate
    • Warning: you cannot change your choice later on!
• Azak Bog
  • Defeat Ignagduk, the Bog Witch
  • Consume the Gemrot Skull and create Blasphemy
  • Disable Withering Presence
  • Equip Blasphemy + Temporal Chains + Slow Potency
  • Note: Dual Cursing enemies requires Whispers of Doom.
• Jiquani’s Machinarium
  • Defeat Blackjaw, the Remnant, and Consume the Flame Core for +10% to Fire Resistance
• Molten Vault
  • Optional: Defeat Mektul, the Forgemaster to unlock the Reforging Bench and an Artificer's Orb
  • Note: Mektul is a challenging boss with significantly more HP than normal, consider delaying this fight until later.
• Utzaal (Past)
  • Defeat Viper Napuatzi
  • Note: Viper Napuatzi is a challenging boss. Consider farming Utzaal or the highest zone you can for additional gear and levels beforehand. Furthermore, consider reviewing the Act 3 Boss Guide for video footage of each ability.
• Aggorat (Past)
  • Larger monsters in Utzaal & Aggorat can drop a Sacrificial Heart
  • Stab the Sacrificial Heart at the Blood Sacrifice Secret for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
• The Black Chambers (Past)
  • Defeat Doryani, Royal Thaumaturge
  • Note: Review the Act 3 Boss Guide if you encounter difficulty with this fight.

Path of Exile 2 0.4 introduces new confirmed changes to the Campaign:

• The Blind Beast in Isle of Kin now drops a Blank Greater Rune. This can be exchanged with Dannig in Kingsmarch for a Greater Rune of your choosing (from a selection).
• The Blind Beast no longer drops a Bile-soaked Tome. Instead, the Dark Mists quest now grants a Mist-shrouded Tome (which grants two Weapon Set Passive Skill Points) in addition to its existing rewards (Uncut Skill Gem and Gold).

In addition to the following unconfirmed changes from GGG Developer Interviews:

• The location of lost Weapon Pieces may rotate per league
• The location of Matiki may rotate per league

Any new changes will be included in a future update, after confirming them via playtesting.

Act 4

• Level 40
  • Equip a higher level Life Flask Gargantuan Life Flask
  • Equip a higher level Mana Flask Gargantuan Mana Flask
• Isle of Kin
  • Search for the Abandoned Delving Site Secret for a Lesser Jeweller's Orb
  • Defeat the Blind Beast for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
  • Optional: Defeat the Rare Beast in the Beast Pen for an Uncut Support Gem Level 4
• Whakapanu Island
  • Optional: Search for the Dread Crab Secret and Defeat the Rare Crab for an Uncut Support Gem Level 4
• Singing Caverns
  • Optional: Search for the Beckoning Clam Secret and bring the Humming Pearl to Rog in town for a Rare Pearlescent Amulet
• Abandoned Prison
  • Slay enemies until you find a Chapel Key. Use the key to enter the Chapel Secret and interact with the Goddess of Justice for a choice between:
    • 30% increased Life Recovery from Flasks
    • 30% increased Mana Recovery from Flasks
• Eye of Hinekora
  • Search for the Silent Hall Secret and Pay your Respects to receive +5% Maximum Mana
• Halls of the Dead
  • Complete the 3 Tests for a +5 Attribute or +5% Resistance consumable Ancestral Tattoo
    • Tawhoa's Test = +5 Dexterity or +5% Lightning Resistance
    • Tasalio's Test = +5 Intelligence or +5% Cold Resistance
    • Ngamahu's Test = +5 Strength or +5% Fire Resistance
    • Warning: you cannot change your choice later on!
  • Defeat Yama, the White and speak to Navali in the next zone for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points; reference the Act 4 Boss Guide if you need help.
• Arastas
  • Interact with the Morning and Evening Bells for 3 Regal Orb's and 3 Exalted Orb's
• Ngakanu
  • Optional: Search for the Meeting House to find a room lined with Chests for extra loot and potential upgrades

Interlude 1: The Curse of Holten

• Level 50
  • Equip a higher level Life Flask Transcendent Life Flask
  • Equip a higher level Mana Flask Transcendent Mana Flask
• Holten
  • Search for the Ferryman in Holten and purchase his supply of Greater Runes
• Wolvenhold
  • Defeat Oswin, the Dread Warden for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points

Interlude 2: The Stolen Barya

• Khari Crossing
  • Search for Molten One's Gift for +5% to Maximum Life
  • Defeat Akthi and Anundr for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
• Sel Khari Sanctuary
  • Slay enemies until you find Rangeen's Barya and Yoon's Barya. Place the Barya's in the respective altars for a Rare Ring, Rare Amulet or Rare Jewel.
• Qima
  • Search for Orbala's Pillar and select one of the buffs:
    • 3% Increased Movement Speed (Recommended)
    • 15% Increased Global Defences (Recommended)
    • +5% to Elemental Resistances
    • +5 to all Attributes
    • 20% increased Presence Area of Effect
    • 12% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
    • 5% Increased Experience + the Inversion of all the Above Buffs
  • You can return to Qima and change your choice at any time
• Qimah Reservoir
  • Optional: Slay enemies until you find Vial of Sacred Water which can be used to fill the Sacred Wells for loot
  • Defeat Azmadi, the Faridun Prince to complete the Interlude.
  • Note: Azmadi, the Faridun Prince is an especially lethal fight; reference The Interludes Boss Guide if you need help.

Interlude 3: Doryani's Contingency

• Kriar Village
  • Defeat Lythara, the Wayward Spear for +40 Spirit; reference The Interludes Boss Guide if you need help.
  • Re-enable Withering Presence
• Howling Caves
  • Defeat the Abominable Yeti for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points
• Kriar Peaks
  • Speak to Elder Madox for a free Unique Item

Endgame: The Ziggurat Refuge

• Complete all 3 Interludes for 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points

Important Leveling Tips

With experience, the Leveling Progression outlined above is all you need. However, if you're looking for additional guidance, then review the Important Leveling Tips listed below and the Path of Exile 2 Campaign Walkthrough.

General Progression Tips

Weapon Progression

• Level 2 Withered Wand + Rattling Sceptre
  • These are your starting weapons!
  • In most scenarios, they are not worth crafting whatsoever.

• As Soon As Possible Withered Wand
  • Any Magic or Rare Withered Wand with + to Level of All Spells or Chaos Spells or Increased Damage
  • Frequently check Caster Vendors during the early game for a potential upgrade
  • Frequently Transmutate and Augment Withered Wands during the early game for a potential upgrade
  • Note: Withered Wands provide Chaos Bolt, used to amplify single target damage via Wither Stacks.
  • + to Level of all Spell Skills or + to Level of all Chaos Skills Breakpoints:
    • Item Level 2 = +1 to Level of all Chaos Skills
    • Item Level 5 = +1 to Level of all Spell Skills
    • Item Level 18 = +2 to Level of all Chaos Skills
    • Item Level 25 = +2 to Level of all Spell Skills
    • Item Level 36 = +3 to Level of all Chaos Skills
    • Item Level 55 = +3 to Level of all Spell Skills, +4 to Level of all Chaos Skills
    • Item Level 78 = +4 to Level of all Spell Skills
    • Item Level 81 = +5 to Level of all Chaos Skills

• As Soon As Possible Focus
  • Any Magic or Rare Focus with + to Level of All Spells or Increased Damage
  • Frequently check Caster Vendors during the early game for a potential upgrade
  • Frequently Transmutate and Augment Foci during the early game for a potential upgrade
  • + to Level of all Spell Skills Breakpoints:
    • Item Level 10 = +1 to Level of all Spell Skills
    • Item Level 41 = +2 to Level of all Spell Skills

• Level 25 Chiming Staff
  • Any Magic or Rare Chiming Staff with Increased Cast Speed
  • Important: Equip in Weapon Set 2. Set all other skills for use in Weapon Set 1.
  • Consider using Arcanist's Etcher to 20% Quality the Item
  • Sigil of Power breakpoints:
    • Level 7 = 11% more Spell Damage per Stage
    • Level 9 = 12% more Spell Damage per Stage
    • Level 13 = 13% more Spell Damage per Stage
    • Level 17 = 14% more Spell Damage per Stage
    • Level 21 = 15% more Spell Damage per Stage

Listed above are the ideal Wand, Foci and Staff breakpoints. Note that Withered Wands are prioritised for the Chaos Bolt ability. That said, after equipping Dark Effigy at Level 31, you can consider equipping any Wand or Staff if it significantly increases your DPS. Similarly for Foci, equip the Focus that provides the most DPS; with a small consideration for increased Cast Speed.

Artificer's Orbs & the Salvage Bench

Artificer's Orb can be used on your weapons, allowing you to socket Iron Runes for increased Spell Damage; or in your Energy Shield gear to increase your effective hit pool:

• Lesser Iron Rune
• Iron Rune
• Greater Iron Rune

As you progress through the campaign and farther ahead into endgame, the base Energy Shield of various gear slots increase. Meaning on certain Magic or Rare items it may be optimal to socket an Iron Rune, instead of a Resist Rune.

Artificer's Orb(s) can be found or generated as follows:

• Random drops from killing monsters
• Secrets
• Or from salvaging socketed items for Artificer's Shard with the Salvage Bench; unlocked from returning Renly's Smithing Tools to Renly in Act 1.

Note: The Salvage Bench can also be used on Superior Items (Items with Quality) to generate Arcanist's Etcher or Armourer's Scrap.

Energy Shield Gear

During progression, it's important to continuously upgrade your Energy Shield gear to newer bases to significantly increase your effective hit pool. In addition to increasing your survivability, prioritising early game energy shield totals also increases the 30% more Damage Multiplier uptime from Eldritch Empowerment.

Prioritise the following gear slots:

• Body Armour - The largest source of Energy Shield
• Helmets - The second largest source of Energy Shield
• Gloves
• Boots - Prioritise Movement Speed

Generally, aim for items that increase your total hit pool, but do consider the following mods as a secondary priority:

• Faster Start of Energy Shield Recharge
• Resists
• Sockets

Crafting Items: Disenchanting & Exalt Slamming

If you find a 1 or 2 Mod Magic Item with desirable mods, consider using a Regal Orb. Regals can be a somewhat rare drop, but can be deterministically generated by Disenchanting Rare Items for Regal Shards. A Disenchant Vendor, usually the Potion Seller, can be found in each town.

Note: You do not receive Gold for disenchanting items; you may prefer to vendor Rare Items instead for Gold.

If you hit a desirable modifier with your Regal, consider using an Exalted Orb to add more modifiers. It's worth noting in some trade league scenarios: it's technically better to save your Exalted Orbs and purchase an upgrade via trade.

Vendor Checks & Gambling

When it comes to Vendors you have two main options:

• Purchasing Pre-Rolled Items
• or Gambling for a Random Item

Both options cost Gold and one strategy isn't necessarily better than the other. Typically, players check Vendors for a guaranteed upgrade or Gamble if they have gold to spare: to potentially acquire an above average item.

Reforging Bench

After defeating Mektul, the Forgemaster, you unlock the Reforging Bench; which can be used to combine 3 Magic Items or 3 Rare Items for 1 Random Magic or Rare Item.

Consider saving "failed crafts", poorly rolled drops, or vendor items if you want to use this strategy.

Farm Zones, Levels & Uncut Skill Gems

Most skills in Path of Exile 2 increase their damage with gems levels. Thus, if you're having trouble with a certain boss fight, consider farming a prior zone for extra character levels, gear and Uncut Skill Gems.

For Example

• If you're having trouble with Jamanra, the Risen King
• Consider farming the Dreadnought Vanguard until Level 31, while also looting Level 9 Uncut Skill Gems.

Note: Plan your passive tree accordingly as skill gems can occasionally have very steep attribute requirements.

Skill Rotation

• At Level 6+, cast Contagion and then Essence Drain to clear packs of enemies.
• Attempt to group large packs of enemies before casting and pull packs of enemies toward each other, to let Contagion proliferate.
• If there are only a few enemies, cast just Essence Drain if it's linked with Chain.

• From Level 6 to Level 30, the basic combo is to cast Essence Drain, Contagion and then stack Wither with Chaos Bolt.
• At Level 25+, follow the same combo listed above and activate Sigil of Power before attacking the enemy.
• At Level 31+, follow the same combo listed above and activate both Despair and Dark Effigy before attacking the enemy.
• Note: After casting your damaging abilities, recover your Mana to 90% or higher to receive the damage multiplier from Zenith II. Use a Mana Flask charge or wait to regenerate as necessary.

Video

The video below goes over all the leveling steps while also showing gameplay and playstyle tips.

FAQ

• Does the run acquire all Passive Skill Points & Permanent Stats?

  Yes

• What Item Filter?

  • Follow Havoc_ChaosES_Campaign_0.3 to access the Filter in-game.
  • PoE2 Filters are created with Neversink's Filterblade.

• Which Campaign Buffs?

  • A2 Relic: 30% increased Charm Charges Gained
  • A3 Venom Drought: 25% increased Stun Threshold (Permanent)
  • A4 Chapel: 30% increased Mana Recovery from Flasks
  • A4 Tattoo's: 5% Resistance (Permanent)
  • Interlude 2: Orbala's Boon: 3% increased Movement Speed

  Note: Reference your endgame build guide or plan before selecting a permanent buff.

• How do I do more Damage?

  To scale your damage throughout the run:

  • Upgrade your Wand & Focus
  • Upgrade your Skill Gems
  • Use your Combos Correctly

  Prioritise the following modifiers on your Wand:

  • + to Level of all Spell Skills or + to Level of all Chaos Skills
  • Increased Spell Damage and/or Increased Chaos Damage

  Prioritise the following modifiers on your Focus:

  • + to Level of all Spell Skills
  • Increased Spell Damage and/or Increased Chaos Damage
  • Cast Speed (Quality of Life)

  For Skill Combos, ensure you are not making the following mistakes:

  • Casting Essence Drain when under 90% Mana
  • Not Swapping Chain for another damage support
  • Not buffing your damage with Sigil of Power
  • Forgetting to use Chaos Bolt to stack Wither
  • Forgetting to re-cast Dark Effigy or Despair
  • Missing your Despair or casting Despair too late or too early

• How do I die less?

  As the run progresses it's important to continuously upgrade your Energy Shield gear: prioritising your Body Armour, Helmet, Gloves and Boots.

  Additionally, use Blasphemy Temporal Chains to keep your distance and weave in an out of combat to recharge your Energy Shield. Consider rushing faster start of Energy Shield Recharge on the passive tree if required.

  Optionally, consider swapping Withering Presence or Blasphemy Temporal Chains for Convalescence; a cooldown based skill that instantly recharges your Energy Shield and prevents ES Recharge from being interrupted.

  To clear quickly, dodge rolling into and running between packs of enemies is required. That said, if aggressive play is difficult to execute, avoid dodge rolling into enemies, and cast Contagion and Essence Drain from a distance.

  Furthermore, consider the following:

  • Regularly upgrading your item bases for more base Energy Shield
  • Increasing your Elemental Resistance
  • Increasing your Life Pool (Gear or Character Levels)
  • Wearing the Relevant Charm:
    • Resist Charms for Elemental Damage
    • Amethyst Charm for Chaos Damage
    • Stone Charm for Stuns
    • Thawing Charm for Freeze

Summary

• Complete the PoE2 Campaign with a Essence Drain Lich Leveling Build
• Step-by-Step Leveling Progression through the Acts including Gem Swaps
• Tips and Tricks to help gear up as you level
• SSF Fresh Start League Start Viable

Check out more related Build Guides to continue your character progression: here!

Credits

Written by: havoc616
Reviewed by: Crouching_Tuna
Language Reviewed by: Tenkiei

Changelog

• December 9, 2025

  Guide Updated in Patch 0.3 for Patch 0.4: Path of Exile 2 - The Last of the Druids

• September 16, 2025

  Guide Written for Patch 0.3