Are Two-hand ES builds even possible now?

Shields gives too much ES, so after the nerfs going two hand caster ES is impossible. You can pretty much remove staves from the game at this point.

Assuming staff is mainly a CASTER weapon, and WITCH is a CASTER, who is supposed to go ES, new players who go this default path for witch, will get rekt by the game without an ES shield.

Can someone show me a 2-hand ES build that wont die to a wind breeze?

"

drzpicu wrote:

and WITCH is a CASTER, who is supposed to go ES

Where is that written down?

"

drzpicu wrote:

Can someone show me a 2-hand ES build that wont die to a wind breeze?

Pretty much anything Whispering Ice ;)

"

"

drzpicu wrote:

and WITCH is a CASTER, who is supposed to go ES

Where is that written down?

its the default path the new players take, you know, as there are only % increased ES nodes from witch start. Not everyone is POE veteran.

"

"

drzpicu wrote:

and WITCH is a CASTER, who is supposed to go ES

Where is that written down?

its the default path the new players take, you know, as there are only % increased ES nodes from witch start. Not everyone is POE veteran.

I suppose you could use Crank and go Occultist if you really want ES, that's still a nice combo, or the above mentioned Whispering Ice, you need to stack a lot of Int for it which makes up somewhat for the loss of the shield.If using a staff is more important to you than ES you can always use Pledge and go Mind over Matter.

"

drzpicu wrote:

"

"

drzpicu wrote:

and WITCH is a CASTER, who is supposed to go ES

Where is that written down?

its the default path the new players take, you know, as there are only % increased ES nodes from witch start. Not everyone is POE veteran.

How is that the default part? You can also spec into DMG nodes right away just like it is possible on other classes such as Templar or Shadow. Your "it is the default path" argument doesn't even make sense in that context.

Ok, if the witch is not the class which is most expected to utilize pure stacking one of the three base defensive mechanics of the game, then which class is?

"

How is that the default part? You can also spec into DMG nodes right away just like it is possible on other classes such as Templar or Shadow. Your "it is the default path" argument doesn't even make sense in that context.

From pathofexile.com introduction to classes which new players usually read:

Intelligence (Blue): The Witch
Intelligence confers knowledge – of both arcane magic and deadly combat techniques. It is represented on weapons through improved critical strikes. Intelligence armor pieces grant the wearer a mystical energy shield which protects them from blows and can recharge when they are out of combat. Monsters aligned with intelligence are often weak spell-casters who can be dangerous if not immediately dealt with. Our Intelligence character class is the Witch.

Two-handed ES builds aka staffs/spell/bows casters are certainly possible/very good. You have to be an occultist or trickster though. 2h staff will give you more damage than 1h + shield, thus you need to compensate with a defensive subclass.

If you're talking about 2h weapons like swords, maces, axes ect that that's an extremely hard combo to sell. Since vaal pact doesn't' work anymore, and it's hard to do it without stuff like the crown of eyes combo, melee damage on full life, free blood rage (used to do chaos damage + combo with CI) ect.

It's mostly low tier because there is almost no support for it, there might be a rare benefit or two from going 2h + es over 2h + life but it's prob not enough.

Sure it's impossible, 9k ES at level 84 as Guardian with Whispering Ice with around 2 exalts worth of gear. Yes impossible to play this game AT all as ES. It's my first ES character ever, I guess that's ironic to the metababies.