3 Key Takeaways:
- Unstoppable Clear Speed & Bossing Power: This Lightning Spear Amazon build blends ranged and melee synergy to melt maps in seconds and crush bosses with strategic burst combos.
- SSF-Friendly & Scalable: Nearly all gear is self-found, proving the build’s potential even without massive currency investment though it scales insanely well with min-maxing.
- Patch-Proof Playstyle: Despite game changes, this build adapts well to buffs and nerfs alike, making it a consistent top-tier pick for any future content.
Why This Lightning Spear Build Is an Absolute Monster
Hey Exiles, if you’re looking for a build that feels like cheating but is totally GGG-approved, you’re in the right place. This Lightning Spear Amazon build has evolved into something not just viable but meta-defining.
Developer: Grinding Gear Games
We’re talking one-button map clears, boss-shredding melee combos, and a mobility-based ranged playstyle that’s both stylish and deadly. Whether you’re in SSF (Solo Self-Found) or trade league, this guide is going to walk you through every mechanic, strategy, and gear decision you need to dominate the current Path of Exile: Dawn of the Hunt League.
So buckle up we’re diving into a build that can out-damage, out-clear, and out-fun nearly anything else in the game right now.
Patch Overview: Buffs That Benefit Us
Let’s get this out of the way: the most recent upcoming patch is juicy for Lightning Spear Amazon players. Here’s why:
1. Boss Loot Buffs
They’re increasing drop rates from high-tier bosses, especially in T16+ maps. More currency. More rares. More chances at that elusive Divine Orb. This build lives in endgame mapping, so we’re eating good.
2. Wisps Rework
Wisps are finally delivering. You may not love the style of play they demand, but hey 3 Divines in an hour ain’t bad. Invest wisely, and they reward you.
3. Simulacrum & Pinnacle Access
Grinding gear just made Simulacrum more accessible and toned down the difficulty a bit. Great news for us since the only thing holding us back from wave 30 was the pain threshold.
4. Expedition + Remnant Nerfs
They’re scaling back the busted Remnants, which made those encounters too spiky. Less RNG death = more Lightning Spears to throw.
Build Overview: How the Lightning Spear Amazon Works
At its core, this build is all about hybridizing ranged and melee mechanics to push out insane damage while staying light on your feet. Think of it as the Path of Exile version of a battle mage zipping through maps, flinging spears, then diving in with brutal melee combos when it counts.
Key Playstyle Concepts:
- Use Lightning Spear to clear and shock
- Stormlance and Primal Strikes for boss damage
- Maintain Voltaic Charges for damage scaling
- Stack accuracy to pump up flat damage
- Move constantly to maximize uptime and avoid getting clipped
You’ll be mixing projectile-based AoE clearing with single-target melee burst, and thanks to the new mechanics in Dawn of the Hunt, the synergy feels tighter than ever.
Skills & Gem Setups
Lightning Spear (Main Clear)
- Support Gems: Vault, Perpetual, Fork, Scattershot
- Usage: Cast at 10/20/30 Voltaic Charge breakpoints for max chain & damage
- Pro Tip: Lightning Spear benefits massively from movement, so stay mobile.
Stormlance (Boss Setup)
- Support Gems: Lightning Infusion, Blind Side, Primal Armament
- Usage: Cast on bosses or squirrelly mobs that dodge your spears
- Effect: Constant pulsing lightning that shocks and sets up your melee follow-up
Primal Strikes (Finisher)
- Support Gems: Heft or Execute for max damage
- Usage: Use after enemies are shocked for massive triple-hit melee burst
- Bonus: Releases a wave of beasts and clears shock for max uptime
Barrage (Empower Lightning Spear)
- Makes your spears stronger, charges faster, hits harder. Use it often.
Sniper’s Mark (Frenzy Charge Generation)
- Single Target Only: Helps generate charges when you’re not shocking mobs fast enough
Herald of Thunder
- Support Gems: Innervate, Long Shot, Reach, Magnified Effect
- Optional: Add Lightning Mastery for more single-target pain
Gear Guide: What to Look For
Weapon (Your Main DPS Multiplier)
Accuracy > DPS. No, really.
Why? Each point of accuracy = more flat damage thanks to ascendancy scaling.
Look for:
- 600+ flat accuracy
- Crit chance
- Added physical/lightning damage
- Optional: Mana leech or life leech
Shield: Lacoste’s Eye
- Doubles your accuracy = more damage
- Easy to obtain, integral to the build
Unique Chest: Kokou’s Current
- Converts lightning damage to electrocution
- Helps generate frenzy charges passively
Rings:
- Prioritize flat physical + lightning damage
- Add life leech or mana leech
- Resistance and accuracy suffixes help round it out
Belt:
- Ingenuity is a strong unique for tailwind uptime
- Alternatively: life + resist belt or Headhunter (if you’re rich)
Boots & Gloves:
- Evasion, move speed, attack speed (optional)
- Resistance balancing is key
Amulet:
- Anoint Serrated Edges for boss DPS
- Look for added elemental damage and accuracy
Mounts, Auras, and Companions
Mount: Rhoa
- Incredibly smooth movement
- Helps build Voltaic Charges while moving
- TIP: Dismount before tough encounters (breach, boss rooms)
Auras:
- Rowa Loyalty and Minion Mastery
- Consider adding Infernal Minions for more survivability
Companion for Bossing: Attrition
- Guarantees Culling Strike after 30s
- Outperforms other companions like Quadrilla for sustained fights
Passive Tree & Ascendancy Priorities
Focus:
- Accuracy stacking
- Flat damage
- Shock chance and electrocution bonuses
Must-Have Clusters:
- Electrocute build-up
- Critical strike + penetration
- Predatory Instinct for 50% more boss damage
Optional Nodes:
- If you’re dying too much, consider damage reduction or ES routes
- For mapping, pure offense is king
Patch-Ready Tips & Optimizations
- Patch loot buffs benefit high-tier map farming perfect for this build
- Simulacrum and Delirium nerfs = more viable late-game farming
- Use Stormlance + Execute/Heft to scale your bossing damage
- Don’t overvalue attack speed. Flat damage rules this build
- For mana issues, grab a 2% mana on kill sapphire jewel
Bossing Strategy: Burst Windows and Electrocution
- Apply Stormlance
- Shock enemy
- Cast Sniper’s Mark + Barrage
- Drop Lightning Spear
- Dash in with Primal Strikes
- Profit (massive burst window opens)
Watch for the Electrocution Debuff on the enemy’s health bar. That’s your green light to go full burst.
FAQs
Q: Is this build SSF viable?
A: Absolutely. About 90% of the showcased gear is self-found. You can clear all content without buying a single item.
Q: How do I fix my mana issues?
A: Use a 2% mana on kill blue jewel, weapon suffixes, or ring suffixes. It’s flexible.
Q: What’s more important crit chance or flat damage?
A: Flat added physical/lightning damage via accuracy stacking is far more impactful than stacking crit.
Q: Is this build tanky enough for hardcore?
A: It’s glass-cannon-ish. You’ll need strong map awareness and mobility. Not hardcore optimal, but manageable with practice.
Q: Best mount for bossing?
A: Rhoa for mapping. Swap to Attrition or other companions for boss fights to optimize damage output and survivability.
Q: Can I league start this?
A: 100%. It’s SSF-friendly, fast-mapping, and doesn’t rely on niche or expensive gear.
