Path of Exile 2's latest league, Rise of the Abyssals, has taken the community by storm, delivering new mechanics, brutal bosses, and a wealth of build diversity. Yet amid all the chaos, one build has captured the imagination of POE2 Currency veterans and newcomers alike: the Witch Infernalist commanding an army of exploding minions. This is not just a minion build-it's a spectacle, a symphony of destruction that feels like directing your own zombie apocalypse while remaining comfortably safe in the backline.
If you've spent hours tinkering with ARPG builds, you know the thrill of discovering a playstyle that clicks. For me, the Infernalist hits that sweet spot. Imagine skeletal arsonists flinging firebombs that chain into devastating explosions, raging spirits tearing through bosses like swarms of enraged hornets, and spectres phasing into packs to obliterate everything in seconds. The chaos is controlled, the damage is obscene, and the satisfaction of watching your minions dismantle enemies while you sip coffee in safety is unparalleled.
Why the Infernalist Reigns Supreme
Minion builds have always had appeal in Path of Exile, particularly in leagues featuring abyssal depths and tentacle-infested horrors. Their scaling is effortless: a little investment yields enormous returns, allowing you to handle endgame content without constantly juggling mechanics. The Infernalist ascendancy takes this concept to its peak.
Unholy Might, one of the key ascendancy nodes, boosts minion damage by 30% with chaos scaling. Meanwhile, the Offering mechanic allows your undead army to gain temporary but massive buffs, turning even low-tier minions into potent killers. The beauty of this setup is its simplicity. Early in the league, even basic spectres and skeletal minions can decimate packs; by the endgame, Uber bosses are little more than minor inconveniences as your explosive minions lay waste to them. Unlike some minion setups that require intense micromanagement or precise timing, the Infernalist thrives on a"summon, buff, and watch" approach.
The meta viability of this build is evident on community ladders like poe.ninja, where numerous variations of the Infernalist sit comfortably at the top. Players are proving that explosive minions are not just fun-they're competitive. In addition to raw damage, the build offers survivability. Standing in the backline, protected by your minions, allows you to tackle content that might otherwise require a tanky melee or a fragile caster, bridging the gap between safety and raw destructive power.
Core Mechanics and Playstyle
At the heart of the Infernalist experience is the careful orchestration of chaos explosions. Skeletal arsonists serve as your primary source of AoE destruction, lobbing bombs that chain into fiery devastation. Raging spirits act as relentless melee disruptors, tearing through bosses and elite packs with impressive speed. Spectres provide versatility: phase in, nuke clusters, and retreat without exposing you to danger. The synergy between these minions creates a feedback loop of destruction-minions die, explode, buff others, and repeat.
Players can tweak the build depending on preferred playstyle. Want maximum screen-clearing potential? Stack minion AoE and fire damage scaling. Prefer Uber boss soloing? Focus on minion survivability and chaos scaling. The ascendancy provides flexibility, with nodes enhancing not just minion power but also utility and personal defenses, creating a hybrid experience that is both fun and effective.
Gear and Skill Considerations
While the Infernalist is forgiving in early stages, optimizing gear and gems is essential for endgame dominance. Minion damage, chaos damage, and minion life are the most critical stats. Offering duration and effect enhancements amplify your army's power further. Some players prioritize weapon and staff options that increase spell damage to indirectly boost minion explosion potency. Rings, amulets, and helmets can round out the setup, offering resistances and additional chaos scaling to keep both your character and minions thriving in Abyssal depths.
Skill gem selection revolves around summoning efficiency and explosive synergy. Skeletal arsonist gems, combined with fire damage and AoE multipliers, form the core. Raging spirits and spectres round out the package, while support gems enhance chain reactions and secondary effects. The magic of this build lies in layering effects to achieve maximum chaos with minimal player input.
Community Impact and Replayability
Part of the Infernalist's appeal is how it engages the PoE community. Watching streams or videos of minion explosions evokes genuine awe and envy, motivating players to explore minion-heavy strategies themselves. It's a build that encourages experimentation-tweak your spectres, change your offerings, or mod your minions for elemental diversity. The replayability factor is high, as each map, league mechanic, or Abyssal encounter can be approached in countless ways with this army at your command.
Conclusion
In a league teeming with abyssal horrors, the Witch Infernalist stands out as a joyful paradox: chaotic yet controlled, explosive yet safe, and wildly fun without sacrificing effectiveness. Whether you're a veteran looking for a fresh challenge or a newcomer eager to dive into a visually spectacular and mechanically satisfying build, commanding an army of exploding minions is a surefire way to POE 2 Exalted Orbs make the Rise of the Abyssals an unforgettable experience. In Path of Exile 2, few things compare to the thrill of summoning, buffing, and unleashing minions in a continuous chain of fiery devastation. For anyone craving chaos with style and safety, the Infernalist is your ticket to screen-shattering bliss.