Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict is full of exciting builds to explore, but two in particular are standing out in Patch 0.3.0— the Lightning Spear Amazon and the Essence Drain Contagion Lich. While the Amazon is a powerhouse for clearing maps, the Chaos DoT Lich is quickly becoming one of the most consistent, reliable, and fun builds to play.

This guide breaks down the Essence Drain Contagion Lich—covering skills, gear, ascendancy choices, and playstyle so you can dominate maps and bosses alike.

And remember: if you need help securing currency or gear for this build, check out our PoE 2 Currency Store.

Why Play the Essence Drain Contagion Lich?

The Essence Drain Contagion Lich is one of the strongest league starters in Patch 0.3.0. It shines because:

· Chaos DoT Damage – Scales easily with spell damage and chaos multipliers.

· League Starter Friendly – Doesn't require expensive uniques to function.

· Incredible Survivability – Relies on energy shield sustain and ascendancy nodes.

· Smooth Progression – Scales well with cheap upgrades early, and has huge ceiling potential.

The build centers around Essence Drain (ED) and Contagion:

· Essence Drain fires a projectile that applies a chaos damage over time debuff to enemies.

· Contagion spreads that debuff to surrounding monsters, melting entire packs.

Against bosses and tankier rares, you'll bring in Dark Effigy, a totem that fires projectiles at enemies suffering from chaos DoTs—perfect synergy with ED and Contagion.

Ascendancy – The Lich

The Lich ascendancy is the clear choice for this build. It offers mana sustain, strong energy shield recovery, and incredible low-life synergies. Here's the recommended path:

1. Eldritch Empowerment – +30% spell damage, with spells costing 3% ES.

2. Soulless Form – Huge mana regeneration to sustain skills.

3. Eternal Life – Enables the "low life trick," making you virtually unkillable while maintaining ES.

4. Rupture the Soul (early game) OR Crystalline Phylactery (endgame jewel scaling).

Gearing the Chaos DoT Lich

You don't need mirror-tier gear to get started, but here's what to prioritize:

Weapon

· Wand: Look for Increased Spell Damage, Chaos Damage, Cast Speed, + to Level of Chaos Spell Skills.

· Endgame: “+5 to Level of All Chaos Spell Skills” for maximum scaling.

Offhand

· Caster Focus with spell/chaos damage, energy shield mods, and “+2 to Level of All Spell Skills.”

Body Armor

· Flowing Raiment (mana regen) or Vile Robe (ES base).

· Waveshaper is a great affordable unique introduced in 0.3.0.

Helmet

· Atziri's Disdain – More max ES based on % of life.

· Socket Greater Iron Runes or Bear Talismans for more ES/area effect.

Gloves & Boots

· Prioritize +Energy Shield, Mana Recovery, Cast Speed, and Movement Speed (35%+).

· Consider stun threshold or item rarity for utility.

Amulet

· Key mods: +3 Spell Skills, 40+ Spirit, Increased Cast Speed.

· Add Reverberation notable passive with Distilled Emotions for more AoE.

Rings

· Early: Amethyst Rings (chaos resistance).

· Upgrade: Breach Rings with chaos damage/resists.

· Enhance chaos mods with Chayula's Catalysts.

Belt

· Rare with Charm improvements OR

· Ingenuity unique belt (still strong after nerf).

Charms

· Core: Thawing Charm, Stone Charm, Silver Charm.

· Uniques:

  · Nascent Hope (ES recharge when frozen).

  · The Fall of the Axe (Onslaught on slow effects).

Jewels

Look for:

· Increased Spell/Chaos Damage, ES, Cast Speed, Wither Effect, Faster ES Recharge.

Core Skills and Links

Essence Drain

· Swift Affliction, Chain, Considered Casting, Chaos Mastery, Intense Agony/Zenith.

Contagion

· Unleash, Magnified Effect, Hinder, Arcane Surge, Chaotic Freeze/Energy Barrier.

Dark Effigy

· Envenom, Overabundance, Controlled Destruction, Arcane Tempo, Ancestral Urgency/Execute.

Despair

· Inspiration, Cursed Ground, Decaying Hex (+Heightened Curse optional).

Utility

· Blasphemy + Temporal Chains setup.

· Withering Presence (Persistence, Clarity, Mysticism).

· Convalescence for ES recovery.

· Sigil of Power (on weapon swap).

Passive Tree Priorities

1. Damage first: Raw Destruction, Entropy, Potent Incarnation.

2. Survivability: Enhanced Barrier, Pure Chaos, Wither Away.

3. Energy Shield: Insightfulness, Melding, Heavy Buffer, Patient Barrier.

4. Recharge Nodes: Convalescence, Essence Infusion, Quick Response.

5. Curses: Save for later once damage/ES nodes are secured.

Tips & Strategies (Patch 0.3.0)

· Take Rupture the Soul early before moving to Crystalline Phylactery with better jewels.

· Cap Chaos Resistance ASAP—vital since this isn't a CI build.

· Lower Despair's Level (to ~7) if mana sustain is an issue.

· Invest in The Fall of the Axe for Onslaught (worth the price).

· Master the Low-Life Trick with Visage of Ayah + Lifetap for activating low-life nodes safely.

Final Thoughts

The Essence Drain Contagion Lich in Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict (Patch 0.3.0) is a top-tier build for players who want a mix of smooth map clearing, bossing potential, and near-unkillable defenses.

It's affordable to start, yet scales into one of the most powerful chaos DoT builds in the game with the right items. All you really need to get going is a good wand—and from there, the build feels amazing.

If you're looking to clear maps quickly, melt bosses, and farm currency efficiently, the Chaos DoT Lich is a perfect choice.

And don't forget—unique PoE 2 Currency like Ingenuity and The Fall of the Axe, plus high-value jewels, are available anytime in our Path Of Exile 2 Currency Store.