Are you searching for a powerful and fun minion build to dominate in Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict? Look no further than the Skeletal Storm Mage Lich. This build leverages the new Lich ascendancy for the Witch, giving you insane minion damage, survivability, and versatility for both mapping and bossing. Here's everything you need to know to maximize this build.
Why Play the Skeletal Storm Mage Lich in Patch 0.3.0?
With the release of the Rise of the Abyssal League, Grinding Gear Games applied several heavy-handed nerfs to minion skills. Fortunately, the Skeletal Storm Mage survived and even received buffs in PoE 2 Patch 0.3.0, now dealing increased lightning damage per minion. With at least ten Skeletal Storm Mages on the battlefield, your enemies won't stand a chance.
Minion builds in this league are stronger than ever, thanks to new mechanics like Bind Spectre, which allows you to raise monsters from the dead to fight alongside your army of Skeletal Storm Mages.
This build uses two types of Skeletal Storm Mage setups:
· Primary Damage Dealer: Focused on raw damage with support gems like Elemental Focus and Muster.
· Shock Setup: Inflicts Shock on enemies, increasing the damage they take by 20%.
Recommended Minions for the Build
· Skeletal Sniper ×2
· Skeletal Cleric ×2
· Skeletal Reaver ×1
· Spectre: Terracotta Soldier ×1
· Companion: Quadrilla ×1
· Skeletal Warrior ×2
· Skeletal Storm Mage (Shock) ×2
· Skeletal Storm Mage (Primary) × Remaining Spirit
Why Choose the Lich Over the Infernalist?
While the Infernalist is beginner-friendly due to easier Spirit access, the Lich excels in damage output thanks to Necromantic Conduit, which grants all minions Unholy Might (+30% chaos damage at the cost of 5% mana).
The mana loss can be offset with Soulless Form, which improves mana regeneration by stacking life. Additionally, Eternal Life makes the Lich almost unkillable, as your HP is untouched as long as one point of Energy Shield is active.
Ideal Ascendancy Node Order
1. Necromantic Conduit
2. Soulless Form
3. Eternal Life
4. Crystalline Phylactery
Gear Recommendations
To maximize your Skeletal Storm Mage Lich, focus on gear that increases Spirit, minion levels, energy shield, and mana. Here's a breakdown of top gear options:
Weapon
Rattling Sceptre – Summon extra Skeletal Warriors, +4 to all minion skills, and Allies in Your Presence Deal % Increased Damage. Socket an Owl Talisman for additional cast speed.
Offhand
Sunsplinter (DEX-based shield) – Grants +3 to all Lightning Skills, enhancing your Skeletal Storm Mage damage. Corrupting it can yield +4 to all Lightning Skills for massive damage boosts.
Alternative: Trenchtimbre – grants +2 minion skills and allows Leap Slam for fast map traversal.
Body Armor
· Sacrosanctum: Recovers life and energy shield when damaged.
· Endgame: Sacramental Robe with high Spirit and energy shield rolls, plus Faster Start of Energy Shield Recharge implicit.
Helmet
Kamasan Tiara – +2 to all minion skills, energy shield, max life, and optional increased item rarity.
Gloves
Vaal Gloves – Energy shield, mana, and DEX for green support gems.
Boots
Sandsworn Sandals – Movement speed and +Stun Threshold.
Amulet
Solar Amulet – +Level to all minion skills and Spirit. Notable passive: Right Hand of Darkness for Wither on hit.
Rings
· Ventor's Gamble: Maximize Spirit.
· Levinstone: +1 Skeletal Storm Mage level and Shock chance.
· Evergrasping Ring: Extra chaos damage to allies.
Belt
Shavronne's Satchel – Recovers a portion of energy shield on Life Flask use. Alternative: Utility Belt with life, resistances, and flask recovery.
Charms
· Stone Charm: Reduces stun duration.
· Nascent Hope: Energy shield recharge on freeze.
· Arakaali's Gift: Life/mana recovery when poisoned.
· Sanguis Heroum: Consecrated Ground on bleeding.
Jewels
Prism of Belief: +3 to all Skeletal Storm Mage Skills.
Rare jewels: Minion damage, attack/cast speed, crit, elemental resistances, and energy shield boosts.
Skills
Skeletal Storm Mage (Primary)
· Feeding Frenzy
· Arcane Tempo
· Muster
· Elemental Focus
· Lightning Mastery
Skeletal Storm Mage (Shock)
· Conduction
· Overcharge
· Lightning Exposure
· Strip Away
Conductivity
· Magnified Effect
· Cursed Ground
· Focused Curse
· Hex Bloom
Pain Offering
· Persistence
· Ablation
· Danse Macabre
Other Minions
· Skeletal Cleric: Ingenuity, Last Gasp
· Skeletal Sniper: Death March, Sacrificial Lamb
· Companion Quadrilla: Meat Shield, Enormity
· Skeletal Reaver and Terracotta Soldier: None needed; support benefits from Muster
Passive Tree & Playstyle
Use Weapon Set 1 for minions and Weapon Set 2 for skill effects (Conductivity/Sigil of Power). Prioritize minion HP, damage, and presence nodes:
· Relentless Fallen, Necrotised Flesh (40% more Skeletal Storm Mage HP)
· Restless Dead, Crystalline Flesh
· Lord of Horrors
· Optional: Necrotic Touch, Grip of Evil, Bringer of Order, Silent Guardian, Holt Protector
Mapping: Run into packs; minions do the work.
Bossing: Cast Sigil of Power, Conductivity, and Pain Offering. Swap minions for the Shock setup to optimize damage.
Additional Tips
· Bones of Ullr: Reduces Spirit cost but lacks movement speed.
· Best Spectres: Vaal Guards (Utzaal, Act 3) for damage; Terracotta Soldier (Lost City, Act 2) for Muster synergy.
· Chaos Inoculation: Optional. Not necessary due to Eternal Life/Soulless Form.
· Blast Maps: Use Rupture the Soul ascendancy to make enemies explode for chaos damage.
· Weapon Swap: Deactivate minions on Weapon Set 2 to prevent AI issues and ensure accuracy.
Final Thoughts
The Skeletal Storm Mage Lich proves that the Lich ascendancy can surpass the Infernalist, offering unmatched damage output, survivability, and utility. This build excels in Trials of Ascendancy farming, mapping, and boss encounters. While minion AI could still use improvement, the playstyle is fun, rewarding, and visually satisfying.
If you're looking to gear up quickly, visit our Path of Exile 2 Currency Store for Sunsplinter, Rattling Sceptres, and all other essentials.