Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt introduces a powerful and versatile new character: the Huntress, a spear-wielding Azmeri warrior who dominates the battlefield with agile maneuvers, devastating precision strikes, and loyal beast companions. With a focus on dexterity, the Huntress blends aggressive melee combat, buckler-based parries, and pet synergy to control the pace of battle. This guide covers everything you need to master the Huntress in Path of Exile 2, from spear skills and beast mechanics to class strategies and builds.

1. Overview of the Huntress Class

The Huntress is a new base class available in Path of Exile 2's Dawn of the Hunt expansion. Rooted in the Azmeri tradition, she channels nature's fury through finesse, spearcraft, and beastly support.

Core Themes:

Dexterity-based, agile warrior

Specializes in spears and bucklers

Commands beast companions for support and synergy

Gains access to two new Ascendancy classes: the Amazon and the Ritualist

The Huntress excels at controlling the battlefield by combining mid-range strikes with hit-and-run tactics and tactical use of her summoned allies.

2. Spear Mechanics and Mastery

The spear is the Huntress' signature weapon, and the Dawn of the Hunt introduces over 25 spear-focused skills. Spears offer fast attacks, extended reach, and precision strikes.

Spear Attack Styles

Piercing Thrusts: Direct linear attacks that strike multiple enemies in a line.

Sweeping Arcs: AoE skills that spin or sweep to damage groups.

Leaping and Dashing Strikes: Mobile abilities to close gaps or reposition quickly.

Buckler Interactions

The Huntress often pairs her spear with a buckler, a small off-hand shield. Unlike traditional shields, bucklers enhance agility and can deflect or parry incoming attacks.

Buckler Skills:

Buckler Bash: A quick stun or interrupt using your shield.

Parry and Riposte: Counter-attacks that trigger after successful blocks or parries.

Deflective Stance: A temporary boost to evasion and block chance.

Recommended Spear Skills

Serpent Strike – A lunging spear attack that poisons enemies.

Skewer – Chains multiple enemies with a rapid impaling thrust.

Windpiercer Dash – A spear dash that deals AoE damage in a line.

Raptor's Sweep – A 180-degree sweep with bonus crit against bleeding targets.

Mastering spear timing, positioning, and combo chaining is essential to maximizing Huntress DPS.

3. Beast Companion System

A key feature of the Huntress is her synergy with beast companions. Unlike traditional minions, these beasts are permanent or rideable allies with their own unique abilities.

Core Mechanics

You can summon up to two beast companions simultaneously.

Beasts can buff the Huntress, attack enemies, or inflict crowd control.

You may ride certain beasts (like the Rhoa) for a short duration to reposition or initiate combat.

Available Beast Types (so far):

Rhoa – A tanky mountable bird-dinosaur hybrid.

Charge: A frontal charge that knocks back enemies.

Ride: Gain movement speed and immunity to slows while mounted.

Forest Wolf – A fast, bleed-oriented attacker.

Rend: Causes enemies to bleed for extra damage.

Howl: Boosts Huntress crit chance and evasion.

Cloud Serpent – An ethereal, lightning-infused flyer.

Shock Bolt: Ranged lightning attack that chains.

Storm Veil: Creates a damage-reducing aura.

Managing Beasts

Use the Companion Command Wheel to assign targets or toggle behaviors (Aggressive, Defensive, Supportive).

Beasts scale with your Minion Damage, Aura Effect, and certain Dexterity nodes.

4. Ascendancy Options: Amazon vs. Ritualist

At higher levels, the Huntress can choose from two Ascendancy classes, each specializing in distinct playstyles:

Amazon (Offensive Hybrid)

Focuses on spear crit scaling, agility, and beast synergy.

Can re-summon fallen beasts instantly on kill.

Gains bonus attack speed and bleed chance while moving.

Key Notables:

Predator's Mark: Boosts damage vs. bleeding enemies.

Spear Savant: Increases spear skill AoE and crit multi.

Alpha Bond: Share defensive buffs with your beast.

Ritualist (Control and Utility)

Enhances beast buffs and elemental spear skills.

Can channel rituals to power up companions temporarily.

Gains lifesteal and crowd control bonuses.

Key Notables:

Sacrificial Pact: Convert life to damage for pets.

Nature's Boon: Elemental resist boost for nearby allies.

Ward Totem: Summons a totem that redirects damage from the Huntress.

Choose Amazon for fast-paced critical spear play with offensive beast synergy. Choose Ritualist if you prefer a more strategic, control-heavy style with defensive layers.

5. Huntress Build Example: Bleed Spear Amazon

Core Concept: Leverage spear attacks and bleed mechanics while using wolves and Rhoa for front-line pressure.

Skills:

Main Attack: Raptor's Sweep (linked with Chance to Bleed, Brutality, and Multistrike)

Movement: Windpiercer Dash

Utility: Predator's Mark, Deflective Stance

Companions: Forest Wolf + Rhoa

Keystones/Passives:

Crimson Dance (stacking bleeds)

Acuity Nodes for crit

Minion Damage and Aura Effect nodes for pets

Ascendancy Path: Amazon

Gear Priorities:

High crit/dexterity spear

Buckler with block chance and evasion

Bleed-focused rings and gloves

Playstyle:

Dash in with Windpiercer, apply bleeds with Raptor's Sweep.

Let pets overwhelm enemies while you kite and strike.

Use Predator's Mark to focus damage on bosses.

6. Advanced Tips and Strategies

Beast Coordination

Use wolves for burst damage, but command them to hold position when you want to draw aggro.

Ride Rhoa into battle, then dismount to create separation while it tanks.

Buckler Timing

Parry incoming projectiles or melee swings right before they land for counter bonuses.

Use buckler bashes to interrupt channeled or telegraphed enemy attacks.

Scaling with Auras

Auras like Grace and Precision benefit both you and your companions.

Consider using Aspect of the Cat for extra dodge and movement speed.

Crowd Control Combos

Wolves can inflict bleed while you sweep for bonus crit.

Cloud Serpent's Storm Veil works well during tough encounters—use it with parry stance to tank.

7. Huntress in Endgame Content

The Huntress scales exceptionally well into endgame maps, bossing, and group content:

Solo Mapping: Her mobility and AoE spears make clearing efficient.

Bossing: Use beasts to maintain uptime while dodging boss mechanics.

Party Play: Supportive beast builds can offer defensive auras and crowd control.

Recommended Endgame Upgrades

Empowered Spear Skills with Vaal versions (e.g., Vaal Skewer)

Unique Beasts (possible legendary companions in higher tiers)

Ascendancy Combinations with specialized jewel slots

8. Final Thoughts

The Huntress is one of the most dynamic and flexible classes introduced in Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt. With an aggressive spear toolkit, responsive companion mechanics, and dual-Ascendancy potential, she offers players a highly skill-based but rewarding gameplay loop.

Whether you're dashing across the battlefield with a mounted Rhoa or overwhelming foes with poison-tipped spear thrusts, the Huntress brings a visceral, fluid combat style unlike any other in Path of Exile. Master her movement, learn to read enemy patterns, and form a deep bond with your beast allies—and the Azmeri wilds will be yours to tame.