One of Path of Exile 2’s Top Classes Conceals a Hidden Secret

Path of Exile 2, though just entering early access last December, has already undergone some remarkable transformations. Not all changes have been warmly embraced by fans, but many significant features and gameplay updates have made a positive impact. One notable addition was the Dawn of the Hunt, which ushered in fresh Ascendancies and the Huntress class complete with spear skills, drastically shaking up the game’s landscape. Among these, a particularly formidable class emerged with patch 0.2.0, though it carries a little-known downside.

The new Ascendancies that have been introduced display impressive power levels. For instance, the Lich Ascendancy offers intriguing synergies between Energy Shield and Life, creating new build opportunities. The Amazon Ascendancy for the Huntress class shines with its OP Lightning Spear skill, becoming one of the top choices for those seeking high damage output, while the Ritualist stands out in endgame scenarios with fully upgraded characters. Meanwhile, the Smith of Kitava Ascendancy for the Warrior has seen a surge in popularity, praised for its strength and thematic depth, yet it stumbles when it comes to diversifying build options.

The core of the Smith of Kitava Ascendancy is an innovative concept that lets players “forge” their body armor through the Smith’s Masterwork node, which costs nothing to acquire. Although it’s free, players can devote Ascendancy points, up to a maximum of eight, to various nodes unlocked by this feature. There’s a caveat, however — activating Smith’s Masterwork restricts body armor usage to those of Normal rarity.

Despite using only Normal body armor, the choices Smith’s Masterwork makes available justify investing in its secondary nodes. Some standout options include:

– Leather Bindings: Regenerate 5% of maximum Life per second
– Molten Symbol: Absorb 25% of Physical damage as Fire damage
– Flowing Metal: +5% Maximum Fire Resistance
– Support Straps: Gain 20% increased Strength
– Kitavan Engraving: 15% increase to maximum Life
– Tantalum Alloy: +75% Fire Resistance

These nodes’ strength stems from their synergy with Fire Resistance, particularly through Coal Stoker and Forged in Flame. The former converts 50% of Fire Resistance to apply to Cold and Lightning, while the latter allows similar conversions for Maximum Resistances, paving the way for the Smith of Kitava to achieve incredible tankiness with minimal effort. This resilience frees up players to emphasize damage nodes in the game’s extensive passive tree, all the while enhancing durability via strategic defensive nodes. Utilizing the Infernoclasp Unique belt, for instance, players can secure 5% additional Maximum Fire Resistance and maximize Fire Resistance synergy with nodes unlocked by Smith’s Masterwork.

While these elements offer Warrior enthusiasts an exceptionally potent Ascendancy that impacts the meta significantly, the Smith of Kitava’s potential for varied builds remains limited. The allure of Coal Stoker and Forged in Flame, alongside their seamless integration with Smith’s Masterwork nodes, means opting for alternative paths within this Ascendancy is difficult to justify. Against The Anvil slows the pace of gameplay, Living Weapon necessitates a Minion build, and Heat of the Forge demands a hybrid approach between melee and spells—none of which hold the same broad appeal. Ultimately, Smith of Kitava users tend to gravitate toward nearly identical builds, revealing both the dominating power of this Ascendancy and the constraints on creative building, despite the myriad options available.