Dawn of the Hunt has brought many changes to POE2 Currency the game’s landscape, and while flashier classes are getting the spotlight, the Smith of Kitava is quietly becoming a fan-favorite among min-maxers, hardcore players, and anyone who values build security over gimmicks.
Its combination of powerful resistance scaling, deterministic crafting, and creative build flexibility makes it one of the most well-rounded ascendancies in Path of Exile 2 patch 0.2. For those willing to trade some DPS for a whole lot of defense—and have fun forging their own gear along the way—the Smith of Kitava may be the best choice this league has to offer.
Warbringer Ascendancy Rises from the Ashes in Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt
In Path of Exile 2's Dawn of the Hunt update, some ascendancy classes took massive hits, while others surged into the spotlight. But few stories are as compelling as the comeback of the Warbringer, a class that was practically forgotten in patch 0.1. Once considered one of the least viable ascendancies in the game, Warbringer has clawed its way back into relevance, thanks to a series of well-placed buffs that finally addressed its core issues.
Though it’s still not among the most-played ascendancies, the Warbringer’s rise from obscurity to viable contender showcases just how impactful thoughtful rebalancing can be.
Let’s dive into why this once-neglected class is gaining momentum in patch 0.2.
From Bottom Tier to Rising Star: The Patch 0.2 Buffs
In patch 0.1, the Warbringer struggled to find a purpose. With less than 0.5% of characters picking it as their ascendancy, it was outclassed by nearly every other option. Players cited clunky mechanics, lackluster survivability, and poor synergy with core skills as major roadblocks.
Patch 0.2 changed everything.
The Dawn of the Hunt update delivered the largest set of buffs for any single ascendancy, and Warbringer was the main beneficiary. The most impactful change came to Encase in Jade, a defensive ability that previously rooted the player in place—a fatal flaw in a game where mobility is often the difference between life and death.
Now, Encase in Jade functions more like a traditional Guard skill, providing a burst of damage mitigation without locking players down, making it a much more attractive option for all content, especially bosses.
In addition, other nodes such as Battle Meditation and Rite of War were reworked to better support physical builds and hybrid damage types. These changes gave Warbringer the foundation it sorely lacked: tools for cheap POE 2 Currency Orbs both survivability and scaling.
