Posted 2025-05-06 12:55 AM (#185898) Subject: Path of Exile 2: Smith of Kitava Build Guide
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If you're diving into Path of Exile 2 and looking for a melee class that brings raw power and sheer tankiness, the Smith of Kitava might be your perfect pick. This ascendancy for the Warrior class isn’t just about soaking up hits—it’s about delivering devastating blows while standing strong against the toughest enemies. In this detailed Path of Exile 2: Smith of Kitava Build Guide, I’ll walk you through everything from leveling to endgame, with practical tips from a veteran player perspective. And hey, if you're planning to jump right into endgame mapping, don’t forget you can always buy POE 2 currency from trusted sites like SSEGold to smooth out your gearing process early on.
Why Choose Smith of Kitava in Path of Exile 2?
The Smith of Kitava ascendancy transforms the Warrior into an unstoppable force on the battlefield. While it takes a bit to unlock (about halfway through Act 2), once you do, it feels like strapping a freight train to your back. The combination of survivability and sheer melee damage makes it an ideal choice if you enjoy close-quarters combat with a satisfying punch.
Sure, melee classes in POE2 can feel a little clunky at first—you’re trading range safety for brute strength. But with the Smith of Kitava, your hits don’t just land; they crush. And let’s be honest: watching bosses melt under a well-timed Perfect Strike never gets old.
You’ll need to play smart early on since your tankiness ramps up as you progress. Until then, you might find yourself dancing in and out of enemy range. It’s part of the charm, though—that feeling of growing into a walking juggernaut.
Smith of Kitava Leveling Guide
Let’s break it down act by act so you’re never lost.
Act 1: Building Your Foundation
At the start, you’re still rocking the base Warrior class. The goal here is simple: pick up your core skills and survive until your power spikes.
Here’s what you want:
Rolling Slam + Overpower (great for mobility and clearing)
Boneshatter + Brutality + Impact Shockwave (your main nuke)
Mace Strike + Concentrated Effect (solid when low on mana)
Infernal Cry + Premeditation
Perfect Strike + Window of Opportunity + Fire Infusion
Don’t forget to unlock Herald of Ash after defeating the King of the Mists—this aura adds solid fire damage to your hits.
In Act 1, manage your mana carefully. Early game mana issues are real for melee, so aim for some mana regen on rings if possible. And resist the temptation to spam skills mindlessly—your attacks have noticeable windups. Think hit, kite, repeat until you get more comfortable.
Act 2: The Real Power Begins
Once you defeat Geonor in Act 1 and enter Act 2, it’s time to unlock Smith of Kitava. This is where the build truly comes alive.
New additions:
Shield Charge (no support gems yet, just mobility)
Leap Slam + Overpower + Rage (moving Overpower and Rage from Rolling Slam)
Rolling Slam + Fist of War + Unbreakable
Spend your first two ascendancy points on Smith’s Masterwork and Kitavan Engraving to boost damage and defense.
Act 2 is smoother once you unlock these upgrades—now you’re actually starting to feel like a tank who can smash back.
Act 3: Ramping Up
By Act 3, it’s all about refining the build. You’ll unlock Time of Need (attach Fast Forward support) after beating the Bog Witch. Now is also the time to expand your main skills:
Perfect Strike + Window of Opportunity + Fire Infusion + Concentrated Effect
Leap Slam + Overpower + Brink (replace Rage with Brink here)
You can safely drop Mace Strike and Shield Charge at this point—they’ve served their purpose.
Don’t forget to complete the Trial of Chaos for more ascendancy points, unlocking Support Straps and Leather Bindings.
Cruel Mode and Beyond: Preparing for Endgame
Once you hit Cruel Mode and start mapping, it’s time to swap into your final skills:
Hammer of the Gods + Lacerate + Heavy Swing + Fist of War
Rolling Slam + Rage + Unbreakable + Brink
Leap Slam + Overpower + Martial Tempo
Infernal Cry + Premeditation + Raging Cry
Herald of Ash + Vitality
Time of Need + Fast Forward
The combination of Hammer of the Gods and Perfect Strike makes bosses feel trivial when executed right. And once you animation cancel Rolling Slam into Boneshatter (hit Boneshatter right after Rolling Slam), you’ll clear packs with buttery smoothness.
Passive Skill Tree Priorities
Stick to Strength-focused nodes first. Key passives include:
Reverberating Impact
Relentless
Blood Rush
Singular Purpose
Shockwave
Devastation
Overwhelm
Colossal Weapon
Burning Strikes
Admonisher (great for boosting Warcries)
These will fuel both your damage and survivability as you push into higher-tier content.
Recommended Gear for Smith of Kitava
Aim for these gear stats as you approach endgame:
A Greathammer with high physical and fire damage, plus attack speed
Armor with solid resistances and Strength bonuses
Rings with physical damage, life regen, mana regen
Thrillsteel unique helmet (excellent synergy for the build)
Crafting or buying from trade markets is totally valid here. Don’t be shy about investing in early endgame gear—and if you’re tight on time, again, you can always buy POE 2 currency from SSEGold to fast-track upgrades.
Tips for Playing the Smith of Kitava Build
This build rewards aggressive, deliberate play. Use Rolling Slam + Boneshatter for trash mobs. Against tougher enemies or bosses:
Open with Perfect Strike to stun.
Follow with Infernal Cry.
Drop Hammer of the Gods.
Most bosses won’t survive more than a couple rotations of this combo.
Always animation cancel when possible. Rolling Slam’s full animation can leave you exposed; chaining straight into Boneshatter saves time and keeps you safer.
positioning matters. Even though you’re a tank, don’t facetank everything unnecessarily—use Leap Slam or Shield Charge to reposition out of danger between attacks.
Final Thoughts: Is Smith of Kitava Right for You?
If you enjoy melee builds that feel impactful with every swing, the Smith of Kitava is a rewarding path. It’s not as flashy as a caster or as safe as ranged builds, but the moment you stand toe-to-toe with a boss and knock them into next week? That’s the real fun.
With solid scaling into endgame, straightforward mechanics, and room for mastery via animation canceling and positioning, this build shines for players who want their gameplay to feel powerful and personal.
So grab that Greathammer, channel Kitava’s fury, and slam your way through Wraeclast.
Good luck out there—and if you’re looking to trade up or kit out faster, remember that buying POE 2 currency from trusted sellers like SSEGold can give you a helpful head start.
Path of Exile 2: Smith of Kitava Build Guide
