Lich Ascendancy Emerges as a Spellcaster and Minion Powerhouse in Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt

Path of Exile 2’s Dawn of the Hunt update has redefined how ascendancies interact with POE2 Currency both traditional spellcaster archetypes and minion-based strategies. One of the most intriguing beneficiaries of this meta shift is the Lich, a brand-new ascendancy for the Witch class. While the Amazon has dominated the patch with its offense-focused, attack-based gameplay, the Lich has carved out a strong—and uniquely flexible—niche for itself, rising as the only top-tier spellcaster ascendancy in an increasingly attack-heavy landscape.

Let’s take a deep dive into why the Lich is thriving in patch 0.2 and what makes it so effective for both Chaos DoT (damage-over-time) and minion-based builds.

A Dual Threat: Spellcasting and Summoning in One Package

Unlike the Amazon or Deadeye, which specialize in a narrow subset of mechanics, the Lich offers a broader approach. It supports both Chaos spellcasters and minion-centric builds, giving players options to explore wildly different playstyles while staying within the same ascendancy tree.

This versatility has allowed the Lich to stand out in a patch where many traditional spellcasting classes have faltered. While nerfs to mana stacking and popular self-cast spells have hurt ascendancies like Stormweaver, the Lich has remained resilient—thanks in large part to its unique scaling mechanics and one standout notable: Eternal Life.

Eternal Life: A Game-Changer for Survivability and Sustain

Perhaps the most talked-about node in the Lich ascendancy is Eternal Life, which grants the Witch substantial health recovery and damage mitigation over time. Eternal Life enables builds that would otherwise be too squishy to buy POE2 Currency survive in Path of Exile 2’s punishing endgame environments.