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The Warrior is a melee class inPath of Exile 2that excels in brute-forcing through enemies with a combination of heavy weapons and powerful hits. Smith of Kitava is one of the Ascendencies of the Warrior class that increases the value and output of the class for the endgame.
However, just like every other Ascendancy, the true potency of the class is locked behind what skills you unlock and the support gems to attach to them. If you’re interested in playing as theSmith of Kitavain the Dawn of the Hunt league, this guide will cover all the necessary details for you.
Smith Of Kitava Build Overview
Smith of Kitava is one of the Warrior class’s three Ascendanciesand primarily relies on being a powerful tank that can absorb incoming damage. However, this class can do more than just soak damage, asit can also hit very hard with powerful abilitiesthat can destroy the health bar of bosses in no time.
TheAscendancy becomes available around halfway through Act Two, which means you’ll have todefeat Geonor in Act One, with the base Warrior class. The problem with this class in general is that it’s a melee character, which means you have to get on top of the enemy to hit them, which also means you get hit by powerful hits from bosses quite often.
While Smith of Kitava provides the tankiness, that won’t be attainable for a while, so it can be a bit tricky to pilot the Warrior class, especially if you’re used to playing ranged classes. However, the good news here is that Warrior hits like a truck, and it canshred through most early game bosseswith ease, just by using skills likeBoneshatterandRolling Slam.
You will run into some Mana problems in the early game, but that can be easily fixed with some Mana Generation on your rings. If you don’t have them, it’s fine either way, as you’re able to kite around enemies until your Mana refills, so that you can relaunch your attacks once again.
Don’t spam your abilities in the early game when playing the Warrior. While you deal a lot of damage, your attacks have a massive wind-up timing. As such, use your combo once, kite back a bit, and then repeat once again, so that you don’t get overwhelmed by enemies and end up dead in the middle of your attack animations.
Smith Of Kitava Leveling Guide
Act 1
Act One is very simple, asyou will pick up the basics of your build, which will carry you through most of the campaign and will be the core of your combat. Thefirst skill to pick up is Rolling Slamand attachOverpowerto it.You’ll also need Boneshatterand attachImpact Shockwaveto it alongsideBrutality.
Mace Strike is also a valuable skillthat you’ll use when you’re low on Mana. Make sure to attachConcentrated Effectto it. One of the most important skills that you will unlock in this Act isInfernal Cry, and you’ll have to attachPremeditationto it.
You’ll also needPerfect Strikeand attachWindow of OpportunityandFire Infusion. Finally, defeat the King of the Mists boss for your firstUncut Spirit Gemand unlock the skillHerald of Ash.
Herald of Ash
Act 2
In Act 2, you need to further strengthen your build with new skills that will increase your overall damage. Thefirst skill to unlock here isShield Charge, though you don’t need to attach any support gem to it yet.
You’ll also needLeap Slamand attachOverpowerandRageto it, by removing it from Rolling Slam. Now, you’ll need to attachFist of WarandUnbreakableto Rolling Slam. You’ll also complete theTrial of Sekhemas and unlock the Smith of Kitava Ascendancy.
You’ll receive two Ascendancy points, which you will use tounlock Smith’s Masterwork and Kitavan Engraving.
Shield Charge
Act 3
In Act Three, you will further strengthen your build, which will primarily include leveling up your skills. The new skill that you’ll unlock here isTime of Needafter defeating theBog Witch bossand receiving your second Uncut Spirit Gem.
You’ll also attach Fast Forward to the Time of Need skill. Use twoLesser Jeweller’s Orband unlock athird slot for both Boneshatter and Perfect Strike. AttachMagnified Effectto Bone Shatter andConcentrated Effectto Perfect Strike.
Replace Rage from Leap Slam, and insteadattach Brinkto it. You canremove the Mace Strike and Shield Charge skillsas they have served their purpose. There’s also theTrial of Chaos for more Ascendancy pointsandunlock Support Straps and Leather Bindings.
Fast Forward
Cruel Mode and Mapping
Once you hit Cruel Mode, unlock the skillHammer of the Godsand attachLacerate,Heavy Swing, andFist of Warto it. In Rolling Slam, you’ll need to attach Rage and Brink. When it comes to Leap Slam, attachMartial Tempoto it.
Hammer of the Gods
Lacerate, Fist of War, Heavy Swing
Passive Skill Tree
The primary attribute for the Warrior is Strength, and that is what you should be focusing on when leveling up the Passive Tree.You’ll need access to Reverberating Impact, Relentless, and Blood Rush, all of which will improve the potency of your skills.
You’ll also need Singular Purpose and Shockwaveto increase weapon damage while enhancing the damage area of effect. verify tounlock Devastation, Overwhelm, and Colossal Weaponto increase weapon damage and melee damage even further.
Admonisheris a valuable skill since itenhances Warcry, whileBurning Strikes increases the potencyof the Perfect Strike skill.
Gear And Weapons
Tips To Play Smith Of Kitava Build
Playing this build is quite simple, as your objective is toslam down on enemies until they die. Against basic mobs, useRolling Slam in combination with Boneshatter,and you will clear out waves with just one hit.
You can animation cancel Rolling Slam ability with Boneshatter. All you have to do is press the latter right after you press the former. This ensures that you don’t have to go through the entire animation of Rolling Slam, which has a massive windup and leaves you vulnerable.
When facing bosses,start with Perfect Strike to stun the targetand keep spamming it. Once the target is stunned,use Infernal Cry and follow it with Hammer of the Gods. This will deal incredible damage to bosses, and they will die very quickly.
