If you’re diving into Path of Exile 2 and eyeing the Warrior class, let me tell you: the Smith of Kitava Ascendancy is where brute force meets blacksmith brilliance. This guide breaks down everything you need to dominate Wraeclast with this metal-bending powerhouse. We’ll cover mechanics, top skills, gear priorities, and even throw in pro tips for farming PoE2 Currency efficiently. Strap in—this isn’t your average "whack-and-smash" Warrior build.
Key reasons to pick this Ascendancy:
So grab your hammer, temper that steel, and go crack some celestial skulls. Wraeclast won’t know what hit it.
Why Choose the Smith of Kitava?
The Smith of Kitava isn’t just about swinging oversized hammers (though you’ll do plenty of that). This Ascendancy redefines the Warrior archetype by letting you buff weapons mid-combat, customize armor properties, and even summon a spectral weapon clone to double your damage output. Think of it as playing a raging blacksmith who’s as obsessed with perfect gear as they are with crushing skulls.Key reasons to pick this Ascendancy:
- Adaptive Combat: Buff weapons on the fly to counter elite mobs or bosses.
- Unmatched Customization: Turn basic armor into a tailored survival kit.
- Double Damage Potential: Summon a weapon copy for literal twice the fun.
Smith of Kitava Mechanics Explained
1. Weapon Buffs: Temper Your Rage
The Temper Weapon skill (unlocked via the Against the Anvil node) lets you ignite your weapon with fiery explosions. Activate this before charging into a pack, and watch every strike trigger chain reactions. Pro tip: Pair this with area-clearing skills like Ground Slam or Cleave for maximum carnage.2. Armor Crafting: Build Your Perfect Defense
Here’s where the Smith shines. By investing Ascendancy points into nodes like Smith’s Masterwork, you can slap modifiers onto a Normal Body Armor that rival legendary gear. Want +75% elemental resistances? Regenerate 5% Life per second? Done. But be warned: every choice costs points, so prioritize based on your playstyle.3. Manifest Weapon: Your Spectral Sidekick
The Living Weapon node grants Manifest Weapon—a skill that summons an animated copy of your weapon. This clone mirrors your stats and attacks independently, effectively doubling your DPS during boss fights. Use it when you need burst damage or to distract tanky enemies.Best Skills for the Smith of Kitava Build
Core Skills
Temper Weapon (Against the Anvil):
- Ignites weapons for added fire damage and AoE explosions.
- Synergy tip: Combine with fast-attacking skills like Dual Strike for rapid trigger rates.
Manifest Weapon (Living Weapon):
- Deploy your clone during elite packs or boss phases.
- Pro move: Position the clone behind bosses to exploit rear-attack bonuses.
Smith’s Masterwork:
- Customize armor with modifiers like +15% max Life or +75% Fire Resistance.
- Resource alert: Farm PoE2 Currency early to reroll modifiers until you hit your ideal combo.
Support Skills
- Leap Slam: Close gaps fast while triggering weapon buffs.
- Vulnerability Curse: Amplify physical damage against tempered enemies.
Gearing Up: Priorities for the Smith of Kitava
Weapons
- Two-Handed Maces/Axes: Maximize base damage for Temper Weapon explosions.
- Attack Speed: Faster swings = more explosions. Look for +20-30% implicit modifiers.
Armor
- Start with a Normal Body Armor (yes, Normal—no Magic/Rare allowed for Smith’s Masterwork).
- Target modifiers:
- Kitavan Engraving (+15% max Life)
- Tantalum Alloy (+75% Fire Resist)
- Leather Bindings (5% Life regen/sec)
Jewels & Flasks
- Ryslatha’s Coil (unique belt): Boosts physical damage and flask effectiveness.
- Lion’s Roar Flask: Adds knockback and armor during melee attacks.
Playstyle Tips: Fight Like a Forged God
Early Game (Acts 1-3)
- Focus on stacking Strength and Life nodes in the passive tree.
- Use Temper Weapon liberally—its low mana cost makes it spam-friendly.
Mid Game (Maps)
- Unlock Manifest Weapon ASAP. This skill trivializes map bosses when timed correctly.
- Farm PoE2 Currency in Legion or Breach encounters to fund armor rerolls.
End Game (Uber Bosses)
- Swap to Lead Lining (+75% Lightning Resist) for Shaper/Elder fights.
- Pre-cast Manifest Weapon before boss phases to maximize uptime.
Final Thoughts: Is the Smith of Kitava Meta?
Absolutely. This Ascendancy turns the Warrior into a Swiss Army knife of destruction. Whether you’re crafting unkillable armor or duplicating your dps with a spectral weapon, the Smith offers flexibility that most melee builds lack. Just remember: your power spikes depend heavily on smart Ascendancy point allocation and gear tweaking.So grab your hammer, temper that steel, and go crack some celestial skulls. Wraeclast won’t know what hit it.