How to Build Lightning Arrow Deadeye in Path of Exile 2
Sep-01-2025 PSTWhy Play Lightning Arrow Deadeye?
Lightning Arrow is an iconic bow skill that excels at clearing packs of enemies with chain lightning explosions. In Path of Exile 2, the skill has been polished for smoother gameplay, allowing arrows to burst into lightning damage that bounces between multiple targets. This mechanic makes it a natural fit for mapping, as you can clear entire screens with a single volley.
The Deadeye ascendancy enhances everything Lightning Arrow does best—projectiles, speed, and precision. Together, they create a build that is both effective for endgame bosses and incredibly fun for clearing content quickly.
Deadeye Ascendancy Highlights
Deadeye remains the premier ascendancy for projectile-based bow builds. For Lightning Arrow, the most valuable ascendancy nodes include:
Endless Munitions – Increases projectile count, making Lightning Arrow hit more enemies and spread shocks across the screen.
Far Shot – Boosts damage at long range, rewarding safe positioning.
Ricochet – Adds extra chain interactions, drastically improving map-clearing speed.
Gathering Winds – Grants Tailwind, giving a burst of action speed that fuels faster attacks and movement.
These nodes perfectly complement Lightning Arrow's mechanics, creating a fluid and deadly playstyle.
Core Skill Setup
Your primary damage skill will always be Lightning Arrow, supported by the right gems to maximize efficiency. A typical six-link setup looks like this:
Lightning Arrow
Chain Support
Elemental Damage with Attacks Support
Added Lightning Damage Support
Inspiration Support
Increased Critical Damage Support
This combination ensures excellent chain coverage, high elemental scaling, and reliable crits. For single-target encounters like bosses, consider swapping to Artillery Ballista or Galvanic Arrow, both of which can output stronger focused damage.
Passive Tree Priorities
Pathing through the passive tree, focus on nodes that enhance both offense and survival:
Projectile and Elemental Damage – Increases your overall damage output.
Critical Strike Chance and Multiplier – Core for scaling Lightning Arrow into endgame.
Attack Speed – Improves responsiveness and smoothness while clearing.
Life and Evasion – Keeps you alive in dangerous encounters.
Elemental Penetration – Ensures lightning damage cuts through monster resistances.
Deadeye thrives on range and mobility, so avoid overcommitting to melee-range options like Point Blank unless you specifically want a hybrid playstyle.
Gear Recommendations
For gear, prioritize stats that amplify your damage while maintaining survivability:
Bow – Look for high attack speed and added lightning damage. Endgame versions should ideally have +1 to lightning skill gems.
Quiver – Critical strike multiplier, projectile speed, and elemental damage with attacks are best-in-slot.
Armor – Evasion-based pieces synergize well with Deadeye's natural defenses.
Rings/Amulet – Prioritize lightning damage, crit chance, and elemental penetration.
Flasks – A Diamond Flask for consistent crits, Quicksilver for mobility, and defensive options like Jade or Quartz Flasks.
Capping resistances and investing in life rolls should not be overlooked, as Deadeye can feel fragile without them.
Playstyle Tips
The Lightning Arrow Deadeye revolves around speed and precision. Stay mobile, fire into packs from long range, and let the chain mechanic wipe out groups before they can approach. Against bosses, maintain distance while dropping Ballista totems to add consistent damage. Managing flasks effectively and dodging mechanics will be key to surviving tougher encounters.
The Lightning Arrow Deadeye is one of the most satisfying builds in Path of Exile 2 Currency Orbs. With unmatched clearing potential, excellent scaling into critical damage, and a fast, evasive playstyle, it is a top-tier choice for players who want to dominate maps and bosses alike. By investing in the right ascendancy nodes, gear, and passives, you'll have a build that feels powerful from early leveling all the way into the hardest content Wraeclast has to offer.