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Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt introduces fresh layers of build diversity, character mechanics, and skill interactions. For Ranger players, the Deadeye Ascendancy continues to shine as the definitive choice for bow-based elemental damage. With the revamped Lightning Shot and Frost Shot, Deadeye Rangers can deliver devastating AoE and single-target damage while zipping around the battlefield with unmatched mobility.

This guide focuses on optimizing your Deadeye build around Lightning Shot and Frost Shot, with detailed breakdowns on skill trees, gear progression, passive synergies, and endgame strategies to help you shred through Wraeclast's deadliest foes.

Why Choose Deadeye?

The Deadeye Ascendancy excels in:

Projectile speed and spread

Chain and pierce interactions

Consistent long-range DPS

Synergy with elemental skills and ailments

With powerful notables like Far Shot, Endless Munitions, and Focal Point, the Deadeye is tailor-made for maximizing elemental arrow skills.

Skill Overview

Lightning Shot

Fires an arrow that releases a cone of lightning projectiles on impact.

Excellent for clearing packs due to its wide AoE cone.

Scales well with projectile speed and added lightning damage.

Frost Shot

Creates a chilling cone behind the impact point.

Applies cold damage over a large area with added control via chill.

Scales with cold penetration and area damage.

You can use both in the same build depending on situation, or specialize in one for streamlined efficiency.

Passive Tree and Ascendancy Progression

Early Passive Pathing

Start by focusing on:

Projectile Damage

Bow Attack Speed

Elemental Damage with Attacks

Key early nodes:

Ballistics

Sniper

Fury Bolts

Mid-Game Tree (Levels 30-60)

Start investing in:

Heart of Ice (for Frost Shot)

Storm Weaver (for Lightning Shot)

King of the Hill for crit utility

Master Fletcher for scaling projectiles

Deadeye Ascendancy Points

Endless Munitions – +1 additional projectile and projectile spread.

Focal Point – Marks are more effective and spread damage.

Far Shot – Increased damage at long range.

Ricochet – Projectiles chain one additional time.

Optional: Swap to Gale Force and Wind Ward if focusing on defense and evasion.

Skill Gem Setup

Lightning Shot Build

Main Link (6-Link):

Lightning Shot

Added Lightning Damage

Elemental Damage with Attacks

Chain Support

Inspiration

Trinity or Increased Critical Strikes

Aura Setup:

Wrath (for lightning boost)

Precision (level as needed for accuracy)

Herald of Thunder

Utility:

Flame Dash or Dash (mobility)

Sniper's Mark (with Mark on Hit)

Steelskin (linked to Cast when Damage Taken)

Frost Shot Build

Main Link (6-Link):

Frost Shot

Hypothermia

Cold Penetration

Greater Volley

Elemental Damage with Attacks

Mirage Archer (for clear)

Aura Setup:

Hatred

Herald of Ice

Precision

Utility:

Frostblink (for mobility)

Sniper's Mark

Steelskin

Gear Progression

Weapons (Bows)

Early: Stormcloud or a rare bow with elemental DPS.

Midgame: Look for high attack speed bows with added lightning or cold damage to attacks, + to gem levels, and crit chance.

Endgame: Craft a Thicket or Spine Bow with:

+1 to Socketed Bow Gems

Increased Elemental Damage with Attacks

Critical Strike Chance

Attack Speed

Quiver

Added Cold/Lightning Damage

Increased Elemental Damage with Attacks

Crit Multi

Life and Resistances

Helmet/Body Armour/Gloves/Boots

Focus on:

Life

Resistances

Evasion or Energy Shield (hybrid is fine)

Spell Suppression

Gloves: Look for "+1 to Projectile Attack Skills" or "Cold/Lightning Exposure on Hit".

Boots: Prioritize Movement Speed and Onslaught on Kill.

Jewelry

Amulet: Elemental Damage with Attacks / Crit Multi / Bow Skill Gem Level

Rings: Flat Lightning or Cold Damage, Resistances, Accuracy

Belt: Life, Flask Effect, Elemental Damage

Flasks

Diamond Flask (Crit)

Quicksilver Flask (Speed)

Jade Flask or Stibnite Flask (Evasion)

Wise Oak (if balanced resists)

Bottled Faith or Dying Sun (endgame)

Pantheon & Bandits

Pantheon

Major: Soul of Lunaris (Avoid projectiles, move faster)

Minor: Soul of Garukhan or Gruthkul (Evasion/Physical mitigation)

Bandits

Kill All for 2 passive points (most efficient)

Map & Boss Strategies

Mapping

Use Frost Shot for wide AoE and chilling control.

Lightning Shot for fast chaining and pack-clearing.

Mirage Archer improves clear while you reposition or dodge.

Use Sniper's Mark on tankier enemies to maximize single-target burst.

Bossing

Mark bosses with Sniper's Mark for critical bonuses.

Position at maximum range to benefit from Far Shot.

Maintain flasks and uptime on buffs (like Onslaught).

Use Frost Shot for chill and slow control.

Tips for Advanced Play

1. Master Projectile Mechanics

Understanding projectile chain, pierce, and fork interactions is key to Deadeye effectiveness. Chain generally outperforms for pack clearing, while pierce helps with linear enemy formations.

2. Scaling Elemental Damage

Both Lightning and Frost Shot scale off added elemental damage, attack speed, and crit multipliers. Trinity Support works well if you balance lightning, cold, and possibly fire via gear.

3. Positioning for Far Shot

Always maintain distance from enemies to take advantage of Far Shot's increasing damage. Use movement skills to keep safe and effective.

4. Flask Management

Craft utility flasks with Reduced Charges Used, Increased Duration, and Immunity to Bleed/Freeze to maximize uptime.

5. League and Ladder Play

This build excels in softcore leagues, solo mapping, and atlas farming, with enough burst to handle Endgame bosses like Maven or Eater of Worlds with gear investment.

Example Endgame Setup (Frost Shot Focused)

Main Links:

Frost Shot

Greater Volley

Cold Penetration

Hypothermia

Elemental Damage with Attacks

Mirage Archer

Ascendancy:

Endless Munitions → Focal Point → Far Shot → Ricochet

Bow: Rare Spine Bow

+1 to Socketed Bow Gems

Added Cold Damage

Attack Speed

Critical Chance

Quiver: Rare Penetrating Quiver

Cold Penetration

Crit Multiplier

Added Cold to Attacks

Auras:

Hatred

Precision

Herald of Ice

Flasks:

Diamond (crit)

Jade (evasion)

Quick Silver

Wise Oak

Stibnite

Final Thoughts

In Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt, Deadeye remains a top-tier pick for bow enthusiasts, and both Lightning Shot and Frost Shot showcase the archetype's strengths beautifully. Frost Shot offers incredible AoE control and smooth map clearing, while Lightning Shot delivers shocking burst and chain-clearing madness.

Choose your element, refine your projectile mechanics, and embrace the precision and fury of the Deadeye — because nothing outruns death when it's delivered from afar.

We hope you found this article helpful! For more Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt guides, be sure to visit P2Pah. Looking to stock up? Affordable Path of Exile 2 Currency is available for purchase now!