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The Poison Walker build in Path of Exile 2 is one of the most unique, low-input, and satisfying mapping builds currently popular. Centered around Decompose, Corpsewade, and clever use of weapon-swap spectres, this setup allows you to walk through maps while generating expanding poison clouds that melt enemies off-screen.

This guide covers the build's functionality, leveling to 58, its strengths and weaknesses, gear progression, skill gems, passive tree priorities, and tips for smooth endgame scaling.

Build Overview

The core identity of the Poison Walker build is simple:

·Walk to create poison gas clouds automatically

·Trigger Decompose (via Corpsewade) on corpses and minions

·Use Plague Bearer to clear packs and generate corpses

·Weapon swap to trigger Bind Spectres for boss damage

·Sprint through content while the screen fills with toxic clouds

By leveraging Sacrifice, Bind Spectre, and the dual-weapon set system, this build doubles its usable Spirit, enabling powerful debuffs on Set 1 and high-life minions on Set 2.

How Decompose (Corpsewade) Works

At the heart of this build is Decompose, a skill that automatically activates every time you take a step when wearing Corpsewade boots. Each step consumes nearby corpses-whether from slain enemies or your own minions-to create poison clouds that expand outward, dealing chaos damage based on the target's max life.

Key mechanics:

·Sacrifice lets Decompose target and consume your own Bind Spectre minions.

·Each consumed spectre spawns its own expanding poison cloud.

·Multiple clouds don't stack damage, but they dramatically increase how fast you reach maximum poison capacity.

·With Snakebite, Stacking Toxins, Building Toxins, and Overwhelming Toxicity, you can reach 8 poison stacks, ensuring constant max damage uptime.

Weapon swapping allows Set 2 to instantly summon Bind Spectres outside combat, enabling smooth bossing without setup.

Leveling Strategy (1-58)

You'll respec at level 58 into the Poison Walker playstyle. Until then, follow a standard Ranger leveling path:

·Use any early Ranger guide to level efficiently.

·Corpsewade can be equipped very early if you want to experiment.

·Quest reward Venoms offers early utility (stun threshold).

·Tattoos offering 5% resistance help during the campaign.

Level 58 is mandatory because:

·Sacrifice unlocks at 58.

·The build requires Sacrifice and dual-set interactions to function.

·Once you reach 58, transition into the Starter Variant.

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths

·One-button gameplay

·Slow-immune and slow enemies massively

·Off-screen killing potential

·Excellent c, clear speed thanks to chain-reactive gas clouds

·No reliance on mana or life flasks

·Tanky and evasive

·Near-constant uptime due to long-lasting clouds

Weaknesses

·Minion respawn timer requires attention

·Movement speed is gear-reliant

·Requires careful spirit management between weapon sets

Build Variants

·Starter - Level 58+ transition version

·Endgame - Fully functional mapping and bossing setup

·Uber Endgame - Optimized for lvl 90+, with high currency investment

Even in Uber Endgame, the showcased gear is aspirational-good stat targets matter more than exact items.

Path of Exile 2 Items Priority

Whether you farm gear yourself or buy POE2 Currency to craft upgrades, focus on:

Core Stat Priorities

·75% Elemental Resistances

·High Spirit

·Energy Shield + Evasion

·+Minion Skill Levels

·Rarity (optional for magic find)

Important Slot Notes

·Set 1: Aim for 190+ Spirit to support aura magnitude and spirit gems.

·Set 2: Use a Stoic Sceptre with minion life and +minion skill levels.

·Corpsewade (with level 20 Decompose) should have 5 sockets.

·Darkness Enthroned with 100%+ effect is best in slot for bossing.

·Look for Talisman of Thruldana x2 in your Trenchtimbre.

Powerful Alternatives

·Headhunter for mapping (swap off for bosses)

·Ming's Heart for extreme boss-burst potential

·Prism of Belief +3 Bind Spectre

·Aurseize for high rarity mapping

Skill Gems Setup

Set 1 (Auras & Debuffs)

·Blasphemy (Temporal Chains, Despair)

·Withering Presence

·Plague Bearer

·Contagion

·Ghost Dance

·Ravenous Swarm

Set 2 (Minions)

·Bind Spectre (set number to max for Set 2, zero for Set 1)

·Grim Feast

Support Requirements

·50 STR

·50 DEX

·80 INT

Tips

·Vaal-orb multiple Bind Spectre gems to try for +1 corruption.

·For pinnacle bosses, socket offensive supports into Plague Bearer.

·For Decompose, replace ground mods with offense mods as needed.

Passive Tree and Ascendancy

·Prioritise Dexterity and Intelligence

·Add a bit of Strength for Stoic Sceptre requirements

·Red lines = Set 1 nodes

·Green lines = Set 2 nodes

·Remember: you need base passive points before weapon-set points can be allocated

How It Plays

During mapping:

·Use Plague Bearer to soften packs.

·Decompose automatically triggers on corpses, cleaning up survivors.

·Weapon swap outside combat to instantly resummon spectres.

·Stay in Set 1 as often as possible to maintain debuffs.

During bossing:

·Swap to Set 2, spawn Bind Spectres, step to create poison clouds.

·Swap to Set 1 once clouds are active.

Final Thought

The Poison Walker build stands out as one of the most effortless and visually explosive ways to clear content in Path of Exile 2. By combining Decompose, Corpsewade, Bind Spectres, and clever weapon swapping, you create a character that dissolves enemies simply by moving.