
Welcome to the electrifying world of Last Epoch Season 2! With the launch of Patch 1.2, a wave of powerful builds has surged into the meta. Whether you're aiming to conquer monoliths, decimate bosses, or enjoy unique gameplay styles, this comprehensive tier list ranks the top 35 builds in the current patch. We’ve broken them down from D-tier to the coveted S-tier, analyzing everything from AoE clear to survivability and endgame dominance. If you’re passionate about ARPG strategy, make sure to bookmark us for the latest guides and swing by our store for exclusive Last Epoch merch and gaming essentials.
Last Epoch Season 2: Patch 1.2 Builds Tier List
Patch 1.2 has reshaped the landscape of Last Epoch with its refined endgame systems, overhauled crafting, and rebalanced skills. With so many build options on the table, this tier list is designed to help players of all skill levels find something that fits their playstyle. Builds are evaluated based on four key criteria: single-target damage, area of effect clearing, survivability, and overall performance in high-tier content. From pet-centric necromancers to blazing fast spellcasters, there’s a build here for everyone.
D-Tier Builds: Unique but Challenging
D-tier builds are creative and fun but tend to demand specific gear or exceptional skill to thrive. One example is the Abomination Necromancer, a build focused on a single massive minion empowered through skills like Assemble Abomination, Dread Shade, and Infernal Shade. While it offers strong scaling and excellent minion durability, players must carefully manage self-damage to avoid punishing health loss. Another D-tier contender is the Shield Bash Forge Guard, known for extreme tankiness and reliable single-target damage. With a 100% block chance and support skills like Ring of Shields, it’s a solid choice for bossing but suffers from poor clear speed and mobility.
C-Tier Builds: Solid with Some Drawbacks
Moving up to C-tier, we find builds that are more consistent but still have limitations in either AoE, speed, or gear dependency. The Earthquake Beastmaster and its quirky variant, the Squirrel Beastmaster, combine powerful melee attacks like Tempest Strike and Earthquake with Summon Frenzy Totem for support. While these builds pack a punch, they often struggle with clear speed unless well-geared. Another interesting C-tier option is the Cryptic Mage Necromancer, which focuses on summoning a powerful Cryomancer through Arch Mage. It deals solid damage but requires careful mana and buff juggling. Other C-tier builds like the Multistrike Forge Guard and Forge Weapons Forge Guard rely on strong single-target output but are limited by animation speed and minion ramp-up time.
B Tier Builds: Versatile and Reliable
B-tier builds strike a great balance, offering strong performance across most content with moderate gear investment. Judgment Paladin brings a healing aura playstyle similar to Path of Exile’s Righteous Fire, making it approachable for new players. The Bleed Hammerdin Paladin is a classic take on bleed-based AoE combined with heavy armor for survivability. Riot Void Knight thrives with void-converted melee skills and benefits from great defense scaling. Ranged enthusiasts can enjoy the Hail of Arrows Marksman, a build that showers elemental arrows across the battlefield, while Fireball Sorcerer excels in AoE with auto-seeking projectiles and defensive options like Flame Ward. Shatter Strike Spellblade offers a cold-based melee experience with fast dual-wielding action and high mobility, and Death Seal Acolyte delivers explosive damage through low-life mechanics. For pet lovers, the Rat Acolyte and Storm Crows Beastmaster provide flavorful minion-based gameplay with decent sustain and AoE. The Totem Shaman rounds out this tier with a totemic Dragon Form playstyle, dealing bursty damage while maintaining tankiness through totems and healing support.
A Tier Builds: High Performance with Flexibility
A-tier builds are strong contenders for endgame success and can perform at a high level with minimal optimization. The Erasing Strike Void Knight leads the charge with mana-stacking mechanics and powerful crit scaling. Time Rot Void Knight uses Devouring Orb and Anomaly to stack debuffs and spread damage over time, making it effective for both trash clearing and bossing. Smite Void Knight turns a healing skill into a void nuke with Temporal Corruption, and works wonderfully with vitality scaling. Javelin Paladin offers a ranged holy damage setup where trails left by Javelin burn enemies while Sigils of Hope and Holy Aura buff the user. Lethal Mirage Bladedancer combines high burst from illusionary blades with evasion-based defense. Hydrohedron Runemaster summons a fiery turret with Runic Evocation and the Box of the Hydra unique, unleashing chaotic damage while remaining mobile. Heartseeker Marksman and Multishot Marksman provide strong ranged options with crit scaling and elemental arrows, supported by clever shadow mechanics. Bleed Falconer and Dive Bomb Falconer offer high survivability, great clear speed, and tactical falcon control. For sorcerers, the Frostbite Frost Claw and Glacier Sorcerer builds pack serious AoE punch, with excellent scaling through cold spells and defensive options like Flame Ward and Frost Wall.
S-Tier Builds: The Best of the Best
At the top of the list, S-tier builds reign supreme with overwhelming power, unmatched clear speed, and boss-melting potential. Umbral Blades Falconer is the star of the show, unleashing cold daggers that explode on contact while maintaining extreme mobility with Aerial Assault. Ballista Falconer turns the battlefield into a deadly turret zone, supported by Decoy and buffed falcon strikes. Tornado Shaman rips through packs with endlessly spinning storms, while Fist of Stone and healing circles keep it sturdy. Warpath Void Knight is the quintessential spin-to-win build, enhanced by void buffs and layered defenses. Nova Hammerdin Paladin uses Endress Technique to convert Hammer Throw into a nova that obliterates screens in seconds. Lastly, the Torment Warlock brings terrifying damage via Chthonic Fissure and torment spirits, bolstered by unique items like Twisted Heart of Uhkeiros.
How to Choose the Right Build
If you're a beginner, start with a forgiving B-tier build like Judgment Paladin or Fireball Sorcerer. These builds offer straightforward mechanics and are easy to understand. For seasoned players focused on farming endgame content, A-tier options such as Smite Void Knight or Glacier Sorcerer provide strong damage with minimal gear pressure. If you’re chasing speed and efficiency, S-tier builds like Nova Hammerdin or Torment Warlock are the perfect choice for dominating monoliths and bosses alike. Your choice can also come down to playstyle preference—if you love pets, the Rat Acolyte or Ballista Falconer will serve you well. Casters will enjoy the explosive power of Torment Warlock or Frost Claw Sorcerer, while melee fans should look no further than Warpath Void Knight or Erasing Strike.
Season 2 of Last Epoch is brimming with potential, thanks to the diverse and exciting build options unlocked in Patch 1.2. Whether you’re looking for meta-breaking damage or a thematic minion army, there’s a build that fits your goals. Remember, the best build isn’t just the one at the top of the tier list—it’s the one that makes you excited to log in and keep pushing forward. Keep experimenting, find your rhythm, and most importantly—have fun slaying!
