Harnessing the raw, chaotic power of poison has long been a signature of Path of Exile’s most lethal assassins. This variation focuses on the unique keystone Poison Overload, granted by the Riven Armor, to deliver devastating damage-over-time capable of melting endgame bosses. By combining relentless attack speed with optimized poison duration and high base damage, the build reaches millions of DPS through a constant barrage of toxic strikes. The Pathfinder ascendancy serves as the optimal foundation thanks to its unparalleled utility, survivability, and poison proliferation, making it ideal for this high-velocity playstyle. For players looking to enhance their resources, PoE 2 Currency can be a valuable asset in gearing up efficiently.



The Poison Overload keystone changes the traditional poison stacking approach. Its effect of “80% less Poison Duration” is a significant drawback, but it also grants “250% more Damage with Hits and Ailments for each Poison on an Enemy not affected by a shorter Poison of yours.” This means the focus shifts to applying one extremely potent poison and maintaining it with rapid hits. To counter the reduced duration, the build stacks increased poison duration through passive nodes, cluster jewels, and supports like Unbound Ailments. The massive damage multiplier rewards high base poison damage, achieved via strong weapon choices, flat chaos damage, and chaos damage over time multipliers.



Three core components define the build’s success:



High Attack Speed: Frequent hits are essential to keep poison active. Cobra Lash with its chaining mechanic is ideal, supported by Whirling Blades for mobility.
Poison Duration Scaling: Passive tree nodes, cluster jewels, and specific supports extend poison duration to offset the keystone’s penalty.
High Base Damage: A powerful weapon with added chaos damage and multipliers ensures the 250% bonus is maximized.


The Pathfinder ascendancy offers a balanced mix of offense and defense:



Nature’s Reprisal: Built-in poison proliferation boosts clear speed without needing extra gem slots.
Master Toxicist: Enhances chaos damage and supports Herald of Agony for additional damage layers.
Nature’s Adrenaline: Improves flask uptime and attack speed, directly supporting the build’s hit frequency.
Master Alchemist: Grants immunity to elemental ailments during flask effects, freeing gear affixes for life or damage.


Gearing revolves around the Riven Armor but requires complementary items for survivability and scaling. Below is a quick reference table for gear priorities:






Slot
Core Item / Base
Key Statistics




Body Armour
Riven Armor
Essential for Poison Overload keystone.


Weapon
Imperial Claw / Gemini Claw
High attack speed, chaos damage multipliers, added chaos damage. Wasp Nest is a strong starter.


Shield
Evasion-based Shield
Life, spell suppression, resistances.


Helmet
Evasion-based Helmet
Life, suppression, resistances, nearby enemies -9% chaos resistance.


Gloves
Apothecary’s Gloves
Life, attack speed, DoT multiplier, suppression, resistances.


Boots
Evasion-based Boots
30%+ movement speed, life, suppression, resistances, chill/freeze avoidance.


Amulet
Agate / Onyx Amulet
+1 chaos skill gems, chaos DoT multiplier, life, resistances.


Rings
Amethyst / Coral Rings
Life, attributes, resistances, chaos damage.


Belt
Stygian Vise
Life, resistances, chaos damage, abyss jewel slot.




Skill links center on a 6-link Cobra Lash setup with supports like Unbound Ailments, Void Manipulation, Vicious Projectiles, Deadly Ailments, and Greater Volley for coverage. Defensive layers include Grace and Determination auras, Molten Shell via Cast when Damage Taken, and elemental ailment immunity from ascendancy. Utility skills like Plague Bearer and Despair further enhance area clear and boss damage.



The passive tree should prioritize life first, then poison and chaos damage clusters. Key notables include Swift Venoms, Toxic Strikes, and Acrobatics or Phase Acrobatics for avoidance. Large Cluster Jewels with notables such as Unwaveringly Evil and Unholy Grace provide significant late-game scaling. For the Pantheon, Soul of the Brine King prevents stun-lock scenarios, while Soul of Ralakesh mitigates bleed and Maim threats.



This Riven Armor Pathfinder build delivers a distinct, high-impact poison playstyle that rewards precision gearing and mechanical understanding. When executed correctly, it can trivialize even the toughest encounters with overwhelming poison damage. For those aiming to push its potential further, acquiring PoE 2 Currency for sale can accelerate progression and optimize gear for maximum efficiency.