Path of Exile 2 · Patch 0.5

Abyssal Lich Twisters Endgame Build Guide

How to transition into the Lich Twisters setup, scale it for T16+ mapping and bossing, and avoid the pitfalls that make the build feel weak.

Endgame Build High Density Clear Strong Bossing 80+ div entry
! Core goal: Stack spirit to empower Umbral Souls projectile speed, Whirling Slash into Twister volleys, and maintain Chaos Inoculation + Energy Shield for survivability. The build is good in tight layouts and weak in huge open maps.

1Leveling to Lich - Campaign to Early Maps

Most players run minion-based starters (Skeletal Archers) or Plants/Bone Storm into Lich for overlapping gear. Straight Twisters works but feels clunky before ascendancy. Push to unlock Abyssal Lich as soon as you can access the Kulemak invitation (T11+ maps).

  1. 1
    Start with Skeletal Archers or Bone Storm

    Both share gear with Lich (Bones of Ullr, spirit items). Use a weapon swap: one setup for minion speed, another for Twisters. Do not invest heavily in minion damage - you are transitioning.

  2. 2
    Reach T11+ maps, get your Kulemak invitation

    The Abyssal Lich ascendancy requires defeating Kulemak. If you cannot do it solo yet, get carried - the ascendancy is the unlock you need. Spirit stacking becomes impactful immediately after.

  3. 3
    Stack spirit from the first rare gear piece onward

    Spirit on scepter, amulet, and body armor - cheap rares will do early. Each Umbral Soul sacrificed grants Twister projectile speed. The more spirit you have, the more souls you can cycle for burst clear.

2Core Setup Once in Lich (Mid-to-Late Endgame)

  1. 1
    Main skill: Twister with Projectile Acceleration III

    Stack Umbral Souls (from sacrificed Skeletal Archers etc.) to multiply projectile speed. In tight layouts, Twisters bounce endlessly. One Umbral Soul also grants a brief skill speed buff for faster Twister deployment.

  2. 2
    Mobility: Whirling Slash on a fast spear

    Use Whirling Slash before each Twister launch for mobility and positioning. Target a spear with 30%+ attack speed roll (e.g. Skysliver). Weapon swap: fast spear for Whirling Slash, second set for skeletal clerics on ES regen.

  3. 3
    Defenses: Chaos Inoculation + Energy Shield + Lich nodes

    Go CI, maximize ES. Leverage Lich nodes: Soulless Form, Eternal Life, Heavy Buffer. Stack reservation efficiency so you can run Umbral Souls + heralds + ES buffs simultaneously. Skeletal Clerics on weapon swap provide ES regeneration between fights.

  4. 4
    Supports: Pinpoint Critical + Snipers Mark + Frenzy charges

    Pinpoint Critical in Twister for crit scaling. Snipers Mark + resonance. Charge Regulation for frenzy charges and crit multi. In wide-open maps, drop Salvo from Twister for better single-target aim control.

3Key Upgrades and Scaling Path

Weapon
Skysliver / The Ordained Grand Spear
30%+ attack speed for Whirling Slash mobility early. Long-term: Ordained Grand Spear for 10%+ base crit. Base crit on spear is your crit transition gate.
Ring
The Taming
Craft from two-stone rings via a secret area. Significant damage boost. High priority mid-investment.
Body / Scepter / Amulet
Spirit Stacking Rares
Spirit on all three slots. Cheap rares work early. Sacred Flame unique body later for damage - some prefer rare scepters for more spirit/minion synergies.
Gloves / Belt
Garukhan's Resolve
For the crit transition phase. Once you reach ~75% crit chance with Pinpoint Critical active.
Jewel
Undying Timeless Jewel
Late-game piece for reservation efficiency and spirit. Target once your ES is above 8k and damage is plateauing.
ES Scaling
8k+ Energy Shield (endgame target)
Can trade raw damage nodes for more ES for tankier endgame content. Flexible stat to adjust per content difficulty.

4Key Decision Points

Decision When to Switch What to Do
Spirit Walker vs Abyssal Lich Once Kulemak accessible + basic spirit gear Lich wins for high ES, flexible Umbral Souls, skill speed, no dodge reliance, pure ES tree. Spirit Walker only if very low budget and cannot afford spirit gear.
Non-crit to Crit Transition 10%+ base crit on spear (Ordained or Tangletongue) Switch when you can hit ~75% total crit chance with Pinpoint Critical. Run non-crit gem setup until then.
Map Layout Selection Every map session Farm tight, multi-room, ritual/temple layouts. Twisters bounce and clear entire rooms. Avoid huge open maps early - Twisters scatter, damage drops sharply.
Budget vs Investment Build feels good around 80 div Damage starts to shine at ~80 div. Investment of 300+ div with uniques and reservation pieces unlocks the full ceiling. Do not switch ascendancy before you have spirit stacking gear ready.

5Common Mistakes to Avoid

+ Best farming layouts: Ritual, Expedition, Temple-style maps with tight corridors. Twisters bounce off walls and hit every enemy in the room. Avoid Dunes, Volcano, or other large open outdoor maps until 300+ div invested.
i Single-target adjustment: Against bosses, remove Salvo from Twister and position to aim twisters directly into the boss. Use Ice Wall or Bone Cage at the boss location so projectiles can't escape. Heralds can also be swapped in on weapon set 2 for open-area damage boosts.