Path of Exile 2 introduces a host of new builds and mechanics, expanding the already complex world of Path of Exile. Among the most exciting new builds is the Shaman BEAR Druid—a powerhouse that combines the primal might of a bear with the mystical forces of nature. This build shines as a League Starter while also scaling up beautifully for the Endgame, offering both tankiness and impressive damage output. In this guide, we will delve into the core aspects of the POE 2 Currency Shaman BEAR Druid build, from early leveling to conquering endgame content.

Overview of the Build

The Shaman BEAR Druid is a unique hybrid build that combines powerful Summon Bear mechanics with Elemental Shamanism, turning you into a hulking force of nature. Using the Bear as a summoned pet, this build allows you to unleash devastating attacks while offering strong sustainability through totems, elemental buffs, and shamanistic powers.

At its core, the Shaman BEAR Druid thrives on Summon Bear for damage while augmenting its effectiveness with elemental and physical modifiers. The synergy between Bear Totems and the Shaman’s elemental enhancements makes this build a powerhouse in both damage output and survivability. The Druid’s natural affinity for healing and powerful elemental buffs further elevates the build’s potential in high-level content.

Core Mechanics

Summon Bear: This skill summons a mighty bear companion that deals high physical damage and can take a lot of punishment. The bear can serve as both a damage dealer and tank, allowing you to focus on dealing damage from a distance while the bear handles enemies up close.

Elemental Shamanism: As a Shaman, you’ll be leveraging elemental powers such as Lightning, Fire, and Cold to boost your damage potential. Elemental buffs will augment the bear’s attacks, and synergy between your shaman skills and the bear’s physical damage will provide a steady source of DPS.

Totems and Auras: The build also benefits from Bear Totems and Elemental Auras. Bear Totems act as secondary damage-dealers and protectors, while Elemental Auras (such as Wrath and Anger) boost your elemental damage further. These totems also provide important crowd control by slowing or incapacitating enemies.

Starter to Endgame Transition

Early-Game (League Starter): As a League Starter, the Shaman BEAR Druid excels thanks to its solid defenses and powerful summon mechanics. Early leveling can focus on elemental damage scaling and Bear survivability. The Summon Bear skill is easy to access, and with a few early game defensive items (e.g., Life, Evasion, and Resistances), you can tackle the challenges of the game’s early acts without too much difficulty. Focus on raising your Life Pool and scaling your Bear’s damage through elemental nodes.

Mid-Game Progression: By mid-game, you’ll want to shift towards boosting your elemental buffs, scaling your Bear’s damage, and introducing increased elemental resistances. This is also when you can start using Shaman Totems to further increase the bear’s damage output. Mid-game also presents the opportunity to enhance your defenses with Energy Shield, Life Leech, and Regeneration nodes.

Endgame (Uber Content): At the endgame, the Shaman BEAR Druid becomes a juggernaut. The key here is to focus on scaling both your Bear’s damage and your own elemental powers. Adding Fire, Cold, and Lightning damage to your Bear’s attacks increases its overall damage output. To face off against Uber bosses, you will need to invest in high-tier gear that enhances your resistances, life regeneration, and damage mitigation. The addition of powerful flasks for Elemental Flasks and Life Flasks will keep you alive in tough situations, especially when dealing with bosses like Shaper or the Elder.

Pros Cons

Pros:

Tanky and resilient, with strong defenses and an ability to summon a durable bear.

High elemental damage scaling, allowing for both physical and elemental damage output.

Great for beginners due to straightforward mechanics and good survivability.

Can scale up nicely for endgame content, thanks to its flexibility and strong defensive capabilities.

Cons:

Bear AI can sometimes be unpredictable, requiring good positioning and control.

Relies heavily on gear progression for late-game viability, which can be costly in league starts.

Damage scaling may not reach the same peak as other burst-based builds (e.g., spellcasting builds).

Conclusion

The Shaman BEAR Druid build in Path of Exile 2 is an exciting and flexible option that offers solid defensive power while dishing out devastating elemental damage. From its early stages as a league starter to its ability to tackle Uber endgame content, this build is a fantastic choice for players who enjoy having both a tank and a high-DPS damage dealer in one. With the cheap Path of Exile 2 Orbs right gear and skill tree investment, the Shaman BEAR Druid can easily become a formidable force in the game, dominating both solo and group content alike. Whether you're a veteran player or new to the game, this build offers a rich and rewarding playstyle from start to finish.