Whether you’re a fan of tactical positioning, offscreen clear, or just unleashing a storm of arrows from a distance, this build is one of the most satisfying and mechanically rewarding playstyles in Path of Exile 2.

1. Core Mechanics

Totem Repeater Keystone Passive (POE2 Exclusive)

This passive is what makes the build shine:

Effect: “Your totems gain increased attack speed for each attack they've recently made.”

Scaling: Attack speed stacking rapidly ramps up to peak fire rate within seconds.

Ballista Totem Support

Used to link with your bow attack skill (e.g. Explosive Arrow, Caustic Arrow, or Elemental Ballista).

Places Ballistas instead of traditional spell totems.

Synergizes perfectly with Totem Repeater: Ballistas gain bonus attack speed and fire rate as they repeat.

2. Ascendancy: Deadeye

The Deadeye ascendancy is chosen for maximum projectile synergy and speed:

Key Nodes:

Endless Munitions – +1 Projectile, Increased Area of Effect

Far Shot – Damage increases the farther away you are

Focal Point – Marked enemies take increased damage and enhance mobility via Mark cooldown reduction

Ricochet (Optional) – Projectiles Chain once; boosts AoE and mapping if using Chain-compatible skills.

This ascendancy is best for fast mapping and high single-target via projectile scaling.

3. Skill Gems

Main Skill Setup

Ballista Skill (e.g. Elemental Ballista, Caustic Arrow)

+ Ballista Totem Support

+ Faster Attacks Support

+ Elemental Damage with Attacks (if elemental)

+ Increased Critical Strikes / Increased Crit Damage

+ Focused Ballista Support (or Barrage Support for single-target)

Example Skills:

Elemental Ballista – Fast-hitting totem-based elemental projectile.

Explosive Arrow – Scales with multiple hits from Ballistas.

Caustic Arrow – Great for chaos damage over time; leave clouds while Ballistas keep firing.

Utility Skills

Mark on Hit + Sniper’s Mark – Automatically apply to bosses.

Grace / Determination / Precision – For defense and accuracy.

Flame Dash – Mobility.

Steelskin / Molten Shell – Guard skill for protection.

4. Defenses & Survivability

Ballista builds allow safe ranged play, but you’ll still need defenses:

Evasion + Spell Suppression (Dex-based gear)

Grace Aura for high evasion.

Defiance Banner for evasion + enemy accuracy reduction.

Elemental Ailment Immunity from gear or Pantheon.

Totemic Mastery Passives – Totems can taunt and distract enemies, reducing pressure on you.

Use positioning and off-screen totem placement to your advantage!

5. Passive Tree & Keystone Synergies

Key Nodes:

Totem Repeater Keystone – Core to the build.

Totemic Zeal / Totemic Mastery – More attack speed and life for totems.

Projectile Damage / Bow Damage Clusters

Totem Life (totems stay alive under fire)

Ballista Totem Mastery – Faster placement, more totems, or firing delay reduction.

You’ll scale:

Projectile Damage

Attack Speed

Totem Quantity (via Ballista-specific nodes)

Elemental or Chaos Damage, depending on skill.

6. Gear & Stat Priorities

Weapon

High-DPS Bow

+1 to Socketed Bow Gems or +1 to Projectile Gems

Attack Speed, Crit Chance, or Elemental/Chaos Damage

Quiver

Projectile Speed / Multi / Crit Chance

Look for "Projectiles Chain" if using chaining skill

Helmet / Gloves / Boots

Evasion-based gear

Resistances, Life, Dexterity

+ to Projectile or Totem Damage mods (crafted or dropped)

Chest

6-link with evasion or hybrid base

Look for Life, Resistances, and Evasion Rating

Rings/Amulet

Totem Placement Speed, Projectile Damage, Life, Resists

Use Turquoise Amulet (Dex + Int) for easy stat capping.

Jewels

Look for:

“Totem Attack Speed”

“Ballista Totem Firing Delay” reductions

Increased Crit / Multi

% Increased Projectile or Totem Damage

7. Bandits & Pantheon

Bandits: Help Alira (Crit Multiplier, Resists, Mana Regen)

Pantheon:

Major: Soul of the Brine King (Stun immunity)

Minor: Soul of Ralakesh (Bleed reduction) or Gruthkul (Phys reduction)

8. Playstyle & Mapping Strategy

General Rotation

Preload Ballistas at range.

Mark elite enemies or bosses with Sniper’s Mark.

Kite and reposition while Ballistas clear.

Re-deploy Ballistas as enemies move.

Mapping

Extremely fast clears with Chain + Pierce projectiles.

Totem placement allows you to scout ahead and avoid direct danger.

Zoom through maps without ever directly attacking.

Bossing

Stack Ballistas before fight starts.

Use Flask rotation and Guard Skill.

Watch boss patterns and stay mobile while totems deal damage.

9. Flask Setup

Diamond Flask – Crit chance

Quartz Flask – Phasing + Spell Suppression

Quicksilver Flask – Movement

Granite Flask – Armor buffer

Life Flask – Instant recovery

Prioritize immunity to Bleed, Freeze, Shock, and Curse via suffixes.

10. Pros & Cons

Pros:

Long-range and safe

Amazing clear speed

Scales well into endgame

Very fun and tactical

Totem playstyle allows low APM

Cons:

Totem placement delay vs instant attacks

Vulnerable to totem-killer bosses (e.g., AoE burst)

Needs good positioning and planning in hard fights

Final Thoughts

The Repeater Ballista Deadeye is a uniquely powerful build that plays like a ranged commander—unleashing a flurry of autonomous turrets while you focus on dodging and POE2 Currency positioning. It’s fast, tactical, and perfect for players who enjoy a hands-off, high-damage experience. With Totem Repeater amplifying Ballista fire rate the longer they stay up, you'll be dishing out a hurricane of arrows in seconds.