Path of Exile 2 has arrived with a torrent of new mechanics, skills, and builds that push players to experiment in ways never seen before. Among the most intriguing discoveries in the early meta is the Supporting Fire Only Tactician, affectionately dubbed the "One Button King" by the community. This build redefines what it means to be efficient in combat, relying on a single skill while leveraging support mechanics to decimate enemies. For players looking to dominate the battlefield with minimal input, this build is a revelation. And for those deep in the grind, POE 2 Currency can become an essential tool for acquiring the key items needed to unlock its full potential.

Understanding the Tactician Ascendancy

The Tactician ascendancy in Path of Exile 2 is tailor-made for strategic support play. With abilities that enhance minion damage, bolster allies, and empower the player's own supportive mechanics, the Tactician encourages clever positioning and tactical foresight. What makes the Supporting Fire Only Tactician exceptional is its simplicity: by using one primary skill, the player can generate massive damage output indirectly, letting the mechanics of the ascendancy and carefully chosen passive nodes do most of the heavy lifting.

The ascendancy offers various bonuses that synergize perfectly with a single-skill focus. Key points include increased projectile damage, enhanced trap or mine effectiveness, and, most importantly, improved support skill efficiency. These features allow the player to allocate passive points towards survivability, resource generation, or additional utility rather than spreading thin across multiple attack skills. This creates a comfortable, almost effortless playstyle while maintaining the high damage standards expected in endgame content.

Skill Choice: Supporting Fire

The "Supporting Fire" mechanic is deceptively simple. It involves a skill that automatically targets enemies near you or allies, firing projectiles or performing attacks without constant input. In Path of Exile 2, several skills can be adapted to a supporting fire setup, but the Tactician benefits most from skills that scale with attack or spell damage and interact with support gems. Popular choices include Lightning Arrow, Tornado Shot, and certain trap-based skills that can be triggered repeatedly by a single cast.

The genius of this build lies in combining this skill with support gems that amplify damage, create chain effects, or apply area-of-effect (AoE) impacts. For example, a single Lightning Arrow linked with Added Lightning Damage, Fork, and Increased Critical Strikes can clear waves of enemies efficiently without the player needing to manually aim each shot. The combination of automatic targeting and passive multipliers turns the Supporting Fire Tactician into a one-button powerhouse capable of handling solo content and group encounters alike.

Passive Tree Optimization

Optimizing the passive skill tree for the Supporting Fire Only Tactician requires careful consideration. Unlike traditional builds that might balance between offensive and defensive nodes, this build leans heavily into damage amplification through projectile, trap, or mine nodes while taking advantage of life and energy shield clusters for survivability. Notable areas to invest in include:

Projectile Damage Nodes: Boosts the impact of supporting fire skills, ensuring each shot or triggered effect hits harder.

Attack Speed and Cast Speed Clusters: Increases the rate at which supporting fire skills can be deployed.

Minion and Summon Enhancements: If using traps or minions, these nodes amplify secondary sources of damage.

Life and Energy Shield Keystones: Provides resilience to withstand high-tier encounters without constant micromanagement.

The beauty of this setup is that once the build is geared and gem-linked correctly, the character can operate almost autonomously. Players can focus on positioning, dodging mechanics, and strategic usage of flasks rather than constantly cycling through attack rotations. It's a dream for anyone who prefers methodical, calculated gameplay over frantic button-mashing.

Gear and Itemization

Gear selection for the Supporting Fire Only Tactician centers on maximizing skill effectiveness and survivability. Weapons and shields that enhance projectile damage, critical strike chance, or elemental damage are prioritized. Additionally, certain unique items that boost supporting fire mechanics or provide additional triggers per attack are highly sought after.

A key aspect of the build is obtaining items that reduce the need for multiple skill gems. For instance, a bow or wand that grants additional projectiles or triggers linked skills can drastically increase output without increasing complexity. Similarly, armor pieces that improve life, energy shield, or resistances contribute to a smooth, self-sufficient playstyle.

For those investing serious time in the build, currency is an invaluable resource. Trading for high-value items, enhancing gear with orbs, and rerolling affixes can mean the difference between a competent build and a god-tier one-button king. Smart use of currency ensures that the Supporting Fire Tactician reaches its potential without spending countless hours grinding random drops.

Gameplay Strategies

While the build is designed to be simple in execution, strategy still plays a vital role. Positioning is critical; the supporting fire mechanic targets nearby enemies or allies, so staying in optimal range is key. Boss fights may require repositioning to avoid environmental hazards while keeping supporting fire effective.

Another important strategy is synergy with flasks and buffs. Since the build relies on a single skill, temporary boosts like increased damage, speed, or elemental penetration can multiply the output significantly. Using movement-enhancing flasks or defensive flasks ensures survivability during high-intensity encounters.

Additionally, the Supporting Fire Tactician excels in group play, where allies' presence can trigger additional effects or enhance the targeting system. In guilds or party runs, this build becomes a force multiplier, providing consistent damage support without the need for micro-management.

The "One Button King" Experience

It's rare to find a build in Path of Exile 2 that balances simplicity, effectiveness, and fun so elegantly. The Supporting Fire Only Tactician earns its nickname as the "One Button King" not because it removes all skill from gameplay, but because it allows players to focus on the broader tactical picture while a single skill does the bulk of the work. The sense of power and control is intoxicating: clearing maps, delving into Abyssal depths, or conquering endgame bosses becomes a satisfying combination of strategy and spectacle.

The appeal goes beyond efficiency; it's about the freedom this build provides. Casual players can enjoy high-level content without memorizing complex rotations, while hardcore players can optimize and experiment with every passive node, support gem, and gear choice to achieve maximum output. Watching a single skill cascade into a chain of explosions, arrows, or magical effects is a testament to the synergy possible in Path of Exile 2.

Conclusion

The Supporting Fire Only Tactician stands as a shining example of the creative potential in Path of Exile 2. By focusing on a single skill, leveraging ascendancy benefits, and optimizing passive nodes and gear, players can create a devastatingly effective one-button build. Whether you are chasing speed clears, soloing high-end content, or supporting your team in group encounters, this build offers a balance of simplicity and power rarely seen in ARPGs.

Ultimately, this build transforms the act of playing into a strategic, almost effortless experience - a true "One Button King." For players seeking to dominate Path of Exile 2 without overwhelming complexity, this is the build to master. And when it comes to maximizing your impact, don't forget to buy POE 2 Orbs to optimize your supporting fire setup to its fullest potential.