Path of Exile 2 (POE 2) is continuing the legacy of its predecessor by offering a vast array of customization options, unique mechanics, and deep gameplay experiences. Among the many gems available, Ancestral Call stands out as an extremely powerful and versatile support gem, particularly for melee-focused builds. Whether you're slashing through hordes of enemies or dealing with single-target bosses, Ancestral Call can elevate your gameplay, making your character much more effective.

In this article, we will dive deep into the mechanics of Ancestral Call, explain how it fits into various melee builds, and show you how to make the most of it. Additionally, we will discuss how to optimize your gear, and the importance of managing POE 2 Currency and the role of POE 2 Orbs in making your Ancestral Call setup even more potent.

What Is Ancestral Call?

Ancestral Call is a support gem in POE 2 that causes your melee skills to hit additional targets. When linked to a melee skill, it adds the ability for your character to attack multiple enemies around the initial target. It is particularly effective for builds that rely on area-of-effect (AoE) damage but can also be useful in single-target scenarios when you need to clear adds quickly.

While Ancestral Call does not increase the damage of the primary skill it supports, the added attacks provide a much broader range of damage output. For instance, with Ancestral Call, a skill like Cyclone or Cleave can deal damage to several enemies at once, making it an essential tool for clearing packs of monsters efficiently. Furthermore, the support gem's ability to spread damage across multiple targets helps in encounters where you need to manage large waves of enemies.

How Ancestral Call Works

When you use a melee skill linked with Ancestral Call, you hit an additional target in the area surrounding your initial target. The number of additional attacks scales with the level of Ancestral Call, and the gem's increased area of effect will allow you to hit more enemies within range.

To break this down further, here's how the mechanics of Ancestral Call function:

Primary Target: The primary attack goes to the target you initially hit, just like with any standard melee skill.

Additional Attacks: After hitting the first target, Ancestral Call will cause you to perform additional melee attacks against nearby enemies. These additional attacks scale with the gem's level and your character's area-of-effect radius.

No Damage Scaling: While the gem provides extra attacks, it does not increase the damage of those attacks. Therefore, the skill is more about clearing groups of enemies than boosting damage against single targets.

Synergy with AoE Skills: The Ancestral Call gem works best with area-of-effect melee skills. Skills like Cyclone, Earthquake, Infernal Blow, or Reave are fantastic examples of builds that thrive when paired with this support gem.

Which Melee Builds Benefit the Most from Ancestral Call?

While Ancestral Call can be beneficial for many different builds, it is particularly powerful for those focused on AoE damage and clearing packs of enemies. Here are some of the most effective melee builds that synergize well with Ancestral Call:

1. Cyclone Build

Cyclone is a top-tier melee skill in POE 2, and when paired with Ancestral Call, it becomes a powerhouse for clearing large groups of enemies. With Cyclone, you move while attacking, and Ancestral Call allows you to strike enemies in a wide radius as you spin through the battlefield. This combination can make clearing packs of monsters feel effortless, especially in endgame maps.

2. Reave Build

Reave is another fantastic skill that works well with Ancestral Call. As you hit enemies, Reave increases its area of effect and damage. Ancestral Call helps trigger additional attacks, further boosting the skill's ability to clear hordes of enemies. A Reave build is perfect for players who enjoy fast-paced gameplay and need to eliminate large groups of monsters quickly.

3. Earthquake Build

Earthquake is a high-damage, ground-based attack that creates shockwaves. By pairing it with Ancestral Call, your character will be able to strike even more enemies with each shockwave, significantly increasing your ability to clear areas with high mob density.

4. Infernal Blow Build

Infernal Blow is another excellent skill that can be enhanced with Ancestral Call. The skill triggers an explosion on kill, dealing fire damage to surrounding enemies. With Ancestral Call, the extra attacks help set off more explosions, further amplifying the damage and clearing speed.

5. Cleave Build

Cleave is an iconic skill that benefits immensely from Ancestral Call. This skill is already designed for AoE, and adding extra hits with Ancestral Call significantly boosts your damage output and speed, particularly when fighting groups of enemies.

How to Optimize Your Ancestral Call Setup

To maximize the potential of Ancestral Call, you need to ensure that your character is optimized for AoE damage and can benefit from the additional attacks. Here are some tips to make the most of your Ancestral Call setup:

1. Focus on Area-of-Effect (AoE) Scaling

As Ancestral Call is all about spreading your damage over multiple targets, it's crucial to scale your AoE radius. Use items, passive skill tree nodes, and supports that increase your AoE range to maximize the gem's effectiveness.

2. Stack Increased Attack Speed

Attack speed significantly benefits any melee build, and it's no different with Ancestral Call. The faster you attack, the more often you'll trigger additional attacks, meaning more opportunities to hit extra enemies. Therefore, prioritize items, affixes, and passive nodes that boost attack speed.

3. Invest in Damage Multipliers

Even though Ancestral Call doesn't directly increase damage, the additional attacks it generates can benefit from all of your damage multipliers. Look for gear or passive skill nodes that increase your melee damage or damage with specific skills to ensure that each of the extra attacks hits hard.

4. Use AoE Damage Supports

Certain support gems like Melee Physical Damage, Damage on Full Life, or Elemental Damage with Attacks work very well with Ancestral Call, as they scale the damage of the additional attacks triggered by the gem.

In Path of Exile 2, POE 2 Currency plays a significant role in enhancing your gear and ensuring that your build remains competitive. The right crafting materials and Orbs can make a massive difference in maximizing your damage output.

For example, if you're looking to increase your area-of-effect damage or attack speed, you may need to purchase specific  Orbs like Orb of Fusing (for linking sockets), Orb of Alchemy (for upgrading rare items), or Orb of Scouring (to remove mods from items for crafting).

By buy POE 2 Orbs from the market or other players,you can ensure that your gear is tailored for your Ancestral Call build. Remember, the better your gear and the more optimized your setup, the more powerful your melee attacks will become.

Conclusion

Ancestral Call is an essential support gem for any melee-focused build that emphasizes AoE damage. Its ability to deal extra hits to surrounding enemies makes it a powerful tool for clearing maps and defeating bosses. Whether you're using Cyclone, Cleave, Reave, or any other AoE melee skill, Ancestral Call adds a layer of versatility that can turn your build into a beast in both early and endgame content.

By focusing on AoE scaling, attack speed, and damage multipliers, you can optimize your Ancestral Call setup to its full potential. And with the right gear and POE 2 Currency investments, you can further amplify the power of your build, making it a force to be reckoned with.

As always, if you need assistance in obtaining the right Orbs or looking to optimize your character's gear, there's no shame in purchasing POE 2 Currency to help you reach your full potential faster. Ancestral Call can truly make your melee builds shine, but only if you take the time to enhance every part of your character and gear for maximum effectiveness.