Minion builds in Path of Exile 2 are a fan-favorite for a reason—they let you command an undead legion while kicking back as your minions shred Wraeclast. With Dawn of the Hunt hitting April 4, 2025, and a reset shaking up Early Access, now’s the perfect time to dive into the best minion setups. I’ve scoured the meta, tested the chaos, and landed on three standout builds: Bomber Minions Infernalist (Witch), Frost Minions Infernalist (Witch), and Sniper Minions Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary). These aren’t just builds—they’re powerhouses, each with unique flavors of destruction. Let’s break them down with pros, cons, budgets, and my take as a grinder who’s lived the minion life.  

1. Bomber Minions Infernalist (Witch)

Overview: Nicknamed “Bomber Minions,” this Witch Infernalist build unleashes Skeletal Arsonists that lob bombs like it’s a fireworks show. It’s a classic minion setup that’s still absurdly strong in POE2.  

Pros:  

Godlike Power: Campaign felt like a breeze—I was untouchable with endgame gear. Big bosses melt in seconds.  Tanky as Hell: Massive Energy Shield (ES) stays topped off, paired with shield block and minion meat shields. X posts like “Arsonists are OP!” aren’t kidding—10/10 survivability.  Cheap Start: You can dominate low-tier maps with just 80 Exalted Orbs.

Cons:  

Clear Speed Lag: 8/10 here—tons of damage, but you’re waiting on minions to waddle around. It’s not the zippy clear I crave after hours of grinding.  Delayed Chaos: You don’t always feel in control—minions dictate the pace.

Budget:  

Low Tier: ~80 Exalted Orbs—starter-friendly.  Mid Tier: ~150 Exalted Orbs—smooth sailing.  High Tier: ~4 Divines—pricey but worth it for the DPS jump.  Key Item: Oaksworn Shield (+52 Spirit, chaos resist, block)—cheap and mandatory. Check poe.trade for deals.

Ratings:  

Clear Speed: 8/10  Single-Target DPS: 10/10  Survivability: 10/10This was my first POE2 love—campaign was a joke, and endgame felt like cheating once I snagged Oaksworn. I’ve got 300 hours in, and watching bosses explode in seconds never gets old. Clear speed’s my only gripe—feels like I’m babysitting sometimes. Perfect for newbies or anyone who wants safety over speed.

2. Frost Minions Infernalist (Witch)

Overview: Another Witch Infernalist gem, this frost-focused build upgrades your Skeletal Storm Mages to freeze foes solid while dishing out big damage. Mid-budget, max impact.  

Pros:  

Balanced Beast: 9/10 clear speed—minions teleport and slam maps with frost, way snappier than Bomber. Freezes enemies for comfy control.  Boss Slayer: 10/10 single-target—20 minions pumping tens of thousands DPS. T4 Simulacrum clears are profit city.  Rock-Solid Defense: 10/10 survivability—huge ES, Grim Feast, and a minion taking 20% damage for you.

Cons:  

Pricey Entry: Minion level 35 is the goal, and that’s not cheap—15 Divines minimum. Reddit’s r/pathofexile moans about frost costs, and I feel it.  Gear Hunt: Three uniques mean more market scavenging.

Budget:  

Base Cost: ~15 Divine Orbs—mid-tier investment.  

Key Items:  

Trenchtimbre Mace (+3 minion levels)—core and costly.  Ming Victor’s Body Armour (life, ES, spirit)—pricey all-in-one.  Bonesaw Boots (less spirit reserve)—big army enabler.

Ratings:  

Clear Speed: 9/10  Single-Target DPS: 10/10  Survivability: 10/10I pivoted here after Bomber, and it’s a game-changer—faster clears, same boss-melting power. Freezing packs feels like cheating, and T4 Sim profits are sweet. The cost stung—15 Divines took some grinding—but once I hit minion level 35, it was worth every orb. Mid-budget players, this is your endgame ticket.

3. Sniper Minions Gemling Legionnaire (Mercenary)

Overview: The ultimate minion flex—Mercenary’s Gemling Legionnaire with Skeletal Snipers. 38 minions, 25k+ ES, and damage in the millions. AFK T4 Simulacrum? Done.  

Pros:  

Unmatched Power: 10/10 single-target—tens of millions DPS. T4 bosses die in under 5 seconds, mechanics be damned.  Supreme Survivability: 10/10—25k ES (30k with more strength stacking), Grim Feast pumping 2k regen. X hype like “Snipers are endgame gods!” is spot-on.  Solid Clear: 9/10—spam and watch minions erase screens. AFK farming’s real.

Cons:  

Wallet Killer: 50 Divines minimum—most expensive build I’ve run. Five uniques don’t come cheap.  Late-Game Glow: Needs heavy investment to shine—casuals beware.

Budget:  

Base Cost: ~50 Divine Orbs—endgame elite only.  

Key Items:  

Trenchtimbre Mace (+3 minion levels)—same as Frost, still clutch.  Ghostrift Body Armour (life as ES)—strength-stacking ES bomb.  Bonesaw Boots (less spirit reserve)—38-minion enabler.  Three Grand Spectrum Jewels (18% spirit)—spirit stacking.  Against the Darkness Jewel (+10 spirit per notable)—near +100 spirit boost.

Ratings:  

Clear Speed: 9/10  Single-Target DPS: 10/10  Survivability: 10/10This is my endgame obsession—38 snipers sniping while I sip coffee. Hit 25k ES with 373 strength; more Divines could push 30k. It’s a flex build—50 Divines hurt, but trivializing T4 content is unreal. If you’ve got the bankroll, this is minion perfection.

Why Minions Rule Dawn of the Hunt

The April 4 reset with Dawn of the Hunt makes these builds prime picks. Bomber’s cheap entry thrives in a fresh economy—80 Exalted is nothing when drops are hot. Frost scales with mid-tier grinding, perfect for the Huntress league’s chaos. Sniper’s the late-game king—sink those Divines post-reset and dominate. Minions got buffs in recent patches (teleporting Frost Mages, anyone?), and with POE2’s permanent auto-revive system, they’re safer than ever. X buzz like “Minions are meta again!” tracks with my runs—they’re tanks and DPS in one.  

Thanks for Reading

If I’m starting fresh, Bomber’s my go-to—cheap, safe, and campaign-crushing. Frost is my mid-game jam—faster, flashier, and profitable. Sniper’s the dream—pricey, but nothing beats AFK-ing endgame. What’s your vibe—budget brawler or Divine-dumping titan? Drop your fave below and check MMOJUGG for more POE2 goodness. Happy summoning, Exiles!