Patch 0.4 in Path of Exile 2 has reshaped the league-start landscape, placing a renewed emphasis on builds that can thrive with minimal gear, strong gem scaling, and reliable progression from the campaign into endgame. In this PoE 2 0.4 cheap build guide, we'll break down the top 3 best budget builds in The Last of Druids.
PoE 2 0.4 Budget Build Guide - Top 3 Best Budget Builds for The Last of Druids
With PoE 2 currency scarce and SSF viability more important than ever, true budget builds are defined not by flashy uniques, but by efficiency, consistency, and smart mechanical synergy. In this article, we break down three of the best Path of Exile 2 0.4 budget builds—Doomslayer Deadeye Grenadier, Slam Titan, and Hollow Palm Bell Fister—each offering a different playstyle while sharing the same core strengths: zero-to-low investment, beginner-friendly execution, and the ability to clear endgame content without trade dependency. Whether you prefer explosive ranged gameplay, earth-shattering melee slams, or bare-handed crit-based combat, these builds represent the most reliable and cost-effective ways to dominate the 0.4 league start.
1. Doomslayer Deadeye Grenadier
Doomslayer Deadeye Grenadier stands out as the best PoE 2 patch 0.4 budget build because it delivers top-tier performance with virtually no gear investment while remaining SSF-viable, beginner-friendly, and scalable into all endgame content. The build’s grenade-based gameplay offers exceptional single-target damage and reliable clear through powerful utility and cooldown recovery scaling, allowing it to handle bosses, high-tier Waystones, and Simulacrum without relying on expensive uniques or trade-only items. Its strength comes from smart gem synergies, flexible grenade setups, and strong mana solutions rather than raw gear power, making progression smooth from early leveling to pinnacle encounters.
Equipment
Mainhand: Makeshift Crossbow
Helm: Brimmed Helm
Armour: Rogue Armour
Gloves: Suede Bracers
Belt: Linen Belt
Boots: Laced Boots
Ring: Iron Ring x2
Amulet: Lapis Amulet
Passive Trees
2. Slam Titan
Slam Titan stands out as the best PoE 2 0.4 budget build because it delivers top-tier damage, survivability, and clear speed with virtually no gear requirements, making it ideal for league start and SSF play. Titan’s ascendancy nodes massively amplify passive tree value through Hulking Form, while Earthbreaker enables near-100% Aftershock uptime that effectively doubles damage without investment. The build’s core mechanics—Heavy Stun, Fully Broken Armour via Shattering Blow, and high-impact slam skills like Boneshatter, Stampede, and Hammer of the Gods—allow it to delete bosses and packs alike using only gem scaling and a solid mace.
Equipment
Mainhand: Felled Greatclub
Helm: Rusted Greathelm
Armour: Glorious Plate
Gloves: Vaal Mitts
Belt: Heavy Belt
Boots: Vaal Greaves
Ring: Prismatic Ring x2
Amulet: Stellar Amulet
Passive Trees
3. Hollow Palm Bell Fister
Hollow Palm Bell Fister stands out as one of the best PoE 2 0.4 budget builds because it is specifically designed to function in the worst-case league start scenario, assuming almost no meaningful drops while still delivering smooth campaign progression and reliable endgame farming. Even after Hollow Palm’s attack speed nerf in 0.4, the build smartly pivots into crit scaling and Tempest Bell synergy, maintaining strong single-target damage and excellent survivability without relying on expensive uniques. Its gem setups, gearing path, and passive choices are all optimized for zero investment, making it extremely accessible for new players and SSF environments, while still being capable of pushing T15 content and comfortably handling T1–T2 bosses.
Equipment
Mainhand: Gothic Quarterstaff
Helm: Soldier Greathelm
Armour: Iron Cuirass
Gloves: Riveted Mitts
Belt: Rawhide Belt
Boots: Iron Greaves
Ring: Iron Ring x2
Amulet: Amber Amulet
Passive Trees
