Patch 0.4 has a funny way of changing habits in Path of Exile 2. A lot of people who used to dodge melee are now rolling Warriors on purpose, because the kit finally pays you back for standing your ground. Armor scaling matters, physical damage feels honest again, and the reworked ascendancies don't punish you for being in the thick of it. If you're planning your next character or even stocking up on PoE 2 Currency for upgrades, you'll notice the same pattern everywhere: these builds aren't just "tankier," they're faster and cleaner than you'd expect.

Whirling Assault Titan

This one's the easiest to recommend if you just want to log in and delete maps. Whirling Assault on Titan turns you into a moving hitbox that doesn't stop. You spin through packs, you keep your speed, and you don't have to play the "step in, step out" dance that older melee setups forced on you. The real hook is how naturally it leans into armor: the more you invest, the more comfortable it feels, and comfort is damage over time in this game. You'll quickly find yourself focusing on pathing and angles rather than button-mashing, and that's exactly why it works so well.

Glacial Warbringer With Shield Wall

If you've got some budget, the Glacial Warrior Warbringer route is pure spectacle, but it's not just for show. It asks for decent Spirit and higher-end Lineage gems, otherwise the whole engine feels stiff. Once it's online, though, Shield Wall plus Herald of Ice turns posture breaks into screen-wide shatters. There's a satisfying rhythm to it: shout, collide, crack the pack, move on. Warbringer makes those warcries feel like real tools instead of background noise, and the build holds up when the game gets nasty—big rares, messy modifiers, bosses that don't politely stand still.

Supercharged Slam Smith of Kitava

For anyone who misses the old-school "one swing, one problem solved" vibe, Smith of Kitava with Supercharged Slam scratches that itch. You're aiming for huge hits with Sunder or Earthshatter, and it's more deliberate than spinning builds, sure, but that's the point. You line it up, you commit, and the health bar drops in chunks. It also plays nicer with mistakes than people think, because a beefy life pool and solid defenses buy you time to recover when you mistime a slam or eat a mechanic you shouldn't have.

Heavy Two-Handers And The New Melee Economy

There's also a real crowd forming around Hammer of the Gods-style setups, usually pairing Stampede with Bone Shatter and leaning on endurance charges to keep the brawl going. It's messy, loud, and it feels right—like you're actually carrying a two-hander, not waving a stick. The wider point is that 0.4 finally made melee progression feel less punishing: you can map early, scale into endgame, and still have room to chase gear goals. And if you're trying to shortcut the grind for a key weapon, gem, or currency top-up, it's worth checking U4GM for their game item and currency services while you keep tuning your build.