As Path of Exile 2 continues to push the boundaries of ARPG gameplay, players are always on the lookout for the most powerful and fun builds to help them dominate the game's challenges. Among the many different approaches, the Sunder Totem Titan build has become an extremely popular choice for those looking for raw power, high survivability, and massive AoE damage potential. This build focuses on leveraging the Sunder skill through Totems, with a heavy focus on scaling with the Titan class, resulting in a combination of devastating damage output and defensive stability.

In this guide, we will explore the ins and outs of the Sunder Totem Titan build for Path of Exile 2, covering everything from the core mechanics to the recommended gear, Poe 2 trade, passive skill tree, ascendancy choices, and gameplay strategies.

Introduction to the Sunder Totem Titan Build

The Sunder skill in Path of Exile is a powerful melee attack that strikes enemies in a wide cone in front of the player, dealing massive physical damage and applying various debuffs. When combined with Totems, this skill can be cast without needing to put yourself in harm's way, allowing you to clear mobs, deal with bosses, and maintain a safe distance. This build focuses on placing Totems that use Sunder to deal with large packs of enemies while you stand back and provide support and crowd control.

The Titan class, which is available in Path of Exile 2, is designed to be the ultimate warrior capable of sustaining heavy hits while dishing out enormous damage. By combining the Totem mechanic with the Titan's inherent tankiness and damage amplification, you create a truly devastating combination of offense and defense.

Core Mechanics of the Sunder Totem Titan Build

The core of this build revolves around two main elements:

Sunder: This is the skill you will rely on for damage. The skill deals a physical damage cone to all enemies in its path, dealing significant damage to multiple targets at once. The damage scaling comes from your physical damage, melee attack speed, and totem life.

Totems: Using Totems to cast the Sunder skill makes the build safer and more versatile. Totems are placed on the ground, where they can attack enemies in your stead. This means you can stay out of the fray while your Totems deal damage, all while reaping the rewards of the Titan's high defenses.

What Makes the Sunder Totem Titan Build Strong?

High AoE Damage: With Sunder's wide attack cone, you can clear large swathes of enemies, making you very efficient in clearing maps and large packs.

Incredible Tankiness: The Titan class excels at defense, and combined with Totem mechanics, this build can tank hits while staying safe behind the Totems.

Scalable Physical Damage: The physical damage scaling in this build means that it can easily scale into higher tiers of content, including high-tier maps, bosses, and endgame encounters.

Automation: Totems handle the majority of the work, so you can focus on mobility, positioning, and survival, making this build very user-friendly for new players and veterans alike.

Skill Tree and Passive Progression

The Sunder Totem Titan build revolves heavily around Totem and Physical Damage nodes on the passive skill tree, along with key nodes that bolster your tankiness and survivability. Let's break down the key areas you will need to focus on:

Sample Passive Tree Route

Start at the Totem Cluster: Focus on acquiring nodes such as Totem Mastery and Totem Placement Speed early to maximize your totem uptime and damage output.

Branch to Physical Damage Scaling: As you progress, focus on acquiring nodes that increase Melee Physical Damage and Area Damage. This will boost the effectiveness of Sunder.

Defensive Layering: After securing damage nodes, begin transitioning into the Defensive Cluster. Maximize Life, Armor, and Resistances to make your Titan a true juggernaut.

Optimize for AoE: Invest in Melee Splash and Area Damage nodes to ensure your Sunder hits multiple targets at once, making clearing mobs a breeze.

Block and Evasion: Adding Block Chance and Evasion nodes further increases your defensive capabilities. This ensures that even when enemies manage to close the gap, you can survive.

Ascendancy and Key Notables

The Titan Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2 offers a range of powerful bonuses that further enhance the Sunder Totem playstyle. Here's a breakdown of the most crucial ascendancy nodes:

Titan Ascendancy Node Choices

Unyielding Presence: This node significantly boosts your Armor, Life, and Stun Resistance, which is vital for taking on bosses and tougher enemies. The stun immunity ensures that you can stand your ground while your Totems do the damage.

Unstoppable Force: Grants you increased Melee Damage, Area of Effect, and Totem Damage. This node makes your Totems even more effective at clearing and dealing damage, making it essential for optimizing your damage output.

Sunder Master: This node directly boosts your Sunder skill's effectiveness, increasing its damage and giving you additional bonuses to AoE and physical scaling. Essential for maximizing your primary damage skill.

Defender of the Ancients: This passive grants additional Totem life, resistances to Totems, and an increased totem placement speed, allowing you to quickly reapply your Totems while keeping them safe.

Fortress of Stone: Provides a massive defense boost, making you nearly unkillable when standing next to your Totems. This synergizes perfectly with your build's goal of tanking while letting Totems do the damage.

Totem Support Gems and Skill Choices

For this build, your primary skill will be Sunder, supported by Totem mechanics. Here are the key gems you'll need:

Sunder (Main Skill)

Support Gems:

Concentrated Effect (Increased AoE and damage in a narrower area)

Melee Splash (Increases AoE damage, perfect for clearing large groups)

Elemental Damage with Attacks (For hybridizing physical and elemental damage)

Ruthless (Additional damage and faster casting speed)

Totem Support (Essential to make Totems cast Sunder)

Spell Totem (To cast Sunder remotely)

Faster Casting (Speeds up the casting process of Totems)

Multiple Totems (For stacking multiple Totems for more damage)

Defensive Gems:

Molten Shell or Steelskin (For personal defense)

Vitality (For life regeneration)

Clarity (For mana sustain)

Aura Gems:

Grace (For Evasion and defense)

Determination (For increased Armor)

Gear and Itemization

When it comes to gear, the Sunder Totem Titan requires items that maximize your physical damage, life, and resistances while also enhancing Totem damage. Here's an overview of the core items:

Weapon: A high physical damage Two-Handed Weapon (preferably a Warhammer or Staff) with increased physical damage, attack speed, and totem damage.

Shield/Helmet: If you hybridize with Energy Shield, consider a High Energy Shield Helmet with Totem Life bonuses. Otherwise, go for a high armor Shield that offers extra block chance.

Body Armour: A high armor chest with life and resistances. Consider adding life regeneration for sustainability.

Boots/Gloves: Movement speed for mobility, along with resistances and life. Totem life bonuses are helpful as well.

Rings/Amulet: Look for rings that increase your physical damage, life, and resistances. An Amulet that boosts totem damage and life is ideal.

Flasks: Use Life Flasks and Defensive Flasks such as Divine Life Flask and Quartz Flask for immunity to physical damage or freeze.

Playstyle and Gameplay Strategy

The playstyle of the Sunder Totem Titan revolves around placing your Totems, positioning them strategically, and ensuring that they deal damage while you focus on defense. Here's a breakdown of key strategies:

Positioning: Always keep your Totems between you and your enemies, allowing them to tank the damage for you while you focus on evading or controlling the battlefield.

Totem Placement: Cast your Totems on the move. Use Faster Casting to ensure your Totems are constantly firing Sunder.

Maximize AoE: Focus on clearing groups of enemies with your Melee Splash and Concentrated Effect gems.

Use Defenses: Keep Molten Shell or Steelskin up when you're in danger. This will make you much harder to kill.

Conclusion

The Sunder Totem Titan build in Path of Exile 2 is an incredibly versatile and powerful option for players seeking a balanced blend of offense and defense. With massive AoE damage, excellent tankiness, and effective totem management, this build can tackle some of the toughest challenges in the game while remaining safe and efficient.

Whether you're a newcomer to Path of Exile 2 or a veteran player looking for a fresh approach, the Sunder Totem Titan build offers a fun, rewarding experience that's well worth investing time into, such as cheap Path of Exile 2 Currency. Follow the gear, gem, and passive strategies outlined above, and you'll be well on your way to mastering the Sunder Totem Titan playstyle in no time.