Stat Priority

1. Levels to Path of Exile 2 Currency spells
2. Spell Damage / Chaos Damage
3. Maximum Mana & Mana Regen
4. Cast Speed
5. Maximum Life
6. Elemental Resistances
7. Movement Speed

Passive Tree (Level 1-16 Starter)

Spell & Minion Damage: +32% Spell and Minion Damage.
Raw Destruction: +10 Intelligence, +16% Spell/Minion Damage.
Practiced Signs + Cast Speed nodes: +12% Cast Speed.
Open Mind + Mana Regen nodes: +45% Mana Regen.
Pure Energy: +30% Maximum Energy Shield, +10 Intelligence.
Dampening Shield: +28% Maximum ES, improved stun/ailment threshold.
Mana Blessing: +20 Maximum Mana, +20% Mana Regen.

This setup ensures sustainability, damage scaling, and survivability in the early game.

League Starter Playstyle

The Infernalist league starter is a hybrid between minion tanking and Chaos/Lightning spell dominance.

Early Game Rotation:

Cast Contagion → Unearth for corpses → Summon Skeleton Warriors to act as a frontline.
This loop clears maps efficiently while keeping you safe.

Midgame (Essence Drain Unlocked):

Use Essence Drain for sustained boss damage.
Keep Contagion running to spread chaos damage.

Late Game (Lightning Warp Online):

Apply Essence Drain, then Warp into enemies/projectiles with Lightning Warp for huge AoE bursts.
Use Skeleton Warriors situationally as distractions while you rain down lightning explosions.

The transition from Chaos DoTs into Lightning burst damage creates a build that feels smooth from Act 1 to maps and truly shines in endgame Demon Form gameplay.

Final Thoughts

The Lightning Demon Form Infernalist is one of the flashiest and most effective league starters in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.3.0. With incredible clear speed, smooth progression, and high mobility, this build feels both satisfying and competitive.

For Trade league players, leveraging the economy to buy POE2 Items or buy POE2 Currency can help fine-tune the build much faster, especially when aiming for mana sustain and capped resistances. For SSF players, patience and farming will eventually yield the tools you need.

If you're looking to start strong in cheap POE 2 Exalted Orbs the new league, embrace the Infernal flames - and unleash the storm.