Werewolf General Guide

Introduction

This guide covers the mechanics shared by all werewolf builds in Path of Exile 2. The individual ascendancy guides cover the choices specific to each character. They build on these shared mechanics and explain how each character can adapt them to its particular strengths and requirements.

How the Werewolf Plays

The werewolf has several skills that work together as a combo. You don’t need to use all of them all the time, but you should have every one slotted with a hotkey and use them at the right moments. There is a clean single target rotation that gives you the best damage, and pressing your buttons regularly gets you both damage and survivability.

That makes for a very active playstyle. Path of Exile players usually don’t like pressing many buttons, but the werewolf skills follow each other so naturally that the rotation feels fluid, smooth, and fast. It never feels like a burden.

The werewolf is fast in both movement speed and attack speed. It covers a lot of terrain and dodges enemy attacks well. Your movement is one of your biggest assets, and you should use it as a tool for both offense and defense.

Talisman Forms

You play the werewolf by equipping a talisman and selecting a form in it. There are three forms: bear, werewolf, and wyvern. Each one gives a passive bonus. The werewolf form gives movement speed and nothing else.

The Core Skills

ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is your basic attack. You get it by equipping a talisman and selecting the werewolf form, so it comes with the form by default. Because it is a natural ability that unlocks levels as you level up, you can’t apply Jeweller’s Orbs to it. Its support gem slots open as follows. You get the first two slots naturally when you unlock the ability, the third unlocks at level 40, the fourth at level 65, and the last at level 90, which is when all of its slots are available.

ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is a combo attack. You hit three times, and the fourth hit is a bigger, slower one that hits harder. Those three hits plus the big one make one full ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 combo, and I’ll use that term from here on. When you ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 a frozen target, you drop ice fragments on the ground, and they detonate after a short delay for some damage.

Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is the first skill you get when cutting gems. Its damage is modest. You use it to freeze targets, because it applies a lot of freeze buildup.

PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is a jump, and a very good one. Other builds use it too. It helps you cross the field quickly, and since you are already running fast as a werewolf, you can sprint and dodge on top of it. It also helps when you need to go uphill or downhill and there is no open path.

The jump has a second part. Whatever you hit when you land gets marked with Predator’s MarkPredator's MarkSkill gemMark a target, causing it to take increased damage based on how many of the target's enemies are near to it. If the target dies, the Mark will Activate to Trigger the Summon Wolf skill and Consume the Mark.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. A marked target takes more damage depending on the number of enemies around it. If you trigger the mark, you summon a wolf, a normal wolf that acts as a minion around you. At some point you will have several wolves, so you mark the target with PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and it takes more damage from you because of all the wolves around it.

Arctic HowlArctic HowlSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and let out an icy howl that damages enemies and Freezes Primed enemies. If an enemy is Frozen or a Frozen enemy is Hit, this Skill Empowers your attacks with added Cold damage, causes Empowered Slams to create Chilled Ground, and grants your Allies added Cold damage. This Skill's cooldown can be bypassed by expending an Endurance Charge.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Arctic HowlArctic HowlSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and let out an icy howl that damages enemies and Freezes Primed enemies. If an enemy is Frozen or a Frozen enemy is Hit, this Skill Empowers your attacks with added Cold damage, causes Empowered Slams to create Chilled Ground, and grants your Allies added Cold damage. This Skill's cooldown can be bypassed by expending an Endurance Charge.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is a war cry. A target is primed for freeze when it sits at 70% or more freeze buildup. If your howl hits a primed target, it freezes that target automatically. If your howl hits a primed target or one that is already frozen, you also get empowered attacks for your next few attacks. This is why it pays to prime a target with Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and then freeze it with Arctic HowlArctic HowlSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and let out an icy howl that damages enemies and Freezes Primed enemies. If an enemy is Frozen or a Frozen enemy is Hit, this Skill Empowers your attacks with added Cold damage, causes Empowered Slams to create Chilled Ground, and grants your Allies added Cold damage. This Skill's cooldown can be bypassed by expending an Endurance Charge.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. You save the time it would take to freeze it with Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 alone, and you get the empowered attacks at the same time.

Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 deals damage in an area in front of you, and it works best as a finisher. When ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 hits a frozen target, it leaves ice fragments on the ground. Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 gathers all of those fragments into the spot where you slash and detonates them instantly. That is a lot of damage at once, so think of it as an execution. Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 also detonates a mark when it hits a marked target.

Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 turns you into the white werewolf. You unlock it at level 52. You gain increased cold damage, and your melee skills start raining moonbeams on the monsters around you. The moonbeams hit for a lot of damage. Keeping Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 up for as long as you can is the main goal, since it is where a large share of your damage comes from. It is the skill that enables the werewolf.

Support Gems on the Core Skills

On PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 we use Eternal MarkEternal MarkSupport gemSupports Mark Skills, causing them to not be Consumed the first time they are Activated.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Normally, detonating a mark removes it. With Eternal MarkEternal MarkSupport gemSupports Mark Skills, causing them to not be Consumed the first time they are Activated.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, the target stays marked after you detonate it, so it keeps taking the extra damage from Predator’s MarkPredator's MarkSkill gemMark a target, causing it to take increased damage based on how many of the target's enemies are near to it. If the target dies, the Mark will Activate to Trigger the Summon Wolf skill and Consume the Mark.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

We also put Charged MarkCharged MarkSupport gemSupports Mark Skills, causing them to Trigger Charged Mark when they are Activated. Charged Mark creates Shocked Ground at the target's location.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 on PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. When you detonate a mark, it leaves shocked ground, which shocks the enemy. A shocked enemy takes 20% increased damage, so your following hits all deal more.

On Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 we use Biting FrostBiting Frost ISupport gemSupports any skill that Hits enemies, causing them to deal more damage to Frozen enemies but consume their Freeze. Cannot support skills that Consume Freeze.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. It consumes the freeze on the target to hit for more damage. That is another reason to use Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 on a frozen target. You get the ice fragment detonation, and the slash itself hits harder because it consumes the freeze.

On Arctic HowlArctic HowlSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and let out an icy howl that damages enemies and Freezes Primed enemies. If an enemy is Frozen or a Frozen enemy is Hit, this Skill Empowers your attacks with added Cold damage, causes Empowered Slams to create Chilled Ground, and grants your Allies added Cold damage. This Skill's cooldown can be bypassed by expending an Endurance Charge.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 you can slot Deep FreezeDeep FreezeSupport gemSupports any skill that Hits enemies, causing Freeze it inflicts to last longer.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, which increases how long the target stays frozen.

On Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 we always use two supports. One is Cooldown RecoveryCooldown Recovery ISupport gemSupports skills with Cooldowns, increasing the rate at which those Cooldowns Recover. Cannot modify the skills of minions.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and the other is Prolonged DurationProlonged Duration ISupport gemSupports any skill that has a duration, making that duration longer.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. The reason is covered in the spirit gem section below.

The Rotation

The Single Target Rotation

This is the full rotation for dealing the most damage to a single target. Start by making sure you are transformed into the white werewolf, so activate Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 before the fight and enter combat with it already running.

1. PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
2. Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
3. Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
4. Arctic HowlArctic HowlSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and let out an icy howl that damages enemies and Freezes Primed enemies. If an enemy is Frozen or a Frozen enemy is Hit, this Skill Empowers your attacks with added Cold damage, causes Empowered Slams to create Chilled Ground, and grants your Allies added Cold damage. This Skill's cooldown can be bypassed by expending an Endurance Charge.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
5. ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
6. Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 the target to mark it, then immediately Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 to detonate the mark. Detonating the mark gives you benefits that depend on the mark you are using, including the shocked ground from Charged MarkCharged MarkSupport gemSupports Mark Skills, causing them to Trigger Charged Mark when they are Activated. Charged Mark creates Shocked Ground at the target's location.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Thanks to Eternal MarkEternal MarkSupport gemSupports Mark Skills, causing them to not be Consumed the first time they are Activated.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, the target stays marked, so it keeps taking the extra Predator’s MarkPredator's MarkSkill gemMark a target, causing it to take increased damage based on how many of the target's enemies are near to it. If the target dies, the Mark will Activate to Trigger the Summon Wolf skill and Consume the Mark.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 damage.

Next, use Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 on the target to build freeze buildup. You can tell the target is primed for freeze in two ways. You can see its freeze buildup reach 70% on its health bar, and a little blue bubble floats above its head. Once it is primed, use Arctic HowlArctic HowlSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and let out an icy howl that damages enemies and Freezes Primed enemies. If an enemy is Frozen or a Frozen enemy is Hit, this Skill Empowers your attacks with added Cold damage, causes Empowered Slams to create Chilled Ground, and grants your Allies added Cold damage. This Skill's cooldown can be bypassed by expending an Endurance Charge.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 to freeze it.

After that, stop using Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and switch to ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. While the target is frozen, you shred and drop ice fragments on the ground. How many full ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 combos you can fit depends on your attack speed and on how long the freeze lasts, and you will only get a feel for it by playing. It will be one full combo or two. Fit whatever the freeze allows.

Before the target unfreezes, finish with Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. It gathers all the ice fragments and detonates them at once, and since Biting FrostBiting Frost ISupport gemSupports any skill that Hits enemies, causing them to deal more damage to Frozen enemies but consume their Freeze. Cannot support skills that Consume Freeze.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 consumes the freeze, the slash itself hits harder as well. In the endgame, once you are geared, this full combo deletes any boss in the game, because all that damage lands at once.

Mapping

When clearing maps you don’t need to run the full rotation. In most cases you can Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 things and they explode. If you want more variety, you can PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 as well. Stay in Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 as much as possible. Mapping gives you a lot of freedom, but the basic loop is Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 up, PouncePounceSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap to a target location, damaging enemies in an area around where you land. Predator's Mark will be Triggered targeting the highest Rarity enemy Hit, or if a Mark gem is socketed into this Skill, that Mark will be Triggered instead. Using this Skill allows any Wolf Minions you have to leap immediately.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 around the map, Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, and destroy everything.

Don’t stand still while mapping. Single target boss fights are fine to stand in place for, but with huge packs around you, you should attack and move, attack and move, over and over. Use your speed, your dodge, and your mobility as a defensive layer. It would be better if the game’s balance didn’t demand this much engagement, but it does, and moving will make you more successful even if it gets annoying.

Spirit Gems Used Across Werewolf Builds

These are not part of the rotation, but almost every werewolf build uses them, with only a few exceptions.

Herald of IceHerald of IceSkill gemWhile active, Shattering an enemy with a non-Herald Attack Hit will cause an icy explosion that deals Attack damage to surrounding enemies.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Herald of IceHerald of IceSkill gemWhile active, Shattering an enemy with a non-Herald Attack Hit will cause an icy explosion that deals Attack damage to surrounding enemies.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is used by every werewolf build. When a frozen target dies, it explodes, which creates a chain of damage for clearing maps.

Eternal RageEternal RageSkill gemWhile active, you constantly regenerate Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

Eternal RageEternal RageSkill gemWhile active, you constantly regenerate Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is also in every werewolf build. It matters because we want Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 up for as long as we possibly can. Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 lasts longer the more rage you have. When you press it, it consumes all of your rage and extends its duration based on how much you had. We want to be at full rage again by the time the cooldown comes back. Eternal RageEternal RageSkill gemWhile active, you constantly regenerate Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is the only comfortable way to do that. Combined with Cooldown RecoveryCooldown Recovery ISupport gemSupports skills with Cooldowns, increasing the rate at which those Cooldowns Recover. Cannot modify the skills of minions.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and Prolonged DurationProlonged Duration ISupport gemSupports any skill that has a duration, making that duration longer.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 on Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, it gives us a long Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 whose cooldown is ready when it wears off, so we have it up at all times. Depending on the character, the difference might be one second, but it adds up. Late in the game, once you are geared, Eternal RageEternal RageSkill gemWhile active, you constantly regenerate Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 moves onto the Absent AmuletAbsent AmuletAmulet baseGrants one random Spirit skill at level 12: Cast on Elemental Ailment, Cast on Critical, Cast on Dodge, Rhoa Mount, Archmage, Trinity, or Eternal RageThe granted skill does not cost you any Spirit-1 Prefix Modifier allowed-1 Suffix Modifier allowedPoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, because we don’t want to spend 100 spirit on it.

BerserkBerserkSkill gemWhile active, strengthens your Rage, but causes you to lose Life while not losing Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

BerserkBerserkSkill gemWhile active, strengthens your Rage, but causes you to lose Life while not losing Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is in almost every build, though not all of them. It amplifies the benefits you get from rage. All of our builds use rage, and we even take maximum rage to increase how much we have. Depending on the build, rage gives us benefits beyond damage, and BerserkBerserkSkill gemWhile active, strengthens your Rage, but causes you to lose Life while not losing Rage.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 amplifies all of them.

Build-Dependent Spirit Gems

Other spirit gems show up often but depend on the build. Savage FurySavage FurySkill gemWhile active, your Fury builds from Attacking enemies. Using this Skill releases your Fury to send you into a bestial frenzy, gaining damage and Onslaught but constantly losing life and forcing you into animal form. The frenzy ends immediately if you return to human form. You cannot gain Fury while in a frenzy.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 goes in the second weapon set. That way it doesn’t consume spirit, but it still charges up. When you activate it, you get onslaught and a lot of extra damage. Mana RemnantsMana RemnantsSkill gemConjure surging arcane energy to restore your Mana. While active, enemies you kill affected by Elemental Ailments have a chance to spawn a Mana Remnant, and Critically Hitting a target with Elemental Ailments spawns a Mana Remnant every few seconds. Picking up a Mana Remnant grants you Mana which can Overflow maximum Mana.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 helps with mana problems in some builds, and it works better in builds made around critical strikes. Most werewolf builds go critical, but not all of them.

The last common category is a defensive layer that fits the character. On evasion characters we use Wind DancerWind DancerSkill gemWhile active, periodically grants stages of a buff that gives you more Evasion per stage. Being Hit by an Enemy while you have this buff consumes all stages to damage and Knock Back enemies around you.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. On the druid, shaman, and oracle, which are hybrid energy shield and armour, I use BarkskinBarkskinSkill gemWhile active, taking Hit damage from enemies to your Energy Shield causes you to gain Armour for a short duration. Armour gained from multiple Hits can stack. The total Armour gained from this Skill cannot exceed the Item Armour on your Equipped Armour Items.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. The werewolf is very good at damage and struggles most with defenses, so I cover that with spirit gems whenever I can.

Mana, Attributes, and Skill Slots

The werewolf is hungry for three things. It needs a lot of mana, a lot of attributes, and a lot of skill slots. You only have nine skill slots by default, and the werewolf tends to fill every one of them. Sometimes you can’t fit Savage FurySavage FurySkill gemWhile active, your Fury builds from Attacking enemies. Using this Skill releases your Fury to send you into a bestial frenzy, gaining damage and Onslaught but constantly losing life and forcing you into animal form. The frenzy ends immediately if you return to human form. You cannot gain Fury while in a frenzy.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 even though it would cost no spirit, because there is no slot left. The same goes for Mana RemnantsMana RemnantsSkill gemConjure surging arcane energy to restore your Mana. While active, enemies you kill affected by Elemental Ailments have a chance to spawn a Mana Remnant, and Critically Hitting a target with Elemental Ailments spawns a Mana Remnant every few seconds. Picking up a Mana Remnant grants you Mana which can Overflow maximum Mana.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, and then you have to solve your mana another way. When you run out of slots, you might pick up an Unset RingUnset RingRing baseGrants 1 additional Skill SlotPoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, because it gives you a new slot for another skill or spirit gem.

Resistances, Rakiata’s Flow, and Heavy Frost

Every werewolf build wants the Rakiata’s FlowRakiata's FlowSupport gemSupports Skills that can cause Damaging Hits, causing those Hits to treat Enemy Elemental Resistances as inverted.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 lineage support gem at some point. It inverts the enemy’s resistances when you attack them. Since we deal a lot of elemental damage, inverted resistances mean extra damage. It is an endgame item and very expensive, so it is a chase item for us. Every werewolf build uses it, and there is a clear before and after.

Before you have Rakiata’s FlowRakiata's FlowSupport gemSupports Skills that can cause Damaging Hits, causing those Hits to treat Enemy Elemental Resistances as inverted.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, you want elemental penetration on your passive tree so that Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 penetrates resistances. After you get it, you can remove all the elemental penetration from the tree and spend those points on other damage or on defenses, since you no longer need penetration.

Rakiata’s FlowRakiata's FlowSupport gemSupports Skills that can cause Damaging Hits, causing those Hits to treat Enemy Elemental Resistances as inverted.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 only supports one skill, which will be Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. That works out because our two main damage skills are Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 and ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 freezes the target with inverted resistances. For ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, every werewolf build takes the Heavy FrostHeavy FrostPassive skill20% increased Freeze BuildupHits ignore non-negative Elemental Resistances of Frozen EnemiesPoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 node on the passive tree. With it, any damage you deal to a frozen enemy counts as if the enemy had no resistances. So you freeze with Lunar AssaultLunar AssaultSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and swipe with your claws, projecting an arc of moonlight and ice forward in a crescent.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, and then ShredShredSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and lash out with a flurry of claw swipes. The first Attack can dash to faraway enemies and the final Attack Strikes twice. Attacking a Frozen enemy will create Ice Fragments, which are Projectiles that land and explode after a short delay.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 hits a target with no resistances. Both skills are covered.

Leveling as a Werewolf

You can level as a werewolf. I do it all the time. It isn’t very efficient with some ascendancies, though, because the werewolf needs all of its skills to work properly, especially Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, and they unlock at different levels. There are two big power spikes while leveling. At level 22 you can get Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0, and at level 52 you can get Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0. For some builds, the werewolf will feel weak before level 52. Cross SlashCross SlashSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and leap backwards as you gouge the ground with both claws. Enemies can be Hit separately by both gouges. Hitting a Marked enemy with both gouges will Activate the Mark and cause an additional shockwave. Ice Fragments will be pulled into the location where the gouges cross and explode. immediately. This skill can be used while using other skills to interrupt them.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is big damage and Lunar BlessingLunar BlessingSkill gemShapeshift into a Werewolf and offer your Rage to the moon to receive a blessing, gaining bonus Cold damage for yourself and any Wolf Minions you have from Wolf Pack or Predator's Mark. Spends all Rage to extend the Buff's duration. While the Buff is active, your Werewolf Melee Attacks call down Moonbeams on Hit.PoE2DB · CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 is where most of your power comes from, so another option is to level as something else and swap to the werewolf at level 22 or at level 52, depending on what you want.

Gem Setups

These are the skill and support gem setups shared across werewolf builds. Hover any gem to see what it does. Where a skill has two versions, the card shows the supports both versions share, then the supports that change.