In Titan Quest 2, players can combine two Masteries to make a unique class. While nearly everything in a build can be changed, the Mastery selection is the only choice that is permanent. With that in mind, this leveling short guide focuses on the Mastery combination of Storm and Rogue to create the Stormblade class!
This guide provides a leveling build to play through the campaign. Unlike more punishing ARPGs, Titan Quest 2 allows players to reset skills, passives, and attributes for a small gold fee. You always have the choice to respec to a different Stormblade build at any time.
Note: All builds have been tested at +5 difficulty, even while leveling. You should not have any issues progressing the campaign while following the build on this page. If you are lacking appropriate gear, lowering the enemy level may be in your best interest until you obtain some upgrades.
Leveling Build: Ice Shards Stormblade
To enable damage early in the leveling process, Storm is prioritized as the first Mastery to unlock Ice Shards as the main damage-dealing skill. Rogue is chosen as the second Mastery to gain Preparation with the Shadow Dagger modifier to trigger Poison Damage from the multiple hits of Ice Shards.
- Auto-targeting projectiles with a simple 1-button playstyle
- Rapid movement with Teleport Repeats
- Deals damage from a long distance
- Ice Shards does not deal Area Damage
- Shadow Dagger requires a high Critical Hit Chance to be effective
Video Showcase
Please check back later once Early Access starts and we have a chance to record footage!
Stat Priority and Gear Options
Upon leveling, you will be allotted two Attribute Points to spend. All gear has specific requirements, and certain attributes increase specific types of damage that your character can deal. For this build, allocate enough points into Knowledge to equip any beneficial Magos/Plated Robes and a Staff. Invest the remaining points into Vigor to increase base Health Points.
Armor
Magos Robes and Plated Robes are the preferred armor types for this spellcaster build, and they provide a substantial increase to Energy Barrier. Cast Barrier to absorb incoming damage when necessary, but use proper zoning and positioning to prevent being bombarded by enemies while Barrier is on cooldown.
Weapons
Equip a Staff to increase damage output. Beneficial affixes include Spell/Cold/Poison Damage, Critical Hit Chance, and Cast Speed. Primary Attacks are not utilized in this build, so weapon damage does not matter.
Skills and Passives
Follow the order of Skill and Passive point allocation for the Ice Shards Stormblade listed in the tables below. While leveling, start by investing 18 Divinity in Storm, followed by 18 Divinity in Rogue.
| Order | Skill | Point Count | Modifiers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ice Shards (Storm) | 9 | Projectile Penetration 3/3 Homing 3/3 |
| 2 | Storm Nimbus (Storm) Unlocked with 6 Divinity in Storm. | 2 | Storm Enchantment 2/5 |
| 3 | Ice Shards (Storm) | 9 + 8 | Projectile Penetration 3/3 Homing 3/3 Torrent 1/5 Chaos 3/3 |
| 4 | Blink (Storm) Unlocked with 18 Divinity in Storm. | 5 | Repeat 2/2 |
| 5 | Dodge (Core) | 3 | Distance 1/3 Teleport 1/1 |
| 6 | Barrier (Core) | 1 | Guard 1/1 |
| 7 | Preparation (Rogue) Unlocked with 6 Divinity in Rogue. | 7 | Shadow Dagger 5/5 |
| 8 | Mark for Death (Rogue) Unlocked with 6 Divinity in Rogue. | 1 | Shadow Dagger 1/5 |
| 9 | Vanish (Rogue) Unlocked with 18 Divinity in Rogue. | 13 | Enhanced Critical Hits 5/5 Burst of Speed 3/3 Enhanced Duration 2/5 |
| 10 | Preparation (Rogue) | 7 + 10 | Shadow Dagger 5/5 Enhanced Critical Hits 5/5 |
| 11 | Mark for Death (Rogue) | 7 + 10 | Shadow Dagger 5/5 Poison Burst 5/5 |
| 12 | Vanish (Rogue) | 13 + 4 | Enhanced Critical Hits 5/5 Burst of Speed 3/3 Enhanced Duration 2/5 |
| Order | Passive | Point Count | Feats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raging Mind (Storm) | 12 | Cast Speed Critical Chance |
| 2 | Storm Guidance (Storm) | 10 | Homing Penetration |
| 3 | Accuracy (Rogue) | 12 | High Critical Hit Chance Critical Hit Chance |
| 4 | Deft Hands (Rogue) | 12 | Critical Hit Chance Attack and Cast Speed |
| 5 | Shadow Arts (Rogue) | 12 | Critical Hit Chance Cast Speed |
| 6 | Dismantling Tactics (Rogue) | 12 | Mark Resistance Critical Hit Chance |
The above allotment can take you to Level 30, which is above the expected level where Early Access stops. Please check back when more content is added to Titan Quest 2 to get updates to this leveling build!
Rotation and Build Mechanics
The Ice Shards Stormblade features a simple playstyle that rapidly triggers Shadow Daggers to deal devastating single-target damage. Ice Shards, at max level, fires 18 projectiles that penetrate three targets for 72 hits per cast. Projectile Homing stacked from the modifier on Ice Shards and the Storm Guidance passive enables each projectile to repeatedly hit an individual target up to 4 times. Repeated hits to an enemy from the same cast of Ice Shards receive an 80% damage penalty, which is the reason Shadow Daggers are utilized in the build.
The Shadow Dagger modifier on Preparation has a chance of triggering Poison Damage on each hit of Ice Shards. Increased Critical Hit Chance is a priority stat to trigger Shadow Dagger more often. Shadow Daggers are not hindered by the damage penalty applied to repeated hits with Ice Shard projectiles, allowing them to always deal full damage
Cast Blink up to three times in a row to reposition during combat or traverse through maps quickly. Dodge with the Teleport modifier is also a helpful Movement Skill.
Ensure you activate Preparation and Storm Nimbus after equipping them on your skill bar. Dying or logging out requires you to reactivate both Sustained Skills.
Mark for Death and Vanish grant buffs to increase damage output.
Defensive Scaling
The most effective way to stay alive is a fundamental playstyle of avoiding incoming damage through proper positioning. A Movement Speed affix on your boots and skillful use of Dodge and Blink are needed for this playstyle. When incoming damage cannot be avoided, cast Barrier to absorb it.
Resistances can be capped at 60% to reduce elemental damage taken. Armor is granted by gear to reduce physical damage taken.
Leveling Tips
Check the following list of leveling tips for this build.
- Control the flow of combat by zoning and kiting enemies. Ice Shards can hit enemies from a long distance.
- Barrier is your best friend for survival. Learn to time it right before you take damage to ensure you stay healthy.
- Check Merchants for gear often, as their stock refreshes on character level up.
- You can bumping the level range of areas for better experience and drop rates.
- Watch your Resistances. While they do not need to be capped (60%) while leveling, consider gaining Resistances on gear.
