With the launch of Path of Exile 2 patch 0.4, bow builds continue to dominate fast-paced gameplay, and Ice Shot Deadeye has emerged as one of the strongest and most satisfying options for players who love crowd control, shattering enemies, and precise ranged combat. This build blends excellent clear speed with strong defensive utility through chilling and freezing enemies, making it ideal for both new and experienced players.

In this guide, we’ll explore how Ice Shot functions in PoE 2, why Deadeye remains the best ascendancy choice, and how to scale damage, survivability, and smooth gameplay in patch 0.4.

Why Ice Shot in PoE 2?

Ice Shot has been reworked and refined in Path of Exile 2 to feel more impactful and tactical. The skill fires a cold-infused arrow that creates a chilling cone behind the target, damaging and slowing enemies caught in the area. In patch 0.4, Ice Shot benefits from improved hit detection, better cold ailment scaling, and more reliable freezing.

What sets Ice Shot apart from other bow skills is its control over the battlefield. Chilled and frozen enemies are significantly less threatening, giving you more time to reposition and deal damage safely. This makes Ice Shot an excellent choice for players who prefer a slightly more defensive and strategic playstyle compared to pure speed-clearing builds.

Why Deadeye Is the Best Choice

Deadeye continues to be the premier ascendancy for projectile-based builds in PoE 2, and Ice Shot is no exception. The ascendancy’s bonuses perfectly complement Ice Shot’s strengths.

Deadeye provides:

• Increased projectile speed and damage

• Additional projectiles for wider coverage

• Improved accuracy and critical strike scaling

• Exceptional mobility for kiting enemies

In patch 0.4, Deadeye’s early-game scaling allows Ice Shot to feel powerful even during leveling, without requiring expensive gear.

Core Damage Scaling

Ice Shot Deadeye focuses on scaling:

• Cold damage with attacks

• Elemental damage

• Projectile damage

• Critical strike chance and multiplier

• Attack speed

Unlike spell-based cold builds, Ice Shot relies heavily on weapon damage. A strong bow with good base damage is essential. Physical damage is especially valuable early on, as it converts efficiently into cold damage through Ice Shot.

Critical strikes are a major component of this build. Higher crit chance not only increases raw damage but also improves freeze uptime, which is a massive defensive advantage in PoE 2’s more methodical combat encounters.

Skill Setup and Supports

Your primary skill is Ice Shot, supported by gems that enhance cold damage, projectile behavior, and attack speed.

Ideal support focuses include:

• Increased cold or elemental damage

• Additional projectiles or area expansion

• Critical strike scaling

• Attack speed bonuses

For tougher enemies and bosses, it’s highly recommended to use a secondary single-target skill. This helps overcome Ice Shot’s naturally spread-out damage pattern and ensures smoother boss fights.

Utility skills such as movement abilities and defensive buffs should also be prioritized, as positioning is crucial for survival.

Defensive Strategy

Ice Shot Deadeye is surprisingly durable when built correctly. While it does not rely on heavy armor, it excels through avoidance and control.

Key defensive layers include:

• Evasion as the main defense

• Chill and freeze to reduce incoming damage

• Life scaling on all rare gear

• Capped elemental resistances

Freezing enemies is one of the strongest defensive mechanics in PoE 2. Even partial freezes or heavy chills can significantly reduce pressure during intense encounters, especially against rare monsters.

Gearing Priorities

Early-game gear should focus on:

• A bow with solid base physical damage

• Quivers with elemental or projectile bonuses

• Life and resistance rolls on armor

Mid to late game upgrades include:

• Increased critical strike chance on weapons

• Cold damage to attacks

• Attack speed on gloves and quivers

• Evasion-based armor with high life rolls

Patch 0.4’s improved crafting systems make it easier to gradually upgrade gear, so consistent improvements are more effective than waiting for perfect items.

Mapping and Playstyle

Ice Shot Deadeye excels in maps with dense enemy packs and open layouts. The ideal playstyle revolves around firing into groups, letting the cone-shaped cold damage chill or freeze enemies, and repositioning constantly.

Unlike Lightning Arrow, Ice Shot rewards careful aiming and positioning. Proper shot placement ensures maximum area coverage and consistent freeze application, making difficult encounters much safer.

Boss fights require patience. Focus on maintaining distance, dodging telegraphed attacks, and applying consistent damage rather than trying to burst enemies down immediately.

Final Thoughts

The 0.4 Ice Shot Deadeye is an outstanding build for players who value control, safety, and elegant gameplay. While it may not clear quite as explosively as some lightning-based builds, it more than makes up for it with superior crowd control and survivability.

If you’re looking for a cold-themed bow build that feels powerful, responsive, and reliable in Path of Exile 2 patch 0.4, Ice Shot Deadeye is an excellent choice.