PoE 2 0.3 Mortar Cannon Tactician Lightning Respec & Tips Guide

When you hit that mid-game wall in Path of Exile 2 and realize your build isn’t scaling the way you thought it would, the Mortar Cannon Tactician Lightning build is one of those setups that can completely revive your gameplay. It’s explosive, it’s efficient, and when done right, it melts mobs and bosses alike.

But here’s the catch: the build requires smart planning and a solid respec strategy to really shine. That’s what we’ll dig into in this guide. I’ll cover everything from skill choices, gear priorities, and respec tips, to small tricks that make your Mortar Cannon Tactician Lightning build punch far above its weight.

And if you’re low on resources while respeccing or chasing high-value items, you might want to grab some currency. Personally, I’ve used PVPBank to buy PoE 2 currency-saves a lot of grind time when you’re trying to test and tweak builds instead of farming endlessly.

Let’s dive in.

Why the Mortar Cannon Tactician Lightning Build Works

The Tactician excels in control, area damage, and strategic positioning. Combining that with Mortar Cannon skills and Lightning scaling gives you:

• Massive AoE coverage to clear mobs quickly

• Elemental scaling flexibility (Lightning penetration is easy to build around)

• Respec potential if you started physical or fire but want a smoother mid-to-late game transition

• Bossing capability thanks to consistent burst damage

In short, it’s a build that balances fun and efficiency. You get flashy, screen-wide lightning explosions while still being viable for serious content.

The Importance of Respec for Mortar Cannon Lightning

Many players start Tactician as a physical or fire-heavy build, since those scale easily early on. But Lightning starts to pull ahead once you can invest in gear and passives that emphasize shock, penetration, and elemental multipliers.

A respec is worth it because:

• Early-game nodes may be wasted on damage types you’re no longer scaling.

• Lightning requires specific clusters and keystones to feel strong.

• Adjusting support gem links optimizes your Mortar Cannon output.

This isn’t about starting over-it’s about sharpening the blade you already have.

Respec Tips for Mortar Cannon Lightning

If you’re considering the shift, here’s how to do it without wasting regrets:

1. Focus on Core Passives

• Prioritize Lightning penetration nodes over generic elemental nodes.

• Pick up Area of Effect clusters that directly benefit Mortar Cannon spread.

• Consider shock effect scaling-the extra damage multiplier stacks up quickly.

2. Transition Your Gear

• Replace physical or fire-boosting gear with items that give flat Lightning damage or increased Lightning multipliers.

• Look for resistance penetration on weapons and amulets.

• Stack critical strike chance for spells if you’re running crit Lightning.

3. Manage Regret Orb Costs

Instead of respeccing your entire tree, pivot gradually:

• Unspec the least impactful physical/fire nodes first.

• Move into Lightning multipliers and AoE scaling.

• Delay defensive respecs until your damage feels solid.

Mortar Cannon Lightning Skill Setup

Your skills make or break the build. Here’s a loadout that synergizes best with the Lightning variant.

Main Mortar Cannon Links

• Mortar Cannon (Lightning-converted)

• Lightning Penetration Support

• Increased Area of Effect (swap to Concentrated Effect for bosses)

• Elemental Focus Support

• Critical Strike Damage Support

• Spell Echo Support

Utility Skills

• Conductivity Curse: Shreds enemy Lightning res.

• Arcane Surge: Buff your cast speed and spell damage.

• Lightning Warp or Flame Dash: Movement is non-negotiable.

• Defensive Aura: Discipline or Grace, depending on your playstyle.

Gear Priorities

Weapons

Go for a wand or staff that gives:

• • Lightning damage to spells

• % Increased spell damage

• Critical strike chance for spells

• Open suffixes for crafting Lightning penetration

Armor

• Chest: Aim for life and resistances with an open prefix for % increased AoE.

• Helmet: Mortar Cannon enchant if available, otherwise prioritize resists.

• Gloves/Boots: Spell crit, life, resistances, movement speed.

Accessories

• Amulet: Elemental penetration, Lightning multipliers.

• Rings: Flat Lightning to spells and resist balancing.

• Belt: Life and cooldown recovery if you’re running cooldown-based movement.

Playstyle Tips

The Mortar Cannon Tactician Lightning build plays differently than physical or fire variants. Here are some tactical adjustments:

Positioning is Everything

You want to land Mortar Cannon shots at max range, letting them arc into packs. This ensures AoE coverage while keeping you safe.

Keep Enemies Shocked

Always maintain shock uptime. Even a modest 15–20 percent increased damage taken multiplier dramatically boosts clear speed.

Balance Offense and Defense

Lightning builds can feel glassy. Don’t tunnel vision damage-maintain life rolls, auras, and defensive flasks.

Swap Gems for Bossing

AOE gems shine in maps, but swap in Concentrated Effect or Controlled Destruction for bosses.

Common Mistakes Players Make

• Going all-in on damage too early: If you respec into Lightning without proper resistances and life, you’ll get one-shot constantly.

• Ignoring cast speed: Mortar Cannon feels clunky if your cast speed is low. Don’t neglect it.

• Underestimating shock effect: Many skip shock scaling, but it’s basically free DPS.

• Wasting regrets on unnecessary nodes: Plan your tree before respeccing, not during.

Endgame Scaling Potential

Mortar Cannon Lightning has excellent scaling into maps and endgame bosses:

• Mapping: The AoE wipes packs instantly, making it one of the smoothest farming builds.

• Bossing: With proper penetration and crit scaling, you can burn through tanky bosses.

• League mechanics: The build’s wide AoE makes it perfect for dealing with multiple spawns and cluttered arenas.

It’s versatile enough to carry you through leagues, with gear upgrades keeping it relevant deep into the endgame.

Veteran Insights

After testing multiple variants of Mortar Cannon Tactician, Lightning always feels the flashiest and most rewarding when properly invested. It’s not the cheapest respec you’ll ever do, but the payoff is worth it. The explosions fill the screen, the shocks stack damage, and it just feels smoother compared to the clunky physical version.

If you’re on the fence, try respeccing a few nodes and running hybrid damage first. Once you feel the difference, you’ll know whether to fully commit.

Final Thoughts

The PoE 2 Mortar Cannon Tactician Lightning build is a powerhouse once you nail down the respec process and invest in the right gear. It offers screen-clearing AoE, strong single-target potential, and one of the most satisfying playstyles in the game.

If you want a build that’s flashy, effective, and viable for endgame, Mortar Cannon Lightning should be on your radar. And if you don’t feel like grinding out every regret orb or piece of gear, remember that services like PVPBank let you buy PoE 2 currency to smooth the process.

Respec smart, play aggressive but safe, and you’ll be shocking enemies into dust in no time.