POE 2: Dawn of the Hunt – Overpowered Leveling Tech with Rake and Stomping Ground

Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt has introduced a ton of new content and mechanics, but some of the most exciting changes for both veteran players and newcomers alike are the new leveling techniques. Among them, Rake and Stomping Ground have emerged as standout powers that offer unparalleled speed and efficiency when it comes to leveling in the early game. If you’ve been looking for an edge to poe2 trade breeze through the grind, these overpowered (OP) techs are worth paying attention to.

What Are Rake and Stomping Ground?

In the context of PoE 2, Rake and Stomping Ground are two powerful skills that, when combined, create a near-unstoppable force for clearing through early content. While each of these skills is potent on its own, it’s the synergy between them that drives the madness. Let's break them down:

Rake is a new mechanic introduced in the Dawn of the Hunt expansion. It allows players to launch a targeted strike that clears multiple enemies in a cone, inflicting damage across a wide area. The skill has fantastic scaling with area of effect (AoE) and can be enhanced with added damage from various support gems, making it a top-tier choice for clearing packs quickly.

Stomping Ground complements Rake beautifully. It’s a ground-based AoE attack that causes a massive shockwave to ripple outward, hitting enemies within a certain radius. Not only does it deal damage, but it also provides a stagger effect, slowing down enemies in the area, which further improves control over the battlefield.

Why These Skills Are OP for Leveling

The real magic happens when you combine Rake and Stomping Ground into your leveling setup. Here’s why these two skills are considered overpowered in the early stages of PoE 2:

Incredible Clear Speed: Rake allows you to deal massive damage to enemies in a concentrated area, while Stomping Ground ensures that even larger packs of enemies won’t overwhelm you. This combination makes mob clearing an absolute breeze. Whether you’re tackling swarms of weaker enemies or dealing with tougher elites, these skills will cut through them with ease.

High Survivability: The stagger effect from Stomping Ground provides both offense and defense. Slowing down enemies gives you more time to reposition and avoid taking damage, especially in dense, chaotic encounters. You’re not just dealing damage — you’re controlling the pace of the fight.

Synergy with New Passive Skills: In Dawn of the Hunt, both skills scale exceptionally well with the new passive tree and ascendancy changes. Boosting AoE, damage over time, and mobility through the passive skill tree enhances the power of these abilities, making them even more effective as you progress through the game.

Minimal Gear Dependency: Unlike many other powerful builds that require specific high-level items or crafting, Rake and Stomping Ground can be effective with basic gear and early-game skill setups. This makes them perfect for new players or those looking to quickly power through the early levels.

Leveling Efficiency with Rake and Stomping Ground

Leveling in PoE 2 can often feel like a slog, especially if you're trying to keep up with your friends or the competition. But with Rake and Stomping Ground at your disposal, the grind is significantly reduced. By focusing on AoE clearing and making full use of the stagger mechanic, you can progress through levels faster than ever before, while minimizing downtime from excessive health regeneration or potion use.

Additionally, the ability to control groups of enemies makes both mapping and boss encounters more manageable, especially in the mid-to-late levels where scaling becomes trickier. Players can maintain the momentum through tough encounters while continually advancing their character’s power.

Final Thoughts

The combination of Rake and Stomping Ground offers a new level of fun and effectiveness for PoE 2 players looking to quickly power through the leveling process. These abilities are overpowered for a reason: they deliver everything you need for a fast-paced, engaging leveling experience — speed, control, and minimal gear requirements.

Whether you’re diving into a fresh league start or just looking for a new, efficient leveling strategy, the synergy between Rake and Stomping Ground is sure to 
POE2 Currency help you breeze through content with style and ease.