Witch Class & Skills Leveling Guide

Quick Summary

Witches can specialize into one of these three Ascendancy classes: Key points: Infernalist · Blood Mage

Ascendancy classes

Witches can specialize into one of these three Ascendancy classes:

• Infernalist
• Blood Mage

Witches also have access to these alternate Ascendancy classes:

• Abyssal Lich

Lore

The Witch a power seeker with a mysterious past. Her exact heritage is unknown, though she was born to a swamp coven, likely the Black Fen.

Dialogues

Entering locations

• The Riverbank: I will not join the dead today.
• Clearfell Encampment: Is this all that remains?
• Clearfell: —
• Mud Burrow: A descent into darkness. I wouldn't have it any other way.
• The Grelwood: The Grelwood has turned foul... I think I prefer it this way.
• The Red Vale: Blood, bones, and rust... Death in abundance.
• The Grim Tangle: The roots here have a mind of their own. I'll need to convince them to part for me.
• Cemetery of the Eternals: How nice of them to put all their corpses in one place!
• Mausoleum of the Praetor: Dreadful Draven... Where are you hiding?
• Tomb of the Consort:
• Hunting Grounds: Life and death are well balanced here... Disgusting.
• Freythorn: There's an immensely disturbing energy here. Time to seek it out.
• Ogham Farmlands: —
• Ogham Village: Even the darkest corner is ablaze. How... festive.
• The Manor Ramparts: The manor must be near.
• Ogham Manor: Here I come, big bad wolf.

• Vastiri Outskirts: So... the Maraketh. Strong-minded women aplenty. I approve.
• The Ardura Caravan: A roving village... How clever.
• Mawdun Quarry: Seems the Faridun have been up to no good in the Hills of Mawdun...
• Mawdun Mine: This lot were left down here to die... or worse.
• The Halani Gates (1): Ugh, why have we stopped?
• Traitor's Passage: Creepers and crawlers in dark spaces... How wonderful.
• The Halani Gates (2): Recent corpses... An easy distraction.
• Mastodon Badlands: A place of ritual and bone... I should retire here someday.
• The Bone Pits: Pit graves and necromancers. This place just gets better and better.
• Keth: The skeleton city of once great culture... How adorable.
• The Lost City: The once verdant city is still mostly intact... but overwhelmed with sand. Pretty.
• Buried Shrines: Long forgotten shrines... show me your secrets.
• Valley of the Titans: Titans lived and died here. What fate wrought their demise?
• The Titan Grotto: This was certainly off limits to mortals... How exciting.
• Deshar: So this is how they bury their dead? It's rather... elegant.
• Path of Mourning: The Faridun! They are still here!
• The Spires of Deshar: —
• The Dreadnought: Yes, yes, Sekhema. We all know you are very brave.
• Dreadnought Vanguard: That stench—our beautiful Beast is near.
• Trial of the Sekhemas: Traditions are meaningless drivel. But let's see what power is offered here.

• Sandswept Marsh: A swamp. Mosquitoes and ticks. Still... better than sand and heat.
• Ziggurat Encampment: Treasure Hunters. Greedy scoundrels. I like it here.
• Jungle Ruins: This jungle has flourished since the fall of the Vaal. Let it now know darkness.
• The Venom Crypts: Poison tongues slither through ancient graves... I love my work.
• Infested Barrens: Bugs and insects. Delicious.
• The Azak Bog: A bog... overrun by savages. Time to have some fun.
• Chimeral Wetlands: Rather colourful here... but deadly. I suppose it's alright.
• Jiquani's Machinarium: Constructs once powered by dead souls. Wondrous.
• Jiquani's Sanctum: Ugh. I'd best talk to the optimist again.
• The Matlan Waterways: The Azak tribe, in the flesh!
• The Drowned City: Utzaal, wretched and drowned. I'm sure I'd prefer you this way.
• Apex of Filth: While I do admire darkness, filth I cannot abide.
• The Molten Vault: Seems this place has long been forgotten... but is not without life.
• Temple of Kopec: Blinding... Ugh.
• Utzaal: Utzaal... Yes... I certainly prefered it drowned and wet.
• Aggorat: Flower petals... everywhere... Boring.
• The Black Chambers: —
• The Ziggurat Refuge: So... alive after being hit in the face by the Cataclysm... I'd almost say I'm lucky.
• The Temple of Chaos: I will seize the power of Chaos.

Boss defeated

• The Bloated Miller: Impressive size but little acuity. Dismal.
• Beira of the Rotten Pack: —
• The Devourer: The raven always outsmarts the worm.
• The Brambleghast: It's a pity to end you, monstrous weed.
• The Rust King: Very loud and very dull.
• The Rotten Druid: At least he died in a place he loved... or some such nonsense.
• Draven, the Eternal Praetor: Give it a rest... Your Empire is no more.
• Asinia, the Praetor's Consort: I hate to put down a sister witch, but you had it coming.
• Lachlann of Endless Lament: Your dreary tale is over, old man.
• The Crowbell: Aww. We were just getting started.
• The King in the Mists: It's never easy watching your friends turn mad. I do know how it feels.
• The Executioner: And so, who is the true master of death?
• Candlemass, the Living Rite: I simply must have my own one of those some day.
• Count Geonor: He took my kill. I'll remember that.

• Rathbreaker: So many corpses, so little time.
• Rudja, the Dread Engineer: A defector... I admire those who resist tyrants.
• Balbala, the Traitor: Her spirit... in a coin? How fun!
• Jamanra, the Risen King: Jamanra the corpse-King is running away... Ha!
• Ekbab, Ancient Steed: I suppose I am your better, necromancer.
• Kabala, Constrictor Queen: Quiet your tongue, serpent.
• Azarian, the Forsaken Son: —
• Zalmarath, the Colossus: You're quite possibly my largest victim. Farewell.
• Tor Gul, the Defiler: One day... I'll bring you back to serve me.
• Jamanra, the Abomination: Oh look, the Sekhema's still alive.

• Rootdredge: Ugh what a noisy tree.
• Mighty Silverfist: What an impressive beast. This jungle produces fine servants.
• Ignagduk, the Bog Witch: You crossed the line, sister. You should have known what the price would be.
• Xyclucian, the Chimeral: —
• Blackjaw, the Remnant: Impressive. Perhaps I could learn a thing or two from this Jiquani.
• Zicoatl, Warden of the Core: A genius construction. But... too weak.
• Mektul, the Forgemaster: Wealth has never inspired me. But it was a fun fight.
• The Queen of Filth: What a disgusting pig of a woman.
• Ketzuli, High Priest of the Sun: I'm sure Kopec will love to see you.
• Viper Napuatzi: Somehow, I've been cheated out of another kill.
• Doryani, Royal Thaumaturge: —

Level up

• Reaching level 2: My first taste of true power.
• Reaching level 3: Death grants power!
• Reaching level 5: My knowledge grows deeper.
• Reaching level 10: Inspiration and improvement.
• Reaching level 15: I will master the darkness.
• Reaching level 20: The future belongs to me.
• Reaching level 30: The secrets of this world are mine to take.
• Reaching level 40: I hardly recognise myself.
• Reaching level 50: And so it all coalesces.
• Reaching level 60: The long climb steepens.
• Reaching level 70: Who is left to challenge me?
• Reaching level 80: True mastery nears.
• Reaching level 90: My ambition is limitless!
• Reaching level 100: This world is mine to conquer. Absolute power. I've learned everything there is to know!

Miscellaneous

• Power awaits me. As expected.
• Blood Mage: Of my blood, they will see true power. And of my blood, they shall know true pain.
• Infernalist: They burned many a sister. They tried to burn me. I think now I shall pay it forward.

• Too. Much. Clutter.
• I think not.

• Can't do that here.
• Probably shouldn't do that here.
• It's not time to kill them all. Yet.

• Hydration... I suppose it's necessary.
• I was... rather thirsty.
• Even I don't mind a drink now and then.

• Time to change plans.
• Another strategy.
• How can I perfect myself?
• I must keep calculating.

Gameplay video

Gallery

• The witch's wanted poster.

Skill Gems

Gems are a type of item that either grants a skill (skill gem) or modifies a skill (support gem) when placed into a gem socket.

There are currently 244 different skill gems, 16 different meta skill gems and 533 support gems in the game, for a total of 793.

Skill gems

Skill gems can be socketed in the skill panel to gain an active skill which can be assigned on the player's keybinds. Up to 9 skill gems can be bound simultaneously by default. The number of skill gems you can have socketed at one time can be increased with an Unset RingUnset RingRequires Level 44Grants 1 additional Skill Slot or the Instill-exclusive passive, Augmented Flesh.

Characters need to meet the skill gem's level and attribute requirements to be able to use it. Level and attribute requirements increase as a skill gem is leveled up.

When creating a skill gem using an Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem., it will be engraved at a gem level matching that of the uncut gem. Skill gems can be levelled up further using an Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem. up to level 20. A Gemcutter's PrismGemcutter's PrismStack Size: 20Improves the quality of a Skill GemRight click this item then left click a skill gem to apply it. adds 5% quality to a skill gem, up to 20%.

Corruption

Corrupting a skill gem can cause it to gain or lose a skill level, gem socket, or quality.

• Corruption effects that add or subtract a gem level are innate to the skill gem and works independently from the gem's actual level.
• A skill gem can have up to 23% base quality via corruption.
• Corruption cannot cause a skill gem to have more than 5 sockets.

Corrupted gems can be leveled using an Uncut Skill Gem.

When double corrupting a skill gem with Crystallised CorruptionCrystallised CorruptionStack Size: 10Modifies a Corrupted Skill Gem unpredictably or destroys itRight click this item then left click on a corrupted gem to apply it., it cannot roll the same effect as the corruption effect it already had (Ex. you cannot get +1 to gem level on a corrupted gem that already has a +1 to gem level corruption).

Kalguuran skill

Kalguuran skills are special types of skill gems that can be acquired from Remnant encounters. Kalguuran skills have no attribute requirements and are not aligned to any attribute. All Kalguuran skills use Runic Ward as their skill cost. Kalguuran skill gems can have their levels upgraded by using a Thaumaturgic Flux.

Spirit gems

Spirit gems, or persistent buff skill gems, are special skill gems which can only be created using an Uncut Spirit GemUncut Spirit GemCreates a Persistent Buff Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to Level #Right Click to engrave a Persistent Buff Skill Gem.. They can be socketed to gain access to skills that grant persistent buffs, trigger other skills, or to summon permanent minions. These gems have require the reservation of spirit in order to gain their effect.

Spirit gems can be supported by support gems, but this will often increase the reservation based on the support gem's cost multiplier. Other support gems may incur a flat spirit reservation instead which does not scale.

Similar to skill gems, characters need to meet the spirit gem's level and attribute requirements and sometimes weapon requirements to be able to use them.

Skills granted by spirit gems can be activated in the skill panel by right-clicking the desired spirit gem. They may also have a skill component which can be used directly.

Spirit gems can be corrupted and uses the same results as skill gems.

Support gems

Support gems can be socketed into individual skills; these modify the effects of the supported skill. Each gem is limited to two support slots at start, with up to three additional supports available via the use of Jeweller's Orbs. Skills granted by items and Ascendancy skills can also have sockets; their number of sockets is based on the item's item level or your character level, respectively.

You cannot have multiple support gems that share the same category socketed to the same skill. Additionally, only one copy per rank of support gems that add a spirit reservation is allowed across all your skills; for example, you cannot socket more than one copy of Herbalism IHerbalism ISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: HerbalismTier: 2Additional Reservation: 15 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Persistent Buff Skills, causing you to gain increased Life recovery from Flasks while the Skill is active.30% Increased Recovery from Life Flasks while a Supported Skill is activePlace into a Skill's Support Gem socket in the Skills Panel to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple Support Gems of the same Category socketed within one Skill., but you can socket Herbalism IIHerbalism IISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: HerbalismTier: 4Additional Reservation: 30 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Persistent Buff Skills, causing you to gain increased Life recovery from Flasks while the Skill is active.50% Increased Recovery from Life Flasks while a Supported Skill is activePlace into a Skill's Support Gem socket in the Skills Panel to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple Support Gems of the same Category socketed within one Skill. in another skill.

The total number of support gems of each color are limited by the corresponding stat totals of the character, with 5 points of the stat allowing one support of that color.

• Strength - Red
• Dexterity - Green
• Intelligence - Blue

For example, a character with 20 Strength, 40 Dexterity and 30 Intelligence would be able to use a total of 4 red, 8 green and 6 blue support gems.

Support gems cannot be corrupted or leveled.

Connected: Support gems count as connected as long as they not disabled and support the skill they are socketed into. They count as connected if they support a meta skill or any skills socketed in that meta skill. This feature is only used for certain mechanics such as Gemling Legionnaire's Integrated Efficiency.

Lineage support gems

Lineage support gems are special types of support gems. These cannot be crafted using Uncut Support Gems and can only be found as drops from the core drop pool or specific bosses.

Only one copy of each Lineage support gem can be socketed across all your skills. Solus IpseSolus IpseGrand VisageArmour: (220-264)Evasion: (200-240)Energy Shield: (75-90)Requires Level 65, 36 Str, 36 Dex, 36 Int+(60-100) to maximum Mana25% increased Light Radius(150-200)% increased Armour, Evasion and Energy ShieldEquipment and Skill Gems have 25% increased Attribute RequirementsYou can Socket 2 additional copies of each Lineage Support Gem, in different SkillsOne warrior alone survived to face the Arbiter. allows you to socket up to three copies of the same Lineage support gem on different skills.

Kalguuran support

Kalguuran supports are special types of support gems that can be acquired from Remnant encounters. They do not require attribute points to socket and are not aligned to any attribute. Kalguuran supports have effects that scale or interact with Runic Ward.

Gemcutting