The Mechanics of Minion-Based Builds in Path of Exile 2

Minion builds have long been a popular choice in the Path of Exile franchise. In Path of Exile 2, minions remain a core archetype that allows players to summon and control armies of undead, animated constructs, and beasts to fight on their behalf. These builds are especially appealing because they offer a more strategic and passive combat experience. However, a recurring myth among some newer players is the idea that minions can be used to farm currency offline. This belief stems from the passive nature of minion builds and confusion about how loot generation works in the game. In reality, Path of Exile 2 does not support offline farming in any form, and currency generation is entirely tied to active gameplay.

Loot Generation Requires Player Presence

In Path of Exile 2, the game world is not persistent in the way that traditional MMORPGs function. When a player logs off or becomes inactive, their instance of the game world closes. Minions cannot continue to function in an empty or closed instance because the game no longer runs the encounter logic. This means that farming activities such as killing monsters and triggering loot drops require the player to be actively present and participating in combat. Even in scenarios where minions are doing most of the work, the player must still move through zones, initiate fights, and loot the rewards manually.

Understanding the Role of Minions in Currency Farming

While minions cannot farm offline, they can still be incredibly efficient for active currency farming. A well-designed minion build can clear maps quickly and safely, allowing players to run high-volume content with minimal risk. Summoners can utilize minions such as Spectres, Zombies, Golems, and Animate Guardian to apply consistent damage while they focus on positioning and item collection. Minion builds are particularly well-suited to farming high-density areas like Delirium maps, Legion encounters, and Blight maps, where sustained damage and control are critical to managing enemy waves and maximizing loot.

Automation vs Active Gameplay Limits

Some players seek ways to automate gameplay to simulate offline farming, but Path of Exile 2 has strict anti-cheat measures and terms of service that prohibit third-party automation. Scripts, bots, and macros that attempt to replicate player actions without active input are against the rules and can result in permanent bans. Grinding Gear Games designs the game to reward skillful and efficient play, not passive income strategies. The game’s server-based architecture and instance system are intentionally built to prevent any kind of offline progression or farming, including the use of minions outside of active sessions.

Optimizing Minion Builds for Efficient Farming



Instead of searching for ways to farm currency offline, players interested in minion builds should focus on optimizing their characters for efficient in-game farming. This includes investing in gear that boosts minion damage, survivability, and clear speed. Support gems, passive tree nodes, and ascendancy choices can drastically improve the performance of minions. Players can also use utility setups like Desecrate and Flesh Offering to boost minion effectiveness during encounters. By maximizing efficiency during gameplay sessions, summoners can still earn large amounts of currency in relatively short periods, even if offline farming is not possible.