Cast on Critical (CoC) has always been one of the most exciting mechanics in Path of Exile, and Patch 0.5 - Return of the Ancients has taken it to insane new levels. Updates to the Gemling Legionnaire, Stormweaver, and Blood Mage ascendancies have pushed CoC builds into endgame-destroying territory, giving players auto-targeting spells that can obliterate enemies across the screen while you focus on positioning and boss targeting POE 2 Orbs.

Here are four of the strongest CoC builds currently dominating PoE 2 Patch 0.5.

1. Stormweaver Spark CoC Comet
This build combines Stormweaver with Spark and Comet for full-screen chaos. Using Palm of the Dreamer, Spark benefits from increased skill effect duration, constantly triggering Comet via Cast on Crit.

Key features:
Zarokh's Gift jewel for 50-60% critical multiplier
Boss-focused Comet with Rakiata
Gear includes Adonia's Ego, Palm of the Dreamer, Bramble Dome helm, The Covenant armour, Maligaro's Virtuosity gloves, Mageblood belt, Vengeance Pace boots, Dream Fragments and Blight Spiral rings, and a Chimeric Collar amulet

The result is screen-filling devastation with excellent boss damage.

2. Double CoC Comet Stormweaver
Double CoC Comet takes Spark mapping to the next level by layering two Cast on Crit triggers with a Breach Amulet. This effectively doubles your Comet procs, turning Spark into a permanent damage machine.

Highlights:
Helmet anoint with Raven-touched shard for Zarokh's Gift
High-end gear: Covenant Body Armour, Apocalypse Weaver offhand, Onslaught Barb main hand
Rings and boots optimized for endgame scaling

Perfect for clearing maps while simultaneously shredding bosses.

3. Blood Mage CoC
The Blood Mage CoC build fixes the glory generation bottleneck common in double-trigger setups. By assigning Skyfall to Cast on Crit and Comet to Cast on Elemental Ailment, this build balances resource costs while maintaining insane sustained damage.

Core mechanics:
Runic Extraction Support boosts glory generation
Energy Retention with Spellslinger + CoC + CoEA gives 60% chance to refund spent energy
Gear: Entrophy Cry, Spirit Roar, Onslaught Horn, Corpse Cloak, Leopold's Applause, Vengeance Girdle, Brood Spark boots, Phoenix Band & Dread Finger rings, Chimeric Choker

A highly efficient build that never runs out of damage.

4. Sorceress Cast on Critical
This build maximizes damage and mana sustainability through Efficiency II, Conservative Casting anoint, Mana Remnants with Storm's Recollection, Clarity II, and Zenith II. Orb of Storms with Unleash generates hits for Spark, which in turn triggers Comets nonstop.

Gameplay loop:
Drop Orb of Storms and spam Spark inside the orbs
Frost Bomb preps bosses for perma-freeze and elemental exposure
Gear: Voltaic Staff, Skycrown Tiara, Flowing Raiment, Maligaro's Virtuosity gloves, Utility Belt, Sandsworn Sandals, Call of the Brotherhood & Pearl Ring, Solar Amulet

Ideal for automated full-screen clearing while still dealing massive boss damage.

Why CoC Builds Are So Strong in Patch 0.5
These builds demonstrate the true power of CoC: automated, screen-filling destruction with minimal micromanagement. You focus on positioning and target selection while your character unleashes spell combos across the battlefield.

Whether for mapping, boss fights, or endgame content, CoC builds now offer:
Fast screen clear
Devastating boss damage
Automated gameplay for relaxed yet effective play

Patch 0.5 has elevated CoC to a level where even late-game bosses melt under your critical-triggered spells Path of Exile 2 Orbs.