Soul Mantle in Path of Exile 2 – Is the Totem Classic Still Worth It?

In Path of Exile 2, many iconic Uniques from the original game are making a comeback—but not all in their original form. One such item is Soul Mantle, the go-to chest piece for Totem builds in PoE 1. In PoE 2, it returns with a new twist that keeps it relevant but demands some rethinking. Whether you're a longtime Totem enjoyer or just exploring the playstyle, Soul Mantle is still a powerful contender for many builds. Let’s dive into what makes it tick in Path of Exile 2 Patch 0.2.0.

What Is Soul Mantle in Path of Exile 2?

Soul Mantle Sacrificial Mantle is a Unique Body Armour that enhances Totem builds with significant upsides—alongside a notable drawback. Here's what it offers:

• (80–120)% increased Armour and Energy Shield

• +10 to Strength

• +15 to Intelligence

• (20–30)% reduced Totem Life

• +1 to maximum number of Summoned Totems

• Inflicts a random Curse on you when your Totems die, ignoring Curse limit

Unlike its PoE 1 version, PoE 2’s Soul Mantle no longer supports socketed gems with Spell Totem Support. Instead, the new design focuses on broader application across Totem builds while introducing a curse drawback that must be strategically managed.

Why Totem Builds Love Soul Mantle

The main attraction is the +1 to maximum number of Summoned Totems modifier. That one line alone massively boosts DPS for all Totem-centric builds. Whether you're stacking multiple Flame Totems, Ballistae, or Arcane Sentinels, the additional totem gives you a stronger board presence and better uptime.

The stat boosts and increased defenses (Armour and Energy Shield) also provide valuable survivability, helping to counterbalance Totems’ typically passive playstyle.

The Curse Drawback – and Why It's Abused

When your Totems die, you get randomly cursed—and these curses ignore your curse limit. While this might sound like a huge negative, veteran PoE players know this drawback can be turned into an advantage with proper planning.

• Self-curse builds use this to trigger curse-based synergies like Doedre’s Tenure.

• Curse Immunity tech: Flask suffixes like “of Warding” or passive tree modifiers can nullify the curse downside entirely.

• Soul Mantle synergy: Curses trigger on Totem death, not expiration—so you can intentionally detonate totems to proc effects.

For skilled players, this “drawback” becomes a trigger mechanism—a clever twist on an already versatile item.

Best Builds to Use With Soul Mantle in PoE 2

Here are some of the top-performing builds that benefit from Soul Mantle in Path of Exile 2:

• Ballista Totem Ranger Builds – Great for players using ranged attacks like Lightning Arrow or Explosive Arrow via Ballista Totems.

• Flame Totem Sorcerer Builds – Classic spell totem casters using Fire skills and spell crit scaling.

• Cold Spell Totem Specialist Builds – Builds using skills like Cold Snap with high uptime and crowd control.

• Self-Curse Spell Totem Builds – Using curses as buffs, often incorporating chaos or lightning damage scaling.

These builds can handle the curse drawback effectively by using Warding flasks or leaning into self-curse mechanics for added bonuses.

How to Get Soul Mantle in Path of Exile 2

Soul Mantle is a random Unique drop, meaning you won’t find it from specific bosses or content (as of Patch 0.2.0). Here’s how to target it:

• Act 3+: It can drop anywhere from mid-campaign onward due to its level 36 requirement.

• Use an Orb of Chance on a normal Sacrificial Mantle base to try upgrading it into Soul Mantle.

• Trade with other players via in-game trading or trusted third-party sites.

If you're short on time or RNG luck, you can also buy PoE 2 currency from trusted sites like SSEGold to trade for Soul Mantle quickly.

Best Gear and Support Items with Soul Mantle

Pairing Soul Mantle with the right gear is key to unlocking its full potential. Here are some high-synergy items:

• Kikazaru Rings – Reduce curse effect and provide solid mana regen.

• Flasks with “of Warding” – Make you immune to curses for a few seconds.

• Self-curse synergy Uniques – If going that route, look at gear like Doedre’s Tenure or Coward's Legacy.

• Totem Support Gems – Spell Totem, Ballista Totem, and Multiple Totems all scale well.

Your passive tree should also lean into Totem Life, Totem Damage, and Curse Immunity nodes for maximum efficiency.

Final Thoughts – Is Soul Mantle Still Worth It in PoE 2?

Absolutely—Soul Mantle remains one of the best Unique chest pieces for Totem builds, even without the built-in Spell Totem support from PoE 1. The extra Totem, strong stat scaling, and strategic curse interaction make it a staple for both starter and endgame builds.

However, it’s not plug-and-play. You'll need to build around the curses or suppress them entirely. But for experienced players, that trade-off is more than worth the reward.

If you're diving into a Totem build this league, Soul Mantle deserves a spot in your loadout.