Support Gem Priority

Unleash - Best linked with Contagion for Path of Exile 2 Currency wider spread.
Last Gasp - Enhances Skeleton Warriors' uptime.
Swift Affliction I - Boosts Contagion's DoT significantly.

Early Gear Progression

Main Hand: Start with Torture Wand (Chaos Bolt), then upgrade to Sanctified Staff for Consecrate.
Off-Hand: Rattling Scepter for Skeleton Warriors.
Armor: Prioritize Life and Mana regen early; boots should have movement speed.
Amulets & Rings: Focus on resistances, life, and +levels to spells.

Stat Priority

1. Levels to spells
2. Spell Damage / Chaos Damage
3. Maximum Mana & Mana Regen
4. Cast Speed
5. Maximum Life
6. Elemental Resistances
7. Movement Speed

Passive Tree (Level 1-16 Starter)

Spell & Minion Damage: +32% Spell and Minion Damage.
Raw Destruction: +10 Intelligence, +16% Spell/Minion Damage.
Practiced Signs + Cast Speed nodes: +12% Cast Speed.
Open Mind + Mana Regen nodes: +45% Mana Regen.
Pure Energy: +30% Maximum Energy Shield, +10 Intelligence.
Dampening Shield: +28% Maximum ES, improved stun/ailment threshold.
Mana Blessing: +20 Maximum Mana, +20% Mana Regen.

This setup ensures sustainability, damage scaling, and cheap POE 2 Divine Orbs survivability in the early game.