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MaxRoll Link: https://maxroll.gg/poe2/planner/r7fft010
I really don't like the way MaxRoll has their Planner set up as it doesn't give a great opprotunity to show specific steps of the build.
I do however, like it's ease of use for showing off armor stats and skill set-up. Please take a look there if you have questions on those things.
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End Game Example of the build (Cruel 3)
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1. Introduction
2. Pros/Cons
3. How to play it
4. Ascendancy
5. Final Passive Skill Tree
6. Gear & Stats to look for
7. Act Walkthroughs
8. Problematic Enemies
9. Theorycrafting
10. Closing
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1. Introduction
Hello there, if you are reading this, than you, like me, have been on the hunt for a decent guide to use that won't get you stuck in Endgame.
I've been playing PoE for about 9 years now with ~3000 hours into it and I'm very passionate about the game and community, so I'm truly hoping this helps people out, at least a bit. I won't be able to respond here a ton, as I am a working Dad - so please be patient with me if you have questions or suggestions.
As with everything in PoE2, the game is super new and things are changing constantly, so what might be viable today, might change tomorrow. I will try my best to keep things up to date here.
Even though this is more of an advanced/intermediate build, an important note here is I'm trying to keep this as simple as possible for new players, utilizing only three spells so you don't get overwhelmed. While I absolutely love the PoE community and how it constantly strives to obliterate the game by making insane builds, these are usually extremely daunting and confusing to players. I'm hoping this guide can serve as a jumping off point for players to learn the core concepts.
Please also note I've gotten a few asks to post up my guides in Mobalytics and while I would love to post my guides in other places, I specifically tried this out and you cannot upload anything unless you are a verified partner with their site. Until that happens, I will continue to make builds right here.
If you ever have questions, please ask in the forum here or stop by my Twitch channel, I stream pretty often and would be happy to answer things live. I play typically on Standard league, to provide help for my friends, but if I'm testing out builds - it will be strictly self-imposed SSF.
With all that out of the way, I'm excited to try this build out and update it as I progress. Mainly, this will use Hexblast as the main damage source.
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2. Pros/Cons
Pros
+++ Straightforward - can focus on learning fights instead of class abilities
+++ Easy to Gear - no Uniques that are absolutely required
+++ Room to Expand and add your own flare
+++ Cool Style, Dark Monks are badass!
+++ Chaos Resistance is barely an issue
Cons
--- Early Game is really rough
--- Straightforward - could be boring if 2-3 buttons isn't enough for you
--- Close Combat Spell Caster (Enemies need to be in your presence)
--- Almost purely chaos damage and spell hit
--- Relies on Enemies that can be Cursed
--- Defensives take a bit of brain power to fully understand
--- Can't use Hexblast until 42 (~Act 3)
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3. How to play it
Reminder: I wanted to keep things as simple as possible for this build for new players to get through content and enjoy the game. There is plenty of room for more veteran players to pick this up and experiment/push the boundaries of this as well - more on that in theorycrafting sections.
Important Note: This build comes online at level 42, until then just use Essence Drain and Contagion with Enfeeble and Decayed Hex Support, I'll go over that in more detail in the Walkthrough section.
These are the main skills you will be using for this build.
I. Hexblast
II. Blasphemy
III. Soul Offering
IV. Buffs
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4. Ascendancy
We take Acolyte of Chayula here. The reason being the defenses and chaos buffs they get here are pretty stellar. We need to do some work to make the defenses really shine, but it won't be too hard.
I. Ascension 1
II. Ascension 2
III. Ascension 3
III. Ascension 4
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5. End Game Passive Skill Tree
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6. Gear and what to look for
I. Body Armour & Helmet
Anything that has Life, Energy Shield & Resists is perfect. Stay focused on gear that is primarily Energy Shield base stat - we don't use Evasion or Armour. Anything that boosts Chaos or Spell Damage is also a great addition. If we can find spirit, we also utilize that as we are a bit buff heavy. (needing about 120-210).
II. Boots
Same as above, but Movement Speed is the primary stat we are looking for.
III. Gloves
Same as Body Armour.
IV. Rings
Resist Rings (Ruby, Topaz and/or Sapphire) here to balance your resistances to as close to 75% as possible. Otherwise, same stats as Body Armour.
V. Neck
We'll want a Mana Regeneration or Intelligence Neck once we pick up Mind over Matter. Before that, just grab a Strength or Life Neck if you can.
VI. Wand & Focus
For One-Handed, Mana Drain wand with a boost to Chaos or Spell Damage is what you should run. Focus should focus (heh) on the same stats, Energy Shield, Chaos or Spell Damage
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7. Act Walkthroughs
Note: I won't be going through a general guide here to get through the campaign and end game, I'm sure there are guides out there that would do a better job than I would, this is just generally where the build should be at each point in the game.
We stack Intelligence and only get another stat if a gem or armor piece requires it. Intelligence is absolutely huge for us and we can never have enough of it.
I. Act 1
II. Act 2
III. Act 3
IV. End Game
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8. Problematic Enemies
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9. Theorycrafting
I'll go over some of my ideas for alternatives for the build or how to make it just generally better while adding some complexity to it. Please feel free to also hit me up with your own suggestions or if I overlooked something here.
I. Weapon Swapping
II. Chaotic Freeze Support Gem
III. Minions
IV. Blood Mage
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10. Closing
Update #3 12/19/24
Update #2 12/18/24
Update #1 12/17/24
If this helps out even one person, I'll feel like it was worth it. Heck, I'll even consider doing a few others for builds I'm currently working on.
Thanks for reading, see you later exiles!
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If you enjoyed this, check out my other guides here:
Titan - League Starter/SSF - Beginner Friendly - Fire Build to get to Endgame
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3625751
Pathfinder - League Starter/SSF - Off-Meta - Beginner Friendly - Blood Alchemist
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3657241
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Shoutout to monik390#5560 for the guide format. They have a very good style with the guides they make, please check them out as well!
Last edited by Kobyjoe#5354 on Dec 25, 2024, 11:42:07 AMLast bumped on Jan 2, 2025, 12:50:23 AM
Posted byKobyjoe#5354on Dec 18, 2024, 8:01:57 AM