Top Off-Meta Starter Build in PoE 3.22
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Frostblades Trickster
- Skill Mechanics
- Pros and Cons
- Recommended Gear
- Trickster Ascendancy
- Gameplay Analysis
- Hydrosphere Occultist
- Skill Mechanics
- Pros and Cons
- Recommended Gear
- Occultist Ascendancy
- Gameplay Analysis
- Reign of Arrows Raider
- Skill Mechanics
- Pros and Cons
- Recommended Gear
- Raider Ascendancy
- Gameplay Analysis
- Conclusion
Frostblades Trickster
Frostblades Trickster is a unique and off-meta league starter build in Path of Exile. This build combines the Frostblades skill with the Trickster ascendancy to provide an interesting and fun gameplay experience. While not as high-performing as some of the top meta builds, this build offers a refreshing and different approach for players who are looking to branch out and experiment.
Skill Mechanics
Frostblades is a melee attack skill that spawns projectiles, allowing for efficient pack clearing. The projectiles fan out and can be enhanced with additional modifiers like chain or fork for improved clear speed. While the single target damage may not be as strong as other meta builds, Frostblades compensates with its freezing capability, making it a viable option for mapping.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique and engaging gameplay
- Good pack clearing potential
- Freezing capability enhances survivability
Cons:
- Lower single target damage compared to meta builds
- Early campaign and single target damage can be challenging
- Requires specific items to maximize damage potential
Recommended Gear
- Heat Shiver: Provides extra fire damage when able to chill or freeze an enemy, enhancing the damage output of Frostblades.
- Southbound: Used early on to enable Trinity and increase damage against frozen enemies.
- Yoke of Suffering: Allows for all damage types to shock, increasing damage against shocked enemies.
- Circle of Fear: Enables Herald of Ice and provides additional damage and clear speed.
- Legacy of Fury: Enhances clear speed by scorching enemies.
Trickster Ascendancy
The Trickster ascendancy offers powerful synergy for the Frostblades build. Polymath provides increased damage for each different Type of mastery allocated, encouraging players to travel across the tree and acquire various masteries. Swift Killer increases charge duration and maximum frenzy charges, providing increased damage and attack speed. One Step Ahead prevents action speed from being slowed, making the build feel more responsive and allowing for easier boss dodging.
Gameplay Analysis
The Frostblades Trickster build offers a unique and engaging playstyle. With the ability to freeze enemies and dodge boss attacks, this build excels in map clearing. While the single target damage may be lacking, the freezing capability enhances survivability. Gear choices, such as Heat Shiver and Yoke of Suffering, further enhance the damage potential of this build. It is important to note that the build showcased in this analysis is Based on player experiences and may vary in terms of gear and skill choices.
Hydrosphere Occultist
Hydrosphere Occultist is an off-meta league starter build that utilizes the Hydrosphere skill to deal damage. While initially perceived as a meme skill, Hydrosphere offers interesting mechanics that make it more effective than expected. This build focuses on maximizing the drench effect of Hydrosphere to deal damage and provides unique gameplay opportunities.
Skill Mechanics
Hydrosphere is an orb skill that creates a sphere that pulses damage. It deals cold damage by default but can convert to cold or lightning damage when interacting with certain ailments. The sphere also drenches enemies, reducing their cold and lightning resistance. When the Hydrosphere is Recast, it pulses damage to all drenched enemies in a large area, allowing for significant damage output.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Unique and unconventional gameplay
- Good damage potential when drenching enemies
- Provides opportunities for creative and strategic play
Cons:
- Can be clunky to use, especially with low cast speed
- Limited skill compatibility and support options
- Requires specific gear and investment to optimize damage output
Recommended Gear
- The Taming: Adds significant damage when inflicting multiple ailments, synergizing well with Hydrosphere's ability to shock, freeze, and Ignite enemies.
- Blizzard Crown: Offers additional flat damage, further enhancing damage output.
- Devoto's Devotion: Provides increased attack speed and movement speed, improving overall gameplay experience.
Occultist Ascendancy
The Occultist ascendancy complements the Hydrosphere build by providing additional damage and utility. With access to various curses, such as Assassin's Mark and Frostbite, the Occultist can Apply multiple ailments to enemies, optimizing damage output. Additionally, the Occultist's defensive layers, such as Wicked Ward and Vile Bastion, provide increased survivability.
Gameplay Analysis
Hydrosphere Occultist offers a unique and unconventional playstyle. The build focuses on drenching enemies to maximize damage output, and the pulsing damage effect provides significant area coverage. While the build may require some adjustment due to its clunky mechanics and limited support options, it offers a refreshing gameplay experience for those looking for something different. It is important to note that the build showcased in this analysis is based on player experiences and may vary in terms of gear and skill choices.
Reign of Arrows Raider
Reign of Arrows Raider is an off-meta league starter build that utilizes the Reign of Arrows skill for both clearing and single target damage. This build offers an alternative option for bow enthusiasts who are looking for a unique playstyle that differs from Lightning Arrow, Ice Shot, or Tornado Shot builds. While it may not have the highest damage potential, Reign of Arrows excels in its own way, providing a satisfying and viable option for players.
Skill Mechanics
Reign of Arrows fires a large circle of arrows that rain down on enemies, dealing damage within a smaller area. The skill excels in area coverage and benefits from increased area of effect modifiers. Additional projectiles can be added to the skill, allowing for increased coverage and potential damage output.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Offers a unique and satisfying playstyle
- Good area coverage and pack clearing potential
- Viable option for bow enthusiasts seeking variation
Cons:
- Lower damage potential compared to other top meta bow builds
- Limited single target damage
- Requires specific gear and investment to optimize damage output
Recommended Gear
- Three-step Assault: Provides both avoidance and movement speed, enhancing survivability and clear speed.
- Devoto's Devotion: Increases attack speed and movement speed, enhancing overall gameplay experience.
- Blizzard Crown: Offers additional flat damage, improving damage output.
Raider Ascendancy
The Raider ascendancy offers increased mobility, evasion, and attack speed, which synergize well with the Reign of Arrows playstyle. The Quicksilver Flasks effect and Onslaught provide additional movement speed, allowing for swift and efficient map clearing. Additionally, the Raider's defensive layers, such as Avatar of the Veil and Quartz Infusion, provide increased survivability.
Gameplay Analysis
Reign of Arrows Raider offers a unique and satisfying playstyle for bow enthusiasts. The build excels in area coverage and provides a good balance of clear speed and damage potential. While the single target damage may not be as strong as other top meta bow builds, Reign of Arrows compensates with its satisfying and visually impressive skill effect. It is important to note that the build showcased in this analysis is based on player experiences and may vary in terms of gear and skill choices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, off-meta league starter builds provide a refreshing and unique gameplay experience for Path of Exile players. Frostblades Trickster, Hydrosphere Occultist, and Reign of Arrows Raider offer different play styles and mechanics that cater to diverse preferences. While not as high-performing as top meta builds, these off-meta options provide an opportunity for players to explore new strategies and enjoy a different aspect of the game. Experimentation and branching out from tried and true builds can bring excitement and satisfaction to the Path of Exile experience.
Highlights
- Frostblades Trickster is a unique and off-meta league starter build that combines the Frostblades skill with the Trickster ascendancy.
- Hydrosphere Occultist utilizes the Hydrosphere skill to deal damage, offering unconventional gameplay mechanics and opportunities for creative play.
- Reign of Arrows Raider provides a satisfying and unique playstyle for bow enthusiasts, utilizing the Reign of Arrows skill for area coverage and damage output.
- These off-meta league starters offer a refreshing and different approach for players who are looking to branch out and experiment in Path of Exile.
FAQ:
Q: Are these off-meta builds viable for end-game content?
A: While these off-meta builds may not have the same damage potential as top meta builds, they are still viable for end-game content. However, players should be aware that some adjustments and gear optimization may be necessary for optimal performance.
Q: Can these off-meta builds be played as league starters?
A: Yes, these builds can be played as league starters. They provide unique playstyles and offer a fresh experience for players who want to try something different from the usual meta builds.
Q: Are these off-meta builds beginner-friendly?
A: These builds may require some understanding of game mechanics and skill interactions, making them more suitable for experienced players. However, with some research and practice, beginners can also enjoy playing these off-meta builds.