What is the Best Build for Path of Exile?

The question of the “best build” in Path of Exile (PoE) is notoriously complex and, truthfully, has no single definitive answer. It largely depends on a player’s individual preferences, playstyle, goals within the game, and, crucially, the current game patch. However, we can dissect this question by identifying what constitutes a “good” build and explore some top contenders that are consistently powerful.

Ultimately, a “best build” needs to strike a balance between several factors: clear speed, bossing capability, survivability, budget friendliness, and enjoyment. A build that excels at clearing maps quickly but crumbles against bosses isn’t ideal, just as a tanky build that takes an eternity to kill basic enemies isn’t efficient. Therefore, the ideal build for you will be a personalized compromise based on your priorities.

Currently, several builds stand out based on their performance and popularity, often appearing in tier lists:

• Hexblast Mine Saboteur: This build consistently provides exceptional damage output, especially against single targets, making it a bossing powerhouse. The mine-laying playstyle can be a bit clunky for some, but the rewards are enormous.
• Lightning Arrow Deadeye: A classic choice for speed and map clearing, Lightning Arrow excels at annihilating large groups of enemies. It typically requires investment to reach its full potential, but the sheer speed and screen-wide damage are captivating.
• Toxic Rain Pathfinder: This build is known for its strong damage over time (DoT) and excellent survivability. Toxic Rain is a reliable league starter that can smoothly transition into mid-to-late game content.
• Boneshatter Juggernaut: If you crave a melee experience with extreme tankiness, Boneshatter Juggernaut is a great option. It sacrifices some clear speed for immense survivability and satisfying bone-crunching damage.
• Righteous Fire Juggernaut: Another Juggernaut build, Righteous Fire, offers a more passive playstyle. While requiring specific gear to maximize its potential, it provides constant damage with very little active input, making it surprisingly relaxing.

These builds are consistently mentioned as strong contenders in PoE, however, the definition of “best” is subjective. Let’s delve into some related questions that often come up when considering a new build.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About PoE Builds

What is the strongest build in PoE for pure damage?

While damage output changes with each patch, the Hexblast Mine Saboteur often reigns supreme for raw single-target damage, thanks to its ability to stack immense amounts of damage from its mine detonations. Impaling Cyclone Champion and Shrapnel Ballista Champion were historically known for absurd DPS but might not be the current meta.

What build should I play in PoE if I’m a beginner?

For new players, builds that are forgiving and require minimal gear investment are ideal. Toxic Rain Pathfinder is often recommended for its excellent clear speed, decent bossing, and relatively low gear dependency. Boneshatter Juggernaut is another great option for those wanting to play melee, as it provides great survivability while learning the ropes. Avoid highly complex builds or those requiring expensive unique items as a starter build.

What is the best solo build in PoE?

The “best” solo build depends on what you prioritize. Elementalist builds using Elemental Hit Slayer have historically been powerful due to the raw damage potential of Elemental Hit, but specific build viability shifts with each patch. However, for solo play, focus on builds with a balance of damage, survivability, and reasonable clear speed. Toxic Rain Pathfinder and Righteous Fire Juggernaut, mentioned previously, are also excellent solo options.

What is the fastest leveling class in PoE?

Hollow Palm Technique builds are generally considered the fastest for leveling. This strategy focuses on using unarmed combat, scaling with Dexterity, and can reach level 90 quickly due to high damage output. However, it requires specific items and is less intuitive than other leveling strategies, thus often used by more experienced players.

What is the hardest class to play in Path of Exile?

The Shadow class is often considered one of the most challenging classes to master. Its skill tree demands a good understanding of the game’s mechanics. It often relies on hit-and-run tactics and careful positioning, demanding a more strategic approach than other classes.

Does the chosen class impact build performance significantly?

Yes and no. While the Ascendancy classes (subclasses within each primary class) greatly impact build performance, you can often achieve similar build archetypes on multiple classes. However, certain classes and ascendancies lend themselves naturally to certain builds due to their passive bonuses. For example, the Juggernaut is almost always a good pick for tanky builds, while Deadeye naturally enhances projectile-based attacks.

What are some budget-friendly builds that are strong?

Toxic Rain Pathfinder, Righteous Fire Juggernaut, and Boneshatter Juggernaut are often cited as budget-friendly builds that perform well without requiring expensive gear. These builds tend to be quite accessible to new players. Builds that rely on crafting for progression rather than expensive Unique items tend to be more budget friendly.

Does build matter in Path of Exile?

Absolutely! Your build is the backbone of your character’s strength. An improperly constructed build might lead to significantly reduced damage, survivability, and an overall frustrating experience. While you can copy builds, understanding why they work is key to mastering the game. Copying a build is fine to start, but learning to adapt a build to your needs is key to long term success in PoE.

What are some of the most powerful uniques in Path of Exile?

Headhunter is considered one of the most potent uniques for map clear speed builds because it steals mods from rare monsters. It’s also incredibly expensive. Other powerful unique items vary depending on the build you are aiming for. For example, Bottled Faith for crit builds and The Annihilating Light for spell builds.

What is the most beginner-friendly class in PoE?

The Marauder (melee focused) and Templar (melee/magic hybrid) are frequently recommended for new players, due to their straightforward nature and inherent tankiness, allowing new players to forgive more mistakes. It is always best to pick a class that interests you the most however, rather than forcing yourself to play a character that does not.

How important is armor in Path of Exile?

Armor is crucial for mitigating incoming physical damage, especially against large hits. It acts as damage reduction; the more armor, the more physical damage is blocked. While not as essential for builds that use evasion or energy shield as a primary defense, armor is an important defensive layer, especially early on.

Will Path of Exile 2 replace Path of Exile?

No. Path of Exile 2 is a separate game with a new campaign, new endgame, new classes, and new systems. Both Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2 will be supported and updated separately, with purchases being shared across both platforms.

What is the hardest hitting boss in Path of Exile?

Aul, the Crystal King, found deep within the Delve, is consistently ranked as one of the hardest bosses due to his complex mechanics and extremely high damage output. Boss difficulty, however, varies depending on the build being played.

Is the Witch class good in Path of Exile?

The Witch is a potent spellcasting class and can be extremely powerful with the right build and setup. While primarily a caster class, it can be adapted for other archetypes, like the Bow Demolisher Witch build, which proves its versatility.

Is dying a big deal in Path of Exile?

Death has little penalty whilst levelling, however, in the late-game, death can be problematic as most end-game content gives you a limited number of portals to work with. Losing all of your portals to the boss can mean the loss of significant time. It’s important to find a balance between damage and survivability in order to maximize progress.

In conclusion, the “best” Path of Exile build is a personal quest, not a universal answer. Experimentation, understanding mechanics, and building a character that aligns with your playstyle will ultimately be more rewarding than blindly copying a build. With some research, you’ll discover the perfect path for your exile!