Welcome to another build guide, Exile! In this guide, we'll delve into the classic Poison Blade Vortex Occultist – a build that has seen numerous updates and remains a potent force in the ever-changing world of Path of Exile. While I covered this build previously on the channel, the continuous buffs it has received and the lack of updated guides prompted me to revisit and share the enhanced version with you.
The Occultist class, with its chaos-infused capabilities, is a personal favorite. The allure of chaos pops, the screen-wide chaos explosions, and the disregard for enemy life granted by Profane Bloom make it an ideal choice for fast and comfortable mapping.
To kick things off, let's discuss the mechanics of chaos pops. These satisfying pops are triggered by killing a cursed enemy, initiating a chain reaction that deals chaos damage based on a quarter of their life. The key to success lies in having enough damage to start the pop chains with just one or two kills in a pack.
Blade Vortex serves as our primary skill, acting as a robust poison delivery system. Its synergy with unique items like Ming's Heart amplifies chaos damage derived from our physical base. Additionally, the build makes effective use of Plague Bearer, complementing Blade Vortex's close-quarters playstyle by dealing extra damage as we venture into enemy ranges.
While the build excels in map clearing, it faces challenges in single-target damage. However, this league provided an opportunity to address this issue using new charms from Affliction. These charms significantly bolstered our single-target damage, transforming the character into a versatile all-arounder.
The Occultist ascendancy plays a crucial role in shaping this build. Profane Bloom, Void Beacon, Withering Presence, and Unholy Authority provide a powerful foundation. Notably, the addition of a second curse allows us to apply debilitating effects without being hindered by hex-proof enemies or map mods.
Now, let's delve into the passive tree. Prioritize life, chaos damage, hexes, and poison damage while taking the Eldritch Battery keystone. This keystone enables the energy shield to cover mana, allowing for the efficient reserve of mana for auras and heralds. Masteries such as Poison, Damage Over Time, and Skill Effect Duration enhance our overall damage output.
The ascendancy from the Affliction League introduces charms, offering reduced but stackable ascendancy effects. Notable charms include blind-on-hit, frenzy charge-on-hit with evasion per charge, and additional poison duration with consecrated ground creation on unique enemy kill.
For gem links, Blade Vortex is the cornerstone, supported by Awakened Void Manipulation, Awakened Dead, Unbound Ailments, and Unleash. Utilize Blasphemy to apply curses like Despair, Temporal Chains, and Punishment. Auras include Vitality and Malevolence, with Flame Dash for mobility.
In the weapon, Withering Step provides elusive buff, movement speed, and wither debuffs. Plague Bearer absorbs and releases poison damage strategically. The shield charge setup comprises Faster Attacks for swifter movement.
Gear-wise, key items include Cold Iron Point for added Blade Vortex levels, a Dendrobate chest for poison synergies, and Mings Hearts for substantial chaos damage. Replica Dragon Fangs provides increased reservation efficiency. Rings and amulets should prioritize life, resistance, and dexterity for Dendrobate requirements.
Flasks are tailored for survival and utility, featuring a life flask with corrupted blood immunity, a Quartz Flask for phasing, a Silver Flask for Onslaught, and a Jade Flask for additional evasion.
For budget gear, start with an Obliteration wand, an Impresence amulet, and any 5- or 6-link chest. As currency accrues, progress to the recommended unique items.
Leveling the build can be approached with Armageddon Brand and Cremation, transitioning to Blade Vortex once you acquire a suitable setup. The passive tree leveling path is outlined in the provided Path of Building.
In conclusion, this Poison Blade Vortex Occultist offers a satisfying and powerful gameplay experience, excelling in mapping and holding its own in endgame content. Whether you're a seasoned exile or a newcomer, this build provides a thrilling journey through the chaos-infested realms of Path of Exile. Happy hunting, and may your blades be ever venomous!
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