Hello and welcome, Exiles. In this guide, we’ll be talking about the best and most affordable builds that you can make in the current league, called Affliction. We’ll name some of the PoE best builds and also talk about some of the weakest ones. If you’re still figuring out what build you should try out, this guide will help you make the right choice!
First, we’re going to talk about what makes a good build and how one can make a complete and effective build. Next, we’re going to give you our tier list, explain what each tier means, and why a certain build fits in there. Then, we’re going to talk about one particular build from the S-tier and discuss what makes it the best in the game. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!
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What Is a Build In Path of Exile?
In Path of Exile, a "build" refers to a combination of character class, skills, passive tree choices, items, and playstyle that together create a unique character with specific strengths and weaknesses. A strong build in Path of Exile typically excels in clearing content efficiently, whether it be through high damage output, survivability, or a combination of both.
Here are some key factors that contribute to a strong build:
- Synergy: A strong build has synergy between its chosen skills, passive tree nodes, and gear. This synergy ensures that every component of the build complements and enhances the others.
- Clear Speed: Builds that can efficiently clear maps or defeat bosses quickly are often considered strong. This involves a balance between damage output and area of effect capabilities.
- Survivability: The ability to withstand incoming damage is crucial. Strong builds often incorporate defensive layers such as high life or energy shield pools, resistances, evasion, armor, block, dodge, and various forms of mitigation.
- Versatility: Some builds are versatile and can handle different types of content, while others may specialize in specific aspects of the game, such as boss killing or map clearing.
- Budget-Friendly Options: A good build provides options for players with different budget levels. It can perform well with both expensive and more budget-friendly gear.
Creating a build in Path of Exile involves making decisions in various areas:
- Character Class: There are seven character classes in the game, each with its own starting location on the passive skill tree. Your class choice determines your starting point on the tree and your initial ascendancy options.
- Skills and Gems: Choose one or more skills as the primary source of damage. Skills can be active (attacks or spells) or supported by support gems that modify their behavior.
- Passive Skill Tree: Allocate passive skill points on the expansive skill tree to enhance your character's attributes, increase damage, and provide defensive bonuses.
- Ascendancy: Each class has access to four ascendancy classes, which offer powerful bonuses and specialized abilities. Ascendancy choices significantly impact the playstyle and strengths of a build.
- Items: Equip gear that complements your chosen skills and enhances your character's strengths. Unique items often have specific properties that can define or strengthen a build.
The difficulty of creating a build can vary based on the complexity of your concept, your familiarity with the game mechanics, and your understanding of the passive skill tree. Creating a successful build often involves trial and error, learning from experience, and adapting to changes in the game's meta. Many players also seek inspiration and guidance from community forums, build guides, and tools like Path of Building to optimize their characters. Overall, while it can be challenging, creating a successful build is a rewarding aspect of the Path of Exile experience. And now, we’ll take a look at what constitutes the Path of Exile best build and how to find one! BLOG20
Explaining Each Tier To Rank Path of Exile Builds
Our tier criteria are determined by evaluating a variety of factors that contribute to a build's effectiveness in the Affliction League. We assess aspects such as clear speed, survivability, versatility, and ease of gearing, providing a comprehensive overview of each build's potential strengths and weaknesses. The tier list is designed to guide you through the diverse landscape of builds, ensuring that you embark on your journey with a solid foundation that aligns with your preferred playstyle and league objectives. So, whether you seek dominance in mapping, excellence in boss encounters, or a smooth progression through the league, our Path of Exile builds tier list is tailored to help you make an informed decision for a fun and engaging gaming experience.
- S Tier:
Builds in this tier are considered the strongest and most effective league starters for the Affliction League. They excel in various aspects such as clear speed, survivability, and versatility. These builds are likely to perform exceptionally well in both mapping and endgame content.
- A Tier:
Builds in this tier are strong and reliable league starters, offering good performance in different aspects of the game. While they may not be as dominant as S Tier builds, they still provide a solid foundation for players to progress through the league with efficiency and effectiveness.
- B Tier:
Builds in this tier are considered decent league starters, but they may have some limitations or require more investment to reach their full potential. These builds can still be effective, especially with proper gearing and skillful play, but they might not be as straightforward or powerful as those in higher tiers.
So this is how we evaluate the builds. Know that everyone still picks a build based on personal preference and we believe that this is actually the right way to approach builds. Unless you’re into extreme min/maxing in your builds, you should base your pick on the fun factor and vibe.
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Best Affordable Path of Exile Builds
The following table contains the Path of Exile builds tier list 2024, which we analyzed and broken down for you. Later on, we’ll explain each build in greater detail.
| Tier | Builds |
| S |
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| A |
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| B |
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The diverse array of builds showcased above covers a spectrum of playstyles and strategies in Path of Exile's 3.23 expansion. From top-tier selections with exceptional damage output and survivability (S Tier) to solid performers (A Tier) and intriguing, slightly off-meta choices (B Tier), there's a build for every preference and skill level. Whether you prefer the chaotic elegance of a Poison Blade Vortex Pathfinder or the relentless horde management of a Zombie Baron Guardian, each build brings its unique flavor to the ever-evolving world of Wraeclast.
S Tier
Let’s begin with the most powerful builds you can make in the current league. Even though they’re all starter builds, they can be taken into the endgame and be just as powerful there!
- Poison Blade Vortex Pathfinder
A lethal chaos spellcaster utilizing Blade Vortex, the Poison Blade Vortex Pathfinder excels with strong flask scaling, poison boosts, and buffs to Blade Vortex. The use of the Obliteration wand for clearing and Cold Iron Point for damage ensures efficient and deadly gameplay. With a tanky nature and significant chaos damage scaling, this build is the Path of Exile best build 2024 and a powerhouse in the Affliction League.
- Sentinel Army (Holy Summoner)
Embark on a minion-focused journey with the Sentinel Army (Holy Summoner) build. Utilizing Absolution and Herald of Purity to summon powerful sentinel minions, this build thrives under the Necromancer or Guardian ascendancy. Holy minions dealing physical and lightning damage contribute to a formidable force, making it an excellent league starter with reliable clear speed.
- Rain of Arrows (RoA) Raider/Champion
The Rain of Arrows (RoA) Raider/Champion build is a bow attack powerhouse. With Raider providing frenzy charges and onslaught, and Champion offering Fortify and Adrenaline boosts, this build is an ideal league starter. Its great clear speed, especially with the added projectiles from the quality, makes it a versatile choice, though single-target damage requires some investment.
- Shield Crush Juggernaut
A robust physical attack build, the Shield Crush Juggernaut focuses on stacking armor and utilizes Replica Dreamfeather and Emperor's Vigilance. With Juggernaut providing defense through endurance charges, this tanky build is capable of handling all content. Its effective clear and durability make it a reliable choice for the Affliction League.
- Crackling Lance Inquisitor
The Crackling Lance Inquisitor is a potent build that ignores enemy resistances, stacking cast speed, crit chance/multiplier, and lightning damage. With a tanky setup involving life/ES nodes and regen, this build utilizes the Leadership's Price helmet for additional damage. A versatile and durable choice for the Affliction League.
- Vaal Arc
Harness the power of Vaal Arc with the Elementalist ascendancy in this build. Stacking cast and lightning damage, this build clears maps swiftly, leveraging shock and herald buffs. While it excels in map clear, it may face challenges against endgame bosses.
A Tier
Next stop in our Path of Exile build ranking - strong builds and the right choice in every playstyle. They’re not as versatile as the tier above, but they’re just as effective.
- Zombie Baron Guardian
The Zombie Baron Guardian is a minion-focused build that scales zombie life and damage. Utilizing The Baron helmet and Mon'tregul's Grasp, this build benefits from the Necromancer or Guardian ascendancy, providing a tanky playstyle with clear speed relying on the number of summoned zombies.
- Boneshatter Juggernaut
As a Slam skill build, the Boneshatter Juggernaut relies on endurance charges for defense. Strong for leveling through maps until late endgame, it offers versatility with the option to switch to axes or maces for a lower budget.
- Wave of Conviction Elementalist
The Wave of Conviction Elementalist excels in ignite proliferation with the application of exposure. With reflect immunity and shock effects from the Elementalist, this build utilizes the Mortal Conviction belt for early high life regen, with the potential to respec later into a Detonate Dead build.
- Cold Blade Vortex Elementalist/Occultist
Focused on cold damage over time from Blade Vortex, the Cold Blade Vortex Elementalist/Occultist offers reflect protection and chill/freeze effects. With Profane Bloom pops for clear speed, it brings a unique playstyle to the Affliction League, though it may struggle against endgame bosses without heavy investment.
- Tornado Shot Deadeye
Experience fast clear speed with the Tornado Shot Deadeye, a bow build offering tailwind, chains, and projectiles. The Barrage in 6L enhances single-target damage, making it an appealing choice with the right investment in flat elemental damage.
- Toxic Rain Pathfinder
An excellent league starter, the Toxic Rain Pathfinder sustains through flask usage and deals chaos damage over time. With the ability to scale poison DOT damage on bosses and Caustic arrow for extra single-target damage, this build offers versatility in the Affliction League.
- Lightning Arrow Deadeye
The Lightning Arrow Deadeye focuses on the lightning arrow for clear, offering tailwind, chains, and crit scaling. While it requires more investment than a Raider build, it boasts a glass cannon playstyle with a high damage ceiling.
- Minion Army (Zombie Necromancer)
Raise Zombie, Carrion Golem, and Spectres form the backbone of the Minion Army (Zombie Necromancer) build. With Necromancer buffs enhancing minion life, damage, and speed, this build can be tanky but sacrifices clear speed compared to other options.
- Summon Raging Spirits Guardian
The Summon Raging Spirits Guardian build summons fiery skulls that track enemies. Whether you choose Necromancer or Elementalist ascendancy, the Unleash support enhances clear speed, while focusing on minion speed and cast speed ensuring a tanky playstyle suitable for beginners.
B Tier
Solid choices overall that do have some limitations.
- Raise Spectre (Varied)
The Raise Spectre build relies on various spectres for supplementary damage and utility. Syndicate Operatives contribute to projectile clear speed, while Apes/Carnage Chieftains provide valuable buffs. This build offers flexibility but may require specific spectres for optimal performance.
- Righteous Fire Juggernaut
The Righteous Fire Juggernaut utilizes endurance charges to provide regeneration while stacking maximum life for damage. Searing Touch staff scales fire damage, requiring specific items like Kaom's Heart and Rise of the Phoenix. A more niche choice, it suits those seeking a unique playstyle.
- Incinerate Inquisitor
Channeling Incinerate for high spell damage, the Incinerate Inquisitor is a unique build that ignores resistances and quickly regenerates life/ES. Switching to CI later on, it relies on cast/movement speed for clear speed and surprisingly achieves high boss DPS on a budget.
- Magefist Flicker Strike Slayer
The Magefist Flicker Strike Slayer is a very fast but squishy build that sustains Flicker Strike charges through Frenzy on hit. With a challenging playstyle and the need for significant investment to reach high damage levels, it offers a unique and entertaining experience.
- Corrupting Fever Champion
The Corrupting Fever Champion applies a chaos DoT debuff, utilizing Adrenaline for damage and speed buffs. With permanent Fortify and tankiness from the Champion ascendancy, it excels in Ultimatum content due to its resilient nature.
Conclusion
While the Affliction league is going strong, it’s never too late to make dive into the game and start playing or make an alt and try out a completely different playstyle using the Path of Exile best PvE build presented in this list. In this tier list, we tried to include as many different builds as possible while making sure that they were all good enough to beat the story acts and get going in the endgame.
As Path of Exile constantly evolves with new content and updates, the beauty lies in the versatility of these builds, offering players a plethora of choices to adapt, thrive, and discover their own unique journey in the ever-expanding landscape of the game. So whether you're a seasoned exile or a newcomer, embark on your adventure, embrace the curses of the Affliction league, and may your chosen build lead you to triumph in the world of Wraeclast.
F.A.Q.
What is the Strongest Build in PoE?
The strength of a build in Path of Exile depends on various factors such as playstyle, gear, and personal preference. Different players may find success with different builds based on their preferences and goals.
What is the Best Beginner Class in PoE?
The best beginner class in Path of Exile often depends on the preferred playstyle. Classes like Marauder or Witch are commonly recommended for new players due to their straightforward mechanics.
Is the Duelist Good in Path of Exile?
The Duelist can be a viable choice in Path of Exile, offering versatility in melee and ranged skills. However, the effectiveness depends on the chosen build and player preferences.
How Many Classes Does Path of Exile Have?
Path of Exile currently has 6 classes, each offering a unique starting point on the passive skill tree and different ascendancy options, allowing for diverse character customization.
Does Path of Exile Have Classes?
Yes, Path of Exile has classes that serve as the starting point for character customization. Each class has its own strengths, and players can further specialize through ascendancy choices.
What is the Best Character for Beginners in PoE?
Classes like Marauder, Witch, or Ranger are often considered good choices for beginners in Path of Exile due to their accessible mechanics and straightforward gameplay.
Which Character to Choose in Path of Exile?
The choice of character in Path of Exile depends on individual preferences, playstyle, and desired build. Players should explore different classes to find the one that aligns with their preferences.
How Many Classes Are There in PoE 2?
There are going to be 12 base classes in the game, with some of the completely new ones being hybrids that combine two stats that haven’t had a class representing them in the first game. Those classes are Monk, Huntress, Mercenary, Sorceress, Warrior, and Druid.
