Marauder Incinerate/Firestorm/Blood Magic Build

Hi guys, I'm new to PoE, but I already scrapped my first character and, based on a lot of topics I looked up here on the forums, I've come up with this:



Would this be a viable build later on? In which direction should I go/lean at first? The basic idea here is to be a ultra-survivable plate-armored fire-based bloodmage. I'd basically cast Molten Shell and Incinerate/Firestorm whatever was left, re-casting MS as needed.

Bash as you see fit, I'd really like to learn how to plan a good build in this game.

What physical-based projectile attacks do you plan on using (iron grip)?

Also, it would be better if you planned for level 60 (around 40-45 points left). Usually by then if your character hasn't hit his stride, it's not going to do much. Plus by then you'll have a much better idea where to go for your end-game build if it's good enough to go to the 80's.

How does this look? I obviously overlooked the effects from Iron Grip, it would be useless. I tried reducing the build to a more bare-bones version, which should be attainable around lvl 60.

Your input would be greatly appreciated, thanks :)

Shameless bump, I really need some help here, don't wanna scrap another character :/

I have a level 73 Firestorm Marauder.
I tried incenerate but inability to move and necessity to invest in dexterity for LMP/GMP made me focused entirely on firestorm.
My Firestorm looks like this:
Firestorm + Increased Duration + Concentrated Effect + Iron Will + Life Leech or Fire Penetration. If i ever get a 6L i will add Faster Casting.
Here's my build:

On futher levels i will invest in which area for spell dmg/cast speed/aoe increase.
Pls note how i completely avoided any Burn related nodes - this is because burn is good when you delivers large damage in 1 hit rather that a lot of small fast hits.
Pls note how i didn't take iron grip as firestorm is not an attack it's a spell. It is also not a projectle, it's aoe.
Pls also note how i took all three endurance charges. i also took endurance charge from bandit quest reward on merciles. Why? Because 7 endurance charges gives you 35% phys resistance. Not armor that get wased by heavy hitters and have dimishing returns. Pure phys resistances. And also 35% elem resistances - this allows me do switch some gear from res to rarity a bit.

I run maps solo or with a friend. I have 3.5K HP and 1K armor and tnx to 35% phys res i don't feel i need more. In case of hard hitters i always have granite flask. I also use spell totem+summon skeletons for distractions while i aoe them down.

Your most usefull dps stat on gear is cast speed.

First of all, thank you for your input!

I just wanted to be clear on one thing: When you said you didn't like Incinerate, it was for mobility issues (having to standing still to multiply the damage) and the DEX requirements on LMP/GMP, right? On issue one, you think it isn't possible to tank higher level mobs, even with armor nodes+shield+life nodes+endurance charges+vitality (and maybe even Templar armor+Body and Soul)? And second, don't you think Incinerate could work without LMP/GMP in this setup:

Incinerate + Life Leech + Faster Casting + Chance to Ignite + Proliferation, with an Increased AOE Firestorm and Molten Shell as backup skills? And, in that case, wouldn't the burn damage nodes be worth it, considering the higher chance to Ignite and Proliferate with small, fast hits?

Which weapon are you using? A Searing Touch?

I thought about it initially, but I think the lack of a shield would cause my ability to tank anything for enough time to Incinerate things properly to plummet. I was toying with the idea of using Heartbreaker, as 40%+ Spell Damage is still pretty good, and I can use a shield. I know HB has a dexterity requirement though, but even if I can't compensate enough via equipment, I can still get Precision (+20 DEX) and Agility (+30) with minimum effort/expenditure of points, removing some gear dependency. If I can get Hrimnor's Resolve, even better.

I now use dual scepters 75% damage 15% cast speed each. Searing touch gives less dps as i don't benefit from burning damage and 150% damage 30% cast speed outweight 2 fire level 10% cast speed and 80% damage. To facetank everything you need very good gear, I can't afford standing still when a bunch of snakes spew chaos damage at me. Also casting curses and endurance charges break incinerate stage increase.

You also need to adjust your understanding of the mechanics. If a skill does big hit (fireball) it applies a good burn that can be nicely proliferated. If a skill applies lots of smal hits ( incinerate or firestorm) it's burn effect is extremely short and weak. Because only burn from one of the small hits can be on the target at a time.

And for incinerate you defiantly need something that add aoe to the skill so dex is needed. Also incinerate benefits greatly from projectile speed (flame gets longer). So you will need wands because they have projetle speed. Wands require a lot of intelegence. And dmg+cast speed+projectle speed wands cost a lot because all FP builds want them. So even if incinerate can be effective it is a lot more expensive than firestorm to make it so .

Thank you for the info, I really didn't know that the burn effect could only be applied once. I thought that if it was applied a shitload of times it would do enourmous damage.

Alas, I obviously have to rethink this whole thing, then I'll try and post a new build or something.