Best build for a casual player?

Hi, I just started playing PoE again, I played it a little when it was in beta. I currently have a level 15 character and just now thought that the fact my character has no REAL direction (I haven't looked at anything endgame), my character is going to be completely non viable once I hit the endgame areas.

So as a casual player who's probably never going to have anything close to the best gear, could anyone recommend a build that will eventually get me there? As in, what would be the most viable build for someone without the very best gear?

Yeah, having no direction is bad.

What would interest you are probably various trappers or summoners, those require least gear investment if you aren't interested in building a dedicated farmer. There's only the matter of liking that particular playstyle.
Attacker builds have a disadvantage of needing a decent weapon, prices mostly depend on league but you can usually get a 'decent' one for a few exalts which is maybe a week or two farming in endgame if you take it slow&casual.

What you should stay away from are probably two-handed builds and CI, too expensive to make it work.

Another tip is you should take this bit of time after temporary leagues end (july 5th) to mess around a bit and familiarize yourself with the game again, and in a month start a serious char in new 4-month leagues.

I'm going to say that a life-based spellcaster is your best bet, since the bulk of DPS for spellcasters is in the passive tree and the level of the skill gem. Attack-based or CI builds require heavy item investments.

May I suggest http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/934731?

There is no best build for noobs, do what sounds fun and watch some noob videos or something. There are somethings to avoid however: critical strike or cast on crit based dps, chaos innoculation, righteous fire, can't think of anymore atm.

Edit: ziggyd has a popular noob video on youtube.

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BackwoodsS wrote:

There are somethings to avoid however: critical strike or cast on crit based dps

Right, that too, it looks simple and videos are pretty spectacular but you need total and utter commitment to critical hits which is hard both on passive tree and on your wallet. Anything less than that and the build will crash and burn, and if it works it takes a long time to pull it off, crit builds are the definition of latebloomers.

Righteous Fire is a very late bloomer also, the essential unique isn't expensive but requires level 65 to equip and it takes a lot of passives to tag all the health, regen and max resists you need for it to work properly. Until then it's searing bond yawnfest.

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nightshark wrote:

Hi, I just started playing PoE again, I played it a little when it was in beta. I currently have a level 15 character and just now thought that the fact my character has no REAL direction (I haven't looked at anything endgame), my character is going to be completely non viable once I hit the endgame areas.

So as a casual player who's probably never going to have anything close to the best gear, could anyone recommend a build that will eventually get me there? As in, what would be the most viable build for someone without the very best gear?

Maybe Incinerate with high armor and block chance?
The build is so cheap that it won't get over 1 ex to have the entertainment.

Check out my Marauder build, its beginner viable and easy to level.You get gems in quest rewarding and most important first reward gem is Ground Slam!!!

PS: I forget-its really fun to play!!!

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raics wrote:

What you should stay away from are probably two-handed builds

Raics, why do you think 2h is so difficult for noobs? I often reccomend it as a great starting setup since DPS is easy to come by (self crafting) until lvl 60 or so. I know it is a bit tougher end game defensively and dps but what isn't? Wondering if I am missing something and should stop reccomending it.

yup, 2h mara ground slammer or something like lightning arrow RT ranger are the best starter builds I guess. You won't push your very first character into 70+ maps anyway. (Not that the builds cant do those, they can and they are good at it with good gear.)

I would recommend not to go any attack skill with the exception of Spectral Throw and Ground Slam.

If you dont like those, go with any Spell and aim for wand + shield.