"
if this is your first build of this type id would opt for a safer route - 2h mace and resolute technique. hegemony's era is a very good staff however to work properly you have to have a good gear to go with it (i mean +accuracy items as without them your chance to hit is very VERY low and you wont hit nor crit)
my tree for reference:
Spoiler
so it is better to play something simple first and move to more advanced stuff. 2h crit builds on the left side of the tree are one of the hardest in terms of gear as you'll be spread VERY thin
another tip: plan your build with 100 points (around level 80). your build has to work at lvl 80 and remaining points just make it stronger. if your build idea 'ticks' only at 110 points it is very risky and most probably a failure
also - i recommend to play this character 'as this build' from level 1. do not use leveling shortcuts. it is very likely that you wont like the playstyle or would like to change something during the leveling process. it is perfectly ok to do so!
final note: glacial hammer's strength lies in freezing and shatter-cull. with crit build you freeze everything anyway and you also rarely benefit from the cull as you simply deal outrageous damage anyway. with Resolute Technique the skill has a more pronounced effect and just does not feel as an overkill. that ofc doesnt mean you cannot play it as crit/staff!
ps. socketing and linking requires deep pockets as you can run out of luck.. if you are poor it is better to buy the item linked already
ps2. as a melee FORGET about uber atziri. not with your budget. no way, no chance.
Thank you for this information! I bookmarked your tree. I do plan to play Glacial Hammer from level 1. I really enjoy the skill. I also like a sort-of 'stand your ground' style of play, without having to run and kite continually. I know not everything in PoE can be beaten by standing and trading blows, but when I can, that's my style.
I think I'll use the build you linked me, at least till I can afford enough good gear to make staff-crit work. As far as stuff like Uber goes, that's sort of a pipe-dream, lol. It's on my calendar under 'one day' along with getting a Mirror and not dying terribly in a race.
