[2.2]My first theory crafted build. Focus: defenses and totems

I originally picked the Templar because I thought it would lead to tanking and healing, but that was before I really knew anything about PoE. When I got more into the game, I was liking how a lot of things worked, but the complexity of the skill tree stopped my game progression cold; I don't want to have a build that doesn't work. After looking into Totems and deciding they were cool enough for me to want to try out, I started making a build revolving around tankiness and totems. I haven't looked into equipment mostly because I'm only concerned with figuring out the massive skill tree at the moment and partially because I don't know how to post equipment on these forums (feel free to recommend gear).

Notable things my build has:
-Hierophant subclass with Ritual Awakening and Divine Guidance
-Ancestral Bond
-Mind over Matter (MoM)
-8 jewel sockets
-41% Elemental resistance
-+221% armor
-+180% mana regen

The rest I'll let you folks see for yourselves.
The following are what I can see switching out for other things:
-Righteous Decree and Dynamo I got because I wanted to increase my max mana.

-I took the armor and energy shield route to sanctity mostly because that's what I have on my templar so far. I'm considering swapping that out with the +10 strength nodes to save a few skill points.

-I got (most) jewel sockets wherever there were sockets 2 or 3 skill nodes off from my path on the skill tree (but now I'm thinking I should ditch the three sockets that need 3 skill points in favor of Command of Steel).

-The flask related skills I got because I saw how powerful some of the flasks are, and because I saw them in another build, so I figure having them be included in the skill tree is a good idea.

-Chaos damage I don't know much about, but I do figure resisting it is a good thing. That's why I got Purity of Flesh.

-Mind over Matter I figure is extra damage reduction as long as I have mana. I also figure totems do some of the tanking.


This is what I didn't get, but considered getting:
-Mind Barrier I was considering getting because I like the idea of blocking spells.

-Discipline and Training seems good, but Devotion looks like it gives more health overall (though I don't plan on using any auras, at least not with this Templar). I didn't get both because I was running low on points to spare when I got to those two.

-Ironwood I didn't go for mostly because it wanted Alchemist and the energy shield skills just under it rather than more health based tanking. Going for Ironwood the way I had in mind would have involved 15 skill points.

-I thought of going for shield skills like Command of Steel and Sanctuary, but Sanctuary appears to be skill point expensive (plus it doesn't involve a jewel socket) and I ultimately figured my skill points were best spent on more hit point (life/ES) stuffs rather than damage prevention stuffs (plus Command of Steel involves getting dexterity, which I assume is pretty much useless for a Templar).


Finally, here are my questions:

1. How would you list the following in order of importance in the build I'm going for?
-Elemental/Spell damage
-Life/regen
-Mana/regen
-Energy Shield (based on the amount of health, in this case very high, rather than lower health)
-Armor/elemental resists
-Chaos resist
-Jewel sockets
-[other things worthwhile like shield effectiveness]

2. Is it a bad idea to go purely tanky on the skill tree, or would I be able to do damage just fine up to end game content?

3. Should I consider [Endurance, Power, Frenzy] charges? I didn't when I made this build.

4. Is it important at all to be elementally versatile (attack wise)?

5. If I really wanted a specific piece of equipment, how would I get it?

6. How good is Zealot's Oath?

7. I have yet to experience the deeper complexities of PoE, as I only have a few hours of actual game play clocked so far. Should I just get into playing and be done theory crafting for now? Is this build good enough to get into fairly high end content without having to make a new character to redo the whole build (which I really don't want to do)?

Firstly, I would choose either Ritual of Awakening OR Ancestral Bond rather than both due to the diminishing returns of "10% less damage per totem" clause. For example:
1 Totem = 1*0.9 = 90%
2 Totem = 2*0.8 = 160%
3 Totem = 3*0.7 = 210%
4 Totem = 4*0.6 = 240%
The returns are minimal, and you'd lose out on the DPS you'd have from self-cast spells because of Ancestral Bond.

Now that that's out of the way, onto the questions!


1)

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How would you list the following in order of importance in the build I'm going for?

Regarding resists, you will always want to have at least 75% Elemental Resists at any given difficulty (Normal, Cruel, or Merciless). It's important not to neglect Chaos resists because certain attacks will simply be deadly if you're running in the negatives.

Most builds will attempt to maintain as much chaos resist as possible, provided the following: elemental resists are capped at 75%, effective health is sufficient to absorb big hits without dying outright, and overall DPS is not too adversely affected.

Regarding Mana / Life regen, it really depends on your playstyle. For totem builds, I typically only aim to maintain enough life and mana regen to offset my expenditures during fights.


2)

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Is it a bad idea to go purely tanky on the skill tree, or would I be able to do damage just fine up to end game content?

Since you are a totem build, it's extremely important to consider which skill you will use as your main attacks in order to maximize damage stats in your gear choices and passive tree. Both gear and passives will play in important roll in your effectiveness regarding clear-speed and defenses. How you choose to prioritize will ultimately be up to you.

Looking at your current passive tree, you appear to be lacking damage nodes--your clear speed will probably suffer regardless of what skills or gear you decide to use. Gear will provide Energy Shield, Armor, and/or Evasion, and it's important to synergize your build accordingly. For example, if you are going to be using mostly red gems, I would suggest placing less emphasis on Energy Shield nodes since most of your gear will likely provide +armor. If you are going to be using mostly blue gems, I would suggest placing less emphasis on Armor nodes since your gear will likely provide +Energy Shield.

Take your pick and run with it!


3)

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Should I consider [Endurance, Power, Frenzy] charges? I didn't when I made this build

That's fine-- don't consider any of them until you feel like you know what you're doing with them.

4)

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Is it important at all to be elementally versatile (attack wise)?

It's not terribly important to be elementally versatile-- some enemies will be resistant to a particular element, but never immune. Simple buffs/curses can also help you overcome these resistances.

5)

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If I really wanted a specific piece of equipment, how would I get it?

Search for "POE trade" on google, and you'll find a search engine that will allow you to connect with sellers of any particular item. The in-game trade channel can be useful, too.

6)

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6. How good is Zealot's Oath?

If you don't know what you're doing with Zealot's Oath, you probably won't be able to maximize its effectiveness. For some players with low-life & high-Energy-Shield builds, it's extremely necessary. For others, it's not useful. You should probably stay away from Zealot's Oath for now ;)

7)

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...the deeper complexities of PoE...

Your first character will probably be awful, but I think you'll quickly learn the ropes and theorycraft something amazing the next few times around. It's a learning experience :) I'd suggest you jump into the game and swim a while, but if you're extremely adverse to a 2nd character, you're on a good path.


Personal tips from me:
- Totems often have more problems surviving than dealing damage, so good job collecting those nodes that increase their life / resistances.
- Regarding crit on totems, I'd stay away unless you are planning on using a crit-focused build.
- If you are going to use a 1-handed weapon + shield, consider looking into increasing Shield Block as a form of mitigation.
- Please invest more points into damage nodes. If you plan on using Flame Totems, you are easily within reach of several nodes that increase +Fire Damage, +Elemental Damage, +Burn Damage, and +Ignite Duration, for example.

I'm currently using a similar build in hardcore Perandus for use with Searing Bond and Flame Totem:

Between my less-than-average life pool, extremely-large mana pool, and 45% block / 45% spell block, I am having an easy time staying alive into the mid-level-map tiers. I have yet start working on the highest content, but I'm optimistic. I believe my build is far from meta viable, but it's definitely fun.

Have fun, and welcome to Path of Exile!