[3.13] SIEGE BALLISTA HIEROPHANT Build > Iron Commander & 15 Ballistas! CHEAP LEAGUE STARTER!

Ballistas were changed a lot in 3.9. +2 totems now + more on the tree, +2 two completely new skills gems + reworked Ranged Attack Totem Support.
In metamorph i really wanted to try Ballistas as a League Starter and later decide which ones are better now. Well, it appears that the classic Iron Commander Siege Ballista build is still one of the best, if not the ABSOLUTELY best “RAT” possible.
I’ve explored different possibilities, added some cool tricks and juiced up the build to the max here. Would definitely recommend for all content, a league starter and a valid all-around totem experience.
Check out my other 25+ builds out there! :
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469

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With over 25+ active builds it is becoming hard to keep up with replies and comments, so make sure you follow me on discord, twitter and more importantly = twitch to ask for anything!
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VIDEO BUILD/GUIDE: https://youtu.be/CsFE3syWkrA
VIDEO BUILD/GUIDE V1.1 UPDATE: https://youtu.be/0S2G3FQeRbE
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http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/siege-ballista-hierophant-path-of-exile-build/
V 1.4 Update (15/01/2021):
-Pob updated for 3.13
-20% more raw damage, but can only summon 1 totem at a time now (without Multiple Totems support)
V 1.3 Update (25/06/2020):
-POB updated. No real changes
V 1.2 Update (12/03/2020):
-POB updated. No real changes
V 1.1 Update (15/01/2020):
-POB updated with better tree, thanx to EmperorIzaro
-video update 1.1
-removed Lioneyes Fall and Transendent Flesh from gear section (no other gear changes). So the build is WAY cheaper to league start now.
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How does it work, in general?
Iron Commander gives +1 totem per 200 dexterity and stacks added physical attack damage per 25 dexterity, so the goal is to stack it as much as possible.
At the same time different uniques give us life and quality of life. High evasion is the most important defense. Yes, just DON’T GET HIT.
Plant an army of Ballistas, run around. Things die.
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1) PROS
Spoiler

+Can do all content
+Cheap and great league starter
+20000+ evasion
+offscreen boss kills / metamorphs
+15% life regen per second
+needs only 1 six-link
+can do Hall of the Grandmasters

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2) CONS
Spoiler

-oneshots do happen but i would NOT consider this build squishy
-chaos resistance is very problematical

3) Skill Tree Progression / Path of Building / Ascendancy / Bandits
Spoiler

Path of building:
https://pastebin.com/gQsEB9gn
IF YOU GET AN ERROR WHILE IMPORTING OR ANY OTHE ERRORS, IT MEANS YOUR POB IS OUTDATED ORIGINAL VERSION THAT IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED. YOU NEED A "COMMUNITY FORK" ONE TO MAKE IT WORK:
https://github.com/PathOfBuildingCommunity/PathOfBuilding
For Ascendancy: Pursuit of Faith, Ritual of Awakening, Conviction of Power, Divine Guidance
Bandits:Alira

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4) Early Levelling Gear / Skills
Spoiler

Axioms/Lifesprigs (because you will play Holy Flame Totem for a while) Goldrim, Tabula, Lochtonial Caress, Wanderlust.
(standard totem gear)
Start with Holy Flame Totem + Added Cold Damage + Added Fire. This will carry you hard till the actual Siege Ballista.
Here comes a standard "bow attacks" levelling gear






Don’t forget to buy cheap FIVE LINK chest for 1 chaos early on!

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5) My Actual Gear / End-Game Skills
Spoiler

For Uber Lab enchant: Siege Ballista Deals 40% Increased Damage

Siege Ballista 5L: Siege.Ballista-Added.Cold-Ele.Damage.with.Attacks-Hypothermia-Damage.on.Full.Life.
Siege Ballista 6L: Siege.Ballista-Added.Cold-Ele.Damage.with.Attacks-Hypothermia-Damage.on.Full.Life-Cold.Penetration
5L Curses: Frenzy-Curse.on.Hit-Pierce-Greater.Multiple.Projectiles-Projectile.Weakness
6L Curses: Frenzy-AWAKENED. Curse.on.Hit.(lvl.5!)-Pierce-Greater.Multiple.Projectiles-Projectile.Weakness-Frostbite
For the gear i would prioritize:
1) Tabula Rasa and any levelling gear (any bow if you want to start with bows, Silverbranch for example)
2) lvl.5: Karui Ward
3) lvl.9: 6L Briskwrap is worth 1 divine now!
4) lvl.10: Hyrri's Bite (you won’t get Siege Ballista till level 12)
5) lvl.20: Berek's Pass (insane damage early on!)
6) lvl.20: Astramentis (would be very expensive at league start!)
7) lvl.25: Prismweave
8) lvl.32: Sacrificial Heart
9) lvl.32: Iron Commander
10) lvl.45: Hyrri’s Demise
11) lvl.62: Garukhan’s Flight + Fractal Thoughts
12) lvl.57: 6L Wildwrap (can upgrade Briskwrap through prophecy)
13) lvl.65: Hyrri’s Ire (if Dex over 1700+ then Wildwrap is better)
14) lvl.68: Cyclopean Coil

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6) Flasks
Spoiler



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7) Pantheon Gods
Spoiler

Major: Arakaali
Minor: Shakari

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8) Hardcore Viable or not?
Spoiler

Not viable because of low HP pool

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9) FOR THE RICH GUYS
Spoiler

Corrupted Chests and weapon, GG corrupted jewels.

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MORE VIDEOS:
Spoiler

A8 Sirus
https://youtu.be/OnB0Qi4jvSk
A8 T16 Vaal Temple
https://youtu.be/bNlU9MD3Zw4
Uber Atziri A8 Deathless
https://youtu.be/r6IV3SLIImA
Uber Elder A8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03fH5trwqwI
Red Elder AFK
https://youtu.be/u7coVPy848o
First Shaper Attempt Deathless A7
https://youtu.be/ZiyvZ2mmOz8
T16 Chimera
https://youtu.be/vhbyJYWST1c
Sirus A1
https://youtu.be/X98fSuG6PO8
Juiced up T14 Orchard (Speed and Sustain Demo)
https://youtu.be/4RzTyJ3eu1I
Hall of the Grandmasters
https://youtu.be/f2kXS-R7VmY

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FAQ
1) What about going Raider of Scion?
Spoiler

Theoretically Raider gives the most damage per totem, but the quality of life that Hiero gives is impossible to beat. Same for Scion. Not great not terrible, just not AS GOOD.

2) Can i get more dexterity, like 2000+?
Spoiler
You surely can, by travelling to the far Ranger areas and taking more jewels. But i found it not necessary as it does not give more damage per totem. As far as HP = it will give more HP, but not SO MUCH to consider it a worthy addition. You will still die to one-shots as you will never be able to go over 6k life even with all dex on the tree. I consider 1800 to be a sweet spot

3) What is better, Wildwrap or Hyrri's Ire?
Spoiler
With 1700+ dex, Wildwrap is better, especially if you are lacking resists.
Overall they are just different. Hyrri gives WAY more evasion and 10% dodge. Wildwrap gives up to 40% cold resistance and movement speed, as well as WAY easier to reach 1800+ dex. Damage-wise they are practically identical. The biggest difference is the PRICE!
Wildwrap can be acquired very cheaply in a few steps:
1) get a 6L Briskwrap with high cold resistance
2) get https://pathofexile.gamepedia.com/Last_of_the_Wildmen
3) Go to Strand map, kill boss
4) you have 6L Wildwrap
Overall i would still recommend Hyrri for a huge evasion boost. Damage difference would be about 3-5%.
https://www.twitch.tv/angry_roleplayer
All builds: http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469
Last edited by Angry_Roleplayer on Jan 18, 2021, 4:19:55 AM
Last bumped on Jan 14, 2022, 4:45:36 PM
Having played this build for most of the month already, I can't say enough about how great it is. It can be a bit rippy if you're not careful, but once you get used to it, it's very solid. Love having your guide to help work out some of my own decisions and make this build much better than I would have done alone!
"
Bystrick wrote:
Having played this build for most of the month already, I can't say enough about how great it is. It can be a bit rippy if you're not careful, but once you get used to it, it's very solid. Love having your guide to help work out some of my own decisions and make this build much better than I would have done alone!

Sweet, my friend!!
https://www.twitch.tv/angry_roleplayer
All builds: http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469
Sup angry just started this build seen you on stream destroying content lets hope i do the same.btw on your set up you said 5link twice on actualy gear not 5 and 6 links just thought mention it
Last edited by Bezmageddon on Jan 6, 2020, 4:50:10 PM
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Bezmageddon wrote:
Sup angry just started this build seen you on stream destroying content lets hope i do the same.btw on your set up you said 5link twice on actualy gear not 5 and 6 links just thought mention it

Hey Bez!
Yeah only 1 6L for siege and the other can be 4-6l
https://www.twitch.tv/angry_roleplayer
All builds: http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469
Skitterbots instead Hatred?

P.S. If use Skitterbots, i dont need add cold gem? Free slot?
Last edited by A1termoon on Jan 8, 2020, 5:36:24 AM
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Skitterbots instead Hatred?

P.S. If use Skitterbots, i dont need add cold gem? Free slot?

hatred is better
https://www.twitch.tv/angry_roleplayer
All builds: http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469
Added Uber Atziri video: https://youtu.be/r6IV3SLIImA
https://www.twitch.tv/angry_roleplayer
All builds: http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469
Hi there! I'm also playing this build, although my tree is different. I think it's more efficient? Thought I'd share, so you can see if it works better.

http://poeurl.com/cH24

(Scion Start node + "Pure Talent" jewel is +25 all attributes.)

I use Sign of Purpose because "Enemies take 10% increased damage for each of your brands attached to them." And use armageddon brand with cwdt.

Also thank you for making the guide! I forgot I could use damage on full life. Your curse setup is better too.
Last edited by EmperorIzaro on Jan 8, 2020, 7:24:40 AM
"
EmperorIzaro wrote:
Hi there! I'm also playing this build, although my tree is different. I think it's more efficient? Thought I'd share, so you can see if it works better.

http://poeurl.com/cH24

(Scion Start node + "Pure Talent" jewel is +25 all attributes.)

I use Sign of Purpose because "Enemies take 10% increased damage for each of your brands attached to them." And use armageddon brand with cwdt.

Also thank you for making the guide! I forgot I could use damage on full life. Your curse setup is better too.

Hi there! yeah that's what most people use on the poe.ninja. But it's less dps
https://www.twitch.tv/angry_roleplayer
All builds: http://www.angryroleplayer.com/path-of-exile-builds/
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2143469

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