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[3.13] Fast Ignite Armageddon Brand [+Flame Wall] Trickster

Greetings Exile!

Do you like to watch the world burn?

Yes, I thought so.

This build is what my leaguestarter in Heist evolved into. And at the time I started making this guide, all required items can be considered as fairly low budget.

Some of my descisions in the passive tree result from converting an Avatar of Fire Divine Ire Trickster to the current state. So this definitely has some backstory.

Patch 3.13 Update:
Spoiler
The build still works. Trickster got a little nerfed, but is still okay.

We lost about 5% damage output due to the nerfs.

On the defensive side, we lost some movementspeed, evasion chance and dodge chance. While it is not great, we are still no glass cannon. (But also not extremely tanky)


Video Guide


Build summary
Spoiler
So this build is based upon the Emberwake replica which lets your ignites burn a lot faster.
Why do we use it, you might ask?

Let's quickly go to the mechanics of ignite:
Fire damage (and some other extra mechanics) have a chance to ignite the target for 50% of the base damge per second. Critical hits have a 100% chance to ignite by default.
Only the highest ignite deals damage to the target with a few exceptions that are irrelevant for this build.

Ignite damage can be scaled up by a lot of different modifiers, which are:
Damage
Damage over Time
Elemental Damage
Fire Damage
Burning Damage
Ignite Damage
Damage over Time Multiplier
Fire Damage over Time Multiplier

Armageddon Brand has a high modifier to ignite damage, but usually attacks to fast to properly benefit from it.
Therefore we stack ignite speed and burning damage to maximize the ignites, which last in our final setup just a tiny bit longer than the activation speed of the brand. Therefore we waste a lot less damage.

Since it is not enough on it's own, we can use Flame Wall as an additional source of boss damage.
It profits from most of the stats that we already use.

On the defensive side, we are a Trickster, which means:
1. Ghost Dance provides increased evasion and damage reduction
2. Escape Artist provides Stun Immunity almost all times
3. High Block
4. Leech
5. Overleech from Glorious Vanity (which I could not yet afford during recording)
6. High Mobility


Ascendancy
Spoiler
The trickster is a good base for damage over time based builds, therefore we pick him.
The Stun Immunity and good defensive options are a nice bonus on top of the excellent package he provides.

Since we shouldn't have any problems staying alive in the early part of the game, we can pick the damage points first:

1. Patient Reaper provides a massive boost to our damage over time and also nice regeneration during mapping.
2. Prolonged Pain is a pure boost to damage over time effects and a little defence against those effects on us.
3. Ghost Dance provides a small boost to our defense, as well as movementspeed as long as you have energy shield. If you prefer it, you can also pick this up as second ascendancy.
4. Escape Artist provides Stun Immunity as well as some extra energy shield, evasion and Spell Dodge.



Passive Tree
Spoiler
You can fine the passive tree here: https://pastebin.com/J9Mn97eA

The main focus is increasing fire damage over time and survival.
In the beginning take the shortest path towards Elemental Overload for big ignites.
Because I hate cluster jewels and the idea that a portion of the tree is locked behind RNG, I only use the absolute necessary ones. Get a medium fire damage over time jewel worked in here for extra ignite speed.

The rest went into the staff block nodes, as they are extremely strong.
While I do not recommend it, you have the option to go for Glancing Blows if you like.

After reaching level 90+ you can include more jewel sockets and include a Glorious Vanity in the position below the Mind over Matter node.

I highly encourage you to experiment a bit with the brand nodes on your own terms as you might want the increased attachment range.

Here is my current tree at level 95:
Spoiler


Pantheon
Spoiler
Until you get Escape Artist, you want to stick to the Soul fo the Brine King as defence against stuns.
After that Soul of Solaris seems to be a solid defensive choice.

For the minor pantheon I stayed with Soul of Rhyslata because I want to have an emergency life flask at all times ready during bossing.
Another good option is Soul of Abberath against burning grounds.


Bandits
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Kill them all. Take 2 passive points!


Gems
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6-Link:
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6-link:
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4-link:
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Aura/Support Setup:
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Cast when Damage Taken:
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Movement:
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Equipment
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Since crafting is after Harvest league more RNG based, I will provide you only suggestions what the rare items could have.

Weapon:
Spoiler

The Searing Touch is a mandatory weapon, which harmonises a lot with the fire damage over time nature of this build.


Body Armour:
Spoiler

Carcass Jack provides a nice boost to area damage and effect at the sacrifice of defense.


Helmet:
Spoiler
To synergize with your ascendancy you want to use an Energy Shield base, like a Hubris Circlet.

Stats to look out for:
1. Life
2. Resistance
3. Fire Damage to Spells (Hunter)
4. Nearby Enemies have -9% Fire Resistance (Warlord)


Gloves:
Spoiler

The must have modifier for gloves is:
1. Added Fire Damage against Burning Enemies (Incursion)

Fill the rest up with
2. Life
3. Resistance

It can be difficult to aquire, but
4. Fire Damage over Time Multiplier (Shaper/Hunter)
is definitely worth it.


Boots:
Spoiler

The most important stat is always:
1. Movement speed

Then you can fill up:
2. Life
3. Resistance

If you have high budget, you can include:
4. Ignites deal damage faster (Hunter)
5. Tailwind (Hunter)
6. Elusive (Redeemer)


Rings:
Spoiler

The build is based on the Replica Emberwake, it makes the ignites tick fast enough for Armageddon Brand being worthwhile.

Pyre on the other hand increases the burning damage and is just a nice damage boost.

Do not forget to use Turbulent Catalysts for the elemental damage.


Amulet:
Spoiler

The amulet is a good defensive slot, don't hesitate to invest maybe a little bit more.

1. Fire Damage leeched as life (Incursion)
This is a must have.

2. Damage done while leeching (craft)

Fill the rest up with:
3. Life
4. Resistance

Using a Conqueror's Orb can give you:
5. +1 Int Gems (Hunter)
6. Fire Damage over time (Hunter)
7. +1 Fire Gems (Warlord)


Belt:
Spoiler

I prefer using Stygian Vises for their Abyss socket.

1. Fire Damage against Burning Enemies (Warlord)
2. increased (Fire) Damage
3. Life
4. Resistances


Flasks:
Spoiler

Feel free to pick your personal choices:

You have to include one anti-bleed and one anti-freeze flask.

1. Health Flask of preference
2. Rumi's Concotion for block
3. Quicksilver Flask
4. Silver Flask for Onslaught and faster mapping
5. Enduring Mana Flask for no reggen maps.

6. Quatz Flask for Dodge and Phasing


My Equipment:
Spoiler




Flasks:


Jewels:


Leveling
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todo





FAQ
Spoiler

Q: Do you have other guides?
A: Yes, my video guides are in this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHs1z6wAbUQCyZaJnoWYoJ80tHxWA89FA

Q: My question is not (yet) covered here?
A: Please ask your question in this thread. While I currently do not play a lot, I still have a look in here and try to catch up with questions.



Changelog:
Spoiler

14.01.2021 Updated PoB
14.01.2021 Added statement of 3.13
13.10.2020 Replaced Herald of Ash with Skitterbots
12.10.2020 Added video guide
05.10.2020 Updated unfinished Equipment section
29.09.2020 Released initial version


Wishes/Suggestions:
Spoiler
- finish the guide!
My Video Guides: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHs1z6wAbUQCyZaJnoWYoJ80tHxWA89FA
My Poison BV Assassin: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2784069
Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/3C3bHk4
Last edited by exultheinsane on Jan 14, 2021, 7:58:25 AM
Last bumped on Apr 12, 2021, 2:32:42 AM
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My Video Guides: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHs1z6wAbUQCyZaJnoWYoJ80tHxWA89FA
My Poison BV Assassin: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2784069
Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/3C3bHk4
another placeholder
My Video Guides: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHs1z6wAbUQCyZaJnoWYoJ80tHxWA89FA
My Poison BV Assassin: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2784069
Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/3C3bHk4
and just in case a third placeholder
My Video Guides: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHs1z6wAbUQCyZaJnoWYoJ80tHxWA89FA
My Poison BV Assassin: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2784069
Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/3C3bHk4
ward
I just stared this game and I am loving this build thus far...thank you!
I'm going to be honest, I don't understand brands very well. I have a grasp on Flame Wall, but can you explain two things to me? You go trickster but don't abuse acro/phase acro, and don't take any brand passives. Just curious.
Sorry for the late reply, I am currently again sick. Therefore the video is also delayed.

"
pyrojackelope wrote:
I'm going to be honest, I don't understand brands very well. I have a grasp on Flame Wall, but can you explain two things to me? You go trickster but don't abuse acro/phase acro, and don't take any brand passives. Just curious.


Okay, the main reason for trickster is the insane damage over time scaling of the ascendancy. Even without Acro/Phase Acro the defense is solid and there is access to block.

For the reasoning with the Brands:

Without anything skilled in the passive tree, you can have 3 brands (Wintertide is an exception) and 1 brand attached per enemy.
This Build utilizes Armageddon Brand, which lets come down a meteor every time it triggers. (Usually multiple per second)

Naturally one could ick brand passives and even attach a second brand to the enemy, but this is not needed, as we scale with ignite.

Ignite deals a percentage of the hit that applied it as damage over time effect with default 5 seconds. Usually only the highest ignite stack does damage, the other ones are inactive. (Exceptions are existing, but irrelevant for this build)

You can scale ignite to deal it's damage faster. So overall the ignite would do the same damage, but in a shorter timeframe.

The replica Emberwake makes ignites a lot faster, therefore lasting shorter.
This makes a faster spell viable for ignite.
Armageddon Brand fits extremely well into this, because one Brand is still enough to get 100% ignite uptime, but with the fast ignites, we overwrite it a lot less.

For bosses it gives you huge mobility, because in theory, you have only to apply the brand, but even if you could attach a second brand, it would not help a lot, as you maximize already the ignite.

Flame Wall and the exposure from Wave of Conviction are nice boni to it.


In theory, you can still include brand passives that increase damage, but you have to pull out the points somewhere. This becomes a balancing act between Flame Wall and Armageddon Brand.
I believe, it is now personal preference, should you opt to do so. I went in the beginning for the balanced approach.


I hope this has clarified some things.
If not, don't hesitate to ask.
My Video Guides: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHs1z6wAbUQCyZaJnoWYoJ80tHxWA89FA
My Poison BV Assassin: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2784069
Join my Discord: https://discord.gg/3C3bHk4
You cleared up everything I was curious on basically. Only reason I was curious on acro/phase acro was due to how strong it is, but you basically get that from block (I see that now that I had another look at your tree.) Honestly I like this idea more than some of the other flame wall builds I've seen so I will be giving this a serious go. Thanks a lot. The only beef I have with builds like this, and it's nothing against you personally though, is there is no midway tree. I've been playing a while so I can guess but it's still great.
Last edited by pyrojackelope on Oct 5, 2020, 3:56:56 PM
Just respecced a lvl 57 Sab that I had abandoned over to this build and loving it so far.

Only on a 5 link version of the staff and a 4 link version of the Carcass Jack but a lot of fun to play.

Thank you!
Last edited by Raykyre on Oct 13, 2020, 2:33:39 PM

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