[3.23] Volatile Dead | CwC | Inquisitor | No Mana Balancing just pure CwC

3.23 Quick Update

Kindly find a working PoB here:
https://pobb.in/3zWQgg1dUGh0

Just a short update on 3.23, generally the build works as it did the last leagues, not too much different, especially not more powerful.

What I recognized:
1) Volatile Dead of Seething (10 balls)
This is nice for leveling without spell cascade but is not working at all with cascade as balls are replaced to fast.

2) Volatile Dead of Confinement (stationary orbs)
Not really usable so far, dmg is higher but they explode too late.

3) Detonate Dead of Chain Reaction
For extreme high density situations, like Simulacrum or Ultimatum this seems to perform a better then VD, will investigate this option further while my gear improves.


Introduction
I have been playing lazy low-button builds since I started with PoE back in Delve League.
I tryied Builds like Rico's life Mjölner, Ice Dancing Queen, Vola Bomber and many more and was mostly happy with them.
Back in 3.13. I was no more happy with the Volabomber and GGG nerved it multiple times resulting in more and more complexity.
So I tried to make a similar yet more simple and convenient Build.
Supriringly Volatile Dead on a Cyclone CwC with Desecrate worked out not as bad expected and I used this as my main Build since then.

The Idea
Cyclone - CwC - Desecrate - Volatile Dead
I played similar builds in the past with corpses generated by complex mechanics like CWDT and Scold's Bridle but with the changes in 3.13 it is just very viable to combine desecrate into the CwC Link.
One may argue that being less DPS but at the end it turned out to be suitable for most content, even current end game bosses.
Another important part of the Buils is EHP and quick recovery of both HP and ES.

Playstyle
Just Cyclone your way through or on bosses around holding down both mouse buttons (left -> Vortex, right -> Cyclone)

Abbreviations
Spoiler

PoB => Path ob Building
CwC => Cast While Channeling
VD => Volatile Dead
ASC => Awakened Spell Cascade
PoE => Path of Exile
CWDT => Cast When Damage Taken
HP => Hitpoints
ES => Energy Shield
EHP => Effective HP (HP+ES)
BiS => Best in Slot


Skill Tree / PoB
Spoiler

Please use community Fork of PoB!

Basic Setup + Purpose of Harmony
Coward's Legacy + Pain attunement
Ultimate Mageblood + The Annihilating Light

There are a lot of customizations you can do, the above ones are only snapshots but they should give you a general idea.

Until you have Awakened Cast While Channeling Lvl 5 you have to go also down for "Unwavering Stance":

Early tree


Ascendency
Spoiler

They "Keystone" of the Build is "Righteous Providence" (1% crit chance per point in str/int whatever is lowest + 50 str&int).
"Sanctuary" and "Pious Path" do a lot for survivability combined with a good source for COnsecrated Ground.

Whether to go for "Inevitable Judgement" or "Augury of Penitence" is debatable:

"Inevitable Judgement" just sets enemy resistances to 0% making any minus resists stuff obsolete and does a lot for high-resistance enemies. Not to mention its "always on".

"Augury of Penitence" is basically a 16% more modifier as its on the enemy not the player, good portion of DPS but you need to go for minus enemy resist skills to compensate against "Inevitable Judgement".

Personaly I am a friend of "Inevitable Judgement".


Bandits
Spoiler

Just kill all, two skill points are best.


Gear
Spoiler


How to read:
"Starter" => Leveling / First Maps
"Baseline" => Easy to get / cheap to buy, pretty good stuff
"BiS (Best in Slot)" => As it says, so far the best Item I owned AND tested
"Potential Improvement" => Items I think might be reasonable good but ar far beyond any reasonable cost, anything beyond 20 Exalts

Weapon

Starter
Anything
* use Battlemage Ascendancy together with high-dps, preferrably Staff

Baseline
Martyr of Innocence
* Any roll / Gem slots

BiS
Lol, I changed my mind ...
The Annihilating Light

* Max Rolls / 6 Linked
* It reduces Resists by extreme amount (your resists gained are only 40% effective, i.e. 10 resist = 4 resist -> 60%less)
* Damage increase is roughly 50% compared to Martyr of Innocence, that is a lot.
* Only really viable with Mageblood and a resist flask, see PoB:
Ultimate Mageblood + The Annihilating Light



Head

Starter
Anything
* Resists + HP

Baseline
Crown of the Inward Eye

BiS
Crown of the Inward Eye
* Max Rolls + Determination or Purity of Elements 30% enchant


Chest

Starter
Anything
* ES Base
* Resists + HP

Baseline
Decent ES Chest
* HP > 100
* HP as extra ES craft
* some resists

BiS
Decent ES Chest
* HP > 100
* HP as extra ES craft
* resists or attributes based on needs
* Decent Implicits, i.e. +1 all maximum resists or increased Determination Effect


Gloves

Starter
Anything
* ES Base
* Resists + HP

Baseline
Good ES Base
* HP + resists
* Str / Int

BiS
Decent ES Base
* HP + Resists
* Str/Int
* Added Spell dmg against Burning enemies


Boots

Starter
Anything
* ES Base
* Resists + HP
* 30% Movement Speed

Baseline
The Stampede
* Any roll

BiS
The Stampede
* Max Roll
* Decent Annoint, i.e. Bloodless or Heartseeker


Amulet

Starter
Anything
* Attributes, mainly Dex

Baseline
Astramentis
* Any roll

BiS
Astramentis
* Max Roll
* Utmost Might annointed


Rings

Starter
Anything
* Attributes, HP, Resists

Baseline
1x Gifts from Above
1x Rare
* Rare with Str/int/HP/resists

BiS
Baseline
1x Gifts from Above
* Bleed immunity
1x Rare
* 50+ Int & Str
* Life Gain on Spell hit
* Resists


Belt

Starter
Anything
* Resists, HP, Attributes

Baseline
The Tactician
* Any Roll
or
Coward's Legacy
* Requires Pain Attunement and decent Curse effect reduction (NOT immunity!)

BiS
Mageblood
* Together with decent utuiluity flasks especially Resist + The Annihilating Light Staff this is insanely good.
* See PoB: Ultimate Mageblood + The Annihilating Light





Jewels
Baseline

Watchers Eye
* "# Energy Shield gained for each Enemy Hit while affected by Discipline"

Unnatural Instinct

One Rare one
* Corrupted Blood cannot be inflicted on you
* You cannot be Cursed with Silence


Luxury

Forbidden Flame + Forbidden Flesh
* Harmony of Purporse


Flasks
Spoiler


1x Rumi's Concoction
* Trigger on Unique Hit

1x Atziri's Promise
* Trigger on Unique Hit

1x Support Flask
* Flat Armour
* Poison/Bleed Immunity based on needs
* Trigger on Unique Hit

1x Support Flask
* % more Armour
* Poison/Bleed Immunity based on needs
* Trigger on Unique Hit

1x Life Flask
* High Life restore
* Partial Instant


Pantheon
Spoiler

Minor: Soul of Yugul or Shakari
Major: Depends on Situation, I choose mostly Soul of Lunaris


Gems
Spoiler

If nothing said, stick to max level and Quality.
Otherwise follow listed advice.

Main_DPS_6_Link

1. Cyclone
* level does not matter

2. (Awakened) Cast While Channeling
* level 5 awakened gives stun immunity

3. Desecrate
* lvl 1, because of mana cost increase
* Should be placed before Volatile Dead!

4. Volatile Dead

5. Increased Critical Strikes
* DPS wise not best but it is required for 100% crit

6. (Awakened) Spell Cascade


Vortex_Support_3or4_Link

1. Vortex

2. Arcane Surge
* lvl 11 for max. uptime

3. Culling Strike

4. Power Charge on Critical
* Only needed if no Harmony of Purpose


Auras_any_Links_or_Slots

Follow the order:

1. Purity of Elements
* Massive Resists and Ailment immunity

2. Clarity
* Mana Sustain, Link it to Arrogance to reserve Life instead of Mana

3. Herald of Ash
* Clearspeed, Explosions, DPS

4. Discipline
* ES and ES on Hit with Watchers Eye

5. Determination
* Needs "Combat Stamina" and 30% enchant on Helmet for either Purity of Elements or Determination


Travel_No_Links

Frostblink
* can be used without interrupting Cyclone


1st_Support_3_Link

1. Cast When Damage Taken

2. Frost Bomb
* reduced enemy Life regen

3. Molten Shell



2nd_Support_5_link_in

0. Builtin Vengeance

1. Riposte

2. Hextouch

3. Enfeeble

4. Culling Strike

5. Life Gain On Hit



Leveling
Spoiler

1) Get however to 38 (I used Smite but that might not be a good choice)
2) Cyclone + CwC + Desecrate + VD

Worked pretty well even as my league starter. 1-38 is still shitty but thats most probably my own fault to use Smite.
If anyone wants to make a good leveling guide for this build I would much appreciate it!


Budget
Spoiler

Should workout from a very low budget as a start, even league starter as I did.
Farming should be very comfortable with the build.
Cost can skyrocket depending on Min/Max.


SSF/Hardcore
Spoiler

Not sure but as we basically run around and try to not touch anything it might work.


Maps
Spoiler

* No regen -> not possible
* Reflect (Ele and Physical) -> not possible

* T16 Multimod -> Joke
* Miniboss Maps (Guardians, Conquerors, etc.) -> mostly easy mode
* 10 Boss Maven -> easy
* Special Maven Invitations -> not tried


Bosses
Spoiler

* Eater of Worlds -> Down, easy
* Searing Exarch -> Down, medium (movement skills)
* Maven -> not tried yet (bad movement skills), other people have done it
* Elder -> Down, easy
* Shaper -> Down, medium (again movement)
* Uber Elder -> not tried yet, other people have done it
* Sirus -> Down, medium (you guess it, movement)
* ??? -> reportedly "Peaniz123" has done all Bosses


Q&A
Spoiler

1) I am getting richer, what is the best upgrade of em all?
-> Awakened Spell Cascade, no Discussion, basically doubles your damage

2) I have way better idea for whatever part of the build!
-> Then tell me, I really like to hear opinions and thoughts about the build especially if can make it better.


If you have any feedback or great improvement idea feel free to comment.

Credits
Thanks to everyone in the thread!
Several people added great ideas to the build.

Donations
If you really have the urge to donate something I would not reject some chaos or exalts.
Also if anyone is insane, just gift a Mageblood, Headhunter or other fancy stuff :-)


Old_Guide


3.17 First Impression
Build works fine as league starter again till now.
League content is fine, Endgame yet to reach.

I will try to update the build better / more often than in 3.16.

3.16

Still being to lazy to update all build but here you can find my current
version.
Maxed out Version, click here

It features the new Amulet, means 7-Link and results in 1.7m SDPS and nearly 75% chaos res.

I even thought about Mageblood but I am not sure it really helps.


Changelog

2021-02-21 Build created
2021-02-24 Removed Spiritual Aid & added more life instead
2021-02-24 Added Delve Boss video
2021-02-24 Pantheon added
2021-02-24 added Q&A section
2021-02-25 added alternative Auras setup
2021-03-04 Fixed Alternate setup (Watchers Eye)
2021-04-14 No obvious change needed for new League (3.14)
2021-04-17 Updated PoB
2021-04-17 Added new Build Version
2021-05-26 Removed a wrong reference (there is no ES on hit Ring), added Q&A for Inevitable Judgement
2021-07-27 Updates for 3.15
2021-08-02 3.15 rework
2021-08-02 Add Aura Section
2021-10-21 First Draft for 3.16
2021-11-07 Updated 3.16


Introduction
Looking at the 3.13 changes to Inquisitor Ascendencies I planned to create a Firestorm CwC Build but during leveling I used "Cyclone - CwC - Desecrate - Volatile Dead" and it felt so good I stopped targeting to use Firestorm.

The Idea
Cyclone - CwC - Desecrate - Volatile Dead
I played similar builds in the past with corpses generated by complex mechanics like CWDT and Scold's Bridle but with the changes in 3.13 it is just very viable to combine desecrate into the CwC Link.
One may argue that being less DPS but at the end it turned out to be suitable for most content, even A8 Sirus.
Another important part of the Buils is EHP and regen of both HP and ES.

Playstyle
Just Cyclone your way through or on bosses around :-)

Skill Tree / PoB

CurrentSetup

Old

Standard Build with Discipline for more EHP:
PoB

Alternative Build with more DPS through Zealotry and other rearranged Gems:
PoB

3.14:
PoB
Major changes are Corrupted Soul Keystone (Timeless) and Vortex + Arcane Surge.

Please use community Fork of PoB.

Ascendency / Bandits
Spoiler

They Key to Dmg is "Righteous Providence" (1% crit chance per point in str/int whatever is lowest + 50 str&int).
The other stuff adds up good too, especially bonus from consecrated ground.

Bandits just kill all, two skill points are best.


Gear
Spoiler



New: For one ring slot take
to become immune to chill/freeze!

Most important stats are HP and ES.
Resistances should be easy and equaled for the Wise Oak, where Wise Oak is not mandatory, just a nice bonus!
Life gain on Spell hit is very good and I would say essential Ring stat!
Flammability on Hit on Ring is also very nice to free up gem slots.
Most DPS comes from the Staff so get highest rolls possible and do NOT let modify what quality gives due to Battlemage. The Staff is ~70% of our DPS according to PoB!


Auras
Key to 3.15 is Clarity.
In General the order is:
1) Clarity
2) Herald of Ash
3) Zealotry
4) Discipline

During leveling I suggest using Clarity, Vitality, Precision.

Discipline you can add only once you have Sovereignity Cluster and Lab Enchant or you use an Enligthen Gem.

Jewels
Thread of Hope is not mandatory anymore, too less gain.
Unnatural Instinct is really really good, just not mandatory.
Watchers Eye with ES on hit while discipline is very nice to have.
4th Jewel, take what you need (e.g. HP or Resists or stats), I highly recommend to get Immunity to Blind and of course Immunity to corrupted blood on this one, its not that expensive and especially blind is a very mad thing for us.

Oils
Heart of Flame is very best one.
True Strike was second best, 3.15 onwards without thread of hope its counterweight.
And we can get both thanks to Stampede (which has other very nice stuff too -> permanent 150% MS even while Cycloning).

Flasks
Wise Oak + Bleed Flask
Recommend one with instant HP restore.

Pantheon
Major God: Lunaris (Porcupines!)
Minor God: Abberath (not sure, maybe others, not that important)

Leveling
1) Get however to 38 (I used Smite but that might not be a good choice)
2) Cyclone + CwC + Desecrate + VD

Worked pretty well even as my league starter. 1-38 is still shitty but thats most probably my own fault to use Smite.

Budget
Should workout from a very low budget as a start, even league starter as I did.
Farming should be very comfortable with the build.
I spent aproximately 40-50ex on my current setup, maybe some more. There is also still things to optimize.
In 3.15 costs dropped massively, e.g. Awakened Spell Cascade for 3.5ex.

SSF/Hardcore
Not sure but as we basically run around and try to not touch anything it might work.

Maps/Bosses
* Sirus A5 done
* Mastermind level 83 done
* for physical reflect just quickly switch to Avatar of Fire
* 10 Boss Maven fights no problem
* Maven not tried, I am too bad at moving
* Conquerors ... more like a joke

Pre_3.15

* elemental reflect is definitely impossible.
* for physical reflect just quickly switch to Avatar of Fire
* Sirus A8 down
* 10 Boss Maven fights no problem (see example video)
* Maven not tried, I am too bad at moving
* Conquerors ... more like a joke
* Delve 400+ absolutely no problems, not tried deeper yet due to focussing Challenges
* Ahuatotli, the Blind (Delve 406)
* Elder & Shaper no problem
* Reached 36/40 Challenges including 1250 Maps and Ritual combinations


Potential Issues
Oneshots are a problem sometimes.
Get as much Life and as possible and use 10% life as ES chest, EHP is key for this build, 6k minimum I would say for red maps.

Q&A
Spoiler

1) I am getting richer, what is the best upgrade of em all?
-> Awakened Spell Cascade, no Discussion, basically doubles your damage

2) I have way better idea for whatever part of the build!
-> Then tell me, I really like to hear opinions and thoughts about the build especially if can make it better.

3) Why not "Inevitable Judgement Ascendency"?
-> Simple, 0% resistance is worse than -68%, check out PoB, even for Sirus it shows more DMG without.


Outro
This is my second Build and I hope this one is viable a bit longer than my old one which lacked much on DPS.
https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2615100

If you have any feedback or great improvement idea feel free to comment.

Videos
[3.13] Inquisitor Cyclone CwC VD - 10 Bosses A8 Lex Ejoris
[3.13] Inquisitor Cyclone CwC VD - Safehouse
[3.13] Inquisitor Cyclone CwC VD - Random T16 Map
[3.13] Inquisitor Cyclone CwC VD - Ahuatotli, the Blind (Delve 406)

Last edited by Mirathas on Dec 18, 2023, 9:14:04 AM
Last bumped on Feb 9, 2024, 2:54:29 PM
Hello. Very nice build. Just hit maps with it on HC. Just have a few questions. Why do you need Ice golem and Precision? Also you take the notable Spiritual Aid. I cant understand why?
And do you have any sugestions for HC?
Anyways thanks for sharing the build. Much fun.
Hello. Very nice build. Just hit maps with it on HC. Just have a few questions. Why do you need Ice golem and Precision? Also you take the notable Spiritual Aid. Oh and CWDT Frost Bomb? I cant understand why?
And do you have any sugestions for HC?
Anyways thanks for sharing the build. Much fun.
Hello Psychoser,

thanks for your reply.

Ice Golem and Precision I use for more Crit, maybe not that much but we have plenty plain mana and Gem slots I had no use for otherwise.

Frost Bomb is for Life regen reduction on Bosses.

Spiritual Aid ... there you got me, its like automatic when I go for this Thread of Hope Ring but in this case it is worthless, right, will change that to another Life Node I think.

For HC honestly I have no experience, sorry but I would say grab any life and ES nodes first which I would recommend also for others :-)
Thanks man. Just one more question. What pantheons do you use? Loving your build. Great job.
Nice to hear, Panteon I use is:
Major God: Lunaris (Porcupines!)
Minor God: Abberath (not sure, maybe others, not that important)

I will add it to the Guide too, thanks for asking.

Looking at your Char, one hint, put Desecrate before VD in the Link they are cast one after another so desecrate should go first.
Last edited by Mirathas on Feb 24, 2021, 9:21:10 AM
You are a nice person, answering all of my questions. Thank for that. On HC Unnatural instinct is 8ex. Not getting it soon...
I have an other questing for when i'm rich. What awakener gems do i have to get first. I did some red maps and dmg is falling of hard :( And sorry about my english :D
Hey, no problem, thats why I share it if I don't want questions I would not do.

For Awkener Gems, the only real important one is Spell Cascade because it basically doubles your balls and also has less dmg reduction. CwC is nice too but its a upgrade of maximum 10% at max level (0.33 down to 0.3 at level 5).

What really would help you in defense is ES gain on hit either via Watchers Eye or Ring (really cheap).

Also I see your gems none have quality yet so this will also bring some more dmg.

And yes unnatural instinct is gross but sadly expensive also in non-hc league.

Maybe not use the the points below sancticity but allocate them for dmg, especially corrupted soul I tried but felt worse defense wise.
Yep. My gear is just basic stuff. I am trying to level a little more, reset gems for qualy, a ring with es on hit and one with flammability on hit, than unnatural instict. Also a body armor with flat crit to spells will help dps wise. I' am enjoying this build quite a lot. I have done a chiftain and a necromancer in the past so i am used to the playstyle of that build, looking forward, and trying not to die.
Alright, I found a real miss out in dmg ... Wave of Conviction ... also I figured out we can get a lot dps by exchanging Discipline (only ~900 ES) + Precision by Zealotry and we get free Consecrated Ground on hit so we can drop Purifying Flame ...

I have to test it but for now you can find the current setup:
https://pastebin.com/9reDuReL

WHat I saw with my config of PoB VD went from 130k per hit to 190k with those changes.

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