[3.22 Updated] f1rstborn's Shockwave Totem Inquisitor | Sanctum God and Jack of All Trades
Hello Exiles. For several leagues we have focused on perfecting the Shockwave Totem build. With off-screen targeting, freeze strong enough for pinnacle bosses, 100% damage uptime, freedom to focus on movement and juuuuust enough HP to keep from getting 1 shot by bosses; this build is designed as a jack of all trades for end game content. That said, this build absolutely dominates Sanctum, with the only true rival being Hexblast mines at the current moment. Now that Sanctum is a core mechanic I will be updating this guide from beginning to end to ensure the smoothest possible transition from day 1 to killing pinnacles before they move and everything in between.
As is tradition, feel free to leave any questions and comments here or join me on: Twitch!
3.22 Notes (oops all buffs)
3.22 was very generous to us. The return of Sanctum and additional core unique and tattoos from the new mechanic are all massive power creep. I think we can hit 75M per Totem if not higher...that's the goal. -Sanctum is tailor made for this builds playstyle. Currency made easy -Replica Dragonfang's Flight provides an amazing mid-way or final neck piece -Herald effect tattoos are AMAZING. Make sure to leave enough INT for gems and then max out on these. They buff both heralds to the moon.
Pros and Cons
+0 screen clutter. Very simple skill design and clarity allows you to focus on the fight. +Totem playstyle allows for the best defense of all, offscreening. +[Mostly]1 hand playstyle. +League start viable. +A+ Map Clear +S+ Bosser +No Hit Sanctum runs are an after thought with this build. -No regen maps are not your friend. -Totem playstyle not for everyone. -Expensive to min/max -Unique heavy makes resists and stats a challenge
TL/DR POB and Vid NAO!!
3.22[WIP]: https://pastebin.com/WpN0z3Nd Mapping Variant: https://pobb.in/7e23DIEAAubf
Previous Versions
3.20: https://pastebin.com/PJaCBGrR
3.19 PoB: https://pastebin.com/XgP7QCWm 3.18 PoB: https://pastebin.com/SsGYD2EX 3.17 PoB: https://pastebin.com/Wi4ntWdF [Make sure to use community fork]
Videos
Mapping Showcase
More Coming Soon.
Questions and Answers
Do you need Ashes of the Stars?
Negative Prior to acquiring (or never if you prefer) we convert all physical to cold using a Hrimsorrow, Gloves, Rare gloves in conjunction with Divergent Shockwave Totem or Dailla's Malefaction with D. Shockwave Totem.
I have 5 Divine what do?
Buy an Astral Projecter, Heatshiver, Hrimsorrow and you still a couple of divine to fill out an entry level mapper/sanctum runner.
Do you need Astral Projector?
No, but it is a huge quality of life upgrade. In a league start scenario we can run without it and clear the atlas, but it is your first major upgrade.
What is the play style like?
Cast totems and watch mobs die. For bosses, add in arcanist brand too.
Why Heatshiver
Heatshiver, with our proper critical strike setup, gives up to 130% cold damage as Extra fire damage. Since we are ignoring resists via Inevitable Judgement, this ends up being 130% more damage. For a very inexpensive unique.
Why is it so Squishy
The Build is focused on Sanctum, fast mapping and bossing. As a result, it has just enough EHP to not get 1 shot but random AoE or trash. It's biggest defense is Full screen AoE freeze and unethical damage. If this doesn't suit you however, I've included a mapping variant in the PoB section which won't die with bad positioning.
I have x Divs, can I start this build
If starting mid league I'd look to put together 10 div or so to get this character rolling at a comfortable pace. For this price you can have enough phys hit to survive i83 sanctum swipy-boys and 20M+ DPS to do anything, non-uber, in the game. The POB for this is under the "mapping variant" in POBs
Leveling Guide [outdated as of 3.22]
Though I've seen it suggested numerous times, I am not a fan of Spark and prefer Stormblast Mine. If you like shocky spiders instead just sub that and Pierce (gained from Ranger start) out for the mine and controlled destruction early game, everything else stays the same.
Character Progression Act 1 to Red Maps
https://pastebin.com/nJPabN16 Leveling PoB [Act 1] At league start, I roll a few characters trying to find BBG wand and a BBB wand. Throughout the story I use the added cold damage recipe to make them better. That recipe is: Magic weapon + Sapphire ring + Orb of Alteration. The rarity of the ring determines the tier of added damage. Often times I stick with a magic ring, giving me tier 7 (level 14 requirement) and just run it. 1. Stormblast mine->Added Lightning Damage->Swift Assembly 2. Orb of Storms->Added Lightning Damage 3. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge [Act 2] The temptation to switch to totems of some sort will be ever present. Right now, you only have access to two totems, and two totems is trash. Hold steady. We can add in some skitty boys and a herald for more damage. 1. Stormblast mine->Added Lightning Damage->Swift Assembly 2. Orb of Storms->Added Lightning Damage->Elemental Focus 3. Summon Skitterbots. Herald of Ice. 4. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge [Act 3 and Normal Lab] Prior to Dominus you will notice your damage becoming a little light. This is time for normal lab where you will be met with a choice. If you want to continue to zoom at max efficiency, you will take Conviction of Power and run with Armageddon Brand and Cremation like every other racer. However, this is a totem build, and we came to party from offscreen so we will take Pursuit of Faith. At the same time, we take the point in Ancestral Bond, switch to Shockwave Totem and begin converting it's damage. 1. Shockwave Totem->Physical To Lightning->Added Fire Damage 2. Hatred 3. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge 4. Elemental Weakness [Act 4] With access to 4 Links, we will begin to use life to summon totems. This allows us to reserve almost all of our mana and increase the damage of the totems. We are also blessed with access to a wealth of supports to help us keep it moving. 1. Shockwave Totem->Physical to Lightning->Added Fire Damage->Lifetap Support 2. Hatred 3. Summon Skitterbots->Bonechill 4. Vitality->Arrogance 5. Decoy Totem-Multiple Totem 6. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge 7. Elemental Weakness [Act 5] Supports are unchanged. Run gun, and don't forget your skill quests. [Act 6] Zoom Zoom [Cruel Lab + Act 7] Grab Ritual of Awakening after completing second lab. This will give us 25% more damage (Assuming you are summoning your decoys), 5% life Regen and 2.5% mana regen. Straight forward Damage, Survivability and QoL. By this point I've taken the Sovereignty wheel and will switch skitterbots for Determination. Slight damage downgrade, huge survivability upgrade. 1. Shockwave Totem->Physical to Lightning->Added Fire Damage->Lifetap Support 2. Hatred 3. Determination 4. Vitality->Arrogance 5. Decoy Totem-Multiple Totem 6. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge 7. Elemental Weakness [Act 8] We will take the notable Influence allowing us the reservation space to add Herald of Purity. 1. Shockwave Totem->Physical to Lightning->Added Fire Damage->Lifetap Support 2. Hatred 3. Determination 4. Vitality->Arrogance 5. Decoy Totem-Multiple Totem 6. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge 7. Elemental Weakness 8. Herald of Purity [Act 9 & Act 10] We are unchanged in these acts in terms of skill gems. We start rounding out our tree with jewel slots. In the end game, we know we will use Cluster Jewels so take these last. [Mapping as Hierophant] At maps we pick up Hrimsorrow and Heatshiver as fast as possible. After these we will pick up a Tabula or beneficial six link. With that equipped we can change up our links considerably and spec out of Elemental Overload as well. 1. Shockwave Totem->Lifetap Support->Increased Critical Strikes->Increased Critical Damage->Added Fire Damage->Concentrated Effect 2. Hatred 3. Determination 4. Vitality->Arrogance 5. Decoy Totem-Multiple Totem 6. Flame Dash->Arcane Surge 7. Elemental Weakness 8. Herald of Purity [Mapping as Inquisitor] After the six link, shaper shield is next on the menu. Once we have the additional totem it provides, our build will make several changes. 1. Shockwave Totem->Hypothermia->Increased Critical Strikes->Increased Critical Damage->Added Fire Damage->Concentrated Effect 2. Hatred | Discipline | Herald of Ash | Herald of Purity 3. Divine Blessing->Haste 4. Vitality->Arrogance 5. Decoy Totem-Multiple Totem 6. Flame Dash 7. Arcanist Brand->Purifying Flame->Assassin's Mark->Punishment
Ascendancies and when to switch
Though we will end up as an Inquisitor, a lot of it's damage potential is locked behind critical strike and a shaper shield for a third totem (that we have naturally with Hierophant). We will get some levels and early mapping done before making the Quisitor swap.
[Hierophant Nodes before the swap] 1. Pursuit of Faith. The build will not feel comfortable with less than 3 totems. In addition, the placement speed gained is a huge QOL boost. 2. Ritual of Awakening. More damage and regeneration. Straight forward. 3. Conviction of Power. Power charges will help with crit once we drop Elemental Overload. [Inquisitor Nodes after the swap] 1. Sanctuary. Alone, this does not do much. In conjunction with Purifying Flame on Arcanist brand, this will give us more damage on single targets. 2. Pious Path. Curse effect reduction, 5% life regeneration and adds life regernation to ES regen as well. This ES regen, in conjunction with the Discipline Aura, allows us to allocate Eldritch Battery and Mind of matter. This combo addresses mana costs, increases survivability and allows us to attach the Hatred Aura to Divine Blessing as well. 3. Righteous Providence. Base Stats and increased crit. 4. Inevitable Judgement. Massive Damage. Period.
Detailed Gearing Section [Updated for 3.22]
Our uniques are pretty set in stone as we progress, so we rely on our rare spots to fill out Resistances, Dex requirements and ailment immunity.
Helmet
League Start: Life>Resists
First Upgrade: Heatshiver End Game: Heatshiver with Shockwave Totems have 15% increased cast speed[enchant] Final Upgrade: Heatshiver with Shockwave Totem Enchant and 90% Mana Multiplier Corruption
Amulet
Note: Anoint Charisma when affordable
League Start: Life>Resists>Dex>Crit Multi First Upgrade: Life>Resists>1 to all spell skills or 1 to all physical spell skills>crit multiplier End Game: Replica Dragonfang's Flight with +3 Shockwave Totem Final Upgrade: Ashes of the Stars
Weapon
League Start: +1 to Level of all Physical Spells>Cast Speed>Critical Strike Multiplier
First Upgrade: Singularity Unique Sceptre End Game: +1 to level of all spell skills>+1 to level of all physical spells>Cast Speed>Critical Strike Multiplier>Cold as Extra Chaos Final Upgrade: +1 to level of all spell skills>+1 to level of all physical spells>Cast Speed>Hatred Effect>Critical Strike Multiplier>Increased Spell Damage
Shield
League Start: +1 to Maximum Totems>Life>Resists
First Upgrade: +1 to Maximum Totems>Socketed Gems have 30% Reservation Efficiency>Life>Resists End Game: +1 to Maximum Totems>Socketed Gems have 30% Reservation Efficiency>100+ Life Regenerated per second>Life>Resists Final Upgrade: +1 to Maximum Totems>Socketed Gems have 30% Reservation Efficiency>100+ Life Regenerated per second>+1 to all physical spell skill gems Life>Resists
Body Armour
League Start: Tabula Rasa First Upgrade: Dialla's Malefaction Final Upgrade: Double Corrupted Dialla's Malefaction [+1 skills and +2 AoE skills]
Ring
Note: Astral Projector is your first major upgrade for one of your ring slots.
League Start: Life>Resists>Dex First Upgrade: Life>Cast Speed>Resists>Dex End Game: Reduced Curse Effect>Life>Resists>Dex if needed Final Upgrade: Reduced Curse Effect>Life>Cast Speed>Resists>Dex if needed
Gloves
League Start: Hrimsorrow Unique Gloves First Upgrade: Temple mod gloves with eater implicit totaling to 60% physical to cold conversion>Life>Resists Final Upgrade: Temple mod gloves with eater implicit totaling to 60% physical to cold conversion>Damage to Chilled Enemies>Life>Resists
Belt
League Start: Life>Resists First Upgrade: The Magnate Unique Belt End Game: The Magnate with Hatred Corruption Final Upgrade: Coward's Legacy with Reduced Curse effect enchant. [Note: Requires ring upgrade to be viable]
Boots
League Start: Movement Speed>Dex>Resistances>Life End Game: Movement Speed>35% Chance to Avoid Elemental Ailements>Dex>Life>Resists Final Upgrade: Movement Speed>35% Chance to Avoid Elemental Ailments>Dex>Life>Resists with Physical as Extra Lightning and 35% Chance to Avoid Shock implicits
Flask choices
1. Life Flask to help our regen if we get low. Bleed removal mod is an excellent idea here. [If going full damage, swap this for Atziri's Promise].
2. Overflowing Chalice. 40% increased damage and helps immensely with up time on other flasks. [Note 1] Enchant this with Increased effect as it already fails to gain charges during effect. [Note 2] Bottled Faith can be used here for some extra damage. 3. Taste of Hate. Works as a mini Hatred Aura while also helping us with physical hits by converting them to cold damage. 4. Silver Flask. Pick up with Cast Speed Suffix. 5. Quicksilver Flask. Pick up with Critical Strike Chance.
Cluster Jewels
We will use 2 identical 8 passive cluster jewels that have Battle Hardened for increased Armour and increased Damage; Force Multiplier for both increased and more damage; and Iron Breaker for increased Damage.
End Game Gem Links [Updated for 3.22]
Damage 6L
Divergent Shockwave Totem>Empower>Hypothermia>Increased Critical Damage>Concentrated Effect>Increased Critical Strikes
Note: Before Empower use Cruelty Support.
4L Arcanist Brand
Arcanist Brand>Assassin's Mark>Punishment>(Divergent)Purifying Flame
Note: Purifying Flame is still useful before divergent as it spreads Consecrated Ground
Shield Auras
Haste | Discipline | Zealotry. These should be socketed in your shield with reduced reservation when acquired.
3L Arrogant Auras
Arrogance Support>(20)Vitality>(1)Clarity
We are taking Vitality to provide Life and ES regen (through use of Pious Path. Clarity is used at lvl 1 to boost damage through the Reservation Mastery
Divine Hatred
Divine Blessing>Hatred
Divine Blessing gives more than 30% Aura Effect making Hatred the best option for this slot.
Miscellaneous Slots
Righteous Fire. Flame Dash. Herald of Purity. Herald of Ash. Steel Skin. Precision(1)
Bandits | Map Mods
Bandits: Kill Them All Map Mods to Avoid: No/ %reduced regeneration. You can do it, but it will not be a comfortable experience.
Pantheon
Major: Soul of the Brine King. Stun lock sucks.
Minor: Upgraded Soul of Yugul. This helps us get to 150% reduced effect of curses to negate our Coward's Legacy.
Big Boy Upgrades [Updated for 3.22]
Forbidden Jewels
I Initially suggested Ritual of Awakening here, but after discussing with Tatiantel2 I think Pursuit of Faith is far better. This node gives an additional totem (25% more damage) and a huge buff to Totem Placement Speed, a massive QoL upgrade.
Grand Spectrums
In the end game we will want one Power, Frenzy elemental damage. Along the way, combinations of Grand spectrums can solve a host of problems such as ailment immunity and critical strike chance.
Stormshroud
When combined with shock avoidance on boots, ailment avoidance on boots and the Astral Projector, this new addition will make us ailment immune opening up other slots.
Watcher's Eye
The goal mods here are Cast speed with Zealotry, Arcane Surge with Zealotry and Increased cold damage with Hatred
Bottled Faith
Used in the place of The Overflowing Chalice, this will bump our burst damage up significantly at the cost of flask charge generation while mapping.
Amulets
1. Replica Dragonfang's Flight is an excellent mid point (or final upgrade) in this slot on the way to Ashes of the Stars. 2. Ashes of the Stars. Best Amulet in the game for 90% of builds.
My Current Gear [Updated for 3.22 and WIP]
Change log
6/10/2022 - Guide Published 6/14/2022 - Build Rebalanced against Chaos Damage | Glorious Vanity Added 6/14/2022 - Mapping Showcase Added 6/20/2022 - Updated PoB. Clarified my current items. 7/29/2022 - Updated Forbidden Flame/Flesh goals. Clarified my current items. 8/11/2022 - Initial update for 3.19 8/17/2022 - Leveling Guide Added. 10/5/2022 - Heatshiver Conversion 1/23/2023 - Major Guide Overhaul 4/7/2023 - Verified Readiness for 3.21 8/29/2023 - Began updates for 3.22 Build of the week?? 9/20/2023 - Added Mapping variant Last edited by f1rstborn on Sep 28, 2023, 3:36:26 PM Last bumped on Oct 2, 2023, 5:21:24 AM
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What are you supposed to level with?
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" I league started with orb of storms+storm blast mine. Switching to totem after the first lab. I went heirophant initially picking up pursuit of faith. After second lab i unspecced and went hierophant. Note: leveling guide coming soon. | |
Spark is much better to level with than stormblast mine
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" I've not tried leveling with spark before. But would certaintly consider it. | |
Nice build!
What would you use before getting empower support? |
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" Fire Damage Support (awakened helps with the level as well). Keeps the same link color and boosts damage quit a bit since we ignore all ele res. | |
Hey! Need some help if you got the time.
I followed a coc volatile dead build, and got to level 90, but the end game bosses are just not doable (barely doing any damage), and I'm planning to switch to this build since I wanna play a more "safe" build/totem build. Do I follow your 3.18 tree or 3.17 tree? Seeing as you've done some extensive, and expensive upgrades xD Also I currently have about 5-7 ex (after selling my gear) what would you recommend I get first? Last edited by Bl0rk on Jun 20, 2022, 7:30:55 AM
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" To get started I'd pick up the following: Galesight: 5C max Skin of the Lords with a inert keystone (like Perfect Agony): 40C Astral Projector: 10C Darkness Enthroned: 10C Forbidden Flame/Flesh (Ritual of Awakening): 200C for the pair Taste of Hate: 10C Atziri's promise: 1C Divergent Shockwave Totem: 100C (Cannot believe how mucht his has taken off since this build release). In total this is right at 2ex Spend the remaining on rares as suggested by the guide. Biggest upgrade after this will be clusters and the wand. | |
" Thank you so much for the reply! Switching now. Should I follow the 3.17 tree? or 3.18? |