Why Ash Ketchum is probably a better Exile than you

No, not Ash Williams. (Although he is a better Exile than you, unless you also have a chainsaw for a hand.) I'm talking about this kid:

Why is he (probably) better than you?

I'm dead serious when I say this: Skill gems are a lot like Pokemon. And he most common mistake good players make in Path of Exile is to not to level a variety of skill gems as they level their build/character, like someone trying to beat a Pokemon game while only leveling their starter and never using the Switch feature, ever.

Some Pokemon are very strong in certain situations and weak in others; there is probably another to cover up that weakness. The same is true of skill gems. Just as a quick example, go ahead and try out Viper Strike against Dominus as melee. Stronger than you thought, isn't it? Even though it might not be your cup of tea for 95% of the game.

But that's okay! The best thing about Pokemon is that you can swap them out, virtually for free, to always present your strongest options. And this is true with skill gems as well, assuming you keep a broad enough library of gems that you have options for every socket color. You don't need to run Viper Strike all the time, you can level it on an off-hand weapon. Even if I have no direct plans on using them, I find it's often good to level at least one Added Cold and Added Lightning, because if you can't find anything better to put in a green or blue socket, those will do.

Of course, swapping in Pokemon does no good if you haven't taken any time to level them previously. The same is true of skill gems. Maintaining a good variety of gems means you'll probably have to put some leveled gems away in the PC stash so that unleveled gems can take their turn. This is okay if you have a good understanding of which skill gems need levels the most and which don't.

The end result means that you will have the greatest chance at the best, most developed skills for any occasion. It keeps your build somewhat flexible, as all you have to do to react to certain challenges is take a trip back to town and configure your build. The alternative is a stiff, rigid build which is entirely sink-or-swim in terms of whether its one or two tricks are actually effective. Don't let yourself sink this way; make sure you have a plan B.

Because even though Ash loves him some Pikachu, he at least has the sense to train plenty of other Pokemon as well.

"

ScrotieMcB wrote:

I'm dead serious when I say this: Skill gems are a lot like Pokemon. And he most common mistake good players make in Path of Exile is to not to level a variety of skill gems as they level their build/character, like someone trying to beat a Pokemon game while only leveling their starter and never using the Switch feature, ever.

Some Pokemon are very strong in certain situations and weak in others; there is probably another to cover up that weakness. The same is true of skill gems. Just as a quick example, go ahead and try out Viper Strike against Dominus as melee. Stronger than you thought, isn't it? Even though it might not be your cup of tea for 95% of the game.

But that's okay! The best thing about Pokemon is that you can swap them out, virtually for free, to always present your strongest options. And this is true with skill gems as well, assuming you keep a broad enough library of gems that you have options for every socket color. You don't need to run Viper Strike all the time, you can level it on an off-hand weapon. Even if I have no direct plans on using them, I find it's often good to level at least one Added Cold and Added Lightning, because if you can't find anything better to put in a green or blue socket, those will do.

Of course, swapping in Pokemon does no good if you haven't taken any time to level them previously. The same is true of skill gems. Maintaining a good variety of gems means you'll probably have to put some leveled gems away in the PC stash so that unleveled gems can take their turn. This is okay if you have a good understanding of which skill gems need levels the most and which don't.

The end result means that you will have the greatest chance at the best, most developed skills for any occasion. It keeps your build somewhat flexible, as all you have to do to react to certain challenges is take a trip back to town and configure your build. The alternative is a stiff, rigid build which is entirely sink-or-swim in terms of whether its one or two tricks are actually effective. Don't let yourself sink this way; make sure you have a plan B.

Because even though Ash loves him some Pikachu, he at least has the sense to train plenty of other Pokemon as well.

And yet Double Strike + Melee Splash + Added Fire Damage + Multistrike + Life Leech is a skill combination that works for 99% of content

"

Epochalypse wrote:

And yet Double Strike + Melee Splash + Added Fire Damage + Multistrike + Life Leech is a skill combination that works for 99% of content

1. I think we can all agree that players complete over 1% of the content before even acquiring a 5L. This advice pertains the most to leveling your character and drops off in significance by maps, because by maps you normally are forced into a higher degree of specialization. Advice mostly has "Normal/Cruel Dominus is too hard" QQers in mind.

2. Even in end-game instances, there are likely particular monsters which function as "hard counters" to your build; for example, map Brutus/Kole might be hard if you're going down the path of true melee, but all you need to do to beat them somewhat easily is switch to a ranged skill and kite them.

Someday people will realize the wonders of the road less taken.

Oh my beautiful Frost Wall. Continue being my favourite skill in my 77 map arsenal. And you my pretty Devouring and Decoy Totems. And you Ice Shot.

Teehee.

This post made my day =D

I should add that this goes for the games you play too. Keep more than one game for those times when you get bored/burned out (Pokémon is a fine possibility for example).

Try it whenever you get the urge to throw out your computer through the window!

I thought the entire punchline of Ash Ketchum was that he

1) Frequently had 3 pokemon that he used in all situations
2) Never evolved his pokemon ever

Edit: I mean he used a god damn Pikachu to beat Brock's Onix. It's practically a defining feature. That and one of the first pokemon that he did evolve (Charmander -> Charmeleon -> Charizard) would later completely fuck him over by taking a nap in the middle of a tournament match. And his bulbasaur refusing to evolve at all.

"

Softspoken wrote:

Edit: I mean he used a god damn Pikachu to beat Brock's Onix. It's practically a defining feature. That and one of the first pokemon that he did evolve (Charmander -> Charmeleon -> Charizard) would later completely fuck him over by taking a nap in the middle of a tournament match. And his bulbasaur refusing to evolve at all.

I should point out I never watched the Pokemon TV show, I exclusively played one of the games — Pokemon White — and I was just pulling a famous Pokemon character out of my ass. Those more familiar with the lore might be able to pick a more suitable example.

The point is to switch out your gems, people.

Mod, this is not Off-Topic! This is serious gameplay advice presented in a less-than-serious manner, and completely deserves to be in Gameplay Discussion.

"

ScrotieMcB wrote:

Mod, this is not Off-Topic! This is serious gameplay advice presented in a less-than-serious manner, and completely deserves to be in Gameplay Discussion.

I was just about to post that! =^[.]^=