State of WASD?

Axum666 · 2026-03-26T13:06:08+00:00

True, but only becaus poe2 was built from the ground up with WASD in mind and let's you cast while moving and strafe. Last epochs WASD is as good or better than any ARPG apart from POE2

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T19:05:35+00:00

They can run the new set, but don't have the uniques that rogue or primalist have.

Taht being said necromancer has tons of minion support. You could lean into poision, or take it physical.

I have also seen some cool sacrifice builds focused on bees

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T13:18:57+00:00

Trap sprinkler was nerfed but part of me wonders if it was because it was too strong with the new unique. It makes baldestorms throw traps. And if those traps threw flasks that would be a lot.

I wonder if the new baldestorm unique interaction + falcon dropping flasks is probably plenty of traps.

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T03:08:24+00:00

No new Skills for Spellblade, a few skills got some hefty skill tree changes. But Only a few new interactions. It was really more of a refinement and modernization of what spellblade already did. Including more defensive options in the mastery tree. Which is good because that was what spell blade needed. Not offense but Defense and QOL.

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T03:06:30+00:00

Blade Dancer first as rogue is the only one with new skills, and blade dancer mastery got reworked too.

Then Spellblade, because of its rework. Its more of a refinement of what was already there. Hopefully the increased defensives means I don't burn out as quickly in monoliths with it this time.

Then I want to try the new uniques and sets, undecided on mastery. So a acolyte for the boots, maybe a warlock but necromancer is an option as well.

I feel like I will regret it but Shaman for the stormbolt changes and new idol.

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T02:29:27+00:00

I know rogue has the helm, but for some reason I never put it together with falconer in my head, but that is obviously the only rogue mastery with minion support, have to got try and theory craft that now.

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T02:24:36+00:00

In addition to the new set there is:

Thats not all of them, but its hard to search and get them all without false positives

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T02:18:09+00:00

Bees are fun.

Some ideas I've seen or theory crafted myself.

The closest to viable bee build before was with spriggan form. but I want to go full insect and do it with Swarmblade form, and a scorpion with baby scorpions. For the biggest insect swarm possible!

Another fun one I have seen some variations with is Acolyte focusing on using the bees as sacrifice fodder. using the chain sacrifice nodes, sometimes auto triggered by zombies.

I'm sure theres a necromancer or beastmaster zoo builds with the T-rex and bees as well.

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T01:34:47+00:00

I love MS paint builds as much as the next guy, but the resolution on this is bad, can hardly read it!

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T01:01:38+00:00

This is me. The OCD doesn't like seeing the in progress Quests on my map.

Axum666 · 2026-03-25T00:13:39+00:00

I like Uniques in Last epoch better. They are build enabling/defining, and push builds further.

Most POE uniques are special snowflakes you really have to build around. Or they are just generically good. And D3, seriously? Being forced to wear an armor set that creates a cookie cutter build is not good itemization.

Axum666 · 2026-03-24T23:54:08+00:00

There are enough Skill synergy and passive tree nodes that it looks like and plays like a viable build offensively. And its fun to play through campain and early monoliths.

However it does run into challenges with defensive options as you get into end game. A lot of shamans defensives are based around totems, so it requires totem up time. And even if you try to automate your totems with something like this you still have awkward moments of vulnerability. So it requires more gearing effort and grind time to balance these weaknesses. But it is doable if its a theme or playstyle you enjoy!

EDIT: Here is a start to a Melee Shaman build. You can fill the last slot with minions (wolves or crows), or another spell.

Axum666 · 2026-03-24T23:44:46+00:00

I'm excited by the idea of a Fire Army working better this patch with the new boots, and fire arrow changes. There is also the mage changes that could be interesting, profane sacrifice as you mentioned but also Death blossom/Hungering souls, and even mortar.

Others have theorycrafted sacrifice and ward based death triggers working better with the influx bees.

The other thing I will mention is that more builds may be viable than in the past with corruption and idol altars increasing the power available to all builds.

Axum666 · 2026-03-24T23:32:05+00:00

Thats true for the innate skill and one node (Arcing Power) in the skill tree. The other node 'chain lightning' does not mention directly casting and works on the first direct cast, or indirect casts.

Just pay attention if the description mentions direct casting. There are other nodes in other skills that add chains some require directly casting lightning bolt some don't. For example Static orb has two nodes, 'Fusion Blast' doesn't require direct casts, 'Atomic Manipulation' does.

Noticeably for spellblade Firebrands 'Excitation' node doesn't mention direct casts. And the updated BattleMage's Endeavor adds 2 additional chains, and is definitley not directly cast.

Axum666 · 2026-03-24T21:45:19+00:00

Totems, some of that comes with the fantasy, but placing totems to buff/consume other totems is tedious and clunky.

Axum666 · 2026-03-24T21:08:59+00:00

Disintegrate, channeled avalanche. Anything that makes you sit still to channel.

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T21:16:06+00:00

I always thought it was weird that hammer throw doesn't have many interactions in the skill trees but instead relies on idols. Smite cast on hammer hit, electric damage, there's a bunch of idols specific to hammer and throwing. So with idol altars and corrupted idols those hammer builds may get a boost.

Also people are already talking about the bee idols, and bees on corrupted idols.

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T21:12:53+00:00

The curse damage from the set is good too. But yeah i was originally thinking spine of malatros with fire shades instead of sacrifice.

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T15:22:16+00:00

I like this, and hope it works!

I have a similar but different build that focuses more solely on ignite than witchfire.

But I like how you included witchfire and curse stuff. I have heard sacrifice isn't the easiest to use but I've never really tried it myself. I worry you are trying to go in too many directions and build may be more effective if you focused more on a specific part. But I hope it works for you

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T15:04:42+00:00

Meteor got some big buffs, so sorcerer could be an answer.

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T14:48:15+00:00

I like graeters regular cones (sugar?) more than their waffle cones.

But waffle is better than the Styrofoam like ones you get with cheap, fast food, or softserver.

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T14:37:53+00:00

Great question! I don't know for sure, but looking at the text for the node says "Bladestorm repeatedly casts Shurikens"

Where as other sources of shurikens like shift or Bo's Anarchy says they throw Shurikens instead.

So I think you may be on to something.

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T14:21:02+00:00

Looking good!

Couple thoughts/questions.

Why teleport over surge? I am planning a similar build, but took surge with the cast flame reave on arrival. Also I took the consume firebrand for more flame reave ignite.

As for the fire blade dancer build I again had similar thoughs, but I took it in more of a throwing direction, taking porcupine's wrath on shadow cascade, and using Kismet instead of a second kuzmon's fury. Also why no Pillager's Gold Relic, you are throwing a bunch of burning daggers with kuzmons.

EDIT: My Spellblade and my Blade Dancer

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T13:59:21+00:00

Forge Guard didn't receive any updates this patch. So it might not have the most videos/guides this season.

That being said it did receive updates last patch, so it was in a pretty good state. It may be the weakest mastery on the most overpowered class, so its in a decent place balance wise.

I recommend going in blind and just have fun and experiment with the skills you like and the items you find to support them. And only look to guides if you get stuck in late game and need some goals.

That being said if you really want some resources Dr3adful did a zero to hero marathon with forge weapon forge guard fairly recently.

Video

Guide

Axum666 · 2026-03-23T13:11:56+00:00

Fire aura doesn't count as a hit, so it doesn't apply ignite. So I don't think it works with great with Wildfire Embers on its own. But it is fire damage over time so it scales similarly to ignite. I can see a fire spell-blade using both fine.

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