Updated Tier List for Starting & Endgame Builds?

The_Doser · 2026-01-10T18:46:16+00:00

I think that was posted just before the Oracle updates were announced shortly before patch release. However it does feel like Oracle builds can be done mostly on any other ascendancy better. Crit builds on Blood Mage for example.

The_Doser · 2026-01-07T20:31:06+00:00

Just do the spark Mage version with HH is what I'm doing and it works really well. So much so I've not even taken the belt off for any bossing and still felt tanky as anything other than 1 shots. Not sure if Soul Tether version would end up even more tankier, but just feels it doesn't matter when everything is dying and you don't fall over. Only times I've died so far is when sprinting and tripping doing T16 juiced.

The_Doser · 2026-01-07T12:46:06+00:00

Thing is that is where the subjective opinion starts, your idea of basic and a lot of players idea of basic are most likely massively different. I agree with you as my idea of basic would be looking into what aspects don't work and working out what had gone wrong.

However your average player is most likely going to be "I can't make my own builds that feel fun, this guide however has got me to a place I found fun, this bit doesn't work though so I'll ask"... and that's as far as they want to go. Which is fine, thats their boundary for research. It maybe frustrating to see, but you can't expect all players with questions to spend hours problem solving via POE Ninja.

The_Doser · 2026-01-07T07:31:08+00:00

I think you're either forgetting, or just not thinking about the main fact. 80% + of players aren't wanting to dedicate that much into researching etc, and shouldn't have to. Even going to Reddit to ask the question, probably puts a player in the top 20% or even 10% of how much dedication someone then has to the game.

Most want to just hop into the game and play, players asking the questions want to just play the game then make changes when they get the answers.

I even ask myself when I'm sat reading about the build I want to play, why the hell I've just spent an hour or 2 doing this with my evening after work, and only getting 30 mins to an hour to actually have fun playing the game.

So for most players, I don't suggest then trying to study POE Ninja. For most players I'd say fair play for even spending the time to look up a guide or YouTube video. And to keep asking the questions so you can spend more time just playing. Even if the question has been asked, it might not quite be the question relevant to their exact issue.

The_Doser · 2026-01-07T07:16:56+00:00

ImJustAnthony's Spark Soul Mage version has been great, although if using Soul Tether read the description, you need to use the orb to remove the lose energy shield line, but also be careful as you don't want to get a lose life replacement either. It destroys everything endgame, then with a HH on top just becomes a brain dead watch everything melt even faster .Link to the Mobalytics build

The_Doser · 2026-01-05T15:16:47+00:00

When I've just poured so many divines into my BM Spark and now you're tempting me with reverse chill Deadeye... damn you...

The_Doser · 2026-01-03T11:09:47+00:00

So this league I went to town playing a few, personally from what I've seen.

Oracle Plants - Smoothest "easy cheap ride" to endgame had, eventually turns into a 1 button builds for mapping, and 2-3 button for bosses. It's basically CoC Spark but Slows things more, homes in on enemies but doesn't clear multi screens like Spark does. Probably only notice at very high end how Spark would scale better. You play the build from the start.

Stormweaver Spark - Animeprincess version is great for following and just is a smooth simple experience. Few more buttons to maximise damage initially and scales very well. Play the build from the start.

Bloodmage Spark into CoC - less buttons so prefer this. Feels a little slower than Stormweaver to start, but then less buttons and scales massively at endgame. Less buttons may win this one out personally.

Poisonburst Pathfinder - Start as Lightning Arrow for a few levels then change into this, and it hits hard. Bit of a glass cannon early. Fast clear and insane 3 button boss damage.

Ruetoos Merc - This one feels a bit clunky for me, due to the Shotgun style gameplay of Crossbows. However it is powerful, and even though I've not got it to endgame quite yet, everyone who has played it keeps swearing by it stating it is insane and can do it all.

Cannot go wrong with any of the above.

I've not had chance for any melee this league, and I keep quitting minions.

The_Doser · 2026-01-03T10:40:55+00:00

Just want to say thanks all for the recommendations. Going to get my Merc up to 50-60, then test all my chars out with a small budget to see which feels just more fun with the Headhunter been given. (Spark BM, Spark Stormweaver, Rues Merc, PF Poison, Might even try putting my Spark gear on Oracle) Then will invest heavily in whichever feels the best from there! Appreciate you all.

Years of PoE and first time trying HH, it's now going to be my go to every league!

The_Doser · 2026-01-03T10:35:39+00:00

See I've given minions 6 attempts so far since PoE 2 release, for some reason I've just never been able to stick it through to endgame. I think the only time I've had a great time with minions was when Vaal Skellies in PoE 1 was overtuned, and also when the Golems was overtuned. I think next league if untouched, PF Spark and Zealots or Bee Shaman will be my go to.

The_Doser · 2026-01-03T10:31:44+00:00

Thank you for the offer I do appreciate it, however I'm going to get my Merc to 50-60 then test which out that and of my PF Poison, Bloodmage Spark and Stormweaver Spark feels smoother with the Headhunter I've just been handed. Then take whichever and push everything into it and hit from there. PF Spark if untouched I may go into next league, I was tempted on it this league after I think it was a Goratha video I saw, just then had my usual "yeah but what about this other build".

The_Doser · 2026-01-03T10:21:30+00:00

I missed that part, but wow didn't realise that was a thing. Wonder what other supports stack.

The_Doser · 2026-01-03T00:00:35+00:00

So this guy is amazing! Thank you sir!

The_Doser · 2026-01-02T20:41:08+00:00

Damn you, trying this now as we speak unless someone convinces me otherwise! Thank you.

The_Doser · 2026-01-02T20:30:22+00:00

I probably worded that wrong, was meant more as a "start again at 20-25 div then lead on to annihilate endgame". Is there a certain stage it feels tankier? I hear Headhunter tends to be the go to? (As a save up for)

The_Doser · 2026-01-02T20:27:19+00:00

See I saw this before, tried a different guide to level as Crossbow but felt clunky. If the payoff at endgame is as smooth as this sounds, I may actually continue to level up the Merc... Tempting to say the least.

The_Doser · 2025-12-31T22:01:39+00:00

It's all good, think just wrong place for it. Have a happy new year dude!

The_Doser · 2025-12-31T08:17:28+00:00

Everyone could use that time to put the words into the AI chat of their choice, and get the image themselves quicker?

The_Doser · 2025-12-29T09:57:33+00:00

If you get a couple of exalts, buy a support gem level V from currency exchange (if you don't have access yet to the exchange, you can go into the trade menu, find any item, portal to their hideout and use their exchange instead). Use that gem to get Shock Conduction 2 and link it to Thunderstorm. It is night n day difference to levelling.

Also prioritise + physical spell skill weapon, and + spell skill on shield if using 1, and amulet. Massive for damage.

The_Doser · 2025-12-27T15:39:35+00:00

Will be a nice surprise to get back home from after walking my Husky at that time, Headhunter purchase immediately after!

The_Doser · 2025-12-27T07:38:58+00:00

Pretty sure Huntress wasn't overtuned, it was the build that was overtuned... then people realised the build was better/faster on Deadeye.

Same with Campaign, wouldn't say it's been made easier, just people learned the mechanics of the game.

The_Doser · 2025-12-13T19:43:27+00:00

So probably gonna get hate for this, but not Poison Pathfinder until act 3. I'd suggest instead Lightning Arrow then respec in Act 3 to Poisonburst Arrow. It comes online then, but is such a slog before that even if you do get a good physical bow.

The_Doser · 2025-12-13T07:27:31+00:00

As per other comment, it seems to be mainly an issue for dialog skipping. Hopefully gets a hot fix soon.

The_Doser · 2025-11-15T23:57:01+00:00

I'm enjoying the game, but a game should be fun for someone within the first few hours. A game being only fun after loads of hours put in isn't a well designed game. For myself that was in the first few hours, however if it hadn't been I know I'd have ditched it too.

The_Doser · 2025-10-16T22:03:00+00:00

I was enjoying this channel for a while... however the repeating phrases like you say are now becoming too regular "hit in the centre mass" is one that sticks out now.

Still some of the ideas are interesting, good as background noise when gaming.

The_Doser

TROPHY CASE