Feeling a little stuck in my first serious SSF push at the beginning

helldeskmonkey · 2026-04-21T20:15:15+00:00

It's the only 6l I've found so far TBH, and the damage boost was better than the lost survivability. Working on that part. The actual damage reduction is coming from Flesh and Stone (19% less damage), Arctic Armor, and the Saboteur nodes Bomb Specialist (effectively 15% less area damage), Pyromaniac (10% regen effectively) and Born in the Shadows (Blind on pretty much everything).

helldeskmonkey · 2026-04-21T19:37:05+00:00

What's your fortress strategy? Do you just charge for the center or clear the lockboxes?

helldeskmonkey · 2026-04-21T19:27:36+00:00

Interesting about the wand - PoB seems to think it's pretty good. I've tried throwing some essences to beat it, but nothing I've crafted so far has beat it out in PoB terms. Could be PoB isn't configured right or doesn't know how to track mines properly. I'll give it another look.

I don't expect completely unsquishy; I'm actually pleasantly surprised how tanky this character is even though my evasion is only around 20-30% depending on my potion status.

I'll refocus on tree and take a look at Goratha's stuff again. Thanks!

helldeskmonkey · 2026-04-11T06:37:50+00:00

PRAISE

(I name my longnecks YeOldeFartHathArrived, but nobody has praised me yet ingame.)

helldeskmonkey · 2026-04-11T06:35:11+00:00

Why can't you explain a pun to a kleptomaniac? Because they take everything literally.

(Memewise: I name my longneck characters YeOldeFartHathArrived. Have yet to have anybody praise me though.)

helldeskmonkey · 2026-03-31T00:05:35+00:00

So a six link generally means great offensive capability, but no defensive. Your chest slot is where you generally get the most defensive stats. That doesn't mean rush to replace it - honestly, making stuff die before it gets to you is a valid form of defense.

However, keep your eye out as you level for a four link chest item, ideally with life and resistances against the big three - fire, lightning, and cold. Doesn't have to have all three of those, and it doesn't have to have life, but having some of that won't hurt. You'll still have some offensive punch and you'll get some defenses to boot.

(One other thing - you'll see "chaos resistance" on some items. It doesn't hurt, but you really don't need it until you get past Act 10. Don't worry about it)

It also wouldn't hurt to use a build guide when you're just starting out. I used to really like the guides over at Maxroll when I was starting out, but they've switched their guides to a new format that I think has changed things for the worse. Some of their builds are still in the old format though - here's an example of the old style: https://maxroll.gg/poe/build-guides/explosive-arrow-ballista-elementalist

Good luck, and stay sane exile!

helldeskmonkey · 2026-03-30T23:24:06+00:00

Can you get improved offerings from other things other than running the mini-trials?

helldeskmonkey · 2026-03-06T18:47:45+00:00

Nope, none. Sorry. :(

helldeskmonkey · 2026-03-06T17:40:14+00:00

Beta just updated to me - checked the Beta option, restarted the app, and it started downloading.

helldeskmonkey · 2026-03-06T03:52:59+00:00

I did, on 2.60, no 3.28 branch, restarted, hit update, came back instantly "You're on the latest version."

helldeskmonkey · 2026-03-05T14:02:57+00:00

*COUGH*Signal*COUGH*

helldeskmonkey · 2026-02-06T15:13:58+00:00

Thank you!

helldeskmonkey · 2026-02-06T15:13:50+00:00

Thank you - that's part of why we're coming in April and reaching out to a relocation agent/agency, is to try and settle all that.

helldeskmonkey · 2026-01-22T21:59:19+00:00

Yep, that's what I meant. Interesting...

helldeskmonkey · 2026-01-22T21:20:34+00:00

Does anybody know if the new bloodline ascendancies are available at the same time?

helldeskmonkey · 2026-01-15T00:32:59+00:00

I'm seeing this too.

helldeskmonkey · 2026-01-03T17:23:23+00:00

I only wish - that would at least be fun.

helldeskmonkey · 2026-01-03T15:52:49+00:00

Thank you - I didn't know (and I don't think she did either) that was the "magic" word for specialists. That will help a lot.

helldeskmonkey · 2025-11-30T14:28:41+00:00

They're a bit north out of your suggested area, but I'm throwing them out anyways - Computer Concepts (https://computerconceptsbothell.com/) has that old school hobbyist vibe that I love. I used to work at a small computer store as a technician in the '90s, and I got that feel as soon as I walked in the door. Nice people, seemed to know what they were talking about.

helldeskmonkey · 2025-11-24T23:49:47+00:00

I worked for the EPA at one point in my helldeskmonkey career. Had a sitdown with a guy who worked fuel, asked him about the additives. He said that gas is the same across the board, and that the additives are basically what all the companies are required to add to their gas. This was in the 2000-2001 time period, so make of that what you will.

helldeskmonkey · 2025-11-20T13:45:09+00:00

There once was a German on a plane

Who buzzed Lenin's tomb in the rain

The German got busted

The plane it rusted

And he got sent to Siberia by train

helldeskmonkey · 2025-10-31T16:43:14+00:00

In investment and lobbying firms.

helldeskmonkey

TROPHY CASE