Intro & build description
This Glacial Cascade league starter is a perfect build for the Ultimatum league. Most of the items used by the build are pretty cheap and you can get to mapping with really low investment. While endgame gear has some quite expensive options, they are in no way required to play the build.
Glacial Cascade when played as mine, offers immunity to reflect, great clear speed, and good damage vs bosses.
Note: Transition into low life when you have at least 3500+ Energy shield.
Build Pros
- Cheap to start, scales well with currency invested
- Good clear speed
- Good survivability
- Doesn't require much to start mapping
Build Cons
- Endgame upgrades can get expensive
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
[3.15] Skill Tree PoB Community LinkBandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Bomb Specialist |
Labyrinth 2 | Explosives Expert |
Labyrinth 3 | Pyromaniac |
Endgame Labyrinth | Born In The Shadows |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Precision (LVL 1)
Enlighten (LVL 3+)
Summon Skitterbots
Clarity
Body Armor
Glacial Cascade
Blastchain Mine Support
Trap and Mine Damage Support
Minefield Support
Awakened Added Cold Damage Support
Inspiration Support
Gloves
Cast When Damage Taken Support
Immortal Call Support
Anomalous Bear Trap
Vaal Righteous Fire (Only use Vaal version)
Boots
Flame Dash
Arcane Surge Support
Second Wind Support
Smoke Mine
2h Weapon
None
1h Weapon
Frost Bomb
Spell Cascade Support
Frostbite
Offhand weapon / shield
Vaal Discipline
Zealotry
Hatred
Build uniques / Example rare gear
Tip: Click on the item to view it on PoE Wiki or to view similar rare items in poe.tradeHelmet
Rare Hubris CircletLook for rare Hubris Circlet with at least 280 energy shield and some resistances.
Body Armour
Shavronne's WrappingsA must-have for any low life build. Until you can get Shavronne’s, use Tabula Rasa or rare body armor with high life and some energy shield.
Gloves
Rare Energy Shield GlovesLook for rare Energy Shield gloves with 120+ energy shield, some resistances and open suffix. When you can, craft “Grants Level 20 Aspect of the Spider Skill” on the gloves.
Left Ring
Rare Opal Ring with Elder InfluenceLook for rare ring (Ideally Opal) with Elder influence.
Use Essence of Hysteria on it for “Gain 10% of Physical Damage as Extra Fire Damage” mod. Other great mods on the ring would be +to maximum energy shield, strength or resistances. Reroll the ring until you are happy with result.
Right Ring
Mark of The ShaperMark of The Shaper is an amazing ring for the build, providing lots of damage and some energy shield.
Amulet
Presence of ChayulaGreat defensive amulet for most low-life builds.
Until you can get it, use rare amulet with global critical strike multiplier and +to maximum energy shield. Other good mods would be attributes, resistances or % increased spell damage.
Belt
Crystal BeltLook for rare Crystal Belt with high energy shield and as much resistances as possible.
1Hand Weapon
Rare Wand or SceptreLook for rare Wand or Sceptre with at least 50%+ increased spell damage and +1 to level of all physical spell skill gems.
Other excellent mods to have on your weapon are global critical strike multiplier, critical strike chance for spells or +1 to level of all spell skill gems.
Offhand
Prism GuardianA must-have shield for the moment when we transition into low-life – start using it together with Shavronne’s Wrappings.
Until then, use rare energy shield based shield.
Jewel
Jewel SetupUnique Jewels the build uses:
-Transcendent Flesh
– Watcher’s Eye with 15% cold resistance penetration while affected by hatred / critical strike chance while affected by hatred
– Energy From Within
Mods to look for on your rare jewels:
1.) Critical strike multiplier with cold skills
2.) Global critical strike multiplier
3.) Increased maximum energy shield
4.) Attributes / Resistances that you need
Flask
Flask Setup1.) Taste of Hate
2.) Quicksilver Flask of Adrenaline
3.) Diamond Flask with Freeze removal
4.) Silver Flask with Bleed removal
5.) Rumi’s Concoction / Bottled Faith