Intro & build description
Rage vortex berserker is a perfect 3.17 starter build for someone who kind of wants to play melee but is not 100% sure about it.
Rage vortex is a skill that sacrifices some of your rage to send out a spinning version of your blade. The more rage you sacrifice, the larger the AoE and the higher the damage of the skill. The build can be intensive on warcry use, so if you want a 1-button gameplay, you should look for something else.
This specific build version is utilizing fire conversion and a 1-handed weapon + Redblade Banner synergies with warcries & has a decent physical damage reduction with healthy life pool.
Build Pros
- Good survivability
- Can deal with Maven and other endgame bosses
- Good clear and movement speed in maps due to high attack speed leap slams
- Doesn't require any insanely expensive items to work
- Engaging gameplay with several warcries
Build Cons
- Requires more than 1 button to play, so might be a turn-off for some players
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
[3.17] Skill Tree PoB CommunityBandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Aspect of Carnage |
Labyrinth 2 | Crave The Slaughter |
Labyrinth 3 | War Bringer |
Endgame Labyrinth | Rite of Ruin |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Herald of Ash
Enlighten Support (LVL 3)
Purity of Elements
Blood and Sand
Body Armor
Anomalous Rage Vortex
Elemental Damage With Attacks Support
Immolate Support
Pulverise Support
Awakened Fire Penetration Support
Increased Critical Damage Support
Gloves
Intimidating Cry
Second Wind Support
Infernal Cry Support
Combustion Support
Boots
Vaal Ancestral Warchief
Multiple Totems Support
Berserk
Ancestral Protector
2h Weapon
None
1h Weapon
Leap Slam
Arrogance Support
Precision
Offhand weapon / shield
Wave of Conviction
Battlemage's Cry
Enduring Cry
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 HelmetLook for rare helmet with at least 90 life and as much resistance as you can find.
Body Armour
Rare Astral PlateLook for Astral Plate with “Attacks have +x% to Critical Strike Chance” mod as well as high life.
Any resistance or attribute mods are good bonuses.
Boots
Rare BootsLook for rare boots with at least 80 to maximum life, 30% increased movement speed and some resistance.
Craft Aspect of The Spider on the boots.
Left Ring
Circle of AnguishAt the endgame, we should look for Circle of Anguish with following mods:
1) x% increased Fire Damage while affected by Herald of Ash
2) Herald of Ash has x% increased Buff Effect
Before you can afford one with both of these mods, use one with increased fire damage mod and random second mod.
Right Ring
Rare Ring with Assassin's mark on hitLook for rare ring with “Trigger Level x Assassin’s Mark when you Hit a Rare or Unique Enemy and have no Mark” mod.
Other good mods would be life, dexterity or intelligence.
Amulet
Rare Turquoise AmuletLook for rare turquoise amulet with adds x-x physical damage to attacks mod as well as at least 30% to global critical strike multiplier.
High life would be an amazing additional mod.
Belt
Bear's GirdleNot a cheap, but really good belt for the build.
If you can afford it, get it, if not, use rare Stygian vise with high life and resistances.
1Hand Weapon
Rare 1-handed SwordLook for a rare 1-handed sword with as much pDPS as you can get. Ideally, we should be looking at swords with at least 370 pDPS.
High local critical strike chance is also important, so take it into consideration when buying/crafting your weapon.
Offhand
Redblade BannerRedblade Banner is one of the core items of the build, so focus on getting it as soon as you can. This shield basically makes our warcry setup work, which in turn helps with rage generation and rage vortex.
It can be target-farmed by killing Redblade bosses in Lighthouse map.
Jewel
Cluster JewelsThis build uses 2 cluster jewels, 1 large (8 passives) and 1 medium (4 passives).
Mods on Large cluster jewel:
Mods on Medium cluster jewel:
1) Lead by Example
2) Mob Mentality
Jewel
Rare jewelsLook for following mods on regular rare jewels:
1) Increased maximum life
2) Any attack speed mods
3) Global critical strike multiplier
4) Damage with swords
5) Attributes if you are lacking
Flask
Flask SetupBuild uses following flasks:
1) Diamond Flask
2) Bottled Faith (Very endgame option)
3) Lion’s Roar
4) Quartz Flask
5) Jade Flask