Home / Build / [3.19] Essence Drain Occultist | Full Build

[3.19] Essence Drain Occultist | Full Build

Intro & build description

Essence Drain is a classic league starter build and it is no different with the upcoming Lake of Kalandra expansion. Build can be pushed through the leveling phase and well into maps without any special items as mostly we rely on decent flat damage that comes from skill gem level ups and passive points on the tree. A great overall choice if you are not sure what to play in the upcoming league and want to be safe.

On a side note, Soulrend is receiving a hefty buff as well. If you would like to respec and check out the spell once ED + Contagion is getting too stale for you, this can be done with minimal effort.

Build Pros

  • League starter build
  • Cheap to begin with
  • Reflect immune
  • Good clear speed
  • Great bosser

Build Cons

  • Some people don't like ED playstyle

Passive tree(s) and Path of Building

Full Build
PoB Link

Bandits

Bandits Quest Choice
Kill all bandits

Ascendancy skill points

LabyrinthsSkill point choice
Labyrinth 1Void Beacon
Labyrinth 2Withering Presence
Labyrinth 3Vile Bastion
Endgame LabyrinthMalediction

Skill gem setup

Helm


Zealotry

Malevolence

Enlighten Support

Determination


Body Armor


Essence Drain

Swift Affliction Support

Efficacy Support

Void Manipulation Support

Controlled Destruction Support

Empower Support


Gloves


Flame Dash

Vaal Molten Shell

Contagion

Arcane Surge Support


Boots


Bane

Punishment

Divergent Precision (1 lvl)

Despair


2h Weapon


None


1h Weapon


Grace

Infused Channelling Support

Vaal Blight


Offhand weapon / shield


Defiance Banner

Anomalous Discipline

Tempest Shield



Build uniques / Example rare gear


Tip: Click on the item to view it on PoE Wiki or to view similar rare items in poe.trade

Helmet

Crown of the Inward Eyes

Amazing helm to have. Use a rare hubris with high ES until you get your hands on Crown of the Inward Eyes.


Body Armour

Skin of the Lords

Best in slot armor. Use any rare chest with high energy shield and resistances until you get Skin of the Lords.


Gloves

Rare Gloves

Rare gloves with high energy shield, elemental resistances and stats.


Boots

Rare Boots

Rare boots wit high movement speed, high energy shield and elemental resistances.


Left Ring

Rare Iolite Ring

Rare ring with stats, increased chaos damage and elemental resistances.


Right Ring

Rare Iolite Ring

Rare ring with stats, increased chaos damage and elemental resistances.


Amulet

Rare Amulet

Rare amulet with damage over time multiplier, chaos damage over time multiplier and chaos or +all skill gems depending on what you can afford.


Belt

Rare Crystal Belt

A rare crystal belt with elemental resistances, stats and if you can afford, % increased energy shield.


1Hand Weapon

Rare Wand

Rare wand with spell damage, damage over time multiplier or chaos damage over time multiplier.

Depending on your budget, prioritize getting either +1 to level of all spell skill gems or +1 to level of all chaos skill gems.


Offhand

Aegis Aurora

Shield is required to run all the auras we have. Use a rare shield with ES and resistances until you farm up to buy Aegis Aurora.


Jewel

Thread of Hope (Large)

Socket it next to the “Overcharge” notable to grab “Glancing Blows” keystone and “Light of Divinity” notable for 1 point each.


Jewel

Watcher's Eye

4% increased maximum Energy Shield
5% increased maximum Life
4% increased maximum Mana
+8% Chance to Block Spell Damage while affected by Discipline
+22% to Damage over Time Multiplier while affected by Malevolence


Jewel

Cluster Jewel

Small cluster jewels that grant increased mana reservation efficiency of skills.

Large cluster jewels that grant 12% chaos damage.

1. Introspection
2. Sublime Form
3. Touch of Cruelty
4. Unholy Grace
5. Unwaveringly Evil
6. Dark Ideation
7. Wicked Pall


Jewel

Rare Jewel

1. Increased spell damage
2. Chaos damage over time multiplier
3. Increased spell damage while holing a shield
4. Increased damage


Flask

Flask Setup

1. Chemist’s Quartz Flask of the Pangolin
2. Rumi’s Concoction
3. Examiner’s Jade Flask of the Ibex
4. Bottled Faith
5. Wide Quicksilver Flask of the Hare



Feel free to share your thoughts/experiences/tips about the build in comments section below.

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