Intro & build description
The given build is our version of Lifting’s Quad Frostbolt Totem build in which I attempted to remedy single target problem.
This is great league starter build because it’s very cheap and can quickly farm maps which is crucial when starting out in a new league. It only has 2 required unique items – 2x Frozen Trail jewels to succeed, so it’s easy to gear as your first character.
Build Pros
- Very cheap, beginner friendly and easy to start
- Great clearspeed
- Can do reflect maps much easier than self-cast builds
- HC Viable
Build Cons
- Mediocre to low single target damage, so it's not intended for killing bosses
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
Skill Tree [117p]Bandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Pursuit of Faith |
Labyrinth 2 | Ritual of Awakening |
Labyrinth 3 | Illuminated Devotion |
Endgame Labyrinth | Arcane Reverence |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Cast When Damage Taken Support (LVL 9)
Immortal Call (LVL 10)
Flame Golem (LVL 10)
Increased Duration Support (Max LVL)
Body Armor
Frostbite
Orb of Storms
Curse on Hit Support
Elemental Weakness Support
Vaal Haste
Increased Duration
Gloves
Arcane Surge Support (LVL 8)
Lightning Warp
Less Duration Support
Faster Casting Support
Boots
Clarity
Power Charge on Critical Support
Ball Lightning
Frost Bomb
2h Weapon
Frostbolt
Spell Totem Support
Faster Casting Support
Controlled Destruction Support
Cold Penetration Support
Increased Critical Strikes Support
1h Weapon
None
Offhand weapon / shield
None
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
Eternal BurgonetLook for white helmet with “15% increased Frostbolt Cast Speed” enchant. Best bet would be to craft it yourself – some life + resistances and you should be alright.
Body Armour
Belly of The BeastWe use Belly of the Beast for it’s defense. It’s also the place where we will have our dual curse setup for bosses.
Coloring it might be a bit tricky as it needs 4 off-color sockets but should be doable using Vorici’s 3B craft as you go longer into the league.
Let me note, that armour doesn’t have to be 6-linked, main thing we use it for is curse setup, so 4 linked blue sockets is basically what we need from it.
Gloves
Winds of ChangeThis is fairly inexpensive pair of gloves that give us great boost to damage and projectile speed.
Increased projectile damage goes to 50% on the gloves, so look for higher rolled ones while trying to get the “reduced movement speed” mod with lowest possible roll.
Boots
Two-Toned BootsLook for rare Two-Toned boots with 30% movement speed, as high life and resistances as you can get.
If your resistances are capped, look for any boots with “120% increased Critical Strike Chance if you haven’t Crit Recently” enchantment instead.
Left Ring
Two-Stone RingUse this ring slot for a rare Two-Stone ring with as much resistance as you can find. Pair it with life & some mana if you can and you’re good.
Right Ring
Diamond RingFor this slot use Diamond Ring with as much life and resistances as you can find. Maximum mana is a nice bonus.
Amulet
The PandemoniusGreat amulet for most cold-based builds. Might be a bit pricey at the beginning of new league until more people are starting to farm breaches.
Belt
Stygian Vise / Leather beltLook for Stygian Vise with high life and resistances and combine it with well rolled abyssal jewel.
Another option would be Leather belt.
2Hand Weapon
Taryn's ShiverTaryn’s Shiver is the best staff for the build but only if you can 6-link it.
Until you can get 6-Linked Taryn’s, use 6-linked rare staff with +2 to cold gems crafted on it because it’s better than 5-linked Taryn’s.
6-linked normal staff can be obtained by using The Dark Mage divination cards that are usually very cheap when compared to other 6-link divination cards.
Jewel
Frozen TrailWe need 2x Frozen Trail jewels for this build. They provide us with free extra projectiles without losing any damage.
Jewel
Rare JewelsOn your rare jewels look for following stats:
1.) Increased maximum life
2.) Increased damage / spell damage / totem damage / elemental damage etc
3.) Increased cast speed
4.) Increased critical strike chance (with cold, elemental skills etc)
5.) Increased critical strike multiplier (with cold, elemental skills etc)
6.) Attributes or resistances if you are lacking
Flask
Flask Setup1.) Instant Recovery Divine life Flask with bleed removal
2.) Instant Recovery Divine life flask with freeze removal
3.) Surgeon’s Quicksilver flask of adrenaline
4.) Atziri’s Promise
5.) Sanctified Mana flask / Lavianga’s Spirit
Getting to Frostbolt:
Until level 28, use Freezing Pulse while leveling Frostbolt. If you can, buy Lifesprig or Reverberation Rod for quicker progress. At level 28 switch to Frostbolt setup and as you level, try to get 5-link and then, naturally a 6-link.
How to deal with tougher bosses:
Drop your Frost Bomb on top of the boss to reduce his cold resistance -> Cast Orb of Storms with curse setup and make sure boss is cursed at all times -> Put down your totems. Make sure you keep your power charges up by casting Ball lightning occasionally and make sure Arcane Surge is up by using Lightning Warp.
Hey buddy,
cheers for that nice, short guide.
Just one question; What’s the Cold. Pen. Level you’d suggest, since it’s quite Dex. heavy?
Would you rather get the Dex. via passive nodes / jewls, or threw the items?
Thanks in advance. 🙂
Hey!
I would suggest grabbing one +30 dex node on tree and high dex roll on ring. If you needed more, one jewel should do the trick 🙂
Alright, thanks for that quick response. 🙂
Will pick up the +30 Node and try to get the rest via Items.
Have a great day.
Every % cold damage penetrated means in raw numbers 1% MORE dmg so every level of cold pen matters.