Intro & build description
The explosive trap has been one of the best boss-killing skills for a while and this build is no exception. The skill itself has shotgunning mechanism, which allows us to deal a lot of damage to bosses in a short time span.
To start bossing with this particular build, you just need a half-decent weapon and shield, a 6link, and leveled gems.
There are some higher-price items recommended for this build, but they are in no way required for smooth gameplay in the first week of the league.
Build Pros
- Fantastic boss killer
- Does not rely on unique jewels
- Versatile in item choices and can squeeze in increased item rarity mods
Build Cons
- Not the fastest mapper
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
[3.20] Skill Tree PoB Community (Pastebin)Bandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Perfect Crime |
Labyrinth 2 | Chain Reaction |
Labyrinth 3 | Explosives Expert |
Endgame Labyrinth | Pyromaniac |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Determination
Grace
Herald of Ash
Flame Dash
Body Armor
Eplosive Trap
Fire Penetration -> Empower LVL 4 (when you can afford it)
Concentrated Effect Support
Added Fire Damage Support
Swift Assembly Support
Trap and Mine Damage Support
Gloves
Cast When Damage Taken Support (LVL2)
Vaal Molten Shell (LVL 10)
Increased Duration (Support
Bear Trap
Boots
Shield Charge
Faster Attacks Support
Summon Skitterbots
Infernal Legion
2h Weapon
None
1h Weapon
Inspiration Support
Divine Blessing Support
Zealotry
Offhand weapon / shield
Assassin's Mark
Wave of Conviction
Arcanist Brand
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
Devouring DiademThe Devouring Diadem is our helmet of choice for the endgame. It’s a great all-around helmet that enables the build to use more auras.
It’s going to be expensive for the first week of the league, so until you can afford it, rare helmet with high life and resistances should work just fine.
Body Armour
Skin of the Lords (Avatar of Fire)Skin of the Lords with Avatar of Fire keystone is how this build converts physical damage to fire in the endgame.
Before you can get a body armor like that, Tabula Rasa or a rare corrupted 6link with 3G-2R-1B socket colors would work just fine.
If you wanted to convert physical -> fire damage without Avatar of Fire, you could use gloves for that and easily get 100% conversion, since the skill has 50% conversion built-in.
Gloves
Rare GlovesLook for generic rare gloves with high life, resistances and chance to suppress spell damage.
In terms of implicit, look for Fire exposure on hit.
Boots
Rare BootsLook for generic rare boots with 30% increased movement speed, at least 70 life and as much resistance as you can get.
Left Ring
Circle of AnguishIn the endgame, look for 2x Circle of Anguish rings with:
– Increased Herald of Ash Buff effect
– Increased Fire damage while affected by Herald of Ash
Please note that rings like that are going to be quite expensive, so until you can afford them, use cheaper combination:
1) Rare Ring with elder influence that has high life and resistances
2) Mark of the Shaper
Right Ring
Circle of AnguishIn the endgame, look for 2x Circle of Anguish rings with:
– Increased Herald of Ash Buff effect
– Increased Fire damage while affected by Herald of Ash
Please note that rings like that are going to be quite expensive, so until you can afford them, use cheaper combination:
1) Rare Ring with elder influence that has high life and resistances
2) Mark of the Shaper
Amulet
Leadership's PriceGood amulet for the build that gives us Brittle, Sapping and Scorching conflux if 2 of our highest attributes are equal. In addition to that, it also provides a fair amount of maximum resistance if you can get your hands on a well-rolled amulet.
When you start using this amulet, make sure 2 of your highest attributes are equal.
Belt
Rustic SashOn belt, it’s important to get Trap and Mine throwing speed mod from Essence of Zeal.
So to get that, buy Rustic Sash with fractured life mod. Then, use essence of zeal until you are happy with the result.
1Hand Weapon
Rare SceptreBuild uses Scepter and shield, in order to be able to use Shield Charge.
On the scepter, look for core damage mods:
1) +1 to all physical or fire / spell skill gems
2) Increased spell damage
3) Critical strike chance for spells
It’s also recommended to craft increased trap throwing speed on your weapon.
Offhand
Rare ShieldLook for rare shield with:
1) At least 70 to maximum life
2) +1 to level of physical / fire spell skill gems
3) Critical strike chance for spells
Jewel
JewelsOn regular jewels, we are trying to get as much crit multiplier as possible, so look for following mods:
1) Crit multiplier with fire skills
2) Crit multiplier with spell damage
3) Global crit multiplier
4) Increased maximum life
5) + To all elemental resistances
Build also uses cluster jewels, 1 large and 2 medium. On them, look for:
Large Cluster
– Force Multiplier
– Iron Breaker
– Master the Fundamentals
Medium Clusters
– Arcane Pyrotechnics (1x)
– Guerilla Tactics (2x)
– Surprise Sabotage (1x)
Flask
FlasksBuild uses 5 magic flasks:
1) Quicksilver Flask
2) Divine Life flask with bleed removal and instant recovery
3) Quartz Flask
4) Diamond Flask
5) Jade Flask