Intro & build description
Explosive arrow totem is a popular league starter choice and this guide is dedicated to the elementalist version. Main advantages of the elementalist are that it has higher damage vs bosses, gets going quicker and has quite decent tankiness overall.
Build Pros
- Great damage
- Decent tankiness
- Does not require expensive items to start out
Build Cons
- The delay of EA might not be for everyone
Passive tree(s) and Path of Building
[3.21] Skill Tree PoB CommunityBandits
Bandits Quest Choice |
Kill all bandits |
Ascendancy skill points
Labyrinths | Skill point choice |
---|---|
Labyrinth 1 | Shaper of Flames |
Labyrinth 2 | Mastermind of Discord |
Labyrinth 3 | Heart of Destruction |
Endgame Labyrinth | Shaper of Storms |

Skill gem setup
Helm
Summon Lightning Golem
Frostblink
Portal
Cast on Death Support
Body Armor
Precision
Vaal Haste
Enlighten Support (LVL4 ideally)
Defiance Banner
Determination
Malevolence
Gloves
Arcanist Brand
Flame Surge
Flammability
Elemental Weakness
Boots
Frenzy
Greater Multiple Projectiles Support
Life Gain on Hit Support
Vaal Molten Shell
2h Weapon
Explosive Arrow
Ballista Totem Support
Awakened Burning Damage Support
Deadly Ailments Support
Elemental Damage with Attacks Support
Empower Support (LVL4 ideally)
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
Rare HelmetLook for rare helmet with fractured life on it.
Use essence to craft reservation efficiency on it by using Deafening Essence of Loathing, ideally together with resistances.
Until you can afford it, use regular rare helmet with high life and resistances.
Body Armour
Rare Body Armour with hunter influenceIn the endgame, look for rare hunter-influenced body armor with spell suppression, additional curse and high life.
Until you can get something like that, Tabula Rasa or a regular rare with high life will work just fine.
Boots
Rare BootsLook for rare boots with at least 70 life, 30% movement speed and 10%+ spell suppression. Resistances on top of that would be great.
Left Ring
Polaric DevastationFantastic ring for the build due to its unique mechanics like ailment duration and covering enemies in ash. Use it in the left rings slot, as soon as you can afford it.
Right Ring
Rare RingLook for rare ring with high life, chaos and elemental resistance and accuracy (important).
Amulet
Rare AmuletLook for rare amulet with +1 to all fire skill gems, 20%+ damage over time multiplier and high life.
Belt
Dyadian DawnA must-have item for the build – look for one with higher rolled “Ignites you inflict with Attacks Deal Damage x% faster”.
Quiver
Rare QuiverOn quiver, we look for DoT multiplier with bow skills, attack speed and high life.
2Hand Weapon
Rare BowOn our bow, mods that we are looking for are:
1) +1 to level of socketed gems
2) +2 to level of socketed support gems
3) At least 500 to accuracy rating
4) Increased attack speed
Bow like that can be crafted by yourself or can be purchased. Until you can afford bow like that, Quill Rain will be a suitable option.
Jewel
Unique JewelsFor unique jewels, this build uses 2:
1) Lethal Pride – look for Akoya version with 10000 – 11000 roll. Look for “Ignites deal damage x% faster mod”, socket near Savagery.
2) Stormshroud – for elemental ailment avoidance.
Jewel
Rare Jewel SetupLook for rare jewels with following mods:
1) Fire damage over multiplier
2) Increased maximum life
3) Damaging ailments deal damage x% faster
4) Other relevant damage or resistance mods if necessary
Build also uses 1 large cluster jewel. On the cluster jewel, look for Martial Prowess and Tempered Arrowheads at the minimum.
Flask
Flask SetupBuild uses following flasks:
1) Divine Life flask with instant recovery and bleed removal
2) Divine Mana flask
3) Granite Flask
4) Quartz Flask
5) Quicksilver Flask