Note: This is NOT really a RF build!

Hi, I'm a really casual Path of Exile player who doesn't usually go hard into leagues anymore and therefore has a lot of outdated knowledge. I decided to make my own build this league - I've reached the point where I'm running Red T16 maps, but due to the build being overly complicated, most people get a headache when I ask them for gearing tips, although I've gotten some really good advice, such as someone telling me how good Formless Flame was.

Here is my build, although some skills don't work due to them not being integrated into Path of Building yet: https://pobb.in/-QKApHQnzoOM

Here is an explanation of what was going through my mind and how I planned the build.

Skill #1: Phantasmal Searing Bond - Combustion - Ignite Proliferation - Greater Multiple Projectiles - Flamewood Totem - Lifetap

This is my main damage skill. I am using Phantasmal Searing Bond because I can get 3 totems, which makes it easier to proc Flamewood Totem on maps where enemies are taunt immune. Multiple totems also means multiple flamewood procs at the same time. The main goal is to get a large ignite from Flamewood, GMP increases the hit damage. Searing Bond itself does a lot of damage too and scales with all spell damage multipliers, so I think it has good synergy with RF.

Skill #2: Firestorm - Spell Totem - Lifetap - Immolate - Sadism

This is a bit difficult to explain, but Firestorm hits many many times, which is important because when it crits, it has a chance to refresh the highest Ignite stack. I also need it for speedy enemies on maps where everything is Taunt immune and I can't rely on Flamewood proccing.

The purpose of Sadism support is to make sure that the ignite it inflicts on the large meteor actually increases dps a little bit by being the highest dps ignite for a very small period of time, otherwise it would be overshadowed by the Flamewood Totems and be kind of pointless. I occasionally also get a lucky crit resetting the large ignite, which is nice.

Skill #3: Righteous Fire - Elemental Focus - Increased Area of Effect - Burning Damage

RF for clean-up, it does slightly less damage than Searing Bond, but spends half its time not being used at all because I keep rolling map mods which brick RF with lower max res or cripple life regeneration. I repeat: This is not a RF build, I can clear maps perfectly fine without ever touching RF. This skill mainly exists to buff the damage of Searing Bond, but the damage aura is the reason why I don't take Ancestral Bond.

However, half the time I show my build to someone on Discord to ask for advice, they assume that my main damage skill is RF and start criticising RF Chieftain due to "pohx" preferring Inquisitor.

Play order:

Step 1) Searing Bond Totem x1-3 to taunt and group up all enemies.

Step 2) Firestorm Totem - Takes a short moment to start, so I cast it before

Step 3) Alchemist's Mark on most annoying enemy. I tried Flame Surge, but it was too unreliable at snapshotting the highest damage Ignite. Mark seems far better at it.

If done correctly, the screen should be a giant mess.

https://preview.redd.it/3ezfbfyrswjb1.png?width=1416&format=png&auto=webp&s=5e30a9c055fb4ec8cd61d9197aa55e5545fa57f5

I'm having a lot of fun with the build, but due to the fact I'm an extremely casual player, I don't really have the knowledge on how to gear or build this further. Case in point, I need a body armour upgrade, I actually did drop a "Lightning Coil", but after asking around on Discord, it seems like that's not recommended and I should go after an influenced Physical damage reduction body with a Gravicus Craft instead? The game has changed a lot from what I was used to.

I don't really know what my final options for the last 3% max fire res are either, I think can get 1 from Reservation Mastery with 1 passive point and by reserving a crappy aura like Clarity, but I don't know if I should just go for a "Searing Exarch" implicit on the body and dump the Lightning Coil or I should go all out trying to get Aura Effectiveness somehow and pump Purity of Fire.

I could really use the advice since I generally only get the currency to 6L a body once a league. You've probably noticed all my other gear is trash because Chieftain makes gearing really easy, so advice on how to improve damage would be greatly appreciated too. Thank you if you read this far.