Build Updates:
NOTE: I do not recommend this as a league starter due to the expensive uniques required. I recommend making this as a second character once you have earned some currency.
NOTE: This footage was shot in 3.8. Aspects of this build have changed heavily since launch. Many of these changes aren't reflected in the video. The PoB link is the up to date, significantly stronger version of the build.
NOTE: Certain metrics need to be achieved in order to achieve optimal dps output. These are numbers you want to see in PoB and won't see in game tooltips. To achieve optimal dps here's what you need:
- 14% Cooldown Recovery Speed on your boots or belt.
- Cyclone Hits 100% of the time.
- Cyclone Critical Strikes 100% of the time. (With flasks up).
- Cyclone attacks just slightly less than 7.57 times per second. (With 15% increased attack speed from Mistwalker included).
This ensures that Ice Nova triggers as often as possible. For more information on this topic check out the links below.
https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/gyf178/coc_ice_nova_311_things_you_should_know/
https://www.reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/e5pyr8/the_cyclone_cast_on_critical_strike_cooldown/
All APS/Proc issues have been sorted out. Be sure to divine Cospri's Malices to have a maximum of 10% attack speed and pick up the node Precision to ensure that we stay below the 7.57 attacks per second PoB threshold.
Getting at least 14% cooldown reduction on our belt or elsewhere in the build is necessary to fully optimize performance.
NOTE: Continuing running Increased Critical Strikes in the main six link over Hypothermia or Inspiration for as long as needed. Don't switch over until you can push Cyclone's chance to Crit near 100%, this becomes much easier with a crit based Hatred Watchers Eye.
Heist Changes:
- The curse changes shouldn't affect this build much.
- Added several new leveling trees.
- Assassin was slightly nerfed. Deadly Infusion and the critical strike multiplier on several minor nodes were reduced in power. Should still be worth running but you can consider taking Ambush and Assassinate instead.
Alternate Quality Gems to Look For:
Ice Nova: 30% increased Damage with Hits against Chilled Enemies
Cyclone: 5% more Movement Speed --- 20% Chance to Avoid Interruption from Stuns While Using this Skill
Inspiration: Supported Skills have 20% increased Critical Strike Chance
Frostbolt: 100% Reduced Damage & 20% chance to inflict Cold Exposure on Hit
Harvest Changes:
- Cyclone lost its Stun Immunity. If this proves an issue get a Stun Immunity boot enchant and/or switch to Soul of the Brine King.
Gear Changes:
- Dropped Cinderswallow for Wise Oak. This was done to lower our aps.
- Added in a Watcher's Eye focused on improving crit chance.
- Dropped the Command of the Pit for rare gloves with a dps focus and more sockets.
- The rings have been completely switched over to two Circle of Fears. Use the Mark of the Shaper & Elder Ring combination until you can afford these.
- Multiple pieces of rare gear were slightly reworked to incorporate more accuracy and dexterity to help our Cyclone hit 100% chance.
Gem Changes:
- Dropped Ice Bite Support to lower our aps by removing our access to frenzy charges.
- Removed Increased Critical Strikes from the main 6 link and added Hypothermia in its place.
- Slightly altered the Cospri's gem setups. The links are very similar but our Ice Novas triggered by Cospri's now leech life.
- Reworked multiple skill gem setups to accommodate the inclusion of a dps focused vortex. That will grant us Arcane Surge and improve our potential dps heavily.
- The Cast When Damage Support setup has been reworked. Steelskin was dropped for a more frequently active and more consistent with Immortal Call.
- Vaal Righteous Fire was added to further improve single target damage. Only use the Vaal portion of the skill. Activate this when trying to deal intense damage to bosses.
Tree Changes:
- The node Precision was added to help ensure that we are at the perfect level of Cyclone Attacks per Second, right below 7.57.
- Tree has been reworked over time.
Other Notes:
- You cannot wield a wand alongside a sceptre. You'll need to either dual wield two wands or two sceptres.
- Loreweave cannot be used with jewellers touch.