[3.24] Splitting Steel HARDCORE Champion League Start Build Guide!

[@kirillzabrodin1593]

The level of self sandbagging for the PoB numbers is admirable! I'm a soft core Andy(3000+ deaths in Affliction across 2 chars) but want to try a tankier build this time around to maybe consider doing some HC trade. This build is top of my list now. Will also follow on twitch!

[@marksutherlandjr.2121]

LowBalling DPS on the PoB is always a good choice. A lot of players will come up a little short on the build at first. These numbers will reflect the dmg that they are probably doing with buffs and while optimized. Those of us with more build experience know these numbers are WAY lower then what the build actuslly does. Especially when optimized, but the folks that get this arnt the reason the numbers are padded down. It does send a clear message of transparency. Nu Sub here. Edit: Champion feels SO good with Evasion/Armour/Fortify.

[@ehaydabre]

Thank you very much. This is what I looking for desperately. Excellent POB, detailed and well thought. I have a humble addition for early game, Holy Relic can be good, if sockets and economy fits.

[@MrGilfred]

Thanks for this guide I have made a few adjustments to my personal build using your guide. I tailored it to suit my play style and needs. I will test it out and if I get all of splits that you talk about then I know that I will do fine.

[@kizmy2]

so this is what it feels like to watch a true poe guide with no bullshit, feels really good. i was going to go RF but now im thinking about trying this build. damnnittt XD

[@saltamuertosturambar4050]

Hi there! I used your build and leveling tree for 3.24 and let me thank you man. Without your precise technique tree I could not be able to make into the endgame, pretty fun and tanky build. One bad thing about the build is it's ceiling, its kinda short once you start farmin tier 16 but after obtaining the 4 voidstones I switched to a crit version of it an was smooth sail from there. Thank you so much for your guiedence, you've earned a subscriber. Good tides to you!

[@soleterraandluna8828]

usually dont positivity comment. But, damn man. Your so genuine and honest. You get a sub n a like. keep it goin

[@spaceburger80]

I was set on CF KBolt Champ… but fuuuuck, I love a melee play-style. You are a superlative PoE build ambassador. You have one of my favorite styles and I look forward to your continued success as others catch on.

[@baluditor]

Thank you for the detailed guide and POB!

[@freskoodaskilla548]

Just wanted to say i leaguestarted this, did all content. Want people to know this guy doesnt make bait builds (at least this was isnt, havent tried any other yet), very well explained, very well done sending love.

[@xSunny599]

Damn how could i sleep on such a great channel, i love this guide ty!!!

[@dragothica4925]

Thanks for the guide! I played Splitting Steel Champ in previous league (although in softcore) and the build was incredibly fun to play. That version of the build didn't go to the Ranger right side of the Passive Tree so I'd expect this build will be even better!

[@pnnplays2390]

What do you think of the champion version versus the trickster version? I'm struggling to decide which to play. Nice guide btw

[@pokerabend1]

Weird I read the same question in the trickster version, also no answer. But I have the same question XD

[@vitalijscigrin]

Very nice video man! will you make and update for the 3.25 league? Also please could you share your starting atlas with some steps - like 10 - 20 - 30 points and so on... Thanks a lot for your great work!

[@mattb1638]

Doing hc trade this league for the first time. Super excited to try something new

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Welcome Komrade we have Elden Ring merch at the front desk and you get a free poe 2 t-shirt on the house.

[@rogueankator6461]

Ty for this tipe of content... i new in poe and this guide is very well explain!

[@lincemistico602]

i've been always a bow user, so finding a build that i like is hard, i'm done dying with elemental hit of the spectrum or lightning arrow on Necropolis, the clear is amazing but squishy asf, i'm already leveling this big boy, thanks for the leveling guide

[@arekwork]

This is so amazing thank you so much for this build !!

[@yimwee2401]

Ive league started perseverance champ the last 4 leagues and am not afraid to do it again!

[@mcvac9440]

Intro no bs honestly got my sub rate it 👊🏽

[@zlionz]

Thanks for the guide, I plan on playing this 🔥

[@asheakali6819]

thank you for all the details good job ;)

[@Evanfify]

Played many splitting steel every league this guide make me blasting through campaign with this guide wtf,

[@mutantemolina3708]

Nice presentation dude, keep it up please. May the rng gods favour you, ss.

[@phromkhieo5]

Good choice , i'm bored Boneshutter for stater league , see u next league

[@everseenTV]

Nice guide man, good videos lately+++

[@rasmuso.2129]

Sorry if I missed it in the video - you manually cast Sniper's Mark? And on another note (I've seen this on many other builds), would it make sense to use lvl 1 Lifetap in your 6L setup (to get it to proc sooner) since you can use a lvl 20 Lifetap in your Leapslam for example? My understanding is that, regardless of which skill procs lifetap, it'll always proc the highest equipped gem buff one.

[@frankpoulsen4749]

Oh yeah.. here we go! Gonna try it I think

[@gustaw95]

I just started playing PoE, amount of knowledge you need to gain in order not to get crushed by the entry level in this game is overwhelming. I decided to play champion splitting steel just because it looked nice. My question is, why as a character that bases on PROJECTILES you don’t go for projectile mastery in the tree? Can anybody explain?

[@pokerabend1]

Well I decided to try the champion, although I`ve always preferd Shadow, Witch or Templar for the wrong reasons XD The Duelist is kind of an unfunny charackter, but hey... To the lords and Ladies, thanks for the great POB, just looked into it. Have to appreciate the work and knowledge you put into this :)

[@NPC-fg6up]

Goint to League start with this, good guide!

[@frankpoulsen4749]

When compared to the Splitting steel trickster Allie made a build guide for yesterday - whats best dps/tank wise? The POBs are a bit confusing when compared (to me😂) since she said the Champion would be more dps but the trickster more tanky? But You're in HC sooo? 🎉 Thanks for any feedback 🎉

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

My version is more just about raw tank early and getting 90% suppression from the tree so it's pretty easy to gear besides the weapon, meanwhile trickster is more about ES stacking and that's a fucking rabbit hole of crafting so for ME league start ES (ci) trickster is just not something I wanna do or COULD do in hctrade BUT Trickster eventually becomes a gigachad down the road just not as fast as a champion does. For damage they both can eventually wear a nimis and I didn't talk about a Paradoxica cause I think for league start that's just too much money for me to recommend.

[@frankpoulsen4749]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs wauw thanks for the fast reply! I really appreciate it! I'm sticking with Champion - I don't have any experience with ES stacking at all - and Ill rather be quick out the gates 🥳

[@davidmaltais2912]

​@frankpoulsen4749 champion is far superior as a league starter since it's so much tankier just from ascendancy

[@SteveChambersXP]

Thanks for this was looking for a powerhouse champion build!

[@Haydrion]

Thanks for this guide. Easy to follow. Question. Are you gonna update it with more expensive chase items or is it finished?

[@slaykittens]

im a simple man, i see a sick thumbnail, im in.

[@P.E.E.K.S]

PT is great, but something I picked up on last league - massive shrine bricks it :( as someone that loves shrine investment early, as it greatly speeds up mapping with early gear, it is a downside for PT builds

[@jalengibbs5403]

I started out CF champ and I am having a hard time doing T15 up, would switching to this make sense?

[@zaguel]

hey man, great build so far. i couldn't find the pantheons though. what do you do for pantheons?

[@Wasabi1974]

Hi Wafflez, I've reached red maps like a breeze, where can i find the end game version of this build, please?

[@Grinchcoolrancho]

@WafflezLovesArpgs Hey Wafflez! Thank you for the build. Cheap AF! I'm currently gathering currency for swapping to the crit version. Although I'd like to learn from you what would be the first steps to upgrade to a new build and what's the budget I should consider. I'm guessing 20 div+ minimum but I need your insights please. Thanks!

[@panamera0607]

Sick guide my dude

[@Murlo695]

Ruetoo says going double Dreamfeather is an option will waiting for Beltimber, how do you feel about it ? Besides that awesome guide, people like you are lifesavers for new players

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

I think it's an option sure I don't see anything wrong with it.

[@MichaelWilliams-tp4ml]

Hey man, thanks for the great guide. Leveling this through the campaign now. Is there any downside to going beltimber/dreamfeather as early as possible given you have the currency? I've had some lucky drops, already have a fury valve, and have the chaos to buy beltimber/dreamfeather right at 66. Just wondering if I'm missing something. Thanks again!

[@jonsimon2095]

Great guide, extra points for all the Elden Ring related stuff, where did you get the beautiful wallpaper?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Wallpaper engine it's just a shadow of erdtree one

[@herbv3449]

appreciate the sandbagging + honesty. How far can this build go? Is it something you can scale all league and feels good investing into ?

[@DogoodPOG]

Thanks for your work !!

[@SouzaNZ]

Great guide! I'm 50/50 between this and EA for my first proper league starter. Is it GPU intensive?

[@mackocukor4006]

Lovely job. Thumbs up

[@SunHunter27]

"Melee levelling in general is not newbie friendly these days." Do you mind elaborating on that? I'm looking to play splitting steel Champ in softcore. Affliction was my first real league, I managed to beat Maven 3 days ago :) Do these "melee" pitfalls still apply to someone like me? Thanks for making this guide!

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

It's melee so if you have leveled a melee character before it's nothing new but if you haven't it can be frustrating, it requires A LOT more micro managing of your weapons to be leveled up every 8 levels or so until you find a good axe, so with that info idk up to you if you think it's not that bad. just a copy paste answer I have

[@jaysunnie8037]

I died playing dd chain thinking of running this as my 2nd character, would you change anything at this point ?

[@windv6844]

Great video, will league start this. Do we need any ailment avoidance other than the reduced shock effect on flasks and Bring King for freeze?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Personally that's just my go to setup for basic bossing I would swap the lesser pantheon for 100% reduced shock for example if I was doing a lightning boss but that's just my generic setup, change things as you think you want as for 100% avoid I would do some more tinkering for sirus for example if I was gonna farm him but that's a bit more than what I plan for my basic league start so I didn't add anything like it.

[@alejandolucas4540]

Is HH viable? Or changing the belt its not that good?

[@Hello_Freezty_here]

hey ! I'm planning to go with this build looks great and love how careful you are with the POB numbers ! Do you have a 3.24 leveling filter by any chance ? Thanks for the hard work on this one !

[@jns5891]

Thank a lot for this build mate, I am currently using this build right now and I must say that it is a breeze. The only problem that I am having is the ailments since we don't have 100% avoidance. Can you suggest alternatives or ways on how to eliminate this problem?

[@blackwomangamer2637]

Like for Leyndell Ambience

[@MrMrbambus]

I will give this a shot soon, hopeful guide is good because i suck xD :D

[@xxfortniteslayer69xx82]

I am relatively new with 150 hours in the game, i plan on doing a splitting steel build (in softcore though), is it beginner friendly enough or will i have a rough time?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

It's melee so if you have leveled a melee character before it's nothing new but if you haven't it can be frustrating, it requires A LOT more micro managing of your weapons to be leveled up every 8 levels or so until you find a good axe, so with that info idk up to you if you think it's not that bad.

[@xxfortniteslayer69xx82]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs idk i dont feel like "abusing" lightning arrow again and want something refreshing, but i dont really like the detonate dead/minion stuff and this build looks very fun

[@nisseluren]

This video is really nice, and im thinking this is going to be my league starter this league! Do you have any discord server :D ? This certainly deserved a like and a follow :)

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

nope no discord until I feel like I can put as much time into it like I do a video I don't wanna just...make one add 4 channels and be like ok here I want it to actually have a meaning and be useful.

[@nisseluren]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs Alright :D Im going splitting steel, but cant decide between trickster and Champ :(

[@jalengibbs5403]

What other champ build do you think you will move too

[@user-un4ht6wo8b]

Is that ER Leyndell capital OST on the background? 😳

[@bentubean]

just curious about the differences between the variants. Have you seen's Allie's SS Trickster? Any opinions?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

answered in another comment but basicallt me hc me tanky earlier trickster better with more money and a lot of investment champ CAN get giga op too but that's not this version this is just basic bitch league starter look for ruetoos version for a sc version of champ if interested!

[@kizmy2]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs im now planning on starting this build since they said we can fully juicy t17 , a very solid character will be good, and since im playing softcore if i need more damage ill just drop few defensive nodes for clusters but the damage is already good enough.especially with rage while mapping. :D edit : like nemis will legit be so op

[@user-gp7ks3gv7q]

i will rly love to see softcore leage DPS + tanki gear POB

[@R4ivenMh]

Is it worth to go paradoxica with the non crit version ?

[@HaydenFong]

Hey, what do you think the SSF vaiblility of this build is? I'm wanting to league start this, but was also wanting to try SSF for the first time and not sure with some of the important uniques mentioned. Thanks for any info, great video!

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

I wouldn't recommend this version for ssf imo and just for the reasons you said, the two hand axe version hits a wall and this version is mostly for sc trade and hc trade sorry bud.

[@badguy5826]

i'm still deciding between this, tr or dd coc for hcssf. how bad would getting the early gear be in ssf? i was thinking of rather farming gear and having this as my 2nd char also, can we get Liurnia ost in the next video?

[@antoinemeyer9464]

you can start EA champion and transit to this for more confort

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

For ssfhc I wouldn't wanna say to play this since without Beltimber it's not UNPLAYABLE but I planned this version around it so just save yourself some pain and play this later on the league after you found one lol.

[@collinelliott4743]

Love the guide, it has helped my nooby self kill some bosses. I am playing it in softcore though and some tougher bosses just don't die to my dps. Do you have any suggestions on item or passive point changes to up boss dps without sacrificing all of this builds tankness?

[@volume802]

U figure it ?

[@petterkarlsson3138]

Such a good guide. Interested in doing this one but how does it fare in Delve/sanctum? As that's some of my favorite activites 😅

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

oooo um idk if I would wanna do sanctum with this and delve if were just talking like basic ilvl 82ish it should be fine but melee just isn't amazing at sanctum unless you have like 10mil dps.

[@petterkarlsson3138]

Hmm true but as long as its doable that's fine 👍

[@thomaswerner5120]

Have you all Auras on ? Determination, grace and pride ? i can only 2 use And what is the best pantheon ?

[@Silithiris]

have you got any answers to that ?

[@ajaj1947]

hi nice build guide, whats your opinion about delving with this build at league start?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

oooo a Delver huh what a rare breed lol. It should be fine but we don't have any penetration defense on this version (fourth vow for example) but for basic delving it should be fine.

[@oreoman7319]

Nice build! How would rate this build for bossing?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Depends on what level of bossing if we talking non ubers then it's fine with proper prep I feel confident I could farm maven for example with this but not uber versions on this level of gear.

[@risbl00dlord90]

how do you gen rage in the final build?

[@psychoghoul3897]

Would u replace the Dreamfeather for a Paradoxica and go crit?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

in endgame version I would I just didn't make a pob version of it.

[@BobbyIsOff]

For a Softcore player League starting as a trickster instead of a champ is doable or might be bait?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Nah it's fine I think everyone is talking about the aillee video? from what I understand it's called bait cause it's an es stacker on league start?? however if you get the gear trickster version is pretty insane I just don't think es stacking is a good idea for day1-2 of a fresg league more of a day 3+ for the average gamer imo.

[@BobbyIsOff]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs Yes i was planning on following her league start but saw on stream some showcase of the build and it made me hesitant Ill go for a explosive trap then switch to splitting steel after tyvm for the answer have a great league start and GL!

[@IntegraGSR5]

This for the whole league or crit later?

[@anthonybailey757]

Can you just level with splitting Steel I just don't like switching everything

[@justinr8928]

Thanks for the indepth guide mate. What do you recommend for mana management?

[@lylepayne9011]

Everything is on lifetap

[@Tinople-xq6hx]

Wouldn't it be better to go Marked for Death instead of the Expert Hunter wheel due to the Snipers Mark nerf? I think you'd need 50% increased mark effect to get an extra proj out of it instead of the 20% needed last league. Great video tho, I'm excited to league start this one!

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

You could be right I just went off what pob said but I am a slave to pob sometimes telling me what to do and not thinking about what I SHOULD do.

[@lezz275]

ty for the build, what are the best mechanics to farm with this build?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

I think just "basic" stuff you should be able to farm anything you want but since were melee I still wouldn't want to tell you to go get EVERY Essence node and try to face tank a 7 mod essence ya know what i'm saying? Like basic guardian boss farming should be fine I wouldn't do ubers on this level of gear though I would switch to a paradoxica and shield for that!

[@Wasabi1974]

Thanks for the great work! I m having a blast with your build. I have a noob question tough: just switched to the endgame setup and despite the fact i have the Charisma wheel, i can t use Dread banner coz 'Not Enough Mana' How to solve it please?

[@grimdeathkid]

You need the uber lab point, it'll make the banner cost nothing.

[@Wasabi1974]

@@grimdeathkid totally overlooked the Inspirational whell. Thanks a lot!

[@camapchienxu]

Is it still good in new lg ?

[@idhominus]

Hello. Maybe I'm blind, but where do we get the rage from in this build? I don't see blood rage giving actual rage stacks and berserk consumes them, doesn't provide them.

[@akajuki979]

From exarch thing on gloves. Check endgame items setup on pob

[@idhominus]

@@akajuki979 Saw it. Thank you :)

[@marc-andreblais5818]

is this build uber viable if you invest a few hundred divines in the build?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Yessir but that would be closer to a paradoxica setup with watchers eye impale stuff so def out of my league start version

[@lewisroy7129]

This will be my first league in poe and looking forward to play this build! Is this ssf viable for a new player? I dont mind farming :)

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

I wouldn't do it if you wanna ENJOY your league start this is a mostly unique based setup and I made it with trade in mind.

[@user-nw5vo8tg8z]

How do you run 4 auras in the Endgame Skill set? Thanks.

[@Silithiris]

i would like to know that aswell

[@zdenekcerny9019]

Awesome guide, but i cant understand one thing. You have two handed spec in your skill tree and you using two one handed weapons, am i missing something?

[@Nheom]

you'll be leveling with a two handed axe for a very long time, all the way up to like tier 10 maps if that axe has about 500 physical dps. In the video he says you'll probably wanna stay around tier 10-11 maps and farm up a beltimber and feather to move on to higher tier maps. That's when i assume you swap off those two handed skill nodes but for the long ride you'll get a lot of value out of those nodes early.

[@zdenekcerny9019]

@@Nheom Thank you, thats make sense ;)

[@Nheom]

@zdenekcerny9019 you should follow his PoB, this was some of the smoothest guide I've followed.

[@barrettdc1]

One thing I'm confused about in the PoB for the act 1 skills...most of them say level 5, frost blink level 1...etc. Does that mean I only level them to level 5 and then stop?

[@bigbeardedbear1476]

Nice Leyndell vibe

[@Zahari_420]

How you achieve ailment immunity?

[@NPC-fg6up]

any idea how to get freeze immunity?

[@1nter_52]

do you have pob with more damage for softcore gamers?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

look up ruetoo version his is more suited for a sc player he just has things I literally can't wear in hc for his version cause 1. they don't exist in hc trade lol or 2. I would die instantly wearing them but for damage it's got some better dps stuff.

[@1nter_52]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs ty mate

[@dyrinn45]

Hey Wafflez! I am running this build and in the end game and have the tree complete and all the items but I have a question. You have Berzerk as a skill but I don't see where we are generating rage from. Can you help me out?

[@akajuki979]

Exarch thing on gloves. Check endgame items setup on pob.

[@dyrinn45]

@@akajuki979 Thank you! I had missed that!

[@JJ-is4wm]

softcore version out there?

[@Qrczaczek111]

Why not energy shield stacker trickster?

[@The_viking_Ninja]

this seems rly fun any reason you are not using any gem slots or jewels what so ever

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

idk what a gem slot is but jewels are something that you get like day 3 or so at least for me so I didn't wanna put jewels cause they would just pad the dps

[@2ndcarrickhatchet]

what order should we ascend?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Fortify wheel, then master of metal and, aura last.

[@2ndcarrickhatchet]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs thanks man

[@kemon_x86]

Is this SSF viable?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

without a Beltimber you would wear 2 dreamfeathers instead so idk it's up to your level of farming I personally wouldn't do it ssf.

[@Nisseonbeer]

Splitting steel lost 2 proj also, so 4 in total?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

Lancing steel lost 2 proj but splitting steel wasn't touched

[@Nisseonbeer]

@@WafflezLovesArpgs ahh, i remember wrong. thats nice.. and odd.. since i would have nerfed splitting and not lancing if it was me :-)

[@minschid]

The Pantheon ?

[@demon_2m22c8]

First!

[@Yoobs174]

look forward to running this league start, do you have a discord or anything people hang out in?

[@WafflezLovesArpgs]

nope I don't think i'll make one till I get bigger tbh