Splitting Steel is the STRONGEST it has EVER BEEN! | Build Guide for 3.21 Crucible League

[@BigDucks]

Huge shoutout to Yay and Phoenexia for their input on the build! Took me a while as I've been suffering with some inner ear issues (BPPV for those who care) but I managed to get the video out. As always PoBs will be updated over time as I get new info or have time to put additional work into the build. Hope you enjoy! Play the build this league as Vengeant Cascade is almost assuredly gonna get the nerf-hammer next league.

[@user-gp7ks3gv7q]

but wat if you use lancing steel for boss kills ?? is it not better ??

[@countzero99uk]

Surprised to see you get anything out with your health, glad your not too ill to enjoy things :-) stay well.

[@Veeon55]

is this going to be valiable in 3.24?really want to try spliting steel this league. Im bored of bow builds

[@jamesdempsey1330]

I have seen a zillion of these build guide videos and i swear this is the most coherent, easy to follow one in the genre. Thank you for thinking aboht what you put out at all.

[@chickenpop1666]

for the end-game setting. you can swap the armor to lioneye's vision double corrupted so it can have +4 gem levels and 6-links , because SS has AOE and Projectile tags on it. even though you cant use another curse(actually the curse on the gloves is only worth less than 7% of dps) It also has to be with the forbidden jewels to overwhelm to secure Critical Chance(DPS). As a result, You can get easier map clearing(pierce support from lioneye's) and more dps.

[@midknightcrisis8612]

Another very nice watcher's eye mod to get (in case you're like me and can't run pride yet bc you stubbornly insist on dual wield and have not enough money to get all auras running) is "gain a flask charge on crit while affected by precision". With how many times you're hitting, you will have permanent uptime of flasks even while nothing hits you (also lets you get the increased effect prefix on your flasks instead of flagellant's if you're good enough to dodge sections with nothing to hit like exarch ball or maven memory game)

[@WiredGuitars]

It’s been awhile since a proper big ducks build guide, well done

[@d3ath18]

Just an FYI for anyone wanting to go the high budget version. The orbs to enchant your sword will end up costing you 5-20x the whole cost of the high budget build.

[@elite3x6g80]

Finally something different I can try out. Thanks for this

[@Zemkezis]

I like that you said early what is different this time that makes it strong.

[@Dcty321]

Love this content! Do you think you can make a video on crafting that sword? I'm more of a visual learner! Would really appreciate it!

[@evgenykovalev71]

My god, this is so good. Really like good old times, high quality build content from duck!

[@chosenpuncake9389]

I feel that 2 hand sword is a waste of skill points. instead of focusing on 1 type of sword, focus on just sword damage that buffs all. Also, top of the image that's on middle of the tree. there are 3 unallocated, each 1 gives 18% resistance to fire, another on ice and lightning. A bit to the right there are 3 unallocated that each provide 8% projectile damage. 24% in total.

[@Nordlenning01]

Dude, if it was not for you, Zizaran and Ghazzy i would struggle as hell with this game. Thank you.

[@TarisRedwing]

You always have the best note section.

[@алексд-к7г]

You can go starforge instead of crafting sword. Its around 1div currently. Also dual weild armor stack with dreamfeather will be probably more dps and you can use different belt.

[@Kazehemora]

What would the dreamfeather variant look like? Interested to see that, love some dreamfeather action.

[@Warchoon]

If you want another option, Replica Wings are amazing for this build as well, as you can grab both dual-wield and two-handed masteries, and axe mastery has the +40% Onslaught effect.

[@DampBridge]

Wow what a great guide! Love seeing all the details and step by step instructions much appreciated!

[@trithanhduongnguyen7080]

Thanks very much, i have followed since the BV poison assasin.

[@thisnotdog]

been playing this ssf. got an eternal struggle on my first kill, no dice on perseverance yet though. been having a lot of fun.

[@ku950624]

This is the greatest build guide, thank you so much for the "off-meta" build guide

[@richardroyster405]

Delirium hands lol - your favorite, Ducks! Great vid. Keep it up.

[@gopalayoung3719]

Thank you for this very thoughtful build guide!

[@marksutherlandjr.2121]

FrostBlink has been Meta for awhile. Good to see Ducks with an upload over 60k

[@carlos32195]

i would recommend ceaseless feast gloves. You hit so many times that after two attacks rares and uniques will have no defence and evasion, this also gives you permanent endurance and frenzy charges. You can skip the overwhelm mechanic since the boses wont have armour.

[@BigDucks]

We would lose mark effect, intimidate, and all of the normal stats we obtain on a standard pair of gloves. We already have enough accuracy to hit through evasion, we overwhelm all phys dr just by getting nodes that are good otherwise, we have max frenzies, we could get max endurance if you wanted to run enduring cry but didn't feel like it was worth it.

[@daedalus6433]

dat moment when you already got lots of the items you need for this build by farming on another character

[@madg1625]

Dual wield beltimer+saviour with 4 med cluster is way more dmg I instant delete the uber before need use call of steel Beltimer downside is nothing , just frostblink as boss become vulnerable But nice work

[@Mortal.Emphase]

you got a pob? or is it basically the same with just the dual wield?

[@wrzaskkielce781]

Do you have pob mate? :)

[@EndosFilme]

Thanks for the video, this is another very cool build guide. I will play the build anyway. 👍

[@hundertmark]

such a high level of pob, amaizing work, keep up.

[@arturasnesakysiu6025]

Update this for the new league PLEASE !!!

[@DotAzam]

Im just going through leveling right now, my only gripe atm is how mana starve you are throughout the leveling process making you need to keep an eye on multiple things at once; reloading, mana management, positioning.

[@BananePlukkr]

Im not even at the end-game build and im already doing more damage than I have ever done in my 1.2k hours. This is by far the most fun build ive ever played. :)

[@devili7y585]

Hey man i hope you feel better !

[@Sublimarcher]

question for you. Pohx has a really nice resource for RF, including a loot filter. I really like this shattering steel build, but honestly I'm pretty bad a determining what should and shouldn't be on a useful lootfilter. Do you have any loot filters, loot filter advice for this build, or just overall loot filter advice? maybe another video you've done? thanks for the content, man

[@2fat4airborne44]

Dude, nice one. Sub is in....will try that the next few says i think.

[@danx2793]

Super high gear lvls and a lot of investment, right got it 9:04

[@Jbeasty1990]

Enjoying my version I made so far. Definitely would feel better with better leech or life on hit added. Using enduring cry + instant keystone currently. With that 10% instant leech mastery and life on hit node I didn't even know about, I might try those instead. As always, I certainly wish I had access to forbidden flame/flesh jewels in SSF for builds like this.

[@_PoLR]

I rolled RF Jugg for my league starter and once I build up some currency (and find the time) I'm definitely going to roll this build! I played your Poison BV build close to when I first started playing PoE and I loved it. Thanks for another great build guide!

[@jonathanhagar4328]

I am new to the game and picked this build and holy shit was this an intense learning curve. Lmk if anyone wants to play, looking for people to teach me how to map

[@lolekcelebryta8856]

This guide is 11/10.. everything explained perfect.. What do You think about playing it on ssf? Is it viable?

[@loopygordo]

Tweaked to do a slayer version. Should be fun.

[@aymanelsayed1216]

Insane build. Crazy damage. The mid build is actually not 10-20 divine. Just the sword craft cost me 20 divine maybe more. And the rest of the gear cost me fortunes to craft using all the deafening essences. Essences are not cheap these days. But it's worth it at the end, I melt bosses.

[@mythilicar]

unrivaled guide quality. love these video and the builds, thanks for the great content

[@rabbit9018]

Nice -build thanks ! Having Touble to get the Intelligence and Strength ... any hints ? ATM skilled 2 Times Intelligence in the Passive Tree ...

[@ErtuncUyan]

if I wont be lazy i will give a shot this build. I really want to play Melee. Good guide Duck.

[@JTD472]

This isn’t melee…?

[@Xungames]

Thank you for the video guide. Do you by chance have the atlas tree that you use please?

[@juanmarcano8700]

hey man having a great time with this so far, i would really like to know what auras should i make my priority and how to achieve having all of them active at the same time, for now i can only have the banner, purity of elements and determination.

[@BigDucks]

Later on you'll have more RMR from your chest/helmet as well as helmet implicit and nodes on the tree. A level 3 enlighten on your big auras helps also.

[@juanmarcano8700]

@Big Ducks nice thanks, for now I'm finishing campaign and using a holy chain mail as 6link I was lucky to find a divine so I geared myself (sort of) for now, I guess I'll start maps with my current setup and build from there up.

[@Nier2210]

Great JOB!

[@derickpierre6580]

hey man luv the content... i only follow your builds ... but i cant seem to understand the brutal restraint part of the splitting steel build... all of them in the trade store seems the same... ain't seeing the wind dancer and aura options on my end.. what should i look for really ??

[@DaseMz]

@bigDucks i like your character skin ! what cosmetic do you use ?

[@christianchristensen6858]

Absolutely loving the build so far. Still on the Terminus version, haven't made enough currency to go for the mid gear build. But im just wondering. what would you change to go dual wield instead of 2handed?

[@danteafkCamelotUnchained]

Great in mapping and bossing, sucks in blight tho

[@NightfallGemini]

think I know what I'm gonna mess with next once I get tired of LA deadeye

[@monstexx6634]

Thank you so much for the video. Do you think playing it with 2 axes instead of 2h sword makes any sense for this build or would you not recommend this at all? I have good 1h axes laying in my stash and was wondering if I should give it a shot.

[@reminiscev2338]

Great video!

[@joelrusk6412]

Do any of these guides work in Standard, but removing the crucible crafts and adding maybe even a legacy addition here or there?

[@sanmaru5555]

about mark effect , does that mean that using divergent mark on hit (21% reduce mark effect ) will make sniper's mark 21/20 split toward 4 instead of 5 ?

[@darkvirys]

what is the price? For 100 div can you face tank?

[@chordling2]

That impossible escape went from 120c to 10div, now its back down to 6div.

[@Lyaagato]

and terminus goes for 35c - 1div lol

[@osimogaming47]

Hi. Does this passive tree hold up for the new league. I know it’s a bit slower to level as Ss but I can’t be bothered to spend currency to switch everything later.

[@TheMrMurtag]

low ehp fol melee champ. in intro we see how he lost 60-70% hp per hit, how to integrate bloodnotch+immutable force? my pathfinder with 3k hp (65k ehp) can got more hits and stay alive without life flask

[@renegade-ik1jy]

Nice vid as always. Is this build ssf friendly or naw?

[@BigDucks]

Not particularly for scaling, you would need to find perseverance to make it function.

[@Nikimizajeli]

Great guide. I never played steel skills before and I'm considering it for this league. How's the map clear? Doesn't it lack heralds/explode/chains? I wanted to spec in legion passives - can it break these fast enough? Won't Fury Valve make gameplay clunky/awkward?

[@PowerfulSkeleton]

It's a projectile skill with Vengeant Cascade. The map clear is unethical.

[@ВасилийТатаринцев-к5ж]

sold! great vid

[@ketchup2248]

I did try this build and in my opinion if u dont have atleast 100 div dont go for it. I spend 50-60 div on items. And still the build felt slow and clunky? i mean i was tanky as hell but holy fck i couldnt even clear legion in time :D there is a slight chance that i did smth wrong? probebly not? i do try new builds almost every league and hands down this the worst so far for the budget i invested in. Like pretty much any bow build right now is 5x stronger and cost less. I still have my vaal ice shot char that have 30-40 div invested in items and i dont even see enemies on fully scarab jucied t16 140 quantity maps.

[@marke3000]

Will a starforge infernal sword work on this build ? The Sword that does shock on critical

[@iaxyz]

I think, I need to put this build on my bucket list. Not sure if I'll play it this league. My (close to) immortal Pathfinder is just too much fun and I really want to max it out to also get the damage where I want it to be. But this is definetely a strong contender for next league start if they don't nerv it and why would they. I don't see anyone else playing it.

[@Duoprism]

Vengeant Cascade is what makes this build ridiculously strong vs investment and that is definitely getting nerfed.

[@feghur7916]

@@Duoprism i don't see the point of bringing vengeant cascade good for 1 league and then nerf the shit out of it. Don't forget that they nerfed the passive tree this league but we have the crucidle tree to over compensate for the lose, but next league we'll not have that

[@garbol84]

@Big Ducks do you think this build is still viable? without crucible tree but with support gem retorun proj.

[@dIggl3r]

GGG will not nerf Vengeant Cascade, they will REMOVE it... soon...

[@oliassoliass5622]

Sure its to fun

[@Mayhamsdead]

Jesus Christ, are all the people in this community masochists?! Just enjoy what the game is offering you - which, to be quite fucking frank: is not much!

[@gamezerge1229]

GGG removes everything fun so

[@Lyaagato]

GGG : build diversity!! vengeant cascade : YES! GGG : HAHA! NO

[@justinmaynard8305]

Let's hope I'm getting over every single projectile build using it, basically forcing you to play or loose way too much damage. They need to just make a percentage of the projectiles return.

[@JayTheProduct]

Is this any good without vengeant cascade or not worth playing until you have the annoint?

[@seedmole]

Life Gain on Hit is so seriously overlooked by most players.

[@X-101]

The sword with the fractured phys damage mod seems uber rare?? or i'm i searching wrong

[@Lightdark1992]

with enough currency u can do this with any skill :D

[@djfinny]

how are there so many auras in this build? surely you can't keep them all up??

[@tonzillaye]

Ive been hitting the cap on my starter and looking for something tanky, this might be it

[@dvergrmort6334]

nice build, however I HATE totems

[@GustavoAndrade-he8ex]

wheres the resistances on items in the POB? im kinda lost

[@MaydayKeeper]

How much are we expecting to spend for the expensive build ? Mirrors>?

[@sanmaru5555]

check the pob, it's not hard to figure out that he is using very good rares, but not god tier items build is under 120 divine

[@MaydayKeeper]

@@sanmaru5555 New to game, dont know prices yet sorry :( Thanks for the help :)

[@HeshingtonMugabi]

What pantheons work best with this build ?

[@kuronoalien1511]

Can someone enlighten me pls? I'm using fury valve with vengeant cascade.. but my splitting steel still shows "fires 1 projectile". Also, my splitting steel shoots 1 projectile.. i'm expecting that it will be 3x projectiles in one attack. Am I missing something?

[@kpiaum]

Vegeant Cascade will be deleted next season. Thats for sure.

[@vitt4300]

Can you use headhunter with this or is the high end belt just the best option?

[@turbanheadless]

have you tried starforge on this? more accessible

[@CuongBTHM]

does point blank work with your build?

[@chickenpop1666]

and for the helm enchant AOE is the best one. The More AOE = The More Shotgun

[@heisman2001]

Finally a mans man build

[@smallsmallboat]

needing help : splitting steel says it has a 60% chance to impale on hit. but the in-game offence data says i have 75% chance to impale with main hand hits. So what does it mean to reach 100% chance to impale? Do i need to get the number at 75% to 100%? Thanks

[@sanmaru5555]

you need to get 25% to get 100%

[@ZekeHorton]

is there any advice on getting call of steel to work faster? I find myself needing to push it 2-3 times just to get steel back, is there a cap on the amount of keystrokes per second? feels like garbage with this huge delay

[@BigDucks]

You get more Steel shards back if you are pulling impales out of enemies.

[@weedweeds83]

Hello, you think its possible in ruthless ?

[@astragalus5007]

how much of a difference does an ezomyte blade base make vs exquisite blade? I just can't find one with the correct fracture

[@BigDucks]

Its not a MASSIVE difference besides the crit chance, it will be significantly harder to scale crit than with an Ezomyte blade.

[@nilsgrundstrom8071]

wouldnt tanu ahi be good for this build since you are constantly healing from leech and you would almost get perma adrenaline at least when you are taking damage so you can heal from leech

[@lanceeverett5221]

Ramping content to perfection

[@FRxMatriculas]

goooood

[@TheRomantyczny]

how to get onslaught when the gem not exist eny more?

[@leighwaring5371]

divergent pride gives nearby enemies - phys damage reduction :)

[@BigDucks]

We are capped on Overwhelm for the most part, physical damage reduction cant go below negative so only so much is worthwhile

[@CRUASSANFAN]

Love the wording considering splitting steel was never good in the first plaсe xВ

[@BigDucks]

Hey now, it was always a good clear skill :^)

[@rpgambit]

From what you describe the build has good defense layers and you say up to 100+ mil non-uber dps and 30mil uber dps. Based on that you should be able to smoke uber pinnacle bosses easily. But you seem to be iffy on ubers saying you've only tried a couple. I'm having a hard time seeing what the issue would be? I'm farming ubers on a build that does bursts of 70mil non-uber, 20ish mil uber dps and with worse defenses. Why the hesitation saying this build can do uber bosses?

[@SCWedge]

I wonder as well. I have a hard time grasping with the nerf of the aoe buff for Splitting steel how it can be finally "so good". Seems overlap would not be so good. But anyway, the guide is dope.

[@Luca48882]

Build has trash defenses and the dps is inflated, the playstyle is gimmicky but when you sell something you can't say you wasted your time on some average experiment or you'll look like the anteater onion guy. Ubers are not all the same, some ubers like maven are farmable on 10-30div zhp characters (well this was prior to totems, now it's even less) while others like Red and Blue need to be rolled+corrupted for maximum gain so you'll need a way better build in a lot of aspects. Sirius prefers bursts instead of stead damage and cortex can brick hard with aoe pools and such. Melee builds need to be tanky like boneshatter or at least be able to withstand most hits in order to deliver their full potential dps, this builds does never that, at least the way it's built here. This plus the fact that doing ubers != farming ubers, you need something comfortable that doesn't mean you brick the key if you get distracted once in order to not lose your sanity given how boss rewards work in poe

[@rpgambit]

@Luca48882 i dunno about trash defenses necessarily. Spell suppress, ailment immunity and solid armor and evade is a decent defense layer. I agree it's a little scary given how close you need to be to the boss but i wouldnt say trash by any means. I do agree the damage is inflated though. The 100mil number is assuming 16 shards hit every swing which seems very high given the stochastity. I could be wrong, though. Ive never played splitting steel so i rolled up a toon using this build. Its not bad so far, but I'm only in t10 maps rn. Will see how far i take it before giving in and trying splodey totes

[@Luca48882]

@@rpgambit You have to stand ON TOP of the mob in order to do full damage, and spell supp often doesn't help with melees unless they shoot you like maven/sirius. Evasion does nothing against most oneshots, elemental immunity can be achieved with 2 flasks + pantheon and is required if you don't want to corpse run, unless doing alt ailment content that's qol not a defensive layer. You can clear t16s with random self-crafted gear along the way, t10 is like kindergarten. It has a cwft molen shell, and same as a right-click guard skill, it's like not having it at all: a sign of a lazy SC player build. You can probably get the same results rolling a champ with any skill. Steel skills are ok, this approach is just too heavy on offense (which means either you hit the breakpoints or not) and the only positive it has going for it it's that it's decently cheap to get going for a while.

[@rpgambit]

@Luca48882 yeaaa my gear is trash but I'm doing 65+% quant formed rotations now on 12 divine investment. It's not doing too badly tbh. I did go saviour and beltimber instead of a 2h, which was 7 of that 12 div. Overall id say not a bait build. You're right, standing in the boss's butt is scary at times but im not dying often. Will see what happens when i get into ubers

[@mikegraham6905]

Did anyone see in the pob what to do about the bandits

[@Vrutynak]

if u look at the Configuration menu it's set to kill all

[@dylannelson1638]

Speaking of your discord, make vc great again. Been dead since last league.

[@malekalghamdi1729]

is it ssf friendly i like playing alone and i don't like trading

[@sebastiangrebe8276]

im 100% sure this interactio will be removed in 3.22

[@zeebpc]

was it nerfed?

[@DannyAracena]

Could Work in ruthless?