TOP 5 League Start Build Guides for Path of Exile 3.25 Settlers League

[@BigDucks]

Hope you all have a great league start! As more guides are released I will update the notes with more info, feel free to check back all the way up to right before launch. Links for builds and Notes for the video are here -> publish.obsidian.md/bigducks/Research/Builds/Top+5+League+Start+Builds+3.25

[@kougatube]

Wasn't expecting Obsidian out in the wild, but given this is PoE, it makes sense.

[@aimsforgroin]

Exactly the video I wanted before league start, good stuff BD!

[@PerrythePig]

literally just commenting because I love the thumbnail. That's a great way to lay out Build Options for a new league

[@contrakt666]

To add to frostblade of CAT-abasis , you still have cull with slayer , even tho frostblades has a DOT effect , later on that doesnt even matter since u have slayer 20% cull. so they will die before southbound even becomes an issue

[@contrakt666]

just to add to archmage+ice nova , it later has another layer of defense with a timeless jewel splitting dmg between ES and life. that means 50% go to ES then 50% to life and that gets shielded by 40%Mom. so your actually EHP is way higher later.

[@carril54]

I heckin love that tech, I did that on one of my 1st 'good' characters in Cruicible League

[@user-dg1wx6kv7b]

The doryani timeless.

[@ethanlarge3572]

You can use replica soul tether before getting the timeless jewel, it’s great.

[@Nerdonis]

Great video as always. I have to keep reminding myself to keep my own playstyle preferences in mind when watching videos like this because although bow builds always look super good, I just don't enjoy that style of gameplay. I tried Lightning Arrow last league and just couldn't stand it. Glad you put out stuff like this so it's easier to track down builds that suit my preferences!

[@zarteck7793]

Im pumped for this league. Glad i sat out last league

[@RickReasonnz]

You dodged an ICBM. Jealous.

[@zarteck7793]

@@RickReasonnz sheesh, was it that bad? The graveyard mechanic didnt look fun at all to me at first glance, so i just skipped based off that.

[@termite64]

Nice twist on the whole league starter "Best Builds" genre! Very helpful.

[@TheKutthroatKid]

another comment... I love the POE community crediting each other for the builds and whos playing what. what a great community.

[@iyekane95]

They do it for views...just copy and link each other non stop same builds lol

[@user-fz2vq9rp2t]

i league started with pohx's RF chief this league, as my 2nd/3rd league playing really, and personally its gone pretty well. besides paying for a few boss carries, ive managed to complete every challenge and feel satisfied with t16 content. ive also recently done a few t17s of my own, after hitting level 100. its been smooth sailing just about the entire time so far, so at least personally, i dont think its completely dead as a recommendation for a new player to league start.

[@jstjeff]

Such a thorough video. Subscribed here and followed on Twitch.

[@IIMiikexDII]

Cant wait to try the LS Warden. I'm generally a RF player at start (for the last 4 leagues) but LS looks amazing

[@carril54]

prepare to feel squishy AF or consider going slayer :D gl Exile

[@maitotechlab9035]

Did havoc LA and its really good build, whith a few rares you can zoom from act 2 onwards and for the first time i could do heist with ease (noib old player coming back here). But stoping for more than 3 shots is asking to die, you need life mods in every piece of gear to be able to take more than a hit from bosses and even some crazy rare mobs.

[@davidthomas2278]

This was an excellent guide, and confirmed my bias

[@samdeval]

No slam no jam.

[@Ulubai]

No vaals no baals

[@spaceburger80]

No play for Mr. Gray

[@omgOWNT69]

based

[@VadLocke]

No bleed? did i misread?

[@Derek918273645]

Damn, not a single slam? 😏

[@LeftysRage]

Always good videos, never disappoints.

[@ShibastianEX]

Hiya!! After loving POE & Diablo for thousands hours of gametime, I think you should cover Dwarven Realms releasing at the end of September, even in its early acess it been a massive blast combining POE-like gearing system combined with Roguelike of Vampire Survivors + Action RPG feeling of BDO in 3rd person being able to animation cancel dashes etc! And the Devs keep pushing out significant updates, changes and fixes daily and the community on discord is really chill and helpful

[@johncrichton8876]

I think my dream off a Beric Dondarrion flaming Lacerate build may finally come true!

[@GrayFoxIRL]

Solid video. Thanks Ducks!

[@gozo1985]

Lightning Strike will be absolutely insane league starter. I haven't seen a lot of the top PoE content creators say they will play or recommended it

[@avalokiteshvara113]

Bro I'm wanting to do this but finding a cheapish ele claw is fucking insane

[@grumblegrim]

Saying a build is hard to play because it requires 2 buttons is probably the most ridiculous thing I have heard all week. That makes Grim Dawn the ultimate "Dark Souls" of arpgs.

[@TrippyTimesTwo]

CoCDD was hilariously fun. Easily my favourite league start.

[@basildaoust2821]

Thanks for the guide. I saw Archmage Ice Nova by Ziz yesterday and was like yes that is what I want. However, I did not read the notes and I should have. The thing is I assumed notes would be from level 1 on, but nope, they cover random issues first and like note 5 is a levelling note and it is like man use Rolling Magma, and once I switched life was so much better, until then I was trying to level swinging my mace and it was bad, but yes life became way better after :) Now my goal is to get to level 90 for the first time, I usually get stuck in the mid 80's losing more xp than I gain :(

[@mastery7901]

Frostbolt + Nova Hierophant should be good for new league as you are farming for resources, you will need to kill enemies in a circular region and hold your ground. I played it to do Ritual in last league and it was really good. The only nerf now is to inspiration gem where your mana will be costing a lot higher. But you can always circumvent this with reduced mana cost on your rings. Also, the nerf to "Phys damage taken as" needs to be replaced with something else. But trust me, if you have Sigil and Frost Shield, you are already very tanky especially if you go the high armor route as it provides "less damage taken as" modifier allowing you to tank huge hits. The main feature of the defense is that you take 40% damage off your mana before life via mind over matter keystone in passive tree. And with the Hierophant ascendancy 'divine guidance' you get a 10% more on top to a total of 50% damage! So its a mana stacking build.

[@ThanhLai5]

Nice vid. Thanks for the effort.

[@jbone77777]

Love your reviews!!

[@Zeroflax]

Thanks for the list ducks! these are the top 5 builds to avoid because everyone will be playing them!

[@IAMZERG]

RIP rf :( Back to necro for me ;) Loving Balormage's summon holy relic build so far. Lots of expensive upgrades to go and even without that, I can handle delirious T16's and blight ravaged maps.

[@neogramps]

good stuff as always

[@varazir]

switched to the Frostblades of CAT-abasis Slayer by Ruetoo build it feels much better then the cyclone shockwave build

[@utmastuh]

Slams and bleeds pretty good too. Retaliate and auto exerts need some work. Spin to win is now spin to lose. Atziri's foible is pretty unaffordable unless you exploited for divines

[@carril54]

No gladiator builds? I wanted to see your opinion on those :(. Still really good insights and awesome comentary :D

[@madhatten5123]

I’m starting Mana stacker but I’m playing Uber Dans version with Ball Lightning of Orbiting. It’s less damage than Frost bolt but feels so much better to play. Going to transition into omega bow spark for t17s.

[@TNTspaz]

Those all seem very nice. Ill now go play flicker strike again

[@TrippyTimesTwo]

You following magefist? I’m kinda in the fence between his flicker because fun vs rue because insanity

[@TNTspaz]

@@TrippyTimesTwo I follow mage every league yeah. I like following his stuff cause he presents a lot of options and leaves things fairly open to change. I don't like following a rigid plan.

[@TrippyTimesTwo]

@@TNTspaz I normally much prefer a rigid plan, but over the last couple of leagues I’ve been gaining confidence. I haven’t done flicker in years and I might take a crack at it now that I’ve got some decision making experience with regards to gear.

[@mort.dvergr.666]

Frostblade build is at least since 2 leagues before and Rue was not the first one to suggest it My point - there are other ppl, who actually have guides in YT

[@questton9968]

hey bro! so i finish clearing the atlas map, i am wondering what comes next after the league start build. what should i transition to. do you have any videos where you have this topic?

[@kaapekkaapek6600]

Steel mage no piano build sounds epic tbh

[@shavsk8769]

GGG: You asked so I (over) delivered for free 😊 Me: Take my 💰 pls.

[@陈祥智-y3v]

Do you think that Kinetic Bolt of Fragmentation still have some potential in the endgame? I want to try to build it in the new league since I play Ice Nova last league already, and I don't really want to repeat that 2 button clunky early build again 😂

[@Jin_Jon]

This is a solid list. I'd also add Power Siphon Locus Mines as a mention

[@BigDucks]

It's a good build but can be clunky, I am heavily against clunky stuff so I tend to not suggest it.

[@Jin_Jon]

@@BigDucks Word

[@bruh4977]

Lightning strike warden by palsteron why not the one by lolcohol this guy have been playing ls multiple league and maximised this build multiple time i think he know better than palsteron this build .

[@Damaniel3]

That's the one I'm looking at. I'm really interested in seeing how well tinctures work in the build, especially if the current understanding about how manaburn and the warden-specific nodes related to it make keeping tinctures up nearly full time for little mana cost viable.

[@bruh4977]

​@@Damaniel3 yeah he just did a video very detailed of everything about this build and i never played ls so when he explain everything about it even every mecanic i think he deserve more credit

[@bruh4977]

​@@Damaniel3i cant wait to see if warden do the dmg he is suppose to do with tincture gonna be an interesting one

[@thomasborgland9247]

Who is starting LS Slayer? Looks to be the better option, but realy not sure.

[@bruh4977]

Slayer is the safe option and is gonna be tankier but if warden work like it supose to do warden will do alot more damage.

[@DadGotGamez]

Any loot filter recommended while leveling the Zizaren build?

[@BarkofthePhoenix]

Ice Nova Hierophant looks hella cool, but I usually end up hating builds where I need to finish the whole campaign und do some maps before even switching to something that plays like the final version, and it looks a bit like one. Is that true, or does it come online earlier? At what point can I expect to switch to the 1 button setup?

[@throwaway450]

Earliest is gonna be yellow maps to stop being clunky,

[@almutazelhindi6885]

For the archmage ice nova build do you kill that bandit listed or help her?

[@sober667]

I Like to Get shwifty so Flicker Strike Slayer for me :D

[@Killswitch1986]

Fire wild strike chieften climatic ire hirophant totems Armageddon brand elementalist blade flurry glad.. ice trap sabo or elementalist

[@Keepalot]

Gooing Chief RF, to me its a great leaguestart, given the cap res is easy to reach, and lot of clear mapspeed. Dont know why you think its a worse leaguestart than it was last league, given its only the REALLY highend lategame that suffers?

[@bradbradley3422]

RF has been trash for like the last 5 years. It is a build for people that don't know any better or have a disability of some sort.

[@BarkofthePhoenix]

What about lightning strike slayer? Any reason to use LS deadeye over slayer if you don't want to go warden?

[@throwaway450]

Deadeye goes for LS of Arcing which functions slightly differently. Slayer is the safest, easiest choice, with Deadeye being slightly stronger at high-investment.

[@OldBadGamer614]

First 2-3 builds all using Perseverance: I don't think Perseverance will be that expensive. Just a heads up bud, if something is highly sought after, then the price will go up not down lol

[@DnDandVideoGames]

How do you go about finding a second build? I can never figure out what is a strong character after league start. It seems like (last league) everyone did the same wand build as build #2. How do you find what is strong like that build?

[@BigDucks]

I make a video about what ends up being good a week in, otherwise just pay attention to popular content creators and builds on poeninja

[@mattb6646]

Poeninja website, tons of league info

[@coreyfreeman4053]

How's the melee yall?

[@SouIkey]

I just want to mention that ice nova heirophant is not zizaran build.

[@adderchan]

goratha build isnt it?

[@matheusbarreto4615]

@@adderchan I saw it first by Palsteron, he started lightning orb and switched mid-league, experimenting and all

[@Hype_Incarnate]

whats the difference?

[@adderchan]

@@Hype_Incarnate its the same build different skill i think, but same tree

[@aflyingcowboy31]

@@matheusbarreto4615 Its Gortha's. Palsteron was ball lightning and switched to ice nova later on whereas Gortha's league starter was ice nova, that said it is basically just a small iteration, they builds are basically the same.

[@Zeycrow]

Any opinions about CaptainLances Tri-Stacking Hexblast Sanctum Rusher? Compared to the Trickster Hexblast, you included here?

[@madhatten5123]

Both are good builds Lances is much more complicated. Hexblast can be a bit more straight forward. Also, the Hexblast version of Lances build is not the actual league start build. You’ll be doing Ele-blade with a different skill like penance brand of dissipation or some other very high damage skill and transition into the tri-stack Hexblast.

[@Schnookism]

I'm a scrub so maybe I'm missing something, but isn't Rue's build lacking a bit defensively?

[@Sports7764]

i kinda want to start hexblast trickster, but not if i have to spam mana flask

[@bobboberson6664]

Slam against D4...... you arent wrong though :)

[@Tabnito]

I just really want a build that doesn't spam the screen or play itself, amount of content doesn't matter if the gameplay is one button. I love everything about this game except the "meta" (only?) gameplay. Diablo wins here in my experience, not like I'm playing it though lmao. Maybe now that theres melee builds I can do that. Path of Exile 2 basically looks perfect here. 8 months ago I was having fun with a weird shield only build ,didnt mind the few buttons it had maybe I'll look for something like that, since all these seem... very path of exile 1.

[@WheresTheAnyKey1]

does arns and ralakesh still work together?

[@HoyleJessica-m9g]

Enid Branch

[@CyrusBlack404]

I need your builds back ... 😢 get your shit together. Your community needs you !!😊

[@BigDucks]

I'd love to have a bunch of builds for people but it's an insane amount of work and I unfortunately have a lot going on. Maybe one day!

[@CyrusBlack404]

@@BigDucks we're here waiting for you to get over whatever you got going on !! I'm never going to forget ball lightning ascendant... in my first league

[@Lari52289]

@@BigDucks What is this demon, real life, you're talking about? Surely you devote all your awake time for PoE and the PoE community??

[@TheKutthroatKid]

what time are we going to be allowed to download the patch? I know it says it launches soon but is there going to be able to pre-download that patch?

[@Memloem]

In 2 h 40 mins from now 22:00 German time also in the Website there IS a Countdown

[@ChronicallyEve]

Patch is out now, and you can open the game to get in the queue to actually play when the servers are back up :)

[@TheKutthroatKid]

Thanks yall for your replies. Iv already downloaded it and I'm waiting for my opportunity to fight the fist boss of every new League... the log-in que.

[@Jackstrap9]

for frostbalde of kata + soundbound, does culling strike overwrite the "only kill frozen enemies"?

[@dimitarangelkovski9877]

The dot pool beneath them takes the 1hp they have left

[@Zerkerber_kek]

yes

[@Jackstrap9]

@@Zerkerber_kek lol gg slayer

[@poisonousejaculation7478]

Southbound doesn't allow cull, but the frost blades of katabasis leaves a damaging cold puddle which finishes the 1 hp enemy

[@obamanizer1463]

No holy relic? Builds OP as hell

[@slimi_jimi]

Not a league starter

[@m1xxx3r]

Op but requires heavy CDR to feel good

[@davep5788]

Both Ghazzy and Balormage have versions. They play something else until merc lab then switch to holy relic with the alternate gems. I'm starting one of them, not sure which yet.

[@jakkrit6910]

RF have been nerf end game since last league.. But this league they didn't touch RF at all. the thing they done is lower damage of rolling magma in early level and some change that affect all build like endurance charge and block etc. and rolling is only use till act 2. if you think it's damage is too low maybe add holy fire totem to the mix it's just 2 link holyfire totem+phantas support. but well i can understand why people will not like RF.

[@kevingagne9212]

how can I get Ice nova of frostbolt ?????

[@JjDBz]

bro did diablo dirty😂

[@gregnoutubename8429]

Lol nope. Turdtwisterx (shit stain Steve) did d4 the dirtiest. It was too good

[@aza6146]

Whay no bleed glad?

[@Damaniel3]

For sure. Ziz's bleed SST gladiator looks like a pretty good choice this time around. I'm still debating between it and Lolcohol's LS + tincture build.

[@getoutofmylobby4347]

because it has zero damage

[@TheRealVandpistolen]

Where is Jungroan locus power siphon? 😥

[@BigJasonWebb]

I thought RF remained untouched…what do you see that I don’t?

[@bradbradley3422]

RF has been trash for like the last 5 years. It is a build for people that don't know any better or have a disability of some sort.

[@jalengibbs5403]

Which class do you think will be the best slam build ?

[@barnesk80]

Templar

[@jalengibbs5403]

@@barnesk80GET EM

[@xexan7495]

the fact that molten strike isnt on here

[@towelie536]

Why no LS slayer?

[@bradbradley3422]

This youtuber only plays shitty mediocre easy builds, sorta like Ziz.

[@jacek2300]

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉i like these vids by u aboutvstarters. This league i want yo do sth different, from d2r i love shueld archetypes so i want to leaguestart a shueld crush jugg, i dont mind less aoe, slowe clear. Will it be okk for stones? A few t17 maybe?

[@Quel_droma]

No bleed glad? :( So many ppl are split about the bleed glad....some say it's gonna be great, some say it's gonna be mediocre...

[@EFJoKeR]

Drawing parallels between PoE and D4... Yea, that's like comparing an Itty-bitty lizard, with a T-rex... Not even in the same league... D4... Yea, that might as well be a "AFK-farming-simulator"... 😆🤣😆🤣😂🤣😂

[@painforged1252]

Palsteron build and it is not a ballista’s. It seems like a bait😂

[@johnhalliday5420]

whyd you private your last video?

[@mduffrules]

the pob devs disabled the functionality

[@BigDucks]

My only desire with that video was to get the functionality changed. I didn't monetize it and after speaking to some of the devs and seeing their response on reddit I accomplished what I wanted to and don't see a need to keep it up. Will just confuse people.

[@BigJasonWebb]

Classy move @bigducks! 👏🏻 Glad you jumped on that whole mess.

[@jurb417]

i have no clue what the fuck you're talking about, but i'll try it since im a new player. shit is hella confusing atm lol

[@gangizzle]

lol Diablo 4

[@nunoflorencio9795]

No slam, no like and subscribe...

[@ThePlatinumx]

so its 5 melee builds video with 4 non melee builds

[@rofltrance]

No glad? 2 bad

[@DesuSora]

you stub your toe on a rhoa with deadeye you die

[@stephenEs3532]

allshit EA #1

[@TheXan57]

14:05 wtf even is this gameplay

[@babis8142]

"massive melee rework" didn't recommend a single one 🤣

[@whydidyoutubeaddthis]

phew nothing i'm doing

[@sachinjungade9265]

Other than lightning strike there is no melee skill (didn't count frost blades coz its a dot skill)

[@dimitarangelkovski9877]

People use it for the hit/melee range 🤦‍♂️

[@jozefe7247]

Skill tags: Attack, Melee, Strike, Cold, AoE, Duration. Check second one in the order and the fact that it "Requires a Melee Weapon" to use.

[@kernoleary1394]

how dare you speak ill of righteous fire

[@DogoodPOG]

Slam hater hates

[@darkwarsslothsin7942]

What happened to your video "This New Path of Building Features Needs to be REMOVED" Cause the only thing that got removed was your video.

[@webdesigntutz]

The feature did get removed and LocalIdentity1 cried about taking criticism, what else happened?

[@darkwarsslothsin7942]

@@webdesigntutz ok thanks. Was just curious.

[@MrAw3sum]

i do not trust any build that requires a transfigured gem and is made by a popular streamer, it's going to absolutely suck to get the gem. Whats the point of calling it league start if I have to play through the entire campaign and white maps before i am allowed to play the build.

[@dereine4082]

d4 bad

[@m1xxx3r]

amen

[@dimitarangelkovski9877]

Based.

[@7kortos7]

these all look absolutely boring af.

[@SzaQak]

This list is just meh.. Hexblast op, but other builds? LS yes but on Slayer. Wher is Holy Relicts? Gladiator ascendecy build (Ziz Lacerate for example).

[@yougot617]

The title says league starters

[@SamHotteL.]

I ended my subscription because of the D4 reference. You should be able to sell your content without that.

[@kerch6071]

🤡