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Top 3 AoE Builds for High Damage and Fast Clear Speed in Path of Exile

Updated: Dec 28, 2024

Greetings, Exiles! In today's article, we’re diving into three incredible Area of Effect Top 3 AoE Builds for High Damage and Fast Clear Speed in Path of Exile(AoE) builds in Path of Exile that are sure to improve your damage output and clear speed.


Whether you're into massive boss damage or clearing maps at lightning speed, these builds will have you covered. And the best part? We’ve provided helpful tips on their survivability, budgets, and pros and cons so you can choose the one that fits your playstyle.

1. Ultimate Sweep Slayer - Duelist Class

Pros

  • Massive Boss Damage: The Ultimate Sweep Slayer delivers powerful hits with its sweeping attacks, capable of killing endgame bosses like Guardians in just a few strikes. With only 4-5 sword spins, you’ll feel like a powerhouse!

  • Incredible Clear Speed: Thanks to the massive AoE of the Sweep skill, you can cover nearly the entire screen, wiping out mobs quickly and efficiently.

Cons

  • Low Survivability: The biggest drawback of this build is that you need to stay close to enemies while attacking. This makes you vulnerable, so be sure to outlevel the maps you're in and invest in defense to stay alive.

  • Limited Attack Speed: While Sweep delivers massive damage, the attack speed isn’t as fast as other skills, which might feel slow in certain situations.

Budget

  • Early Endgame: You can start this build with about 90 chaos and easily clear early endgame maps.

  • Comfortable Yellow Maps: To move comfortably into yellow maps, invest around 150 chaos.

  • Full Atlas Completion: For a complete Atlas run, expect to spend around 6 Divines.

Ratings

  • Clear Speed: 9/10 – The AoE is huge, but the lack of movement during attacks slightly lowers the score.

  • Boss Damage: 10/10 – The power of Sweep makes quick work of bosses.

  • Survivability: 8/10 – Defense layers like fortify, evasion, and spell suppression help, but staying still during attacks is risky.


Learn More About Skill Tree

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2. Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant - Templar Class

Pros

  • Unbelievable Boss Damage: The Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant makes use of Archmage support to convert mana into extra lightning damage. This results in an AoE explosion of Ice Novas on every frostbolt, shredding bosses in seconds.

  • Exceptional Clear Speed: With Frostblink and Wintery Blast, you can zoom through maps, casting Ice Novas in all directions, obliterating everything in your path.

Cons

  • High Investment Required: This build isn’t cheap. You need around 10 Divine Orbs to get it running smoothly.

  • Mana Gear Dependency: You need equipment that boosts your mana, which can be a challenge during the gearing process.

Budget

  • Minimum Investment: This build requires at least 10 Divine Orbs for optimal performance.

  • Mandatory Unique Items: Kitava’s Thirst (helmet) and Anathema Ring are essential for improving your clear speed and damage output.

Ratings

  • Clear Speed: 10/10 – With non-stop Ice Nova explosions and the ability to speed through maps, this build excels in clear speed.

  • Boss Damage: 10/10 – The synergy between Ice Nova and frostbolts guarantees rapid boss kills.

  • Survivability: 9/10 – The huge mana pool and energy shield, combined with instant leech, provide solid survivability.

3. Cyclone of Tumult Slayer - Duelist Class

Pros

  • Fast and Fluid Gameplay: The Cyclone of Tumult Slayer build offers smooth movement, making it incredibly satisfying to wipe out enemies while constantly moving. With the reworked melee buffs and Ancestral Totems, you’ll feel powerful all the time.

  • High Boss Damage: Once fully geared, you’ll reach over 15 million DPS, allowing you to melt even the toughest bosses in seconds.

  • Ease of Setup: Compared to other builds, this one is straightforward and easy to assemble.

Cons

  • Low Survivability During Leveling: While survivability is high once fully built, leveling can be tricky. Staying too close to enemies puts you in danger, so it’s important to pace your progression and level up before tackling higher-tier content.

  • Stun Immunity: While stun immunity is available through cluster jewels, they’re not accessible early on. However, you can mitigate this with evasion nodes if you're having issues with stuns.

Budget

  • Early Endgame: You can start this build with only 90 chaos and clear early endgame content.

  • Yellow Maps: To progress comfortably into yellow maps, 150 chaos is a good investment.

  • Full Atlas Completion: Aim for around 6 Divines for a fully optimized build.

  • Mandatory Unique Item: Stampede Boots are essential for maintaining movement speed, which ensures the downside of Cyclone’s movement doesn’t slow you down.

Ratings

  • Clear Speed: 9/10 – With Cyclone's high AoE and continuous movement, you can farm maps quickly and efficiently.

  • Boss Damage: 10/10 – High DPS makes boss kills swift and satisfying.

  • Survivability: 9/10 – With high armor, evasion, spell suppression, and instant life leech, you’ll be tough to kill.


Conclusion

These three AoE builds offer unique advantages depending on your playstyle, whether you prefer overwhelming boss damage or blitzing through maps at lightning speed. Each build has its own set of challenges, but with the right investments and strategy, you'll be clearing endgame content in no time.


Which build do you think is the most exciting? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave a thumbs up if this guide helped you!

Happy building, Exiles!


FAQs about AoE Builds in Path of Exile

1. What is an AoE build in Path of Exile?

An AoE (Area of Effect) build focuses on dealing damage to multiple enemies at once, usually with skills that have a large area of impact. These builds are excellent for clearing maps and handling large groups of monsters.


2. What are the best AoE builds for fast leveling?

The Ultimate Sweep Slayer and Cyclone of Tumult Slayer are great for fast leveling due to their powerful AoE damage. Both offer incredible clear speed, allowing you to level up quickly and efficiently.


3. How much currency do I need to start an AoE build?

It varies depending on the build:

  • For Ultimate Sweep Slayer, you can get started for around 90 Chaos Orbs.

  • Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant requires a higher investment of around 10 Divine Orbs.

  • Cyclone of Tumult Slayer can be started with 90 Chaos Orbs, but may need further investment to become fully powerful.


4. What are the key items I need for AoE builds?

For most AoE builds, you'll need specific unique items to boost your damage or survivability:

  • Ultimate Sweep Slayer: No mandatory unique items, but equipment choices matter.

  • Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant: Key items include Kitava's Thirst helmet and Anathema Ring.

  • Cyclone of Tumult Slayer: The Stampede boots are essential for increased movement speed.


5. How do I improve survivability in AoE builds?

Survivability in AoE builds can be challenging due to their aggressive playstyle. Key strategies include:

  • Ultimate Sweep Slayer: Stay a few levels above the map tier and invest in defensive layers like armor, evasion, and spell suppression.

  • Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant: Use a large mana pool and 50% of your damage absorbed by mana to increase survivability.

  • Cyclone of Tumult Slayer: Focus on stun immunity with Cluster Jewels and use evasion nodes for added defense.

 
 
 

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What is Path of Exile?

Path of Exile or PoE is the current leader of Action RPGs, back in 2013 it brought a fresh and challenging experience with nearly infinite ways to build your characters. However, it wasn’t until December 2018, with the huge migration of Diablo Players due to the Diablo: Immortal announcement fiasco, that PoE emerged as the main ARPG on the Market. Since then PoE almost triplicates its content, announced the incredible Path of Exile 2, and served as inspiration for many great games such as Undecember and Torchlight: Infinite.


What makes PoE still great and reaching records of simultaneous online players even almost a decade after its launch? You might ask. Well, the main creator of the game, Chris Wilson once said “Path of Exile is a game designed to be played forever” and here’s why he’s right. First of all, as I said before, there are an unpronounceable number of possibilities you can make with your character. This by itself is already a reason for you to keep playing and playing.  But wait, there’s much more. Path of Exile counts with a New League, every 3 months. Those Leagues come with new Challenges, New Rules, New Items, New Skills, New Lore, New NPCs, and so on.

What is the Current PoE League?

Since December 9th we are facing the challenges of the The Forbidden Sanctum. This League has been very well received by the PoE Players, showing the best retention of all time.


The Current League will last until early April when we will start discovering the amazing contents of Crucible. We can rest assure that the New League will be worth playing and GGG will fix past leagues mistakes such as the overpowered Archnemesis Monsters, the reduced Loot and the Harvest Crafting.

What are PoE Builds?

Replaying Path of Exile is always a new experience, and surpassing the big challenges the game provides will fill your gamer's ego with a warm feeling, trust me. As you might be thinking, if there’re so many ways to build your character, it’s easy to screw it up. You are 100% right, but this also means that if you know what you are doing, you can also create very strong warriors to decimate that Endgame. That’s why is important that you know what are PoE Builds.


PoE Builds are when a most experienced player tries to explain how he created his Build, so others can follow its steps. When the game started you could only find those PoE Builds on the Offcial Path of Exile Forum. Unfortunately, most of those Builds were written by players without any didactic or respect for the newcomers. Using many acronyms and showing complete passive trees, those Build Guides were only meant for experienced Players to read.


After struggling (a lot) to understand and learn the game, I decided that PoE should be more welcoming to new players. I took matters into my own hands and start the Path of Exile Builds Youtube Channel and Website. There I always have a vast selection of PoE Builds that are easy to follow and understand. All of my PoE Builds are displayed without acronyms and provide passive trees step-by-step. 


If you are a beginner, don’t let people intimidate you saying that PoE is super hard. Just create a Character in the current League and follow one of my PoE Builds. Make sure that you are picking a Starter Build though, those are perfect for new players and for starting on a League. I wish you all the lucky on your drops! Happy Grinding

Why Poe Builds Matter?

Poe Builds matter because they can make or break a player's experience in Path of Exile. A well-designed Poe Build can help players progress more quickly, conquer endgame content, and compete in the game's challenging leagues. On the other hand, a poorly designed Poe Build can lead to frustration, wasted time, and an unsatisfying gameplay experience.

Who Benefits from Poe Builds?

All players, regardless of skill level or playstyle, can benefit from Poe Builds. Newer players can learn from experienced players and follow proven templates to optimize their characters, while more experienced players can use Poe Builds as a starting point to create their own unique builds. Hardcore players can use Poe Builds to push the limits of what is possible in the game, while casual players can enjoy the game at their own pace with well-optimized characters.

Understanding Poe Builds:

A successful Poe Build requires an understanding of the game's mechanics and a careful consideration of the player's desired playstyle. A good Poe Build should be able to handle a variety of content, including endgame bosses, while also being fun to play and easy to understand.

What Makes a Good Poe Build?

A good Poe Build should be able to handle a variety of content, including endgame bosses, while also being fun to play and easy to understand. It should also be optimized for the player's desired playstyle and should make use of synergies between skills, passives, and gear.

What are the Different Types of Poe Builds?

There are many different types of Poe Builds, including melee builds, ranged builds, spellcaster builds, and minion builds. Each build has its own unique strengths and weaknesses and can be optimized for different playstyles and content.

How Do I Choose the Right Poe Build for My Playstyle?

To choose the right Poe Build for your playstyle, you should consider the type of content you want to tackle, the skills you enjoy using, and the passive tree and gear that will complement those skills. You should also consider whether you want to focus on offense, defense, or a balance of both.

What are the Popular Poe Builds in the Current Meta?

The most popular Poe Builds in the current meta vary depending on the league and content. Among the popular include Cyclone Berserker, Arc Witch, and Toxic Rain Trickster. However, it is important to remember that popular builds are not necessarily the best builds for every player and playstyle.

Building a Poe Build:

Building a successful Poe Build requires careful consideration and planning. Here is a step-by-step guide to creating a Poe Build:

  • Step 1: Choosing a Class

    • Choose a class that complements your desired playstyle and skills.

  • Step 2: Selecting Skills and Support Gems

    • Choose skills and support gems that synergize with your class and playstyle.

  • Step 3: Understanding Passive Tree and Ascendancy Classes

    • Allocate passive points in the passive tree and select an Ascendancy class that complements your chosen skills and playstyle.

  • Step 4: Creating a Balanced Poe Build

    • Balance offense and defense to create a well-rounded Poe Build.

    • Consider your desired playstyle, whether it is focused on dealing damage or survivability.

    • Allocate passive points and gear accordingly.

Advanced Strategies: Min-Maxing Poe Builds

Min-maxing is the process of optimizing a Poe Build to its maximum potential by fine-tuning every aspect of the character, including gear, passive points, and skill choices. This can be a time-consuming process, but it can greatly increase a player's chances of success in endgame content.

Poe Build Synergies:

Poe Build synergies involve using multiple skills and gear pieces together to create a powerful combination. Synergies can greatly increase a character's damage output or survivability, but they require careful planning and experimentation to implement successfully.

Making Poe Builds for Endgame Content:

Creating a Poe Build for endgame content requires careful consideration of the content's difficulty and the character's strengths and weaknesses. It may require specialized gear and skills that are different from those used in leveling or early game content.

Crafting Gear for your Poe Build:

Crafting gear for your Poe Build can greatly increase your character's power, but it requires knowledge of crafting mechanics and an understanding of the gear requirements for your chosen skills and playstyle.

Leveling with Poe Builds: Efficient Leveling Techniques

Efficient leveling techniques involve using specific skills, gear, and passive tree allocations to level up quickly and efficiently. This can include using AOE skills, prioritizing damage over defense, and utilizing certain leveling uniques.

Recommended Poe Builds for leveling:

Recommended Poe Builds for leveling vary depending on the player's chosen playstyle, but some popular options include Arc Witch, Cyclone Berserker, and Frost Blades Raider.

Tips for managing Poe Builds while leveling:

Managing Poe Builds while leveling can be challenging, but some tips include prioritizing movement speed, using leveling uniques, and planning ahead for passive tree allocations and gear upgrades.

Poe Builds for Different Playstyles: For Hardcore Players

for hardcore players require a focus on survivability and defensive mechanics. They may prioritize life or energy shield over damage, and they may make use of skills and gear that can mitigate incoming damage.

For Casual Players:

for casual players may prioritize ease of use and enjoyment over maximum power or optimization. They may make use of skills that are fun to play, or they may prioritize survivability over damage output.

For Solo Players:

For solo players may prioritize self-sufficiency and the ability to handle a variety of content alone. They may make use of skills and gear that allow them to handle multiple enemies at once, or they may focus on survivability and self-healing.

For Group Play:

For group play may prioritize party synergy and support. They may make use of skills and gear that buff allies, or they may focus on crowd control and AOE damage to complement other party members' skills.

Adjusting and Tweaking Poe Builds: When to adjust your Poe Build

Adjusting your Poe Build may be necessary when you encounter difficulties with certain content or when your chosen skills or gear are not performing as expected.

Understanding the Mechanics:

Understanding Poe Build mechanics, including how skills and support gems interact, can help you identify weaknesses in your Poe Build and make informed decisions when adjusting it.

Tips for tweaking your Poe Build:

When tweaking your Poe Build, focus on identifying specific weaknesses and making small, targeted adjustments rather than trying to overhaul the entire build. Consider your desired playstyle, the content you want to tackle, and the available passive points and gear.

What to do when your Poe Build doesn't work:

If your Poe Build 

is not working as expected, it may be necessary to start over with a new build or to seek advice from community resources such as Poe Build guides, tools, and forums.

Community Resources for Poe Builds: Poe Build Guides and Databases

Its guides and databases provide detailed information on different Poe Builds, including passive tree allocations, gear requirements, and playstyle recommendations. Some popular resources include PoeNinja, Path of Building, and official Path of Exile forums.

Tools and Calculators:

Its tools and calculators allow players to experiment with different gear, skills, and passive tree allocations to optimize their Poe Builds. Popular tools include Path of Building and PoE Planner.

 Streamers and YouTubers:

Poe Build streamers and YouTubers provide gameplay footage and commentary on different Poe Builds, allowing players to see the build in action and get advice on gameplay strategies. Some popular content creators include Path of Exile Builds, Mathilification and ZiggyD.

Communities and Forums:

Its communities and forums provide a space for players to share and discuss their Poe Builds, as well as to seek advice and feedback from other players. Some popular communities include the Path of Exile subreddit and the official Path of Exile forums.

Conclusion:

Poe Builds is an essential aspect of Path of Exile gameplay, allowing players to customize their characters and tackle the game's many challenges. By understanding Poe Build mechanics, selecting the right skills and gear, and seeking advice from community resources, players can create powerful and enjoyable builds that suit their playstyle and goals. Whether you are a hardcore or casual player, solo or group player, or focused on endgame content or leveling, there is a Poe Build out there that can help you achieve your goals in Path of Exile.

FAQ

What are the best classes in PoE?

- There is no good Answer to that Question. In Path of Exile the Build is way more important than the Class, because each one can do anything. You can have Witches with Axes and Marauders casting Spells.

How do you get good at PoE?

- Path of Exile is a very complex Game, the best way to get good is to follow Guides to learn the detailed Mechanics. After a few Hundred Hours you’ll be ready to make your own Builds.

What is the Easiest Class in PoE?

- The Witch. Most of the Easiest Builds are better when made with Witches, particularly Minion Builds. Totem Builds with the Templar are also Super Easy to play and Great for Beginners.

Will there be a Path of Exile 2?

- Yes, and it’s Awesome! It doesn’t have a Launch Day yet, but it looks like we are going to have a Beta on 2023.

How Long is Poe Endgame?

- In order to Complete your Atlas and Kill every single Endgame and Uber Boss, you can prepare yourself for over 500 hours of Fun Gameplay.

What can you do about Breachstones?

-  Use them on your Map Device to Face the Brach Lords and get some Valuable Items.

Is Path of Exile Noob Friendly?

- No. But you can have a Good Time Playing if you start following Build Guides to learn the Mechanics in an Easy way.

How Long is Path of Exile?

- You will take around 30 Hours to Complete the 10 Acts. Those Acts are Like the Tutorial of the Game. You can expect over 500 Hours of Gameplay if you want to check every aspect of the Endgame.

How do you Level Up Fast in Path of Exile?

-  First of all, you need to know what you are doing. Passing through the 10 Acts fast is the best way to improve your Leveling. Run through the Maps killing only blue monsters and making the necessary quests. This way you can reach Level 80 in just a few hours.

How do I get to the Syndicate Safehouse?

-  First of all, you need to get enough Intel about the Safehouse you want to go. To do that you need to interrogate the Syndicate Members. After you get enough Intel, talk to Jun and ask her to show the Investigation. There you’ll find a Button that opens a Portal to the Syndicate Safehouse.

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