1.3 [Newbie Friendly] GROUNDSLAMMER BUILD

So many responses to this thread. I made my original marauder after this build, but gave him up at level 56 because I started playing my witch more.

I am wondering if the original post is still viable. I've scanned through a few pages from the end backwards and it looks like people are deviating in all kinds of ways (I'm guessing since patches) and the tree has changed.

What I want to know is not spending a ton of currency and getting a 4-5L 2h hammer with high physical damage can I still use this build?

So questions in order for those who are answering:

1. What tree are people currently using relying upon the red only (mostly?) gem set up?

2. What gems still work with this build linked and in what order of preference?
Heavy Strike with?
Leap Slam with?
Ground Slam with?
Are people using the new Cast When Damage Taken gem linked to Enduring Cry? Molten Shell?
Warlords Mark? Or are people self casting those?

That's all for now. I don't want to use my full respec and do something wrong.

Thanks!

Most of the question are answered on the first, anyway i guess this guide is good for your first char or so, after you reach high lvl or get good gear, you can drop ele defense nodes and change the tree.

Same with gems, there is some unique amulet carnage heart, with 7% phys dmg leech, after you buy this, decent roll 15-20c, you can drop 1 leech gem and add another dmg gem

5l stuff is usually a bit overpriced, unless you feel very unlucky is better to buy any socket and then 5l yourself

Hi fellow marauders,

I know this might not be the best place to post it (later I will try the trade formum as well) but I will give it a try - maybe you guys have some marauders hand-me downs I could buy for reasonable price - all I have atm is 5 chaos, 11 alch, 4 regrets, 5 fusing, 5 chromatic - I am a new poor player.

I tried in game but the prices are exorbitant and I got the funny feeling I was about to get ripped off big time on some of the offers.

I posted my equipment on p. 324.

All of it is self found or self crafted aside from the Geoffrey's (I got it for free from the page that gives away uniques to new players - thank you Simon the Duelist) and the yellow mace I will use from lvl 57 on (almost a free gift from a friend).

I could use rings and amulets with 60+ life and 20+ double res. And maybe upgrade the chest.

I will be in game from about 9 - 10 pm CET + 1 today.

If someone could help me out I would aprreciate it - just PM me.

Thanx in advance!

@johnyu95
Imo it is not optimal but it's definitely a very good basis to start for new players and it serves its main purpose, getting you to the end game (finishing Merciless). Beyond that (high level maps) things get tough in order to progress and players need to search on their own because there are many factors at play like gameplay style, wealth and time commitment.

@rsalty
Definitely viable. Most people are deviating in the later levels 70+ because they are no longer beginners and each one has different ideas about optimizing their characters.

1. It's a cheap build. I am almost lvl 85 soloing hard lvl 72 and 73 maps and I have not yet used a 5L. I'm using this tree. No auras, no IR, no US, no Vaal Pact and very few resistances and secondary attributes (DEX INT) from tree.

2. I'm using HS with Multi-Melee-Added Fire. If 5L i'd use Faster. For GS I use Concentrated Effect-Multi-Melee. If 5L or 6L i'd use Fire or Faster, not sure on which. Leap Slam I never used it as dps, I only think of it as a positioning tool. Hence I keep it alone although I might try to fit it with a Faster gem so it's more effective. As for CwdT imo the core is 3L low level with Enfeeble and Enduring Cry. Next step after that is Molten Shell. Next optional step is high level CwdT with Molten Shell and Decoy Totem. If 4L i've tried raise zombie, its decent. Have stopped using warlords mark since I got Carnage Heart, a core unique imo in order to progress in the end game.

@tjm
Can't help you since you are playing in standard league. Guess it's a bit to be expected for prices to be high since that's the oldest server. I'd suggest to use indexers to sort through the thousands of forum shops. Just google poe indexer and learn how to use that effectively for your needs.

Eladir, some useful additional tips there. Still looking to add a CwdT with some useful bits myself.

How much does the concentrate reduce the GS effect? I find it quite useful for cursing up with cry and getting good survivability when the AI bumrushes me with hordes of blues as it can usually spread back as far as the odd caster/ranged at the back (maybe once I switch to leech rather than on hit it'll change).

Does the general rule of over 1k DPS per ability = switch to leech still apply?

@Llamaalarmallama

Concentrated effect reduced the are of effect by 30%. It's a significant decrease, it will mean you will have to get neared to dps with it. I'd suggest getting it at the time you get the Amplify passive point and if you can afford to leveling it to ~lvl 15 (needs int). Otherwise I'd prioritize Melee-Multi and then either Faster or Fire.

Haven't done the math behind it but the 1k limit sounds right. Personally I never run on hit, always used Leech and that not so much since I had a mace with 2% leech when I was leveling. The sooner you can discard that slot for additional dps without sacrificing survivability, the better.

IMO Concentrated Effect only works good with Marohi.
I tried it without Erqi and -30% AoE sucked big time, even with Amplify !

looking over the skill tree and i am little confused about the nodes listed above, why are we grabbing one handed mace nodes when we are 2handed weapon build? Is it just for the life increase and armor increase? If so then why are we getting "Smashing Blow" and "Skull Cracking"?

I am a Marauder lv 54 with 1600 life and 34% estimated physical reduction. The build works well but since I started to play Cruel my estimated physical reduction has gone way down and now I get killed by a group o blackguards in Ebony Barracks Cruel. And you say "Finish the game with vendor bought iteams" I don't understand plz help and every help guide say " get more armor"

This is my armor and resistances
Armor: 1292
resistance: fire 82%, cold 75%, lighting 56%
Life: 1600