Build help! Facebreaker Earthshatter Champion.

Hello fellow Exiles!

I've played PoE for quite some time, never have I actually managed to down any of the end game bosses, such as Shaper, Elder etc.

The main reason being I either rip doing "rippy" maps due to burnout burnout, or I just simply can't figure out how to get enough boss DPS from itemizattion.

Currently I have two builds, Power Shipon/Kintec Blast Patherfinder and a Facebreaker Earthshatter Champion. I believe my best bet for finally downing these bosses lies with my champion, hence the thread title.

My main issues with the build right now is simply the damage is quite frankly low on single target, when attempting tier 14+ maps (also why squishy at times!).

Apart from 30 ex rings/amulets I am clueless as to what I can do to at least get my build shaper/elder ready, I hope you lot can help me out!

PoB pastebin: https://pastebin.com/JeUuH79E

Character name: HighLatencyOfDOOOM

Thanks in advance!

1) I would get out of the block nodes because with all of that, you only have 39% attack block, which is not worth the investment. If you do want to block, grab a Rumi's to bump that 39% much higher.

2) Facebreaker should build crit, so ditch the shield and RT, then switch to Lycosidae. Get Rigwald's Curse amulet to give your unarmed some base crit. Switch your annoint to Claws of the Hawk. (Alternatively, if you could build your tree towards the right side instead of the left to take all the claw nodes, that would help your DPS a lot. I'd keep the Constitution wheel for HP but dump a lot of the lefthand stuff).

3) Get yourself a Silver flask (dump the Sulphur flask, 40% inc damage is peanuts).

4) Connect your tree in the center and remove the travels in the upper right portion. If you want 1 more jewel socket, take the one on the left side above Juggernaut instead.

Thanks for the lightning reply TemjinGold!

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1) I would get out of the block nodes because with all of that, you only have 39% attack block, which is not worth the investment. If you do want to block, grab a Rumi's to bump that 39% much higher.

I was thinking about going Glancing blows next level, which would double my block chance and make Command of Steel quite a lot better. I definitley think that Rumi's would do wonders as well, didn't think of that!

"

2) Facebreaker should build crit, so ditch the shield and RT, then switch to Lycosidae. Get Rigwald's Curse amulet to give your unarmed some base crit. Switch your annoint to Claws of the Hawk. (Alternatively, if you could build your tree towards the right side instead of the left to take all the claw nodes, that would help your DPS a lot. I'd keep the Constitution wheel for HP but dump a lot of the lefthand stuff).

You reckon I should wait till I hit a bit higher level? I'm quite scared of losing survivability vs. dps going for a more crit oriented build, since I would lose my neck slot.



Silver flask acquired and skill tree has been updated ! Thanks a bunch :D

Glad to help!

If you are worried about survivability, use some of the points you saved to grab Soul of Steel. Really good for an armour build. Your guy is pretty bulky at the moment, so if you are still dying, there's a decent chance it's because your DPS is lacking (you don't kill them fast enough, they have more time to kill you).

Note that Glancing Blows is not worth it unless you are abusing on block mechanics (in which case the unique shield you want is the Surrender) as you will on average take more damage total.

Something to keep in mind in general--it isn't whether the level of block you have is strong, it's whether it's strong enough to merit the total number of points/gear slots you sunk into it. Case in point, I played a max dodge/spell dodge cyclone character with 30k+ evasion the past couple of leagues. Yes, practically nothing could hit me. But I paid a heavy price in dps and life because I dedicated a massive chunk of my tree and most of my equipment slots to making that happen. End result, boss fights took forever, which meant they had plenty of chances to hit me. So yes, I ended up eating fewer hits than otherwise still but the difference is not as big as if I went straight up with a Slayer.

"

If you are worried about survivability, use some of the points you saved to grab Soul of Steel. Really good for an armour build. Your guy is pretty bulky at the moment, so if you are still dying, there's a decent chance it's because your DPS is lacking (you don't kill them fast enough, they have more time to kill you).

Haven't ripped yet, as I am doing HC! So I am playing like a gigantic chicken currently :,D.

But I do feel like I lack a bit of damage. Could also be that I am just not playing Earthshatter correctly, like missing exerted attacks etc.

"

Something to keep in mind in general--it isn't whether the level of block you have is strong, it's whether it's strong enough to merit the total number of points/gear slots you sunk into it. Case in point, I played a max dodge/spell dodge cyclone character with 30k+ evasion the past couple of leagues. Yes, practically nothing could hit me. But I paid a heavy price in dps and life because I dedicated a massive chunk of my tree and most of my equipment slots to making that happen. End result, boss fights took forever, which meant they had plenty of chances to hit me. So yes, I ended up eating fewer hits than otherwise still but the difference is not as big as if I went straight up with a Slayer.

Great food for thought Themjin!

Therefore I have gotten rid of those block nodes now, and specced into Diamond Skin and Soul of Steel - Currently thinking of opting for Aggressive Bastion, think that could beef up my dmg a bit. Before I plan out a crit variant.

Not sure what to annoint on my neck, could do Crystal Skin and try to opt for 100% ailment avoidance (Have to farm some currency for that though!)

PoB if you want to quality check!: https://pastebin.com/vvGDrfzK

Ahh that would explain why you are so stacked on defenses (not a bad thing).

There is a strength node you don't need--(the one 2 above the Measured Fury wheel) because you are already connected down the middle. Given it takes 2 points to get to, I'm not sure Diamond Skin is worth it for you because you are also res capped without it.

It also looks like your build doesn't need the Dex. If that's true, I would actually start your tree with the points on the left (above Master of the Arena) and not the ones on the right (the green ones that lead to Dex nodes). This gets you back a point for free AND gives you more strength (which is more HP). If you have plans for that dex, then the way you have it is better.

Additionally, I would get Unwavering Stance. The biggest bane to melee (because you are up close) is actually getting stunned because stun lock can kill you regardless of your durability, especially for slam builds.

Get yourself some life leech. If you don't have it on gear, I'd actually take the Gladiator's Perseverance wheel (going along the right side). Even though you don't have 1H weapons to benefit from those two lines, the three points each give a good amount of leech and you are already right there (so no need to path anywhere for leech).

That would do wonders in keeping you alive if you are stun immune and leech from your hits.

"

There is a strength node you don't need--(the one 2 above the Measured Fury wheel) because you are already connected down the middle. Given it takes 2 points to get to, I'm not sure Diamond Skin is worth it for you because you are also res capped without it.

It also looks like your build doesn't need the Dex. If that's true, I would actually start your tree with the points on the left (above Master of the Arena) and not the ones on the right (the green ones that lead to Dex nodes). This gets you back a point for free AND gives you more strength (which is more HP). If you have plans for that dex, then the way you have it is better.

Emberrasing haha, it has been fixed! Nice catch :D, I am going to attempt to get positive chaos res soon, so I will be keeping diamond skin, so I can sac some res on my jewellery!

"

Additionally, I would get Unwavering Stance. The biggest bane to melee (because you are up close) is actually getting stunned because stun lock can kill you regardless of your durability, especially for slam builds.

Get yourself some life leech. If you don't have it on gear, I'd actually take the Gladiator's Perseverance wheel (going along the right side). Even though you don't have 1H weapons to benefit from those two lines, the three points each give a good amount of leech and you are already right there (so no need to path anywhere for leech).

I am already stun immune due to the perma fortify from the Champion tree, so I won't be needing the Unwavering Stance.

From freeing a few more points, I chose to grab the Lust for Carnage, since attack speed is quite good for my build and the leech is quite amazing as well! I definitely don't feel squishy anymore.

All there is left is to obtain more DPS, getting one of those juicy amulets with high phys on attack is probably what I should aim for here on out.

Thank you so much for you help!

Updated PoB: https://pastebin.com/xXAeZvR9

Happy I was able to help. Sounds like your character is really coming along now! (I totally forgot you are stun immune as a champ haha)