Wand builds in Path of Exile (POE) primarily focus on spellcasting, leveraging the inherent advantages Wands offer for spellcasters. Here’s a guide to crafting a Wand build:
Playstyle:
Spellcaster: Wielding a Wand and utilizing various spell gems for offensive power.
Skill Selection:
Popular choices include:
Elemental Spells: Fireball, Arc, Lightning Strike, Ethereal Knives (focus on Elemental Damage and Increased Spell Damage passives).
Chaos Spells: Bladefall, Blade Blast (focus on Chaos Damage and Increased Spell Damage passives).
Example Build:
Here’s a sample Arc Witch build utilizing a Wand:
Skills:
Main: Arc (linked with Increased Area of Effect, Concentrated Area of Effect, Spell Echo)
Movement: Flame Dash (linked with Faster Casting)
Defense: Immortal Call (linked with Increased Duration), Cast when Damage Taken (linked with Molten Shell)
Auras: Determination (increased armor), Clarity (increased mana regeneration)
Gear:
Wand: Prioritize high spell damage, increased spell damage modifiers, and critical strike chance.
Body Armor: Opt for armor with life regeneration and elemental resistances.
Accessories: Aim for increased life rolls, maximum life, and elemental resistances.
Ascendancy: Elementalist (specializes in elemental damage and provides various benefits for spellcasters).
Important Resources:
Official Path of Exile Forums: Search for "Wand build" threads specific to your desired spell type (e.g., Fireball, Arc).
YouTube Channels: Many Path of Exile content creators showcase Wand builds and provide detailed explanations.
Crafting a Powerful Wand:
Currency Crafting: Utilize Orbs (e.g., Essences, Fossils) to enhance a Wand’s properties, focusing on maximizing spell damage and critical strike chance.
Advanced Techniques (Optional): Explore crafting methods like Harvest crafting or Bestiary crafting (requires endgame content) for further optimization.
Additional Tips:
Understanding Mechanics: Grasp core mechanics like elemental damage scaling, critical strike mechanics (optional), mana management, life sustain, and elemental resistances.
Passive Skill Tree: Allocate points efficiently to maximize spell damage, critical strike chance (optional), increased area of effect (for some skills), and elemental damage specific to your chosen spell type (e.g., Fire Damage for Arc).
Link Setup: Link your main spell gem with appropriate support gems to enhance its damage, area of effect, critical strike chance, or casting speed.
Advantages of Wand Builds:
High Spell Damage: Inherent spell damage bonus on Wands translates to strong offensive capabilities.
Mana Regeneration: Helps maintain your mana pool while actively casting spells.
Versatility: Wands can be used with a wide variety of spell gems, allowing for diverse build options.
Remember: Wand builds are a potent choice for spellcasters in Path of Exile. Utilize the resources mentioned, understand core mechanics, and explore different options to create a Wand character that aligns with your desired playstyle.