CI Soul Strike - Poison arrow trapper [Cheap build]

A really cheap (requires only 4 links), tanky, PA build I used in the 1 month race. Unfortunately this is not great for self found as it requires the unique: http://pathofexile.gamepedia.com/Soul_Strike.

At level 80 I was running:
- 110 str, 279 int, 231 dex
- 65% faster ES recovery (210% with Soul Strike)
- 6k Energy shield (10k with Vaal Discipline)
- 8k Evasion (+ Ondars)
- 92/90/95/100 resistances (can do ele weakness maps easily)
- 20% increased AoE
- 40% magic find

The leveling process wasn't ideal for a race, because, CI. However as a first character in a league, this is the strongest build I have played.

The idea is based around an evasion character with a large ES pool and an extremely fast recharge rate. Evasion combined with Ondar's guile means the majority of projectiles miss, thus preventing interruptions to your ES recharge.

I picked up a near perfect rolled Soul Strike for 5 chaos. Most of the time, low rolled verions are available for under 2 chaos. You have to wait to level 64 before you can spec to CI. Without this quiver, your playstyle is very slow, constantly waiting for ES to recharge

Requirements:

-Soul Stike unique quiver
-Minimum +2 gem bow

Passive Tree (level 80):


Bandits:

I chose to kill all 3 bandits, however in Normal, Kraitlyn for all resistances might be useful too.


My links are:

1. Poison arrow + Concentrated effect + Trap + Multi traps

If I was richer, my 5thlink would be empower, 6th link: slower projectiles/increased aoe

2: Cast when stunned + Enduring cry + Immortal Call + Decoy Totem

This will be nerfed in 2.0, but I'd remove EC, IC and add ice wall and temp chains.

3: Grace + Discipline + Clarity + Reduced mana

Obvious defensive auras and mana regen.

4: Vulnerability + Conversion trap + Vaal discipline + Increased duration

Super efficient link setup here. Vulnerability is picked for obvious reasons, conversion trap is absolutely fantastic to save you in clutch situations. Converting a rare means nearby mobs will focus it and melt in your poison cloud in the mean time. Vaal discipline is a great 'oh shit' button. Also fantastic to pop just before opening a box.

5: Bear trap + Added fire + Culling strike + Increased Duration

Really strong single target damage. Can be used for culling. however I went with Increased Duration to hold Tormented spirits in place. Empower would also be a strong 4th link.

My gear:


My flasks:


The build has huge room for progression, I really think with a +2+1 bow, empower, Leo mod on bow and some more passive points, the DPS will easily be able to carry you through end game.

You should take Sniper in the tree. Projectile damage applies the same way to the damage of the poison cloud as increased chaos damage. The 30% from Sniper for 2 points would therefore be better than the 2 10% increased chaos damage from the Corruption circle.

I would also rather link increased aoe instead of multiple traps. As the clouds don't stack you only get a potentially bigger aoe (if the traps are all triggered) at the expense of 40% less damage. Not a good trade-off imo.

Oh nice, I had no idea about the sniper. I've changed that now, thanks.

In regard to the multi trap, I went with that due to a lack of supports available to me. Multi trap + conc effect output a bit more damage than a single trap without conc, with a similar aoe.

I would certainly consider removing those two links and use PA + Trap + Slower proj + Inc aoe, or something similar to boost the DPS.

Thanks for the feedback.

question. how do u sustaib mana?