[2.0] Tempada's AAA EK: An Ethereal Knives Guide | 30-60k+ Non-Crit DPS | Affordable | HC Viable

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2talt wrote:

Could you split the passive skill three into level brackets? Like 20 - 40 - 60 - 80.
I have no idea what to take over what. :(

Are you going with Acrobatics or Iron Reflexes? The paths will be a bit different, but here's a guideline for the IR tree:







It's been a long time since I leveled an EK character from scratch, but this should do the job. You might need to get Strength on gear early on or take a node like Prowess to help you out, but you can drop that node later when your gear is better.

I'm not going to add this to the front page yet since the tree is changing soon.

Hope this helps!

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Tempada wrote:

It's been a long time since I leveled an EK character from scratch, but this should do the job. You might need to get Strength on gear early on or take a node like Prowess to help you out, but you can drop that node later when your gear is better.

I'm not going to add this to the front page yet since the tree is changing soon.

Hope this helps!

Thanks a lot! :)

I would just like to add my voice to the others who will be keenly awaiting a 1.3 update once the patch hits =D

Just started a Shadow and I am following your build, I only have one other level 49 (a Lightning Strike Templar build that's been nerfed into the ground) and have very few items, almost no uniques, so I am hoping this build will be an easy route to glory and wealth!

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Yosharian wrote:

I would just like to add my voice to the others who will be keenly awaiting a 1.3 update once the patch hits =D

Just started a Shadow and I am following your build, I only have one other level 49 (a Lightning Strike Templar build that's been nerfed into the ground) and have very few items, almost no uniques, so I am hoping this build will be an easy route to glory and wealth!

Tempada and I have both made trees for 1.3 EK, just check this page: http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/1006876/page/15

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CantripN wrote:

Tempada and I have both made trees for 1.3 EK, just check this page: http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/1006876/page/15

Yep, these trees work for Acrobatics users who can get enough mana/mana regen on gear. I'll be testing out the build I posted on Cantrip's page because I'm curious about its damage and mana sustainability, but the trees in this thread have better survivability, more mana, and will remain pretty much as they are now. I think the only thing affected by the new tree is Acrobatics with its decreased block chance.

There might be a new gem or unique item that makes its way into the build. We'll know soon!

Ok, I will keep an eye out.

So as far as this build goes, basically you're traversing the entire tree in search of aura buffs? And your main money stats are mana regen and physical damage? Ele damage is useless right? And does spell damage boost EK damage? Complete noob sorry if these questions are dumb.

Also, atm I'm level 14 or so and I'm using Molten Strike and it's sooo much more damage than my Etheral Knives... does Eth knives get better, and how?

Why do we use shields if Acrobatics lowers our block chance? Doesn't it make shields pointless?

Do we life leech off projectiles as well as wand hits/weapon hits?

What level do you keep Clarity at? Mine's at level 3 and it uses up nearly all my mana atm =(

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Yosharian wrote:

basically you're traversing the entire tree in search of aura buffs?

Eh, mostly just the right side of the tree (and making sure I grab Inner Force).

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And your main money stats are mana regen and physical damage?

Mana regen on gear is definitely a money stat, at least if you want to go Acrobatics over Iron Reflexes. Physical damage is not actually one of the more important stats, it's just convenient to grab when you start as a Shadow. Cast speed is better.

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Ele damage is useless right?

Not at all! I have increased cold damage on my wand and it's great since it boosts the damage from Hatred. But taking pure elemental damage nodes on the tree is kind of a waste until very late game (I'm talking like it *might* be worth it when you reach the 90s).

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And does spell damage boost EK damage?

Yes, EK is a spell, so spell damage nodes increase its power. EK is probably the most flexible spell gem because of all the ways it can be boosted.

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Also, atm I'm level 14 or so and I'm using Molten Strike and it's sooo much more damage than my Etheral Knives... does Eth knives get better, and how?

If Molten Strike is working for you, keep using it until you find that EK is better. It takes a while before EK feels really good, but it will feel good once you get into its upper levels (damage increases greatly at its higher levels).

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Why do we use shields if Acrobatics lowers our block chance? Doesn't it make shields pointless?

Some people are better off using Iron Reflexes over Acrobatics, in part so you don't have to deal with this issue. But it's not a big issue. Let's say you have 30% chance to block on your shield. The new Acrobatics node decreases that number by 30%, so .3 x .7 = 21% chance to block. That number is hardly pointless.

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Do we life leech off projectiles as well as wand hits/weapon hits?

Uh, this depends. In my personal setup, EK is generally the only thing that leeches life, and that's because EK is linked to the Life Leech gem. But if you curse enemies with Warlord's Mark or use Atziri's Promise, then any damage you do will leech while the effects are up.

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What level do you keep Clarity at? Mine's at level 3 and it uses up nearly all my mana atm =(

I keep Clarity at level 20, but obviously that doesn't fly when you're just starting out :P It's tough to use Clarity at first because the mana reserved seems huge. You might hold it at low levels for now (so you can run damage auras at the same time) until you get better gear and more mana on the tree.

Hey, will you be updating with the new respec? I'm 100% going this build there's no doubt about it.
I just need to try get the gear :-(

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Shyvana wrote:

Hey, will you be updating with the new respec? I'm 100% going this build there's no doubt about it.
I just need to try get the gear :-(

Hi, I'll certainly be updating with 1.3, although it doesn't look like the trees are going to change. I'm mainly waiting to see if there are gem nerfs/buffs and new gems/items to make the build better.

Updated for 1.3.

What's changed?

1) 30% less block chance if you take Acrobatics. Not a huge deal.

2) An extra life node was added to the Thick Skin circle, which affects Iron Reflexes builds since reaching Thick Skin now costs an additional point. Not cool, especially since going IR was already point intensive. At least we don't lose life or dps.