Speedy LA/EB/AA/Puncture Shadow Archer [Cheap, Apex Viable]

This is just a proof of concept, as there are plenty of Lightning Arrow and Puncture guides out there. I was running Arctic Armour on my CoC build before the Leech nerf and wanted to find a way to make it work again. In the process, I ended up making Lightning Arrow spammable, while maintaining my beloved rogue killer attack (Puncture) and also became surprisingly tanky. The result: Possibly one of the least expensive Apex viable builds out there. - Plus it's fun as hell to run around really fast. (Manual dodge FTW!) :D

Points and Gear:


Self-Buffed Stats:


*** Some edits/updates per request: ***

Goal if you had max points...


Leveling on a budget...

Since we benefit from the same +Physical Damage and crit items as a Doomfletcher build, it's the most efficient to level up that way.

If you're playing Standard, you can pick up one of these for ~1 Chaos:


By the time you reach 68, you should be able to "YOLO Alch" a good Harbinger Bow (item level 73 will open up the max tier crit mods). The rest of your gear should transition perfectly.

As always, I love feedback. Just don't be a dick about it. Cheers!

I may or may not fall in love with you for this. I've had a hard time finding good bow builds that work well in end game with only a Lioneye's Glare, but this seems to have done it. Thank you :D I might go back to my ranger for end game farming if this works.

I hope you enjoy it. A couple of things to keep in mind:

Your LA tooltip will be deceptively low, as the real DPS comes from lots and lots of bouncing hits and shock stacks.

If you have a 6-link, go for Power Charge on Crit, Critical Mass and help Merc Alira for the +250% crit chance (on Lightning Arrow), and/or drop Fire Damage (on Puncture) for Curse on Hit and Vulnerability.

Defense comes from perma-flasking. Herbalism is the next point on my list. You can also get another 16% run speed from boots, an Assassin's Garb and Celerity.

I have no HP or life leech on any of my jewelry or I would swap to this quiver instead:


And maybe this if I had resists on my amulet.


Happy gaming!

Thanks for the build, seem easy to start with a ranger too.
Does puncture worth it over frenzy + frenzy charge ?
I'm just wondering because i already have taken my bandit reward.

I'm back to the game and have a free passive reset on my ranger.

I used to play a lot before 1.1

At that time i was using SaintVitus: Physical crit ranger guide
http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/53795

But i found that i really like lightning arrow.
DPS and Survivability is an issue right now.

Here is my current gear



And here is my current tree

What would you do/change with the passive reset ? Changing from frenzy to puncture seem a big step in gameplay, i never got mana or life problem because of the ring :)

So i've been playing around and tried to merge our respective tree, maximizing crit and phys dmg and life and giving up frenzy charge and iron reflexe for Ondar Guiles and grabing some resist nodes + some ele dmg for LA

What do you think of it ?

Looking at your gear, you might like Arly's's build better. He uses auras and Frenzy.

Im wondering if puncture is better in case of boss fight ?

Puncture is amazing for boss fights. If you're a physical build, you can switch between Frenzy and Puncture pretty much interchangeably. You can always use it in an off item just to try out. Puncture only needs Physical Projectile Attack Damage and Increased Critical Damage to be strong. Any more supports you can add to it are just bonus. I like Added Fire and Life Leech. Vulnerability curse makes a huge difference too.

Thanks for the reply i will give a try to Arly's's build with a little tweak :)

Happy to help! :D