[2.4 Video Guide] Cheap Beginners Crit Shockwave Totem Build [HC/SC]

Video Guide: Path of Exile: Beginners Cheap Shockwave Totem Build Guide [Atziri & HC/SC Viable]

Check this short (4-5 min) build guide video above. It will show you how the build performs and explain how to set everything up!

If you have any questions about the build come to my twitch stream and I will do my best to answer them:

Lifting's Twitch Live Stream Channel

__________________________________________________________________________


This is the official thread for my Beginners crit dual shockwave totem inquisitor build guide. In this thread, I will cover the most basic requirements of the build. To get a more detailed explanation of how the build works and needs to be set up, check out the link to my video guide above.



First of all, what is this build and who is it suited for?

1. This build is designed for both new players and veterans alike. The build has the potential to run the highest level maps, it is very safe and deals good damage.

2. Someone who seeks a build that is very budget friendly - no unique items are required in order to make it work. There is however, a single one I will recommend.

3. Fans of the totems (master race)!

4. A build that is both viable for hardcore as well as softcore.

5. People who prefer a build that has a video-guide linked to it.

__________________________________________________________________________

Build mechanic introduction:

For defenses, this build utilizes the Mind Over Matter, Zealot's Oath and Eldritch Battery keystones. Together these 3 provide you the utility to reserve all your mana for heralds and auras, it allows you to fuel the cost of your Shockwave Totems on energy shield instead of mana and it provides a solid defense by letting 30% of damage taken be taken from energy shield instead of life.

Ancestral Bond is used in order to summon 2 totems at a time.

The damage is scaled by converting a large portion of the physical damage into elemental damage to make full use of the Inquisitor's powerful elemental buffs.

If you are having trouble sustain energy shield when using Mind over Matter, it is typically because your energy shield pool isn't large enough and that you are "tanking" too much damage. Check further down the guide for my recommendations as to how much life and energy shield you should have at certain breakpoints in the game.

__________________________________________________________________________

Skill-gems and setups:

Primary Damage setup:

- Shockwave Totem, Faster Casting, Increased Area of Effect, Physical To lightning, Inc. Critical Strikes & Added Fire damage.

Defensive Setup 1:

- Cast When Damage Taken (lvl 7), Immortal Call (lvl 9), Stone Golem (lvl 9) & Increased Duration (max level)

Defensive Setup 2:

- Cast When Damage Taken (lvl 4), Arctic Breath (lvl 7), Greater Multiple Projectiles (max level) & Assassination (make sure to level this higher than level 44 to prevent CWDT from casting it)

Auras/Mana Reservation & Curse:

- Hatred, Herald of Ash & Arctic Armor.

Mobility & Defence:

- Whirling Blades, Faster Attacks, Blood Magic & Fortify.

Note: this setup requires a dagger to use.

Utility Setup 1:

- Vaal Discipline, Vaal Discipline & Increased Duration.

__________________________________________________________________________

Skill-trees & Ascendancy class:

Ascendancy Class: The Inquisitor

Ascendancy Points: Righteous Providence, Inevitable Judgement, Instruments of Virtue & Augury of Penitence.

Leveling skill-tree, 26 points:


Leveling skill-tree, 52 points:


Leveling skill-tree, 77 points:


Leveling skill-tree, 104 points:


Finished skill-tree, 116 points (Ascendancy points included):


Note: That if you at any point need strength or dexterity, simply pick up the 30+ notables in the skill-tree and spec out of them later when you are able to cover these requirements via gear.
__________________________________________________________________________

Leveling Tips:

1. Prioritize getting Ancestral Bond.
2. Equip 1 Lifesprig wand and 1 Abberath's Horn together. In the Lifesprig add in Flame Totem, Added Lightning Damage and Faster Casting.
3. At level 28 start using Shockwave Totem in a 4-link.
4. Get a cheap 5-link or Tabula around level 50 for your Shockwave Totem setup.

Bandit Quest Rewards:

- Normal : Help Oak for 40+ life.
- Cruel : Kill them all for 1 extra skill point.
- Merciless: Kill them all for 1 extra skill point.

__________________________________________________________________________

Gearing and stat priorities:

Defensive affixes, in priority:

1. Life
2. Elemental Resistances (75% on Merciless)
3. Energy Shield (Mind Over Matter)
4. Evasion
5. Chaos Resistance

Minimum defence requirements for "safe" end-game progression:

Early-level mapping (tier 1-6):
- 3000 HP
- 1200 ES
- 75% Ele. Resistances

Mid-level mapping (tier 7-11):

- 4000+ HP
- 2000+ ES
- 75% Ele. Resistances


End-level mapping (tier 12-16):

- 5000+ HP
- 2800+ ES
- 75% Ele. Resistances

Offensive affixes, in priority:

1. Increased Crit Multi%
2. Increased Crit Chance%
3. Increased Spell Damage%
4. Increased Cast Speed%

My Current Gear:


Jewels:

- Inc. Maximum life%
- Inc. Energy Shield%
- Inc. Critical Strike Multiplier%
- Inc. Critical Strike Chance%
- Inc. Spell Damage%
- Inc. Totem Damage%
- Inc. Cast speed%

__________________________________________________________________________

Recommended unique items:

Gloves: Maligaro's Virtuosity



Weapon: Divinarius



Chest: Carcass Jack



Flask: Atziri's Promise


__________________________________________________________________________

Outro:

Make sure to watch the video guide to see some actual gameplay of how the build performs as well as to get a better explanation of how it works!

Video Guide: Path of Exile: Beginners Cheap Shockwave Totem Build Guide [Atziri & HC/SC Viable]

Check out my other build guides for 2.4

- 2.4 Warchief Totems Champion/Juggernaut [HC/SC]

- 2.4 Crit Ice Nova Shatter Build Inquisitor/Elementalist [HC/SC]

- 2.4 Righteous Fire, Vaal Molten Shell Scion [HC/SC]

- 2.4 Doomfletch Tornado Shot & Blast Rain Raider [HC/SC] (video slightly outdated, check forum post)

- 2.4 Doomfletch Lightning Arrow & Blast Rain Raider [HC/SC] (video slightly outdated, check forum post)

- 2.4 Tanky Cyclone Champion/Juggernaut [HC/SC]

- 2.4 Ultimate Beginner's Flame Totem Chieftain [HC/SC]

- 2.4 Earthquake Champion/Juggernaut/Slayer [HC/SC]

Stay safe!

#DoYouEvenNerd
Lifting

If you notice any typos etc, please let me know. It is late here and I need a break :D

As always, very clear build guide. Thanks !

Cool stuff dude.
I'am gonna pick up the Ele Overload for leveling, till getting all the crit nodes it's gonna be huge dmg boost.

Hi Lifting,
Once again an excellent build and i want to big note thank you for having all these builds ready before Ascendancy is out! Lots of people will really appreciate being able to follow a build for the new league from minute one!
MickJW

Why do you pick Inquisitor over +2 Totems? 4 Totems sound really good to me.

"

bau9r wrote:

Why do you pick Inquisitor over +2 Totems? 4 Totems sound really good to me.

i think because he is scaling ele dmg a lot (gem/aura) so on crit it eliminates ele resistance.

"

pixel12 wrote:

Cool stuff dude.
I'am gonna pick up the Ele Overload for leveling, till getting all the crit nodes it's gonna be huge dmg boost.

Glad you like it. Unfortunately, Elemental Overload does not work for totems I afraid. The crits needs to come from you and not an external source (traps, totems).

"

reliq wrote:

"

bau9r wrote:

Why do you pick Inquisitor over +2 Totems? 4 Totems sound really good to me.

i think because he is scaling ele dmg a lot (gem/aura) so on crit it eliminates ele resistance.

Yes exactly =)

"

HeardNoEvil wrote:

Hi Lifting,
Once again an excellent build and i want to big note thank you for having all these builds ready before Ascendancy is out! Lots of people will really appreciate being able to follow a build for the new league from minute one!
MickJW

Thanks for taking your time to tell me that mate! :)