[2.4 Video Guide] Inquisitor/Elementalist's Ice Nova SHATTER Crit Build! [HC/SC Viable]

Video Guide: Path of Exile - Ice Nova Crit SHATTER Build Guide! [HC/SC Viable]

Watch this short build guide video. It will show you how the build performs in high tier maps and explain the core mechanics of the build.

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

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This is the official thread for my Inquisitor's Crit Ice Nova, Flame Surge Shatter Build. 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. Anyone who wants a build that is designed for both new players and veterans alike. The build has potential to run the highest level maps, it is fairly tanky and the clear speed is great!

2. Someone who seeks a build that is fairly budget friendly - no unique items are required in order to make it work. There are however a few very strong recommended ones.

3. People who enjoy a good roaring thunderstorm.

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.

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Build mechanic introduction:

For defenses, this build utilizes Mind Over Matter, Zealot's Oath, Eldritch Battery and Blasphemy + Enfeeble. Due to your high crit chance Ice Nova will furthermore reliably freeze monsters in place thus making you much safer.

Reflect Damage

To prevent yourself from dying to reflect make sure to not go higher than 30.000 DPS on your Ice Nova and do NOT use Flame Surge against reflect mobs.

When encountering a reflect monster pop your Taste of Hate/Sapphire Flask and kill it with Ice Nova

Furthermore, I do not recommend running elemental reflect maps, you will most likely kill yourself if you do that.

If you take your precautions reflect won't become an issue.

Inquisitor VS Elementalist, which one should you pick?

Benefits of the Inquisitor:

- Easier to gear. You get more crit chance as the Inquisitor which means you can get away with less expensive gear.
- Faster cast/attack speed. This is obviously great for our spells but also the Whirling Blades attack animation.
- No need for Cold Penetration which allows you to use a different support gem.

Benefits of the Elementalist:

- Beacon of Ruin will help you freeze the entire screen making you safer!
- Safer against reflect due to Paragon of Calamity = higher potential for damage
- You can shock enemies with Shaper of Desolation

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Skill-gems and setups:

Primary Damage setup:

- Ice Nova, Spell Echo, Faster Casting, Controlled Destruction, Inc. Critical Strikes & Life Leech.

Note 1: The Inquisitor does not need Cold Penetration after picking up Inevitable Judgement (your 4th ascendancy point). Until then use Cold Penetration in one of your sockets.

Note 2: If playing as the Elementalist you can substitute Controlled Destruction for Cold Penetration.

Single Target Damage Setup:

- Flame Surge, Spell Echo, Inc. Critical Strikes, Concentrated Effect.

Defensive Setup:

- Cast When Damage Taken (lvl 1), Immortal Call (lvl 1), Increased Duration & Vaal Discipline ( both max level).

Utility:

- Cast When Damage Taken (lvl 12), Stone Golem (lvl 14), Fire Trap & Herald of Ice.

Note: Fire Trap is optional but useful when encountering bosses to increase the damage of Flamge Surge.

Mobility & Defence:

- Whirling Blades, Faster Attacks & Fortify.

Note: this setup requires a dagger to use.

Curses:

- Blasphemy, Enfeeble & Assassin's Mark.

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Skill-trees & Ascendancy classes:

Ascendancy Class: The Inquisitor



Ascendancy Class: The Elementalist



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.
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Leveling Tips:

1. Grap Freezing Pulse from Tarkleigh after defeating Hillock.
2. Get Ice Nova from Nessa after completing the quest A Sirens Cadence.
3. Equip 2 Lifesprig wands (or 2x +1 to cold scepters/wands). Use Ice Nova, Added Lightning and Faster Casting in one of them and in the other use Freezing Pulse, Added Lightning and Faster Casting.
4. Buy a Geofri's Crest at level 53 and add your Ice Nova setup to this.
5. Once you reach level 65+ you should start saving up for a 5-link and add Flame Surge to your Geofri's until you can get something better.

Note: Watch the video for a more detailed explanation on how to level this character.

Bandit Quest Rewards:

- Normal : Help Oak for 40+ life.
- Cruel : Kill them all for 1 extra skill point.
- Merciless: Help Alira for +1 to maximum power charges.

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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

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. Critical Strike Multiplier%
- Inc. Maximum life %
- Inc. Critical Strike Chance%
- Inc. Spell/Elemental Damage%
- Inc. Cast speed%

Flasks:

- 1x Seething Divine Life Flasks of Staunching
- 1x Seething Divine Life Flasks of Grounding
- 1x Surgeon's Basalt Flask of Warding
- 1x Taste of Hate (or Sapphire Flask)
- 1x Surgeon's Silver Flask of Adrenaline

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Recommended unique items:

Chest: Carcass Jack



Weapon: Divinarius



Flask: Taste of Hate



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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 - Ice Nova Crit SHATTER Build Guide! [HC/SC Viable]

Check out my other build guides for 2.4

- 2.4 Warchief Totems Champion/Juggernaut [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 Shockwave Totem Inquisitor [HC/SC][/b]

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

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

#DoYouEvenNerd
Lifting

Reserved!

Have you tried this build vs Atziri yet? If so I would be keen on hearing how well you think it'd do. I'm torn between using this build or a dual flame totem build and the update on Atziri may tip the scales in favour of this build.

Build looks pretty sweet. I might give this a go if I decide not to play firestorm. Just wanted to tell you that your video link is going to the templar arc freeze video not the ice nova one right now.

Hey man, you accidentally linked the wrong video. For anyone that's looking for the video guide until this is fixed, check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq_UH344PtI

How do you feel about going Elementalist Witch instead of the Inquisitor Templar? The trees would be close, but you'd gain access to the -50% reflect damage from the Elementalist tree.

I was thinking of taking: Paragon of Calamity, Shaper of Desolation and Pendulum of Destruction for my 6 Ascendancy Points.

Hey Lifty,

this Build looks amazing i´ll definitely play this!!

- is this Build The Prophecy Challenge League HC proved?

greetings

Looks nice! Will definitely give it a try. Thx for the guide!

"

caldsteven wrote:

How do you feel about going Elementalist Witch instead of the Inquisitor Templar? The trees would be close, but you'd gain access to the -50% reflect damage from the Elementalist tree.

I was thinking of taking: Paragon of Calamity, Shaper of Desolation and Pendulum of Destruction for my 6 Ascendancy Points.

I have added an Elementalist skill-tree, gem setup and an "inquisitor vs Elementalist" section to the guide.

The Elementalist is a great choice for this build - there are pros and cons of both though =)

I agree on the Ascendancy points. I would add Beacon of Ruin as the 8 for some sick whole screen freeze!

"

neggan wrote:

Hey man, you accidentally linked the wrong video. For anyone that's looking for the video guide until this is fixed, check https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq_UH344PtI

Thanks for letting me know mate :)