[3.0] Dark Pact self-cast Ascendant (Beginner, SSF and low-budget friendly)

I have no clue what happened to my character but it is unplayable now. I'm level 87, have good gear (you can see it except I don't have my usual voidbringers equipped right now) and the same skill tree basically as the OP.

BUT, I have all of the sudden gotten horrible mana issues. I run out of mana constantly now before I can even clear a single pack (and no the maps I'm running have no mods relating to mana, leech, or curses).

I don't know how this happened, but I'm not going to run 3 mana flasks to play this character.

I feel as if my build isn't doing as well as the guide's is. I have trouble doing merciless lab atm. Is there something I'm missing?
https://www.pathofexile.com/account/view-profile/jodaslayer/characters

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jodaslayer wrote:

I feel as if my build isn't doing as well as the guide's is. I have trouble doing merciless lab atm. Is there something I'm missing?
https://www.pathofexile.com/account/view-profile/jodaslayer/characters

Yeah there are some problems here.

Firstly, your Kaom's boots has a bad life roll - aim for 195+.

All you are getting out of your belt is two res rolls and they arent even both T1. Look for belts with far more life on them.

Your Havoc Circle ring is pretty unimpressive as well. More Life, more res, maybe added lighting damage too

Your helmet has low life

Your rare wand would be good if it had 90% increase spelled damge instead of 57. It's mediocre at the moment.

Consider getting flasks that are 100% instant, and picking up an Atziris.

Finally, go buy level 20 20% quality gems for dark pact and everything connected to it... it will helpa lot.

https://www.pathofexile.com/account/view-profile/reking/characters/
Currently having a hard time going to tier ~13 and above maps. Need to get really lucky with the map or the boss might just one shot me.

Any idea what to upgrade next? I feel like having to use the ring for +curse really limits my survival. At some point isn't a good ring better than however many passives I need to get +curses?

The only real issues I see with your items is your ring, belt and amulet. Your belt can be rolled much better, I would also want that amulet to have a crit chance roll.

Your soul glimmer jewel offers elemental damage with health and res, but I'm pretty sure the ele dmg does not apply to chaos since it's not considered one of the elements.

I also think that maybe your gloves could be closer to a more perfect roll, I'm by no means an expert on this build but those are the things I would personally consider changing.

Also a little side note, if you need more damage I was personally wondering if throat seeker would be worth grabbing, I feel like it's a pretty good set of nodes for this build based on the stats I've been seeing on PoB...

Best of luck. :)

SO, I had this drop recently.

WOuld appep's + a rare wand be strictly better?


Edit: Pob Link https://pastebin.com/HnXbqGzz

I've just tried it, even with better gear than the guide, the single target and overall survivability is pure and utter shit. would not recommend.

In your guide, you say to link Contagion with Essence Drain. Contagion is not a support skill so why would I link it with Essence Drain?

This is probably the most well written guide I've come across for new players. Thanks.

Vaal Pact seems to have... moved. A lot.