[3.25] Chaos Golem of the Maelstrom - The Better RF/DO - Easy/Fast T16 and T17 - Budget/League Start

Want to just walk around and pickup loot? Don't like dying? Want to not worry about most map mods including T17's? Don't have mirrors to spend?

Well This is the build for you!


Concept:
I like passive builds where I don't have to do much. My two favorite builds are RF and Death's Oath. This build has similar concepts except uses Chaos Golem of the Maelstrom which actually turns out to be way better especially DO which has been indirectly nerfed over and over.

Tried this build in affliction and it sucked. The golem damage was subpar and the AI was basically the worst of any minion I have ever seen, constantly lagging behind you only to stop and spew its chaos spray from a screen away while you are surrounded by a pack of mobs.

Well since then they seem to have fixed the damage. The AI is still terrible but we have a new tool to fix that, Automation Support. + Affliction specters are back!

It has been a long time since I have created a build guide so this one will be brief.

Highlights:
No keyboard required when mapping!
Occultist Pops!
Chaos Inoculation
Very High Physical Mitigation
5 Endurance Charges
76 Fire, 81 Cold 76 Lightning Max Resists
Fast and Mobile
High DOT Damage
78% Spell and Attack Block
Aegis Aurora Sustain
High Regen
Immune to Elemental Ailments
Most Map mods and Altars don't matter
I've cleared everything but the Uber's with this build as I just haven't been bothered to waste my currency. Shouldn't be a problem. If there is enough interest I'll do them.



Videos:
Spoiler

T16 Jungle Valley Clear: https://youtu.be/FMucyO2-VCM

T17 Clear + boss: https://youtu.be/qxjl4Zq7dBA

Might make more videos depending if I have time.


Budget:
Spoiler
This is an easy league starter or build on a budget. Only highly recommended expensive items is Amanamu's Gaze. Can do without it but should be one of the first upgrades. I've included a "Turbo Budget" version of the build in the POB.

If you are looking to spend a lot of currency on a build there are better builds out there. Initial investment is very good for this build but will hit a ceiling fairly quickly. That ceiling is good to basically do anything in the game though.


POB:
Spoiler
https://pobb.in/OKICftiproLE
This includes the regular version of the build, a very budget version and a maxed out version that is very costly. I'll add leveling info and expand things if this build gets more popular.


IMPORTANT Build Fundamentals:
Spoiler

Chaos Golems Aura scales off damage over time and spell damage, this is hard to get for minions but we get it where we can.

When mapping you can either just hold down phase run or if it is a particularly tough map use signal prey every so often for a large damage boost.

For bosses/tough unique enemies you cast Punishment on them and signal prey to speed things up.

Automation with Convocation is the MVP here. It will keep all your minions including your Chaos Golem on top of you at all times. Most importantly it won't break phase run.

Don't loose your spectres. Buy cheap +1minion wands for you weapon swap. If you unequip something that causes you spectres to die, DONT MOVE. The corpse will drop on the ground. Take your bubonic boots off immediately and resummon your spectre.


Maps Mods/Altars
Spoiler

You can do any map mods though I normally don't bother with Aura reduction if I can help it.

No Regen maps you just don't cast anything and walk around.

Altars are all pretty fine as you are immune to most things and very tanky. I Normally just avoid the big -resistance ones and the reduced something per endurance charge ones. Any ailment or Chaos Damage ones are basically freebies.


Ascendancy:
Spoiler
Profane Bloom
Void Beacon
Unholy Authority
Vile Bastion


Skill Gem Notes:
Spoiler
Main 6 Link - Efficacy is more damage than Awakened Increased Area of Affect but not as smooth.

If you don't have an enlighten then just drop Aspect of the Spider for now.

You can unlink Molten Shell if you prefer to manual cast. I'm just lazy.

Efficacy is linked to phase run to increase the duration

Withering Step vs Phase Run - Phase Run is better for mapping though you can try either, Withering Step a bit better for Bossing. I prefer to just use phase run.


Gear Breakdown:
Spoiler

Chest:

Perfect for this build though not mandatory. Pretty much any Chest Piece will do but this is probably BIS and not really expensive. Choose whichever keystone you like/whatever is cheap.

Main Hand:

+2 is nice here as it lets us run the 4th Spectre not to mention a great boost all around, only other stat to go for is minion damage.

Off Hand:

Possibly the best shield in the game if you have high Armour and ES.

Gloves:

Just need to cover missing attributes and fire resistance you might need. If you have an Enlighten then save an empty suffix for Level 30 Aspect of the Spider. Go for high Armour + ES.

Boots:

An abyss jewel, movement speed and a big amount of reservation efficiency. Not to mention you can get these with a good corrupt super cheap.

Helm:

+2 to all minions and resistances if you need them. Go for high Armour + ES. Easy to craft the reservation efficiency and despair curse effect.

Belt

Darkness Enthroned of course. Around 90% is cheap, 100% is way more expensive than it is worth but sure if you've got the funds.

Amulet:

No one is using chaos golem as a main skill so these are cheap. Anoint of Charisma is pricey but the best you can get.

Ring 1:

We run skitterbots and profane proxy is really good here with free curse application.

Ring 2:

Lets us reserve a 5 link stone golem. Predator support gives us a 0 mana, instant cast minion ability to trigger "minion ability used recently" buffs. Feeding frenzy for the damage buff. Empower is nice for the increased ES regen but you can swap this with meatshield if on a budget.


Passive Skill Tree:
Spoiler
In POB


Flasks:
Spoiler



Bottle Faith is Expensive. Replace with regular Sulphur flask and crafted 3% regen mod.


Jewels:
Spoiler
Uniques:
Amanamu's Gaze - Big damage multiplier and activates our Bubonic Trail boots

Impossible Escape - Minion Instability - four perfect nodes, saves several passive points.

Primordial Harmony - Damage and survivability for our Golems.


Watchers Eye Priorities:
(5-8)% additional Physical Damage Reduction while affected by Determination
+1% to all maximum Elemental Resistances while affected by Purity of Elements
+(600-100) to Armour while affected by Determination


(20-30)% increased Energy Shield Recovery Rate while affected by Discipline
(1.5-2.5)% of Maximum Energy Shield Regenerated per Second while affected by Discipline

Consecrated Ground you create while affected by Zealotry causes enemies to take (8-10)% increased Damage

Regenerate (1-1.5)% of life per second while affected by Vitality


Abyss Jewel Priorities:
+Maximum Energy Shield
Missing Resists or Attributes
+ to Armour
Intelligence
% Increased Minion Damage if you've used a minion skill recently
Minions have % Increased Movement Speed


Cluster Jewels
we use two Minion Damage Large Cluster Jewels.
Amount of passives here is less important as we will be taking some extra's anyway.

Affixes to look for:
+35% Increase Effect
+Maximum Energy Shield
Missing Resists or Attributes
+ to Armour
Intelligence



Bandits:
Spoiler
Flexible here. Alira if you need the resists. Kraityn for more MS. Kill All if you need the extra passive point.



Pantheon:
Spoiler
Major: Flexible here again Lunaris or Arakali
Minor: Change as required, generally I use Ralakesh to cover times my flask isn't active


Corruptions:
Spoiler

Boots: +1 Maximum Endurance Charges
Shield: +1% Maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage, +1 Level of Socketed Gems, % Increased Maximum Energy Shield


Animated Guardian:
Spoiler
Weapon: Dying Breath - Increased Damage and Curse Effectiveness
Helm: leer Cast Festival Mask - 50% increased Damage
Chest:

This is a luxury but no more critical strikes against you or your minions and no slows is insane
Budget Chest: Belly of the Beast.

Gloves: Vixen's Entrapment with Enfeeble Corrupt
Boots: Windscream


Spectres:
Spoiler

Perfect Warlord - Endurance Charges, Enduring Cry, Vitality Aura

Perfect Pain Artist - Zealotry

Perfect Judgemental Spirit - Discipline Aura

Perfect Forest Warrior - Onslaught, Culling Strike. Drop if you don't have lvl 25 Spectre


Leveling Guide:
Spoiler

Will do a leveling guide if it is asked for enough but in 3.25 you should just level with the Spectral Wolves/Envy method.



Last edited by Paleclaw#4902 on Sep 18, 2024, 7:53:57 PM
Last bumped on Dec 3, 2024, 4:41:58 AM
I've never done a real minion build before and thinking about using this as my first. What is the reason for the multiple raise spectres showing on the helmet in POB? Also if a spectre dies in a map, is it just gone? Does it respawn or do you resummon it from the corpse it drops(if it drops a corpse???)?
"
Macabe95 wrote:
I've never done a real minion build before and thinking about using this as my first. What is the reason for the multiple raise spectres showing on the helmet in POB? Also if a spectre dies in a map, is it just gone? Does it respawn or do you resummon it from the corpse it drops(if it drops a corpse???)?


This is purely because POB doesn't let you select different specters for the same Gem (or at least I don't know how). So really it is only one gem with four different spectres.

If the spectres die, they are gone. Corpse only drops if you do something that accidently drops them like unequipping gear. I haven't had a spectre die yet, in all kinds of crazy T17 maps and bosses. I they did happen to die for some crazy reason then you would have to buy them again.

Last edited by Paleclaw#4902 on Aug 18, 2024, 6:59:11 PM
why my Perfect Warlord unable to sustain more than 3 endurance charges tho? even tho i have max 4 charges hmm

Edit:
"
For bosses/tough unique enemies you cast Punishment on them and signal prey to speed things up.


Signal Prey causes “minions supported by Predator Support” to focus attacking the target and gain more damage with hits and ailments against it. So it won’t be boosting chaos golem damage right ?
Last edited by williampwq#7116 on Aug 19, 2024, 2:58:54 PM
Hi,

Personally would be super interested in an Uber capable variant. I'm disabled and this sounds super awesome, bit hesitant to start without seeing Ubers possible. This seems super duper straight up my alley. Never had a league where I've made a second character but this really looks appealing to me. What are we thinking an Uber viable variant to this looks like?

Currency isn't too much of an issue for me as long as it's within like a 120~ div budget? Would be willing to go further if we really think it's possible
Does this build run 1 golem?
Would multiple chaos net you more damage or na?
"
Knox506 wrote:
Does this build run 1 golem?
Would multiple chaos net you more damage or na?


Empowered Chaos Sandstorm: Chaos damage over time aura with a duration of 8 seconds and an 8-second cooldown. It is affected by modifiers to the golem's spell damage. If multiple chaos golems are summoned only the aura that deals the most damage will affect the enemy. Damage from multiple auras does not stack, but each can apply stacks of withered.

Edit:
Chaos golem of maelstrom is our main dps, and stone golem for tons of flat life/es regen. Although more than multiple chaos golem of maelstrom dmg don’t stack, but I still go for forbidden flame&flesh with Elemancer for second chaos golem to help clearing tho
Last edited by williampwq#7116 on Aug 20, 2024, 1:25:22 AM
Spoiler
What should I upgrade if I need to do Uber bosses?
Last edited by wi77iam26#3421 on Aug 20, 2024, 8:24:59 AM
"
williampwq wrote:
why my Perfect Warlord unable to sustain more than 3 endurance charges tho? even tho i have max 4 charges hmm

Edit:
"
For bosses/tough unique enemies you cast Punishment on them and signal prey to speed things up.


Signal Prey causes “minions supported by Predator Support” to focus attacking the target and gain more damage with hits and ailments against it. So it won’t be boosting chaos golem damage right ?


Weird just sitting in my hideout he'll get me too 5 in a couple of warcries and then it's sustained. Got anything that would decrease duration?

For Signal Prey, it boosts the Chaos Golem indirectly as we have a lot of "increased minion damage if you have used a minion skill recently". Don't have another source of this otherwise really.

"
Weird just sitting in my hideout he'll get me too 5 in a couple of warcries and then it's sustained. Got anything that would decrease duration?


actually i found the reason lol, because now i only have 3 spectres so i dropped perfect forest warrior, without Onslaught, perfect warlord doesn't have enough cast speed during second enduring cry.
But the endurance charge duration definitely bugged from the endurance charges gained by warlord, cuz 10s * 20% should be 12s instead of 10...

"
For Signal Prey, it boosts the Chaos Golem indirectly as we have a lot of "increased minion damage if you have used a minion skill recently". Don't have another source of this otherwise really.


Convocation also has "minion" tag tho which always spam casting by automation

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