Welcome to the Path of Exile 3.21 Build Guide for Bleed Spectral Shield Throw! This build has received some significant buffs in the latest patch, making it even stronger than before. With a 10% increase in maximum physical attack damage and the new passive tree changes for shields, this build is primed for excellent mapping, bossing, Delve farming, and Temple farming. 

• PlayStyle
• POB Link
• Pros & Cons
• Passive Tree
• Gems and Links
• Gear

PlayStyle:

The Gladiator ascendancy is a solid choice for this build due to its synergy with bleed damage and shield mechanics. The passive nodes in the Gladiator tree provide additional bleed damage, increased attack speed, and improved defenses. The Blood in the Eyes node grants a chance to inflict bleeding on enemies that block or evade your attacks, making it a powerful offensive option.

POB Link: https://pobb.in/d-wS1Uz2GIDN

Pros & Cons

• + 10 more maximum physical attack damage Mastery
• + Potential buff to shields with percent quality
• + Notables from the passive tree on the shields
• + Can get flat armor and evasion on the shield
• + Excellent expedition Poe currency farmer, valve temple farmer, and mapper
• + Gem setups are still fine
• + Potentially a strong contender for a league starter
• - No real nerf to the build, so it may be too powerful
• - Gladiator ascendancy is one of the weakest in the game
• - Endless highs have been removed

Passive Tree:

With the changes in the latest patch, it's recommended to prioritize picking up nodes that increase maximum physical attack damage, as this will directly boost your bleed damage. Additionally, the new passive tree for shields allows you to get percent quality, which affects the armor or evasion on your shield. Look for nodes that provide increased attack speed, bleed damage, and defenses to optimize your build.

Gems and Links:

• Spectral Shield Throw: This is your main skill, and it should be linked with the following support gems for maximum damage: Brutality, Vicious Projectiles, Unleash, Vile Toxins, and Maim. This setup will greatly increase your bleed damage and overall DPS.
• Ancestral Warchief or Ancestral Protector: These totems can be used to supplement your damage output. Link them with Melee Physical Damage, Bloodlust, and Brutality for maximum effectiveness.
• Dash: This skill provides mobility and can help you dodge dangerous attacks. Link it with Second Wind and Faster Attacks for increased speed.
• Blood and Sand: This skill allows you to switch between Blood and Sand stances, providing different bonuses. Link it with Flesh and Stone and Maim for increased damage and defenses.
• Pride: This aura increases your physical damage and is highly recommended for this build. Link it with Enlighten and Generosity to further enhance its effectiveness.
• Enduring Cry: This skill provides endurance charges, which grant additional defenses. Link it with Second Wind for reduced cooldown.

Gear:

• Weapon: Look for a high physical damage shield with added physical damage to attacks, increased physical damage, and critical strike chance for attacks. Consider getting a shield with high armor or evasion rating, as the new passive tree allows you to get percent quality, which will affect the defenses on your shield.
• Body Armor: Aim for a body armor with high life and resistance rolls. You can also consider using a Kaom's Heart for the extra life, but keep in mind it won't have any sockets for your main skill.
• Helmet: Look for a helmet with life, resistance, and any additional modifiers that boost your damage, such as increased physical damage or attack speed.
• Gloves: Prioritize gloves with life, resistance, and attack speed or damage bonuses.
• Boots: Look for boots with high life, resistance, and movement speed. Consider using a pair of boots with the "Elusive" modifier for additional dodge chance and movement speed.
• Belt: Aim for a belt with high life, resistance, and any additional damage or defensive modifiers.
• Amulet: Look for an amulet with high life, resistance, and critical strike chance or multiplier. You can also consider using an amulet with the "Impale" modifier for additional damage.
• Rings: Prioritize rings with high life, resistance, and any additional modifiers that boost your damage or defenses.
• Jewels: Look for jewels with increased physical damage, life, attack speed, and critical strike chance or multiplier.