Are you looking for a build that can handle all of the Uber bosses in POE 3.21? Look no further than the Hierophant Lightning Tendril Totems build. This build takes advantage of the new crucible mod that allows lightning tendrils to release one fewer pulse between stronger pulses when cast by a totem. When combined with a spark totem, this build can drop a stronger pulse on every pulse, making every pulse guaranteed to be crit. This means that the build can scale crit multi to infinity and doesn't need any crit chance. Let's dive into the details of the build.

 

• Introduction & Playstyle
• Offensive Mechanics
• Defensive Mechanics
• Gear & Gems
• Passive Tree

 

 

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↖ Introduction & Playstyle

Hierophant is a versatile class in Path of Exile that can specialize in different mechanics, such as totems, brands, or self-casting. In this guide, we will focus on a Hierophant build that uses Lightning Tendril Totems to deal high damage to both mobs and bosses. This build is especially effective in POE Crucible league, where you can get mods that enhance the Lightning Tendril Totems' mechanics.

 

The playstyle for this build is relatively simple. Summon your totems, and let them do the work for you. The totems will be doing massive amounts of damage, and the enemies will be frozen most of the time, thanks to the Call of the Brotherhood gem that converts half of the lightning tendrils damage into the cold. You'll also be able to tank some hits, thanks to molten shells and steelskin.

 

↖ Offensive Mechanics

The core of this build is the Lightning Tendril, which can zap enemies with lightning tendrils that chain to nearby foes. By adding specific mods to these totems, we can increase their damage and crit chance, making them lethal weapons against tough enemies. Here are some of the key offensive mechanics of this build:

• Lightning Tendril- These are the main source of damage. By casting these totems, you can summon tendrils that hit enemies with lightning damage and chain to nearby foes. The totems also release stronger pulses every three pulses, which guarantee a critical hit. To maximize the damage output of these totems, we recommend scaling crit multi to infinity rather than crit chance.
• Spark Totems - These totems add another layer of damage. By casting Spark Totems, you can create poe orbs that shoot lightning bolts at nearby enemies. These totems also have the same mod as the Lightning Tendril, meaning they release stronger pulses every three pulses.
• Critical Strike Multiplier - As mentioned earlier, this build focuses on scaling crit multi to infinity rather than crit chance. This is because the Lightning Tendril already guarantee a critical hit every three pulses. To boost your crit multi, we recommend using nodes such as Melding and Inevitable Judgment, which give a lot of crit multi in exchange for reduced crit chance.
• Auras - Auras are essential to this build, as they provide a significant boost to damage output. We recommend using a combination of Wrath, Haste, and Zealotry for maximum damage. You can also use a shield with increased reservation efficiency and socketed gems to squeeze in more auras.
• Call of the Brotherhood - This unique ring converts half of the Lightning Tendril' damage into cold damage, which is great for freezing enemies and adding a defensive layer to the build.

 

↖ Defensive Mechanics

This build is an exciting and high-damage that can take down the toughest bosses. However, it can be quite squishy, and players need to prioritize defensive mechanics to survive. Here are some defensive mechanics you can use to make the build more survivable:

• Life Pool: A decent life pool is a must-have, and the Hierophant Lightning Tendril Totem build is no exception. Aim for a minimum of 6,000-7,000 life, but ideally, you should aim for 8,000-9,000 life. You can get life from your passive tree, gear, and jewels. Use Kaom's Heart if you can afford it, as it can give you a massive boost in life.
• Elemental Resistances: Make sure your elemental resistances are capped at 75%. You can get elemental resistance from your gear, passive tree, and flasks. Use a Divine Life Flask with the "Staunching" suffix to remove bleeding and the "Heat" suffix to remove freeze and chill effects.
• Armour: The build can benefit from having some armour, as it reduces physical damage taken. You can get armour from your gear, passive tree, and Molten Shell skill. Molten Shell is a great defensive skill that creates a protective shield around you that absorbs damage. It also deals damage to nearby enemies when it expires.
• Evasion: Evasion is another defensive mechanic that can help you dodge incoming attacks. You can get evasion from your gear, passive tree, and the Phase Acrobatics skill. Phase Acrobatics gives you a chance to dodge spells and attacks, making it a great defensive skill to have.
• Mind Over Matter: Mind Over Matter is a passive keystone skill that allows you to sacrifice mana to absorb damage. This can be a great defensive mechanic for the build, as you can use your mana pool as a second life pool. You can get Mind Over Matter from the passive tree.
• Endurance Charges: Endurance Charges are a type of charge that gives you physical damage reduction. You can get Endurance Charges from gear, passive tree, and the Enduring Cry skill. Enduring Cry is a great skill that generates Endurance Charges and also gives you life regeneration.
• Curses: Curses are a great way to debuff enemies, making them deal less damage or take more damage. You can use the Punishment curse to make enemies take more physical damage or the Enfeeble curse to reduce their damage dealt. You can get curses from your gear, passive tree, and the Curse on Hit Support gem.
• Immunities: Immunities are a great way to avoid certain types of damage. You can use the Lightning Coil chest armour to convert incoming physical damage into lightning damage. You can also use the Call of the Brotherhood ring to convert half of your lightning damage to cold damage, giving you a chance to freeze enemies.

 

↖ Gear & Gems

The gear for this build is simple and mostly consists of rares with a ton of resistance and stats. However, you'll need a lot of dexterity and strength on gear to be able to fit all of the auras you'll be using. You'll want to use a shield with increased reservation efficiency on socketed gems, plus all lightning spells and plus one totem, and a helmet with increased duration, inspiration, and divine blessing so that you can run zealotry for some extra damage. Here are the gem links you'll want to use:

• Lightning Tendrils - Spell Totem - Faster Casting - Added Lightning Damage - Controlled Destruction - Empower
• Flame Dash - Faster Casting - Arcane Surge
• Summon Skitterbots - Conductivity - Punishment
• Wrath - Determination - Haste - Zealotry
• Molten Shell - Increased Duration - Steelskin
• Lightning Golem - Increased Duration - Blood Magic

 

↖ Passive Tree

The passive tree focuses on crit multi to infinity, so you won't need any crit chance. You can use nodes that give a bunch of crit multi in exchange for minus spell crit chance, such as the one that gives a 70% increased critical strike multiplier for spells but -60% to critical strike chance. You'll also want to use the inquisitor node to ignore monster elemental resistances through forbidden jewels.

 

Conclusion

If you're looking for a build that can handle uber bosses and delirious maps, the Hierophant Lightning Tendril Totem build is a great option. With the lightning tendrils crucible mod, you can drop a stronger pulse on every pulse, meaning every pulse is guaranteed to be crit. The gear for this build is simple and mostly consists of rares with a ton of resistances and stats, and the passive tree focuses on crit multi to infinity. So summon your totems, and let them do the work for you!