Hello everyone, Today Davion brings you a rundown of 8 top melee builds for PoE 3.23, focusing on the melee madness for those who enjoy close combat and personal combat.  These builds offer diverse playstyles, from the raw power of the Boneshatter Slayer to the magical whirlwind of the CoC Ice Nova Cyclone Inquisitor. 

 

• Top 1. [Poe 3.23] Boneshatter Slayer
• Top 2. [Poe 3.23] Shockwave Cyclone Slayer
• Top 3. [Poe 3.23] Lightning Strike Juggernaut
• Top 4. [Poe 3.23] Impale Flicker Strike Champion
• Top 5. [Poe 3.23] Armour Stacking Smite Champion
• Top 6. [Poe 3.23] CoC Forbidden Rite Cyclone Occultist
• Top 7. [Poe 3.23] Ground Slam Berserker
• Top 8. [Poe 3.23] CoC Ice Nova Cyclone Inquisitor

 

 

↖ Top 1. [Poe 3.23] Boneshatter Slayer League Starter Build

 

Rating:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
10	10	9	10	10	9

 

 

Ascendancy: Brutal Fervour, Endless Hunger, Bane of Legends, Headsman

Defensive Strengths: Incredible life leech, stun immunity, reduced damage intake, Endurance charge generation

Gem Setup:

• Weapon: Vaal Ancestral Warchief, Phantasmal Ancestral Protector, Support Gems
• Armour: Boneshatter, Support Gems for damage and speed
• Other Gear: Various defensive and offensive link setups

Key Strategy: Emphasize on Endurance charges and Fortify Mastery for reduced damage. Utilize Mana Mastery for skill efficiency.

Bandit: Alira for resistances, crit multiplier, and mana regen.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Start with Ground Slam, add Ancestral Protector, progress to main skills

Upgrades: Progress through weapons like Stormheart to Kaom's Primacy. Use Carnage Heart amulet and Praxis rings.

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/bUd2CSbOBSt5.

 

↖ Top 2. [Poe 3.23] Shockwave Cyclone Slayer League Starter Build

 

Ratings:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
10	10	10	9	10	9

 

 

Ascendancy: Same as Boneshatter Slayer

Defensive Mechanics: Similar to Boneshatter Slayer, with Endurance charge focus

Gem Setup: Includes Cyclone, Shockwave Support, and critical damage enhancements

Key Strategy: Use Call to Arms for instant Enduring Cry. Employ Watcher's Eye for boosted stats. Prioritize life nodes.

Bandit: Alira for her all-around benefits.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Begin with Ground Slam, switch to Cyclone at level 28

Upgrades: Similar weapon progression with a focus on Cyclone efficiency

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/cdmQVT-U72Xe.

 

↖ Top 3. [Poe 3.23] Lightning Strike Juggernaut League Starter Build

 

Ratings:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
10	9	9	10	10	10

 

 

Ascendancy: Unflinching, Undeniable, Unrelenting, Unbreakable

Defensive Prowess: High Endurance charge benefits, double armor from Unbreakable, elemental resistance boosts

Gem Setup: Focus on Lightning Strike and supporting gems for elemental damage

Key Strategy: Utilize Accuracy Mastery for damage, focus on life nodes. Use Enduring Cry for Endurance charges.

Bandit: Alira for elemental and critical benefits.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Start with Ground Slam, switch to Lightning Strike at level 12

Upgrades: Progress through weapons like Stormheart to Daresso's Passion

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/50m6u7WAafEH.

 

↖ Top 4. [Poe 3.23] Impale Flicker Strike Champion League Starter Build

 

Ratings:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
9	10	10	10	9	9

 

 

Ascendancy: Unstoppable Hero, Fortitude, First to Strike Last to Fall, Master of Metal

Defensive Strengths: Stun immunity, automatic health recovery, Fortification benefits

Gem Setup: Flicker Strike focused, with support for damage, speed, and Impale

Key Strategy: Use Call to Arms for instant Enduring Cry, prioritize Frenzy charge generation and Armour mastery

Bandit Choice: Alira for her versatile advantages.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Start with Ground Slam, switch to Flicker Strike post level 51

Upgrades: Weapon progression to Terminus Est, then endgame choice. Use Carnage Heart and Praxis rings

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/6KVEtYsFqgae.

 

↖ Top 5. [Poe 3.23] Armour Stacking Smite Champion League Starter Build

 

Rating:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
9	10	8	10	10	8

 

 

Ascendancy: Optimal order - First to Strike Last to Fall, Unstoppable Hero, Fortitude, Inspirational

Key Strategy: Focus on Armour Nodes, avoid lightning resistance increases. Use Thread of Hope for key passive allocations. Watcher's Eye and Iron Reflexes are pivotal.

Defensive Layers: Enjoy a massive armour boost, elemental ailment removal, constant Fortification, and stun immunity.

Gems:

• Weapon: Flame Dash, Vaal Ancestral Warchief, Divergent Precision
• Armour: Smite with Awakened supports for lightning and attack enhancements

Reservation Skills: Determination, Grace, and Defiance Banner for armour; Precision and Herald of Thunder for offense.

Bandits: Killing all for extra points is beneficial.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Start with Smite and Ancestral Call. Progress to main build as you level.

Upgrades: Evolve from Stormheart to Replica Dreamfeather. Utilize Praxis rings for mana efficiency.

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/5-Y-A09PbIHK.

 

↖ Top 6. [Poe 3.23] CoC Forbidden Rite Cyclone Occultist League Starter Build

 

Rating:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
9	10	10	9	8	8

 

 

Ascendancy: Best order - Vile Bastion, Void Beacon, Forbidden Power, Profane Bloom

Key Strategy: Focus on energy shield nodes, utilize Chaos Inoculation for chaos immunity. Emphasize on mana reservation efficiency.

Defensive Layers: Stun immunity and high energy shield regeneration. Immunity to chaos damage and self-damage from Forbidden Rite.

Gems:

• Weapon: Steelskin, Empower Support, and duration enhancements
• Armour: Cyclone and Forbidden Rite combo with critical support gems

Reservation Skills: Grace and Discipline for defense, Precision for offense, and Dread Banner for Impale benefits.

Bandits: Alira for resistance and mana regen.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of the Brine King; Minor - Soul of Abberath

Leveling: Begin with Freezing Pulse, transition to Forbidden Rite after acquiring Chaos Inoculation.

Upgrades: Use Carnage Heart amulet, upgrade to Praxis rings for mana management.

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/gKRxXZs921HC.

 

↖ Top 7. [Poe 3.23] Ground Slam Berserker League Starter Build

 

Rating:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
9	9	8	9	8	9

 

 

Ascendancy: Preferred order - Crave the Slaughter, Flawless Savagery, Rite of Ruin, Blitz

Key Strategy: Utilize Rapid Expansion for Ground Slam radius. Focus on Fortification Mastery and life nodes for survival.

Defensive Layers: Fast attacks with area effect stun enemies, high life regeneration, and Fortification for damage reduction.

Gems:

• Weapon: Vaal Ancestral Warchief, Phantasmal Ancestral Protector, and damage supports
• Armour: Anomalous Ground Slam with damage and attack speed supports

Reservation Skills: Grace, Herald of Purity, and Herald of Ash for offense and defense, Dread Banner for Impale.

Bandits: Alira for all-around boosts.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Start with Ground Slam, enhance with Ancestral Protector, and build up as you level.

Upgrades: Progress weapons from Stormheart to Kaom's Primacy. Opt for Carnage Heart and Praxis rings for efficiency.

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/UOdr6g61G5P7.

 

↖ Top 8. [Poe 3.23] CoC Ice Nova Cyclone Inquisitor League Starter Build

 

Rating:

Mapping	Delve	Heist	Damage	Safety	Bosses
9	9	10	9	7	8

 

 

Ascendancy: Optimal path - Righteous Providence, Inevitable Judgement, Augury of Penitence, Instruments of Virtue

Key Strategy: Balance mana reservation, use Call to Arms for Enduring Cry. Focus on critical strike chance nodes.

Defensive Layers: Stun immunity, damage reduction, and Endurance charge generation. Utilize a shield for extra defense.

Gems:

• Weapon: Phantasmal Frostbolt, Arcane Surge, and Power Charge supports
• Armour: Cyclone and Ice Nova combo with critical enhancements

Reservation Skills: Grace and Discipline for protection, Precision for critical strikes, Clarity for mana.

Bandits: Alira for her traditional bonuses.

Pantheon: Major - Soul of Solaris; Minor - Soul of Ryslatha

Leveling: Begin with Frostbolt, add Ice Nova at 12, and evolve to main skills.

Upgrades: Use Ashcallers for early spell damage, switch to Praxis rings for mana management.

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/Il8NXRxMmrEC.

 

Each of these builds offers a unique flavor of melee combat in Path of Exile, catering to different playstyles and preferences. Whether you're the tanky type, the speedster, the elemental aficionado, or the critical strike enthusiast, there's a melee build here that will resonate with your gaming spirit. Happy slashing!