Embarking on a new adventure in the world of Eterra can be daunting, but fear not! We've compiled the best starter builds for each class in Last Epoch 1.0 that will not only carry you through the early game but also scale beautifully into the endgame content. Let's jump right into the fray with these tried and tested builds that have stood the test of time (and patches)!

 

• 1. Hydrahedron RuneMaster 
• 2. Lightning Swarmblade
• 3. Flame Wraith Necromancer
• 4. Echo Warpath Voidknight
• 5. Umbral Bladedancer

 

 

↖ 1. Hydrahedron RuneMaster 

• Class: Mage  
• Mastery: Rune Master  
• Main Skill: Runic Invocation  
• Build Focus: Lightning and Fire Damage

 

Score

Mobbing	10
Bossing	9
Survivability	10
Gear Requirements	10
Speed	10

 

The Rune Master mastery offers a complex character with a rich skill set, but the Hydren Run Master build simplifies it to a powerful core. Runic Invocation is your primary damage dealer, with its effects determined by the preceding spells cast. This build focuses on a lightning-fire-fire spell sequence to unleash the potent Hydren, an auto-targeting flame turret that decimates foes.

 

Key Synergies:

• Flame Rush: A movement skill that transforms you into a fiery comet and triggers Runic Invocation, casting Hydren upon impact.
• Frost Wall (Fire Conversion): Grants Flame Ward when passed through, increasing survivability and fire damage.
• Rune Bolts: Generates mana and stacks Runeweave for elemental damage and crit chance boosts.

 

↖ 2. Lightning Swarmblade

• Class: Primalist  
• Mastery: Druid  
• Main Skill: Swarmblade Form  
• Build Focus: Lightning Spell Damage

 

Score

Mobbing	8
Bossing	8
Survivability	8
Gear Requirements	10
Speed	8

 

The Swarmblade Lightning Bug build is a masterpiece of complexity and synergy. Transforming into a bug-like form, you'll utilize modified abilities that trigger your standard skills. The build excels in summoning tornadoes as your primary damage source, which casts lightning on nearby enemies.

 

Key Synergies:

• Serpent Strike: Triggered by basic attacks in bug form.
• Maelstrom: Casts lightning when dashing around, contributing to your lightning storm arsenal.
• Tornado: Your main damage dealer, enhanced to cast lightning more frequently.

 

↖ 3. Flame Wraith Necromancer

• Class: Acolyte  
• Mastery: Necromancer  
• Main Skill: Summon Wraith  
• Build Focus: Minion Damage and Sustain

 

Score

Mobbing	10
Bossing	10
Survivability	9
Gear Requirements	6
Speed	8

 

Summon Flame Wraith Necromancer build is all about summoning and sustaining powerful minions. The wraiths are temporary but potent allies that leech health from their critical hits to stay in the fray longer.

 

Key Synergies:

• Drain Life & Dread Shade: Buffs wraiths while draining their life, balancing damage output with minion sustain.
• Summon Volatile Zombie: Triggers upon minion death, causing explosive damage to enemies.
• Ages of the Fall (Passive): Enhances minion armor shred capabilities.

 

↖ 4. Echo Warpath Voidknight

• Class: Sentinel  
• Mastery: Void Knight  
• Main Skill: War Path  
• Build Focus: Void Damage and Time Rot Effects

 

Score

Mobbing	10
Bossing	8
Survivability	10
Gear Requirements	7
Speed	9

 

The Echoing War Path Void Knight build is a unique take on the classic whirling warrior archetype. War Path is modified to deal void damage and apply time rot, with clones created to assist in battle.

 

Key Synergies:

• Anomaly & Volatile Reversal: Manipulates time to buff void damage and restore resources.
• Sigils of Hope (Paladin Tree): Boosts void damage significantly.
• Food for the Worms (Passive): Increases void damage based on time rot stacks on targets.

 

↖ 5. Umbral Bladedancer

• Class: Rogue  
• Mastery: Blade Dancer  
• Main Skill: Umbral Blades  
• Build Focus: Physical Damage and Shadow Daggers

 

Score

Mobbing	10
Bossing	10
Survivability	8
Gear Requirements	8
Speed	10

 

The Umbra Blades Blade Dancer build is a high-octane playstyle that revolves around critical strikes and shadow manipulation. Umbral Blades are your bread and butter, inflicting devastating stacks of Shadow Daggers on enemies.

 

Key Synergies:

• Synchronized Strike: Creates shadows that leave behind Umbral Blades upon expiring.
• Smoke Bomb & Shift: Reduces enemy armor and creates additional shadows for more Umbral Blades.
• Shurikens (Chakrams): Enhances bleeding and crit chance while shredding enemy defenses.

 

Conclusion:

There you have it, the top best starter builds for each class in Last Epoch 1.0, each with its unique flavour and complexities. Whether you're drawn to the elemental mastery of the Rune Master or the shadowy dance of the Blade Dancer, these builds are designed to be both fun and effective.