The Poison Spark Pathfinder is a versatile and powerful build in Path of Exile that excels in both clearing maps Farming PoE Currency and taking on tough bosses. With the addition of skill tattoos in Path of Exile 3.22, this build has become even more flexible and potent. In this guide, we'll delve into the key mechanics, skill gems, passive skill tree, and gear choices to help you unleash the full potential of the Poison Spark Pathfinder.

 

• Key Mechanics
• Pob Link
• Passive Skill Tree
• Skill Gems
• Gear
• Mapping
• Bossing
• Precasting
• Personal Experience
• Packed Locations
• Warning
• Conclusion

 

↖ Key Mechanics

Before we dive into the details, let's go over some key mechanics that are essential to this build's success.

• Flask Uptime: Maintaining 100% uptime on your utility flasks is crucial. Previously, this was achieved through nodes and belt mods, but now you can use skill tattoos to extend flask effect duration. Stack multiple Tattoo of Tafoa Herbalist to achieve this, allowing you to drop certain nodes or mods on your gear.
• Elemental Conversion: You'll need to convert all of Spark's damage from lightning to chaos. This is done using Phantasmal Spark and Ashes of the Stars. Ensure that all your damage is converted to maximize poison damage.
• Poison Stacking: You must have a 100% chance to poison, which is achieved through Divergent Herald of Agony. Stack as many poisons as possible to maximize your damage output.
• Spark Mechanics: Spark is a projectile duration skill. Projectiles from Spark can bounce off terrain and objects, and their duration determines how many times they can hit. Consider adding pierce to your setup to maximize the number of hits on enemies.
• Spell Suppression: Achieving spell suppression is vital for this build's survival. Skill tattoos like Tattoo of Rameko Shaman help you reach the required suppression levels.

 

↖ Pob Link

https://pobb.in/n7-fmdvhL54O

 

↖ Passive Skill Tree

The passive skill tree plays a crucial role in optimizing your Poison Spark Pathfinder. 

Here are some key aspects to consider:

• Invest in skill tattoos to maximize your flexibility and efficiency.
• Prioritize dexterity nodes converted to skill tattoos for increased flask duration.
• Allocate pierce nodes and consider projectile damage clusters for improved damage and pierce effects.
• Adapt your skill tree to your gear choices and preferences.

 

↖ Skill Gems

Here are the recommended skill gems for your Poison Spark Pathfinder:

• Spark (Phantasmal Spark): This is your primary skill gem. Ensure it's linked with supports like Deadly Ailments for damage and Awakened Unbound Ailments for increased damage in boss fights or Awakened Swift Affliction for smoother mapping.
• Auras: Malevolence, Grace, Arctic Armor, and Vitality (level 1 for the Watcher's Eye bonus) are essential auras. Make use of Enlighten support gems to reduce their reservation costs.
• Herald of Agony: Use this skill to guarantee 100% poison chance on hit. It works for both spells and attacks.
• Blood and Sand (Anomalous): Grants a significant projectile speed bonus for better quality of life. Link it with Enhance for added effect.
• Flame Dash: Helps with movement and can be linked with Faster Casting for smoother gameplay.
• Withering Step (Cast When Damage Taken): While not mandatory, it can provide a damage boost. Consider adding it to your setup.
• Portal: Useful for quick access to town or hideout. Can be linked with Faster Casting.
• Temporal Chains and Despair: These curses are applied using Asenath's Gentle Touch gloves. You can self-cast one and use the gloves for the other.

 

↖ Gear

• Weapon: Aim for an Oscillating Scepter with +1 to the Level of All Lightning Skill Gems and Lightning Damage to Spells. Consider crafting these mods using essences and masters.
• Body Armor: Cloak of Flame with "+2 to Duration of Socketed Gems" and "+2 to Level of Socketed AoE Gems." The extra resistances from the armor help with cap resistance.
• Helmet: Crafted using a Fractured Hubris Circlet base. Roll it with Essence of Loathing for the "Chance to Avoid Elemental Ailments" mod. Craft life and resistances.
• Gloves: Asenath's Gentle Touch for dual curse setup. Consider Hands of the High Templar as an alternative for bossing.
• Boots: Rare boots with life, resistances, and movement speed. You can also add Onslaught through enchantments.
• Rings: Aim for rings with life, resistances, and increased flask effect duration. Crafting fractured rings is a viable option. Use suffixes can't be changed to lock in desirable mods.
• Amulet: A well-rolled amulet with life, chaos resistance, and damage modifiers is ideal. Look for one that complements your build.
• Belt: A Stygian Vise or Elder Leather Belt with life, flask mods, and resistances is recommended.
• Jewels: Focus on jewels that provide damage over time multiplier, life, and any missing attributes. You can also use utility jewels like Revenge of the Hunted for more spell suppression.
• Flasks: You'll need a Life Flask with increased recovery rate and Curse Immunity, Quicksilver Flask of Adrenaline for faster movement, Taste of Hate for added defense, and a Granite Flask with extra armor. Consider using Coruscating Elixir for extra life recovery during low-life moments.

 

↖ Mapping

If your primary goal is mapping, prioritize poison damage, speed, and efficiency. Your objective here is to clear mobs quickly, so you won't have much time to stack poisons on enemies. Consider using items like "Asenath's Chant" to benefit from the exploding effect. Instead of investing in projectile speed, opt for stats like movement speed to clear Legion encounters faster and pick up loot efficiently.

 

↖ Bossing

When taking on Uber bosses or challenging single-target encounters, you have more time to stack poisons. In this scenario, Poison Over Time DPS (PoB's DPS) becomes more accurate for measuring your damage output. You might want to consider removing certain skills linked to "Cast While Stunned" because getting stunned in these fights can be deadly. To enhance your bossing capabilities, consider unlocking Lethal Shade, possibly by altering your passive tree or using it instead of Elemental Overload. Stats like projectile speed, cast speed, and Pierce can be more valuable in boss fights.

 

↖ Precasting

Always remember to precast your skills before engaging in a fight. This is free damage and can often result in quickly eliminating enemies when they exit their roleplay phase.

 

Customization

One of the strengths of this build is its versatility and customization options. You can invest in projectile speed, maximum life, resistances, or even flask effect duration if you want to use a Headhunter. This build can perform exceptionally well in 100 Delirious mapping with a Headhunter equipped.

 

↖ Personal Experience

The build's performance can vary based on your preferences and how you gear it. Some players opt for a well-rounded approach, allowing them to face tank bosses in the Delve and clear maps rapidly. The addition of Life Gain on Hit, instead of just leech, can significantly boost survivability. Your clear speed can be lightning fast, easily handling Legion encounters, Blight events, and Breaches.

 

↖ Packed Locations

The build excels in densely packed locations like Legion and Breach encounters. Tanky enemies often spawn alongside trash mobs, and when these trash mobs die, they explode, applying poisons to the boss. This synergistic effect results in efficient clearing.

 

↖ Warning

This build doesn't perform well when you try to cut corners or use budget alternatives. It's most effective when you invest in the recommended gear and passives. Cutting corners can significantly impact your defenses, damage output, or overall quality of life while playing.

 

↖ Conclusion

The Poison Spark Pathfinder build is a versatile and potent choice in Path of Exile. With careful consideration of skill gems, passive skills, gear choices, and skill tattoos, you can create a character capable of tackling endgame content with ease. Whether you're clearing maps farming Poe Currency or facing challenging bosses, this build offers flexibility and power. Experiment with different setups and tailor the build to your preferences for a truly enjoyable Path of Exile experience.