This guide is designed to help you make the most of the Cold Dot Elementalist build in the upcoming Crucible League. Cold Dot is an incredibly powerful build that has been used by hardcore players for quite some time. You will be able to achieve a fairly tanky build with around 6.3k life, 1k energy shield, and the elemental aegis. However, physical mitigation can be improved with items like Taste of Hate.

 

• Playstyle
• Ascendancy
• Gems
• - Level 1 - 12
• - Level 12 - 24
• - Level 24 - 38
• - Level 38 - Maps
• - Endgame
• Passive Skill Tree
• Bandits
• Leveling
• - Start Leveling Gear
• Gear
• - Early-Game
• - Midgame
• - Endgame

 

PoB: https://pobb.in/m_4BDLw-QnNs

 

For playing this POE 3.21 League Starter Elementalist build, you will want to keep two main spells active - Vortex and Creeping Frost. Cold Snap can be used for additional damage. Keeping multiple Vortexes active on a boss won't increase damage but the damage from each individual spell will stack, making it a great source of damage.

 

 

Playstyle

In terms of playstyle, you will want to cast Vortex and move in place to deal damage and freeze enemies. You can also use Creeping Frost and Cold Snap for additional damage. Keep in mind that the damage from these skills will stack on bosses, so try to keep them up at all times.

 

Ascendancy

As for ascendancy, you will want to go with Elementalist. The first notable you will want to pick up is Liege of the Primordial, which will give you golems that will help with damage and defense. The second notable should be Pendulum of Destruction, which will increase your area of effect and elemental damage. The third notable should be Mastermind of Discord, which will give you elemental penetration and allow your spells to deal all three types of elemental damage. Finally, you should pick up Shaper of Desolation, which will give you increased damage and allow you to apply elemental ailments more easily.

 

Gems

POE Vortex is a spell in the game Path of Exile that deals cold damage in an area around the player character and creates a ground effect that slows and deals continuous cold damage to enemies within its radius. If the player has active Frostbolt projectiles, Vortex will be cast on them instead. This can be a powerful combination, as the projectiles will deal their own damage while also creating a Vortex ground effect. POE Vortex can be used to control the battlefield by slowing and damaging enemies, and it can be particularly effective against bosses and other tough opponents. With careful use and skillful placement, Vortex can be a valuable tool for any cold-based spellcaster in Path of Exile.

 

Level 1 - 12

- Freezing Pulse

• -- Added Cold Damage

- Frostblink

• -- Arcane Surge

- Frost Bomb

- Sniper's Mark

 

Level 12 - 24

- Freezing Pulse

• -- Added Cold Damage

- Frostblink

• -- Arcane Surge

- Frost Bomb

- Sniper's Mark

- Creeping Frost

• -- Efficacy

- Wintertide Brand

• -- Controlled Destruction

- Clarity

- Cold Snap

- Summon Skitterbots

 

Level 24 - 38

- Creeping Frost

• -- Efficacy
• -- Controlled Destruction

- Vortex

- Flame Dash

• -- Arcane Surge

- Frost Bomb

- Shield Charge

- Faster Attacks

- Cold Snap

- Efficacy

• -- Controlled Destruction
• -- Cruelty

- Frostbite

- Clarity

- Grace

 

Level 38 - Maps

- Creeping Frost

• -- Efficacy
• -- Controlled Destruction

- Vortex

- Flame Dash

• -- Arcane Surge

- Frost Bomb

- Shield Charge

- Cold Snap

• -- Controlled Destruction
• -- Cruelty
• -- Bonechill

- Frostbite

- Clarity

- Grace

 

Endgame

- Creeping Frost

• -- Inspiration
• -- Controlled Destruction
• -- Hypothermia
• -- Cruelty

- Vaal Cold Snap

- Grace

• -- Bonechill
• -- Controlled Destruction
• -- Cruelty

- Determination

- Defiance Banner

- Clarity

- Elemental Weakness

- Frostbite

• -- Hex Bloom

- Shield Charge

• -- Faster Attacks

- Flame Dash

- Frost Bomb

• -- Cast when Damage Taken

- Vaal Molten Shell

- PrimalAegis

 

Passive Skill Tree

This build guide will introduce you to the upcoming Cold Dot Elementalist build which is an absolute powerhouse in the upcoming Crucible League. We will provide a step-by-step guide on how to build this character, from the skill tree to the itemization. We will go through the importance of Cold Damage Over Time Multiplier as the primary damage stat, and how to use curses and exposure for extra damage. We will also discuss tankiness, with a focus on physical mitigation, and how to incorporate Righteous Fire for extra mobility. Lastly, we will explain the new Life Mastery, which gives 15% increased maximum life if no life modifiers are present on equipped body armor. This guide offers everything you need to get the most out of this powerful build in the upcoming league.

 

- Level 12

 

- Level 22

 

- Level 32 - Normal Lab

 

- Level 55 - Cruel Lab

 

-- Life Mastery

• 15% increased maximum Life if there are no Life Modifiers on Equipped Body Armour
• +50 to maximum Life

 

- Level 68 - Merc Lab

 

- Endgame

-- Ghost Dance

-- Evasion Mastery

+15% chance to Suppress Spell Damage if Equipped Helmet, Body Armour, Gloves, and Boots all have Evasion Rating

-- Life Mastery

• +50 to maximum Life
• 15% increased maximum Life if there are no Life Modifiers on Equipped Body Armour

-- Reservation Mastery

• Auras from your Skills have 10% increased Effect on you
• 8% increased Damage for each of your Aura or Herald Skills affecting you

-- Life Mastery

• 15% increased maximum Life if there are no Life Modifiers on Equipped Body Armour
• +50 to maximum Life

 

Bandits

For bandits, you should help Alira for the extra critical strike chance, mana regeneration, and elemental resistances.

 

Leveling

For leveling, you should start with Freezing Pulse and Frost Bomb. These skills will help you freeze enemies and deal damage over time. As you progress, you should switch to Creeping Frost and Cold Snap. These skills will be your main damage dealers in the endgame.

 

- Start Leveling Gear

 

Gear

In terms of gear, you will want to prioritize cold damage over time multiplier. Look for items with this stat as well as life and energy shield. For weapons, you should use wands or daggers with high spell damage and cold damage over time multiplier.

For defensive gear, you will want to look for items with high life and energy shield, as well as resistances. You should also consider using Taste of Hate for physical mitigation.

 

- Early-Game

 

- Midgame

 

- Endgame

 

Overall, the Cold DoT Elementalist build is a strong and versatile build that can deal a lot of damage over time. While it may not be the tankiest build out there, its damage output and freezing capabilities make it a great choice for both hardcore and software players.