If you are looking for a unique off-meta build for Path of Exile Crucible league, the Ball Lightning Archmage Ascendant is a great choice. This build is incredibly powerful and tanky, with excellent clear speed and single-target potential, and can be scaled to whatever level you need. In this guide, we will cover how the build works, how to scale its mana cost, and how to use it to its fullest potential.

• How the Build Works?
• Mana Scaling
• Damage
• Defense
• Gear
• Leveling

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↖ How the Build Works?

This build relies on two main mechanics to function. The first is the use of the Foreboding Mana Flask, which is used to provide an almost infinite source of mana. By scaling flask charge generation, flask effectiveness, and flask nodes, the player can spam their mana flask to recover mana almost instantly. This is essential to the build, as it is used both for mana and defense.

Additionally, since the build is based around the Ball Lightning skill, players must scale AoE and projectile speed to make the most out of the skill.

↖ Mana Scaling

When it comes to mana scaling, the focus of the build is on the Ascendant tree. This tree offers a number of flask nodes, as well as the Flask Mastery node, which increases the effect of flasks by 25%.

Additionally, flask nodes and Flask Mastery can be found on cluster jewels and other areas, allowing for a large amount of flask charges and effectiveness. Additionally, as the build uses the Agnostic Keystone, the player doesn't need a life flask, as they will get a substantial amount of life recovery through the Agnostic Keystone.

↖ Damage

For damage scaling, the Ball Lightning Archmage Ascendant build is built around Elemental Overload. Elemental Overload offers a small amount of crit and scales mana well, making it a great choice for early game gear. Additionally, shock is scaled through the Lightning Mastery, which increases the effect of shock to 30% of its value, and the large amount of increased mana available with the build.

Orb of Storms can also be used to increase shock effect and overcharge. Additionally, curses, Righteous Fire, and Sigil of Power are all used to increase damage. Arcane Cloak is also used, which adds 14% of mana spent as extra lightning damage. Finally, for late game scaling, Forbidden Flesh, Unnatural Instinct, and Fevered Mind can be used to increase damage.

↖ Defense

This build provides a great amount of defense due to its mana scaling capabilities. The main defensive layers of this build include Mind Over Matter, Hierophant ascendancy, Agnostic, Arcane Cloak, and Sigil of Power.

Mind Over Matter reduces 40% of damage taken from mana before life. With Hierophant ascendancy, an additional 8% of damage is taken from mana before life. The Agnostic passive allows us to recover 20% of our mana as life per second, which is a great source of sustain. The Arcane Cloak guard skill reduces 75% of damage taken from hits before our life or energy shield and can take damage equal to mana spent by this skill's effect. Lastly, the Sigil of Power reduces the damage taken from enemies standing in it, which is great for bosses.

We also have Termination to give us a bit of extra armor and a Watcher's Eye with some determination effects. Since this is an ascendant Pathfinder build, we also have the Path of the Ranger passive, which gives us spell suppression. With the right pieces of gear and a few spell suppression nodes, we can easily reach 100% spell suppression. All of these defensive layers combined with the Righteous Fire, max fire resistance, and flask that reduces fire damage taken, make for a very tanky build.

↖ Gear

The main item that this build will use is Pledge of Hands. This item has a notable that makes Ball Lightning projectiles go out in a circle around you, and it increases the mana cost of socketed abilities and the damage dealt by them.

Cloak of Defiance is an evasion-energy shield chesspiece which allows us to get the spell suppression notable. It provides mind over matter and a lot of mana regeneration. For the rest of the gear, you’ll want to look for spell suppression, life, mana, and any resistances that you can manage. You can use Essence modifiers to craft rings with life and mana. A Shaper Stygian Vise is also recommended for the extra 12% increased mana recovery rate.

↖ Leveling

Leveling a Scion can be challenging, but with the right strategies, it can be made easier. We recommend starting with Frost Blades, then transitioning to Winter Orb, followed by Brand into Army of Bones. Prioritize mana nodes for early damage output, and look for gear with life, mana, and damage modifiers. For Atlas strategy, juice maps and add extra mobs for the most efficient clear. Use debuffs and abilities to take down bosses.

Conclusion:

The Ball Lightning Archmage Ascendant build is a powerful and fun option for Path of Exile 3.21 Crucible league. It relies on the Foreboding Mana Flask for mana and defense, and scales both AoE and projectile speed to make the most out of the Ball Lightning skill. Additionally, it scales damage with Elemental Overload, shock, curses, Righteous Fire, and Sigil of Power. For late game scaling, Forbidden Flesh, Unnatural Instinct, and Fevered Mind can be used. Overall, this build is a great choice for players looking for a tanky and versatile option in Path of Exile.