Hello everyone, welcome back to another innovative guide in the world of Path of Exile. Today, we are venturing into uncharted territory with a highly experimental build that revolves around a unique combination: The Black Cane and Forbidden Shako. This build is not your run-of-the-mill setup; it's a journey through the mechanics of the game, aiming to extract maximum potential from Summon Phantasms. So, if you are intrigued by the idea of pushing boundaries and experimenting with new strategies, you're in the right place!

• Core Mechanics and Build Concept
• Conversion and Elemental Aspects
• Automation and Gameplay Dynamics
• Equipment and Stat Prioritization
• Conclusion and Future Prospects

↖ Core Mechanics and Build Concept

At the heart of this build lies the powerful synergy between the Black Cane and Forbidden Shako. These unique items empower your Summon Phantasms to a staggering level 35, significantly boosting their contribution to flat physical damage to spells. Typically, one might achieve a level 23 or at most 25 Summon Phantasms, but with Forbidden Shako, we are breaking the ceiling and reaching level 34 and 35, translating to an impressive 741 to 1,131 flat physical damage to spells.

Now, with up to 13 Phantasms at your command, the build opens up a plethora of possibilities, enabling you to experiment with various spells, converting physical damage into elemental damage, or even trying out a Trinity build. However, it's crucial to note that this is a highly conditional setup, and it might not appeal to everyone. But for those willing to delve deep and experiment, the rewards could be bountiful.

PoB Link: https://pobb.in/xt9JM1QOTnKL

↖ Conversion and Elemental Aspects

This Guardian-based setup benefits immensely from summoning Elemental Relics, granting access to high-level Elemental Auras such as Hatred, Wrath, and Anger. The physical damage from Phantasms synergizes beautifully with Hatred, while the gloves used in the build and Physical to Lightning support in the main setup enable a seamless conversion of damage into the elemental spectrum. While a Trinity setup was tested, it proved to be overly conditional, requiring a near-constant upkeep of maximum Phantasms for optimal performance. Alternative approaches, such as focusing on pure physical or a different type of elemental conversion, might yield more consistent results.

↖ Automation and Gameplay Dynamics

One of the challenges of this build is automating the summoning of Phantasms. The main skills, such as Volatile Dead and Incinerate, were initially considered but presented their own set of challenges. To address this, a combination of Cast when Damage Taken, Herald of Thunder with Storm Secret Ring, and Herald of Purity were implemented. Each serves a purpose in maintaining a steady stream of Phantasms, especially against single-target scenarios. However, this setup does require a ramp-up time and might not be the most efficient for all types of encounters.

↖ Equipment and Stat Prioritization

The build heavily relies on uniques such as Utula's Sanger, Yoke of Suffering, Circle of Nostalgia, and Covas Blaster, each contributing to the overall functionality of the setup. The use of rare jewels and abyss jewels also plays a critical role, with a focus on cast speed, dexterity, and damage bonuses.

To ensure survivability, the Guardian ascendancy Sentinel of Radiance was chosen, absorbing damage and providing additional layers of defense. The use of Aspect of the Spider for extra damage and appropriate anointments and cluster jewels further enhances the build's performance.

↖ Conclusion and Future Prospects

While this build is undoubtedly one of the most conditional and experimental setups, it showcases the incredible depth and complexity of Path of Exile's mechanics. The potential for optimization and tweaking is immense, and I believe there is much more to uncover and refine. I encourage the community to share their thoughts, suggestions, and experiences to collectively unravel the full potential of this unique build.