In this guide, we'll delve into the current league starter meta in Path of Exile, exploring the popular builds that players are using and analyzing their strengths. The league has been in progress for about three days now, giving us a snapshot of which builds have emerged as the most Popular and powerful choices. Buckle up as we take a closer look at the surprising results and discover some standout builds.

 

• Lightning Arrow Artillery Ballista Build
• Hexblast Mines Build
• Bone Zone Melee Strike Build
• Build Highlights and Strategies:
• Righteous Fire and Spark Builds
• Exsanguinate Build
• Toxic Rain Build
• Corrupting Fever Build
• Conclusion

 

↖ Lightning Arrow Artillery Ballista Build

Contrary to expectations after the Vengeance Cascade nerf, Lightning Arrow Artillery Ballista stands tall as the most popular league starter, capturing a staggering 12% of overall play. This build is favored for its strong performance even in the endgame. Despite early assumptions, players are finding success using the returning projectile support instead of Vengeance Cascade. Lightning Arrow's solid clearing ability and versatile damage output make it a force to be reckoned with.

 

Build Highlights and Strategies:

This build shines as an exceptional league starter, boasting high clear speed and endgame viability. The berserk variant is preferred, focusing on crit and flat damage scaling. Utilize items like Calm's Heart and Voltaxic Rift for optimal results.

 

Pros:

• Clear Speed: The combination of Lightning Arrow and Artillery Ballista provides exceptional clear speed, making mapping a breeze.
• Endgame Viability: Despite concerns about the Nerf to Vengeance Cascade, this build's popularity suggests it can still excel in the endgame.
• Versatility: The use of the returning projectile support instead of Vengeance Cascade showcases the build's adaptability and versatility.

 

Cons:

• Single Target: While the build offers solid Farming Poe Currency clear speed, its single-target damage might not be as potent as specialized bossing builds.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/XaS4n6Tx0lYi

 

↖ Hexblast Mines Build

Hexblast Mines, a build that has been gaining momentum across several leagues, is making waves this time. While it doesn't match the play rate of Lightning Arrow, it shines in bossing and sanctum running due to its high single-target damage. Players are particularly drawn to the Korean calms heart wrathpith globe version for its robust mechanics and impressive performance in these scenarios.

 

Build Highlights and Strategies:

The Korean calms heart wrathpith globe variant stands out for its strong single-target damage. It excels in sanctum running and bossing, making it a go-to choice for players who prioritize these aspects.

 

Pros:

• Bossing Potential: Hexblast Mines shine in bossing scenarios, making them a reliable choice for tackling challenging encounters.
• Sanctum Running: This build is tailored for sanctum running, making it an ideal option for players focused on this content.

 

Cons:

• Mapping Speed: Hexblast Mines aren't designed for speed mapping, which might deter players who prioritize quick clearing.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/Ivgp1LCqjibc

 

↖ Bone Zone Melee Strike Build

Unsurprisingly, the Bone Zone melee strike build maintains a strong presence. It offers reliable and proven gameplay, which resonates with many players. The build's simplicity and effectiveness make it a go-to choice for those seeking a solid league starter.

 

↖ Build Highlights and Strategies:

Strike: A tried-and-true option, Bone Zone offers reliable gameplay and strong performance, making it a comfortable choice for players seeking a straightforward experience.

 

Pros:

• Reliability: Bone Zone's tried-and-true mechanics provide a reliable and consistent gameplay experience.
• Simplicity: The straightforward nature of the build makes it accessible to players of all skill levels.

 

Cons:

• Versatility: While the build excels in melee combat, it might lack the versatility of ranged or spellcasting options.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/f8mIFkhyyNSK

 

↖ Righteous Fire and Spark Builds

Righteous Fire, known for its tankiness, and Spark, a potential hidden gem for league starting, both find their place among the popular builds. Spark's high player levels indicate its viability as both a tanky and fast-paced option, defying the perception that it's underrepresented.

 

Pros:

• Tankiness: Righteous Fire offers exceptional tankiness, making it a safe choice for players who prioritize survival.
• Spark's Surprise: Spark's higher-than-expected levels suggest its potential for speed or tankiness, although it might not be the fastest mapper.

 

Cons:

Clear Speed (Spark): While Spark excels in other areas, its clear speed might not match some of the fastest mapping builds.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/MkD4AaLezHjn

 

↖ Exsanguinate Build

Exsanguinate, available in both self-cast and trapper variants, emerges as a surprising standout. Many players are finding success with the self-cast version, offering an unexpected twist in the league's meta. The build's unique mechanics and interesting item tech make it an intriguing choice.

 

Build Highlights and Strategies:

The self-cast variant, alongside the seismic trapper, is showing surprising success. Players are finding the build effective due to its unique mechanics and versatile playstyle.

 

Pros:

• Unique Mechanics: Exsanguinate's unique mechanics make it a standout choice, providing a refreshing gameplay experience.
• Single Target: The build's single-target capabilities contribute to its viability in bossing scenarios.

 

Cons:

• Learning Curve: The unique mechanics might have a steeper learning curve for players unfamiliar with the build's intricacies.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/RyQ1AJexlcd5

 

↖ Toxic Rain Build

The tried-and-true Toxic Rain build continues to be a reliable option for players looking for a versatile build that excels in both mapping and heist scenarios. Its straightforward mechanics and overall effectiveness make it a comfortable choice for many.

 

Build Highlights and Strategies:

Toxic Rain's versatility remains unmatched, performing well in mapping and heists. Its straightforward mechanics and consistent results make it a solid choice for players who value reliability.

 

Pros:

• Versatility: Toxic Rain's versatility makes it well-suited for both mapping and heists.
• Consistency: The build's consistent performance ensures a reliable experience throughout the league.

 

Cons:

• Strict Playstyle: Toxic Rain's playstyle might feel restrictive to players who prefer more dynamic or aggressive builds.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/gL1q8xTYA2kZ

 

↖ Corrupting Fever Build

Corrupting Fever, while capable, seems to be losing some ground to other builds like Lightning Arrow, possibly due to the latter's better endgame potential. The build's slight decrease in play rate might be attributed to the rise of other more powerful options.

 

Build Highlights and Strategies

Although slightly less popular than before, Corrupting Fever remains a viable choice. However, the rise of Lightning Arrow's endgame potential might contribute to its lower play rate.

 

Pros:

• Chaos Resilience: Corrupting Fever's use of specific gear, like the mentioned body armor, enhances chaos resistance and survivability.

 

Cons:

• Comparative Viability: Corrupting Fever's play rate has decreased due to the rise of other potentially stronger alternatives, like Lightning Arrow.

 

POB Link: https://pobb.in/DdvM9shVyX9U

 

↖ Conclusion

The current league starter meta in Path of Exile offers a diverse range of powerful builds, with surprising outliers and unexpected success stories. From Lightning Arrow to Hexblast Mines, players have a plethora of options to choose from based on their preferred playstyle and goals. As you embark on your journey in the league, consider these highlighted builds and their strategies to find the one that suits you best.