Path of Exile (POE) offers various axe builds catering to different playstyles. Here’s an overview of popular options and resources to explore:
Build Archetypes:
Physical Damage Axe Builds:
Focus: Prioritizes high physical damage output, attack speed, and life leech. Popular for their straightforward approach and potential for high single-target damage.
Ascendancy: Slayer (increased damage, leech, area of effect), Berserker (warcries, damage during rage), Gladiator (block chance, counterattacks).
Elemental Damage Axe Builds:
Focus: Scales elemental damage (Fire, Cold, or Lightning) with attack skills that benefit from high attack speed.
Skills: Spectral Helix, Molten Strike (Fire), Lightning Strike (Lightning), Frost Blades (Cold). While primarily focusing on other weapon types, these skills can be adapted for axe wielding.
YouTube Channels: Many Path of Exile content creators showcase axe builds in action and provide detailed explanations.
Example Build:
Here’s a brief overview of a popular Lacerate Physical Damage Slayer build:
Skills: Lacerate (main attack skill), Leap Slam (movement skill), Fortify (defense), auras (depending on preference).
Gear: High physical damage axe with attack speed and critical strike chance, life regeneration gear, resistances.
Ascendancy: Slayer (focus on Ascendancy nodes that enhance damage, leech, area of effect).
Important Note: Build guides are subject to change due to balance adjustments in Path of Exile updates. Refer to the latest information and adapt the build accordingly.
Additional Tips:
Understanding Mechanics: Grasp core mechanics like damage scaling, critical strike chance, attack speed, life sustain, and accuracy (especially for projectile skills) to effectively build your character.
Passive Skill Tree: Allocate points efficiently on the passive skill tree to maximize damage, survivability, and utility for your chosen playstyle.
Link Setup: Link your main attack skill with appropriate support gems to enhance its damage, area of effect, or other desired aspects.
Here are some additional points to consider for a successful axe build:
Weapon Range: Axes generally have a larger weapon range compared to other one-handed weapons. This can be beneficial for certain skills that utilize the weapon’s reach.
Accuracy: For builds that utilize projectile attacks (e.g., Lightning Strike, Frost Blades), ensure sufficient accuracy rating to land your hits consistently.
Defenses: Consider investing in life regeneration, armor, or evasion depending on your preferred defensive approach.
By exploring the resources listed, understanding the different Axe build possibilities, and focusing on critical aspects like damage scaling, survivability, and appropriate skill selection, you can create a powerful and effective axe character in Path of Exile.