Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist Necropolis 3.24 Guide

Build Overview

The unveiling of the revamped Elementalist in the Necropolis expansion of Path of Exile (PoE) has sparked a wave of excitement, particularly for its enhanced capabilities in dealing Shock and Ignite effects from a single skill. The Elementalist now boasts a formidable 15% more damage effect for Shock, alongside a 25% more damage multiplier for Ignite, thanks to two pivotal Ascendancy nodes. This potent combination has caught the eye of the PoE community, prompting notable theorycrafters to explore its potential. Among them, Rhaegar, a respected figure known for pushing the boundaries of Ignite damage, suggested the synergy between Penance Brand and the new Elementalist mechanics. As an enthusiast for Penance Brand, this recommendation piqued my interest, leading to the creation of a remarkable Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build.

This Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build shines in the Necropolis expansion, achieving a staggering 8 million DPS—a figure that is exceptionally high for Ignite or Damage over Time (DoT) builds. Additionally, it boasts an impressive 45 million damage per Ignite, while not skimping on defensive capabilities. Initially, the build achieved 90% unconditional Physical Mitigation and maintained Effective HP pools against Elemental Damage on par with builds that reached 90% Elemental Resistance, utilizing unique and high-value gear. However, we've refined the build to balance its immense damage output with accessibility, ensuring it remains potent for both league-start and Solo Self-Found (SSF) play. This balanced approach allows players to enjoy the build's capabilities without the necessity for ultra-rare equipment, making the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build a formidable choice for adventurers in PoE's Necropolis expansion.

Pros and Cons

The Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build, while offering a myriad of advantages, including exceptional performance, tankiness for a caster, and versatility in Solo Self-Found and new league starts, does come with its set of challenges. Notably, the inability to utilize the Spreading Brand Mastery, a delay in damage output, and potential leveling difficulties. However, it's important to be aware of specific map modifiers that can hinder this build's effectiveness.

Maps with Elemental Damage reflect are a no-go, as they render the build's damage output futile. Similarly, Elemental Ailments avoidance is detrimental, as it makes monsters immune to the build's primary damage mechanism. Aside from these, the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist excels in handling a wide range of map mechanics, solidifying its place as a versatile and robust choice for players in the Necropolis expansion of PoE.

Build Main Mechanics

The Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build offers a distinctive playstyle that diverges from the traditional approach to Penance Brand in Path of Exile's Necropolis expansion. Rather than focusing on frequent explosions, this build prioritizes maximizing the impact of a single hit and spreading its Ignite effect, making it a formidable all-rounder in the game.

The mechanics underpinning this build are straightforward, yet highly effective. Leveraging the Elementalist's Shaper of Flames ascendancy, it can Ignite with any type of damage. This versatility allows Penance Brand to initially convert a portion of its damage to Lightning via the gem, then to Fire through specific gear to maintain a high Fire Damage output, which is crucial for maximizing Ignite Damage. Additionally, the inclusion of Physical as Extra Damage ensures that the full spectrum of its damage can Ignite, positioning it as one of the premier builds for leveraging Physical As Extra damage in the game.

Defensively, the build has evolved from relying on Golem Nodes to focusing on gear and passive tree investments due to the scarcity of Golem Jewels. A key aspect of its defense is achieving 90% Physical Damage Reduction, a feat typically reserved for builds that have faced nerfs in the past. This is accomplished through a mix of mechanics, including the use of Endurance Charges and a substantial amount of armor, which is uncommon for Witch builds. Additionally, it tackles Elemental Damage mitigation by stacking life and, potentially, a specific implicit on the chest piece. With a Health Pool exceeding 7000, the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist achieves a level of mitigation comparable to the most resilient builds, making it an exceptional choice for players looking for a powerful and durable build in PoE's Necropolis expansion.

PoB, Passives and Gem Links

An optimized Path of Building (PoB) for the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build is readily available for those seeking to fine-tune their build in the Necropolis expansion of Path of Exile (PoE). This PoE build leverages a carefully curated set of Gem Links to maximize its damage output and effectiveness.

Gem Links

The centerpiece of this build is the Penance Brand setup, which significantly benefits from gem level scaling. Adventurers are encouraged to acquire a level 21 Penance Brand gem with a 20% quality as soon as possible. The inclusion of Awakened Ailment-based support gems, known for their potency and relative affordability, further enhances the build's performance.

• Main Link (6-Link):
• Penance Brand (Ideally level 21)
• Ignite Proliferation Support
• Awakened Deadly Ailments Support
• Awakened Unbound Ailments Support
• Awakened Burning Damage Support
• Awakened Added Lightning Damage Support / Swiftbrand Support

For mapping, swap Awakened Unbound Ailment Support for Swiftbrand Support for enhanced damage. Against bosses, revert to Ailment Support for maximum efficacy. Additionally, for pure single-target scenarios, Ignite Proliferation may be replaced with Awakened Burning Damage or Combustion, assuming a white socket is available.

Auras

The Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist utilizes multiple Auras, with four primary ones slotted in the Helmet, facilitated by The Devouring Diadem. This setup includes Malevolence, Herald of Purity, Determination, Herald of Ash, and a Level 8 Vitality, which operates on an activation basis.

• In the Helmet:
• Malevolence
• Herald of Purity
• Determination
• Herald of Ash
• Vitality (L8)

Additionally, Hatred is augmented with Divine Blessing Support, Inspiration Support, and Increased Duration Support for a robust Aura foundation.

Curses

Elemental Weakness and Flammability are the primary curses, applied via Wave of Conviction and optionally through Arcanist Brand for convenience. This strategy ensures maximum debuff effectiveness against enemies.

Buffs & Utility

For mobility and defense, Flame Dash and Vaal Molten Shell are indispensable tools, providing swift movement and significant damage mitigation when necessary.

The carefully chosen gem links and auras of this PoE build exemplify the strategic depth required to master the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist, making it a powerful contender in the Necropolis expansion.

Ascendancy, Pantheons and Deal with the Bandits

Ascendancy

The Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist build leverages key Ascendancy nodes to maximize its damage output and utility within the Necropolis expansion of Path of Exile. Here's a breakdown of the critical Ascendancy choices:

• Shaper of Flames: This node is the cornerstone of the build, allowing all forms of damage to Ignite, thus significantly enhancing the build's versatility and damage potential.
• Mastermind of Discord: Early in the progression, this node offers a substantial damage boost and valuable mana regeneration, making it a priority after Shaper of Flames.
• Heart of Destruction: Provides an essential balance of increased area of effect for clearing and augmented damage against bosses, facilitating smoother progression to the final Ascendancy node.
• Shaper of Storms: Especially beneficial for Lightning Ignite builds, this node grants a substantial damage increase, leveraging Lightning Damage to enhance Ignite's effectiveness dramatically.

Deal with the Bandits

In the realm of Wraeclast, aligning with or against the bandits presents a strategic choice. For the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist, the recommendation is clear: kill all bandits in favor of receiving the additional Skill Points. While Alira's offerings of Resistances and Mana Regeneration may seem tempting for a league start, the flexibility and value provided by Eramir's Skill Points are unparalleled, ensuring they're the superior choice for optimizing this build.

Pantheons

Selecting the right Pantheons can provide crucial defensive benefits. For the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist:

• Major Gods: Soul of the Brine King is the preferred choice, granting Freeze Immunity and Stun Avoidance, essential for maintaining fluid gameplay and resilience in combat.
• Minor Gods: Soul of Shakari is recommended to mitigate the impact of Chaos damage over time. Alternatively, for those troubled by Burning Ground, Abberath offers a viable solution.

Upgrading your Pantheons involves the use of Divine Vessels in conjunction with specific maps, enabling enhancements to these divine boons. Capturing the soul of the required boss and utilizing the filled Divine Vessel allows for an upgrade, further reinforcing the build's capabilities.

Gear

Optimizing gear is crucial for maximizing the performance of the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist in PoE's Necropolis expansion. The following gear setup provides a balanced mix of damage output, survivability, and resistance, ensuring that the build is well-equipped to tackle the challenges of Wraeclast.

The gear listed above is tailored to bolster the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist's efficacy in battle. The Devouring Diadem in the head slot is particularly notable for its synergy with the build's aura management, while the rest of the gear focuses on enhancing life, resistances, and damage output. The unique choice of Double Catalysed Ming's Heart rings further amplifies the build's damage potential. This gear setup ensures that the Elementalist remains robust and versatile across a wide array of encounters within the Necropolis expansion.

Summary

And there you have it, a comprehensive guide to rocking the Ignite Penance Brand Elementalist in Path of Exile's latest Necropolis expansion. This build is a powerhouse, blending incredible damage with solid defenses to make you a force to be reckoned with. Whether you're starting fresh or looking to dominate in Solo Self-Found, this guide has got you covered from gear to gems and everything in between. If you find yourself needing a bit of extra help or just want to skip the grind and dive straight into the action, remember that we at WowCarry are here for you. We offer services related to this build, so whether you need assistance with a specific part of the guide or the whole package, don't hesitate to check us out. Happy gaming!