Storm Brand Assassin Necropolis 3.24 Guide

Build Overview

Disclaimer
The Storm Brand skill is a hallmark of PoE's rich history, and as an ardent enthusiast of both the skill's mechanics and gameplay, I've recognized the pressing need for a comprehensive guide. It's crucial to acknowledge that this Storm Brand Assassin build demands a nuanced selection of gear that won't simply be found lying around. Although it excels in map clearing and boasts commendable boss damage, it's not the strongest option for league starters or those hoping to steamroll content on a tight budget. However, for the dedicated Stormbranders, this guide by WowCarry aims to equip you with everything you need to succeed in the Necropolis 3.24 expansion.

Introduction
Historically, Storm Brand has dominated the early game in Path of Exile. The skill underwent significant changes following its synergistic use with Archmage Support, moving away from a reliance on Brand Recall for a dynamic playstyle. Now, Storm Brand benefits from increased activation speed, transitioning it to a more traditional spellcasting experience. This evolution has enhanced both its damage output and clearing speed without diminishing its essence. Opting for an Assassin build synergizes with the fast-paced, high-damage nature of Storm Brands, capitalizing on Power Charge interactions primarily through the acquisition of items like the Void Battery and Badge of the Brotherhood. Despite the Assassin's reputation for fragility, this guide focuses on integrating resilience into the build, ensuring viability against strong adversaries without compromising on survivability, thanks to strategic gear choices and an emphasis on sustain through items like Fenumus' Spinnerets.

Pros and Cons

Map Modifiers to be Avoided
Certain map modifiers pose significant challenges for the Storm Brand Assassin build. The no regeneration modifier can severely hamper your ability to sustain mana, potentially necessitating the use of a Mana Flask if you aren't already. Additionally, Elemental Reflect maps are a strict no-go, while Physical Reflect maps can be manageable provided your setup does not include any physical damage – a detail that can be verified via the Storm Brand tooltip. These considerations are crucial for ensuring a smooth gameplay experience in the Necropolis expansion.

Build Main Mechanics

Playstyle, Mechanics & Strengths
Storm Brand's evolution in Path of Exile has been a journey of refinement, with the most notable change being the reduction of its Detached Duration following its synergistic abuse with Brand Recall. Despite this, the skill received compensatory buffs, including a .5% increase in base critical strike chance—a seemingly minor adjustment that significantly amplifies its critical potential. Additionally, the introduction of increased base activation speed and the Swiftbrand Support has shifted Storm Brand closer to traditional caster dynamics, emphasizing active engagement with enemy packs for a more satisfying combat experience.

Choosing the Assassin ascendancy for this Storm Brand build leverages its need for damage scaling to ensure monsters are dispatched with ease. However, this choice presents challenges in bolstering the build's defenses, especially given the ascendancy's and skill's location on the skill tree. The strategic selection of gear, focusing on balancing Life and Energy Shield, addresses these vulnerabilities while enabling potent offensive capabilities. The use of Inpulsa's for self-propagating explosions and a careful selection of items prioritizes survivability without sacrificing the thrill of explosive power. With an aim for a balanced approach, this guide by WowCarry highlights a build capable of achieving a harmonious blend of speed, power, and resilience, ensuring a rewarding experience in the Necropolis 3.24 environment.

PoB, Passives and Gem Links

For a detailed and optimized build path, the Path of Building link is provided. This tool is essential for planning and refining your Storm Brand Assassin build for the Necropolis expansion in PoE.

Gem Links

For the main setup, Storm Brand should be linked with Swiftbrand Support, Power Charge On Critical Support, Ice Bite Support, Inspiration Support, and Awakened Lightning Penetration Support. Achieving a gem level of 21/20 for Storm Brand enhances its base damage significantly and should be prioritized.

• Storm Brand
• Swiftbrand Support
• Power Charge On Critical Support
• Ice Bite Support
• Inspiration Support
• Awakened Lightning Penetration Support

Brand Recall is recommended to be assigned to the left mouse button for ease of use, ensuring its activation on cooldown. It should be linked with Arcane Surge Support (Level 6) for constant uptime. Vaal Righteous Fire can be added for an additional burst against challenging foes.

• Brand Recall
• Vaal Righteous Fire
• Arcane Surge Support (Level 6)

The aura setup for this build includes Zealotry, Wrath, Determination, and Enlighten Support (4), along with Defiance Banner in a separate socket. This combination requires careful management of mana reservation to maintain casting efficiency for Storm Brand.

• Zealotry
• Wrath
• Determination
• Enlighten Support (4)
• Defiance Banner

Utility and movement skills include Vaal Molten Shell for added defense and Flame Dash for mobility. Additionally, Orb of Storms can be deployed against bosses or tougher enemies, linked with Hextouch Support, Innervate Support, and Conductivity for enhanced effectiveness.

• Vaal Molten Shell
• Flame Dash
• Orb of Storms
• Hextouch Support
• Innervate Support
• Conductivity

This section of the Storm Brand Assassin guide highlights the importance of gem link optimization and strategic skill usage to maximize the build's performance in the Necropolis 3.24 update of PoE.

Ascendancy, Pantheons and Deal with the Bandits

Ascendancy (Shadow – Assassin)
The Assassin ascendancy provides a perfect synergy for the Storm Brand build, enhancing its power through a series of notables:

• Unstable Infusion: A cornerstone for generating Power Charges, crucial for maximizing DPS. With Storm Brand's rapid hits, this node ensures a swift rise to maximum power.
• Deadly Infusion: Amplifies the effect of Power Charges, offering a significant boost to critical strike chance and multiplier, demonstrating the node's continued relevance despite past nerfs.
• Mistwalker: Once considered overly potent, it now offers valuable damage avoidance and mobility, albeit with a diminishing effect over time.
• Opportunistic: Provides a tactical advantage in multi-enemy encounters and a noticeable damage boost in single-target situations, underscoring its versatility.

While there is room for experimentation with Ascendancy choices, the suggested path aims to balance offensive capability with defensive utility, aligning with the overall strategy of the Storm Brand Assassin build.

Bandits
The recommended approach is to side with Eramir (kill all bandits) for the additional skill points. While Alira's bonuses can aid early on, the flexibility and value offered by the extra skill points ultimately surpass the benefits of aligning with any bandit.

Pantheons
For major god worship, the Soul of the Brine King is essential for freeze immunity, negating the need for specific flask affixes. The minor god Soul of Shakari is advised for its reduction in chaos damage taken, addressing a notable vulnerability of the build. Upgrading Pantheon powers can enhance your character's capabilities, though it remains a lower priority compared to other aspects of character development.

Upgrading the Pantheon involves capturing divine souls with a Divine Vessel in corresponding maps, an optional endeavor that can complement your journey through the world of Wraeclast.

Gear

Below is a summary table outlining the recommended gear for the Storm Brand Assassin build, emphasizing a balance between offense, defense, and utility to excel in the Necropolis 3.24 expansion of PoE.

This gear setup, curated by WowCarry, targets the core strengths of the Storm Brand Assassin, enhancing both its lethal prowess and survivability in the game's challenging environments.

Summary

Wrapping up, this Storm Brand Assassin guide is tailored to help you slice through the Necropolis 3.24 expansion with ease. We've covered everything from the build's mechanics, gem links, and gear recommendations to ascendancy choices and pantheons, ensuring you're well-equipped to tackle whatever PoE throws your way. Remember, Storm Brand's blend of speed, damage, and survivability makes it a thrilling build for any player looking to maximize their gameplay experience. If you find yourself needing a bit more help or simply want to skip some of the grind, don't forget that we at WowCarry offer services related to this build. Whether you need assistance with a particular aspect of the guide or are looking for a full setup, we're here to help you get the most out of your Storm Brand Assassin. Happy gaming!