The time has arrived! We have a new league, and for the first time since I can remember, there’s really no changes to skills in any way that will impact the meta builds from the previous league, so what worked in 3.17 should continue to work just as well in 3.18.
The top 5 builds last league from each category combined (Trade, HC, SSF, etc.) were: Explosive Arrow, Skeletons (Mages), Seismic/Exsanguinate Traps, Poisonous Concoction, and Spectral Helix.
Before we begin, for those who want to review them, the patch notes for 3.18 can be found here.
The new Sentinel league features a mechanic that we haven’t quite seen before, so it’s hard to tell how much it will impact the overall gaming experience. The trailer can be watched here.
Most players would agree the biggest update in 3.17 was the addition of the Atlas Tree. Numerous enhancements and changes have been made to it in 3.18, allowing for additional new endgame planning and goal definition. BigDucks put out a great video covering these changes and his recommendations.
Here’s another great video by BigDucks covering the recommended Sentinel configuration for maximum currency drops. I can confirm this setup works great!
This overview covers guides not only tested and created by myself, but also presented by the community.
Before we begin, Path of Building (Community) is a very important tool to have when following a build guide since many of them share PoB links. Additionally, make sure you have a good loot filter. I personally recommend NeverSink’s Loot Filter.
I also want to share this great website which has numerous top tier starter builds with links to complete build guides on the GGG POE Forums: https://www.poebuilds.cc/
Table of Contents
Qualifying the Builds
Here are the key requirements I use for qualifying these builds:
- SSF/Starter (no equipment) friendly.
- Ease of leveling.
- Balance of map clear & bossing.
- All (or nearly all) content capable with self-found gear.
- Survival (as HC-viable as possible).
Unlike previous recent leagues, most builds that performed well in 3.16 will continue to perform well (and in some cases, even better) in 3.17.
Sentinel 3.18 Starter Build List
Some of the PoB build links may be from 3.17. I will try to update them as soon as the 3.18 PoB is released, but they should convert to 3.18 without any issues.
Here are my recommend top starter builds for the upcoming Path of Exile 3.18 Sentinel League.
Explosive Arrow Hierophant & Champion
I started last league as a Explosive Arrow Hierophant and was not disappointed. While I wasn’t able to play as much over the release weekend as I would have liked, I was steamrolling through yellow maps (almost to Reds) by Sunday, had a 6L and even found a Dead Reckoning jewel; all in SSF. Note I’ve updated the PoB link below with the latest build. I switched over to EA right after I got the 4L setup from the Library. EA Hierophant is probably one of the best league starts I’ve ever had, and the character is easily handling all of the bosses. I definitely recommend this build for anyone who is coming into the league a bit late or is looking for another build to try. This was the best build I played in 3.17, and I’ll be playing it again as my league starter in 3.18.
The choice between Hierophant or Champion all depends on your preferred play style and end-game goals. Hierophant is much easier to level, only requires 3 labs to reach its full potential, and has great best balance of DPS and tanking. However if you want to play HC and have the best survival, Champion is the optional choice.
Here is the link to my EA Hierophant PoB for 3.18, which has leveling trees and notes to easily help the player through the leveling process: https://pastebin.com/fDZZXD1b
For those who want a video covering the tanky Champion version, here’s a great guide from Zizaran!
Additional note for those who love Totem builds. Tatinatiel is considered one of the best Totem players in all of Path of Exile. I can vouch for his skill and excellent builds. Note he put together a compendium of Totem builds for 3.17 including Flameblast, Storm Burst and Ball Lightning. I recommend keeping an eye on the below document as he’s sure to enhance it when the league start begins. Next to EA, it’s my opinion Ball Lightning Totems are one of the best HCSSF options for 3.18. Tati has put together a complete PoB with leveling trees and notes at the link below.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1v72AZgtvuffNMKaE44MsyL7lvQ_L3GoaJqiNSWk_2LY/edit#gid=0
Detonate Dead Necromancer
This is one of the top builds in the game, especially for HCSSF, capable of doing all content. It can be quite satisfying to destroy the entire screen with contagious fire, and bosses melt beautifully. The only drawback is the two-step process of casting and exploding, which can become a bit tedious after awhile. Ds_lily published a 3.18 Detonate Dead Necromancer guide.
Physical Trap Saboteur
Once again, traps are going to rock this league, and it was the #3 build from 3.17. It’s capable of doing all content, and is Trade, HC, and SSF friendly. Here’s a complete guide from Big Ducks that’s perfect for 3.18.
Righteous Fire Inquisitor
Minion Army & Skeleton Mage Necromancer
Minion builds always shine with each league, and Skeleton Mages decimated 3.17 as the #2 build across the board. However for those playing SSF, it can take a long time to find the necessary Dead Reckoning Jewel. The good news is Physical Skeletons will easily get you into Red maps, and once you get a Vaal Skeletons gem, you will melt any and all bosses.
Von Vikton created a complete guide that includes both the Physical version prior to transitioning to the Skeleton Mage version.
Poison Concoction Pathfinder
Another top performer from 3.17 in all play styles, this build not only melts your enemies, it also has great balance between speed mapping and end-game bossing. ZiggyD makes a great guide for this build.
Bane Occultist
Vortex Occultist
It’s my opinion this is one of the best builds in the game; it’s tanky, freezes everything, fun, and can do all content in HCSSF. That, and it was buffed in 3.17! I’ve played this build numerous times and it’s one of my favorites; as such, it’s one of my top recommendations for 3.18. Here’s a copy of my personal PoB for 3.18 that contains both trees and notes detailing how to efficiently level this build: https://pastebin.com/X7dHbCiR
Below is a Vortex Occultist Build Guide video made by themehmetbozlak.
Spectral Helix Deadeye
Spark Inquisitor
This build performed very well in 3.17, and in my opinion is one of the most fun self-cast builds to play. It’s also surprisingly SSF capable and for experienced players, HC viable. Below is a link to Goratha’s Spark Inquisitor league starter guide!
Shield Crush Gladiator
If you want to play Melee, I recommend Shield Crush, which was one of the first builds to make level 100 in HCSSF. Here is a copy of my PoB for 3.18 that has leveling trees and notes for those who want to give it a shot: https://pastebin.com/vhXrwBqK
For those who want a much more detailed guide, I recommend this one by OMFGaTaco: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3148278
Toxic Rain Champion
Toxic Rain has been one of the best generic starters in the game for years, and there are numerous variations players can choose.
TR Champion was the #1 build in 3.16. The damage reached 4-8M DPS, it was tanky as all getgo, could do all content, and dominated HC/SSF. While Toxic Rain did receive a slight 16% or so nerf in 3.17, it will still performed very well, and secured the #8 level 100 slot in HCSSF.
Zizaran made a video based on Lightee’s build for 3.16, which will work just fine in 3.17.
Cyclone Slayer
No compendium would be complete without a “spin to win” build! Here’s a complete guide for a Cyclone Slayer by Navandis.
Storm Brand Occultist
Storm Brands are a ton of fun and great for league starting, and performed very well in 3.17. This complete Storm Brand Occultist guide by Velnya is a great league starter: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3079363
Carrion Golem Necromancer
For those who are not playing SSF, Carrion Golem builds are always solid, and they will continue to shine. Below is Von Vikton’s Carrion Golem League Starter Build Guide.
Popcorn SRS Necromancer
Summary
There’s no question there are many additional great league starter builds, but I wanted to present a list based on personal experience, and the top performers from the previous league. It’s great we already know how these builds will perform. This allows players to focus on end-game Atlas Tree progression and the new Sentinel league mechanic with a build that’s already proven to be viable.
I hope this list helps the PoE community; here’s to the continued success of Path of Exile, the new Sentinel league, and the fantastic job Grinding Gear Games has done!