With the highly anticipated Path of Exile 3.9 Metamorph league right around the corner, players are asking on a daily basis in both the forums and on Reddit what builds people are going to start the new league with.

OFFICIAL PATCH NOTES UPDATE!
ALL BUILDS ARE SOLID EXCEPT FOR ZOMBIE AND ICICLE MINE NERF!

BUFFED: Arc (Chain range increased 40%), Soulrend (50% higher duration). LMP does more damage, Chill and Shock now have more impact. SRS has improved targeting.
NERFED: Orb of Storms, Lightning Spire Trap, Onslaught, Smoke Mine and Stormblast Mine have been nerfed (while leveling). Mirage Archer and Point Blank have been nerfed. Minion Movement Speed (Mindless Aggression is now 10%, Ravenous Horde Speed Halved), Feeding Frenzy (10% less damage), Zombies (Slam less damage and often, Base damage reduced 25%) and obtaining a 3rd spectre have been nerfed. Icicle mine damage has been hit very hard.
MORE: Monsters have higher resistances and armor (take less physical damage). Unique monster life increased 10%. Bosses enhanced with more life, skills/attacks.

3.9 PATCH IMPACT ON THESE BUILDS

The official 3.9 patch has not dramatically impacted the efficiency of any listed build in this overview except for the 3.8 Zombie Meta build (which was expected) and Icicle Mines (which received a huge damage nerf). SRS doesn’t use Feeding Frenzy or Ravenous Horde, and only loses 20% movement speed from the Ascendancy change. It’s AI was upgraded so it should Delve better than in 3.8; as such, SRS will still be rock solid. I have added a Bonus Build Guide Reference to the below list for Arc and Soulrend since they were buffed!

NEW! I have also included a link to a compiled list of Streamer Recommended builds below.

Introduction

Skip Straight to the list!

I want to preface by saying I spent weeks testing each one of the top builds (and many in the follow-up list) as SSF/Leveling to end-game to verify their viability as they compare to each other as potential league starters for 3.9. This includes verifying their performance while leveling on as little as a 3-link to Act IV, their overall survival, bossing, clear speed, and scaling potential based on the first and second day of the league (which is often more SSF for players until the market grows and stabilizes).

Relative to this overview, I want to acknowledge how important play style is. Some people hate totems while others only play totem builds. Some like Melee while others love bow builds. The diversity of PoE is one of its greatest features, but also one of the most complex aspects of the game. While a build may be listed as “best” or “top”, some players may disagree because of the style(s) they prefer – but one thing is assured – the builds listed herein are all rock solid and viable for their represented roles as great league starters for 3.9 Metamorph.

Path of Building is required to view many of the below builds. Additionally, make sure you have a good loot filter. I personally recommend NeverSink’s Loot Filter.

Qualifying the Best Starter Builds

Before I present the list, I want to say something very important: just because it’s on the top list doesn’t mean it’s a “best build”. I’m presenting this list based on my personal experience as well as the feedback of other gamers and streamers. I’m sure there’s a few solid builds that could make the top 5 list that I have either overlooked or personally don’t care for the play style of (but others could really enjoy). One thing to keep in mind is 3.9 Metamorph focuses on boss killing; as such, I’ve chosen builds that in addition to clear speed and survival, are very good at taking down bosses.

I created the above list of builds based on my personal experience from 3.8 and the changes from 3.9. Zombie Necromancer dominated in 3.8 but with the nerfs, it’s no longer on top. There are also numerous builds on the above list that aren’t just as good as others for starting in 3.9 Metamorph.

When it comes to a league starter, my core goal is to have a build that can easily handle yellow-tier maps on self-found gear and farm enough currency to “kickstart” any other build I want to try; but I also want a build that is capable of growing into and handling nearly all content if I want to stick with that build for a long period of time.

In addition to the above, here are the qualifiers I used to put together the list:

1. Easy to Gear (SSF to T6-T10 Maps).
2. Easy to acquire skills during leveling.
3. Works on 4L to T6 Maps.
4. Good Clear.
5. Good Bossing.
6. Solid Survival (most are HC Viable).
7. Can Delve “well”.
8. Fun to play.

Let’s get started!

The 3.9 Metamorph Best Starter Builds List

Note there are more than 20 build guides/PoB links below. If the build you were hoping to find isn’t in the top five, check the following section!

Here is the list of what I believe the top five Path of Exile 3.9 Metamorph top Starter Builds are, omitting the pursuit of the new Ranged skills and minion nerfs. I also cover a number of other builds after the list for reference.

Make sure you check the Notes section of any PoB you download; that’s where most of the leveling information will be found!

#1 Physical Skeletons Necromancer

Pros: Cheap, Start at Level 10, Good Clear, Very Good Bossing, Safe, HC Viable.
Cons: None
Play Style: Self-Cast Minions at Location, Phys Damage. Meat Shield Zombies.
Build Link: PoB Link (Notes section has leveling information), Pure Physical Skeletons Build by viperesque

The reason this build wasn’t originally #1 in the list is because everyone expected Skeletons to get directly nerfed like Zombies. They did not. The Skeletons skill went untouched, with the only impacting adjustments being the ascendancy, ravenous horde and feeding frenzy (which affected all minion builds). As such, Skeletons will probably be the highest DPS minions this league, and they are an amazing starter. They will clear a bit slower than SRS but they will have higher boss damage, which is why they are #1. Skeletons received a slight speed nerf with the Mindless Aggression (30% increased speed was reduced to 10%) and Ravenous Horde (movement speed reduced from 28% to 14%) changes, and a hit on damage from the Feeding Frenzy adjustment (10% attack and movement speed vs. 15%, and 15% increased damage vs. 24%). Skeletons were so powerful in 3.8 these changes won’t really impact overall performance.

#2 Holy Flame Totem Hierophant

Pros: Cheap, Start at Level 4, Good Clear, Good Bossing, Safe, HC Viable.
Cons: Totem Play Style can bore some.
Play Style: Channeled Totems, Fire Fire Fire!
Build Link: HFT PoB (Wallach), Link to Wallach’s complete HFT guide

Steady is good, and Holy Flame Totem is exactly that. While Freezing Pulse Totems is my favorite for end-game totem murder, that build requires two unique jewels (First Snow) and a Soul Mantle to really shine. Without Soul Mantle, a socket must be taken by Spell Totem. With HFT you don’t need to socket a ST. The damage is good, bosses melt, and it’s solid to T10 on just a 4-link.

#3 Storm Burst Trickster

Pros: Cheap, Start at Level 12, Very Good Clear, Very Good Bossing, Very Fun.
Cons: Can be a bit squishy; not recommended for HC.
Play Style: Self-Cast Channeled, Lightning & Physical Damage.
Build Link: NEW! Esoro’s 3.9 Storm Burst Trickster PoB, (OLD) SB PoB (Esoro), Esoro’s Storm Burst Trickster Video Guide

I want to preface by first saying I hate squishy builds, and most self-cast builds are lessons in murder and death – often your own. But man, does self-cast Storm Burst kick ass. You can destroy the entire screen in seconds and melt bosses like few other skills (with very little investment). It’s very fun, scales well, and is a great league starter, able to quickly get you to maps. Just be prepared you could die a few times.

#4 Toxic Rain Mines Saboteur

Pros: Cheap, Start at Level 12, Good Clear, Very Good Bossing, HC Viable, Fun.
Cons: Miner play style; nonstop key-pressing and clicking.
Play Style: Ranged Mines; lots of clicking… Poison/Chaos Damage (DoT).
Build Link: TR Mines PoB (Octavian)

We all knew a Miner build would be on this list, but oh boy. Toxic Rain Mines are simply awesome, and in my opinion outperform Icicle Mines (the mine meta for 3.8). While icicle has better clear, TR mines has better bossing and damage overall. Plus it’s just more fun to melt the entire screen with those pods of poisonous death. Toxic Rain received a slight buff during leveling in 3.9, so the mines will be even stronger than in 3.8.

#5 Scourge Arrow Pathfinder

Pros: Cheap, Start at Level 28, Good Clear, Very Good Bossing, Fun
Cons: Charge-up required for tougher mobs
Play Style: Ranged Attack, Poison/Chaos Damage (DoT).
Build Link: thedeathbeam’s Poison Proliferation Scourge Arrow Pathfinder Build Guide.

Another top tier build that’s always been strong and will continue to perform. While Cold Scourge Arrow will possibly be nerfed (since it’s one of the strongest ultra deep delvers) I think Poison Scourge Arrow is in a good place and should remain untouched; but even if it received a slight nerf, it will still function as a rock solid league starter. Scourge Arrow received a “rework” by lowering the damage range while adding base chaos damage.

What about the other great builds?!

There are a ton of other great builds to consider as league starters for 3.9. Here’s the continued list for consideration.

NEW! Here’s a link to a compiled list of League Starter builds by some of the top streamers in Path of Exile. I highly recommend checking it out!

Make sure you check the Notes section of any PoB you download; that’s where most of the leveling information will be found!

1. Essence Drain/Contagion performs very well during leveling with two 4-links, it just doesn’t perform as well as the above top 5 (in my opinion). You’ll notice it’s not even in the list. I did run it once this league, but quit shortly after maps because I’ve played it so much and it was slower than the other builds. I recommend Ghazzy’s Universal Essence Drain & Contagion build guide.
2. Summon Raging Spirits (SRS) is a solid league starter. While it’s not as strong as it was in 3.8 (it was top tier at the beginning of the league, but players are having issues with Metamorphs), it can handle all content, but can be a bit squishy because the spirits cannot be targeted (unlike Skeletons). It ignores projectile shields, seeks out enemies, Meat shield Zombies taunt and take the damage, and with Unleash, you can release enough raging spirits to kill pretty much the whole screen in just a few seconds. It’s fast, fun, and doesn’t play like the other minion skills. SRS PoB #1 (Brittle alt w/Meat Shields), SRS PoB #2 (Alley_cat w/Zombies), BrittleKnee’s SRS Build (without Zombies)
3. Toxic Rain (self-cast, not mines) is a great league starter, but the mines are just so much better. Angry_Roleplayer’s Toxic Rain & Herald of Agony Pathfinder is a great guide.
4. Icicle Mines is another great league starter, but I enjoyed the other builds more. Here’s a PoB of BeerLeague’s Low Life Icicle Mines Build. Here’s a link to the forum guide. Note it did receive a nerf in 3.9 of 20% damage and fewer projectiles..
5. Cobra Lash clears well, is fun and is great as a league starter, but has poor bossing damage without investment. Here’s the PoB of a high DPS (5M+) lower life (4.8k) version, and the PoB of a lower DPS (600k) and higher life (6.5k) version.
6. Orb of Storms and Storm Brand is quick and fun, but it doesn’t perform as well as the other builds while leveling when it comes to bossing (but the clear is fantastic, and it’s rock solid for experienced players rushing to maps). Here’s the OoS+Storm Brand build (27M DPS) I recommend based on sxc’s character. As an alternative, here’s a SSF OoS+SB PoB build. UPDATE! Here’s the latest Storm Brand PoB for 3.9 I recommend (details in notes).
7. Frost Blades lacks boss damage while leveling with self-found gear and is squishy, but is fun, clears great and is amazing at end-game with the right investment. Here’s a PoB based on Unchained’s 40M DPS version.
8. Cyclone Impale Slayer is solid, tried and true, but is very slow to level up without solid gear investment (compared to the top 5 list). Here’s a PoB based on Duel Wield Ahn’s Might. It rocks, and is a great league starter because Ahn’s Might is very common and cheap.
9. Blade Vortex is a solid build and comes in many flavors (poison, cold, etc.), but it’s generally squishy and a bit clunky to play. It’s close proximity also requires knowledge of tougher boss fights. Here’s the PoB of a solid Poison Blade Vortex build.
10. Caustic Arrow is fantastic (one of my favorites), but it’s very slow to level and has boss damage issues without good investment. Here’s the PoB of one of the highest DPS (3.3M) Caustic Arrow builds in Blight. Caustic Arrow received a 12% damage buff in 3.9.
11. Bane is fun, fast, and solid, but doesn’t boss nearly as well as the top builds in the list. Some players also prefer Bane with Essence Drain rather than Contagion. Here’s the PoB of a Bane ED Trickster. It’s solid.
12. Lacerate Gladiator is one of the best builds I’ve ever played, but it required substantial investment to get good end-game damage and must be leveled as something other than Lacerate (Cleave, etc.). Switch to Lacerate around level 50. If you want a HC viable build that can delve to 600 and do Uber Elder deathless; this is it. Here’s the PoB of this fantastic build. Here’s another variation by Dunkelvieh showcasing his version of the build.
13. Rain of Arrows Poison Pathfinder is a ton of fun. It’s faster clear than Caustic Arrow but bosses a bit slower. Here’s the PoB of this build. It’s fast, fun, and is a great farmer. Here’s a link to Astarift’s Pathfinder Poison RoA build (the one I ran, which rocks). Rain of Arrows received a 10% damage buff in 3.9.
14. Freezing Pulse Totems is one of the best totem builds in the game; balanced for clear, bossing and delving, once you get the jewels and “good” equipment, you can do all the content PoE has to offer, which includes shattering the entire screen. It’s just not the best league starter because you need two First Snow jewels and a Soul Mantle to make it really work. Once you have those, the build rocks. Here’s Wallach’s Freezing Pulse Totems build guide.
15. Vortex Trickster is solid for those who like the play style, and for end-game it’s one of the tankiest and most steady builds out there, capable of doing all content. Leveling to 28 with Stormblast mines is cake (and fun), and unlike Occultist, the Trickster variant can start using Vortex at 28. Vortex is also one of the best delvers in the game. It’s just a bit slow to ramp up, requires a switch to CI around level 70-75 and is a different play style from other builds. It’s also a bit squishy prior to CI due to the combination of life and ES (both around 1500 in SSF/league start before transition to CI), but once you get Ghost Dance and Escape Artist, it has great survival and solid damage; and the cold slows everything down. Here’s a PoB based on Gryphenprey’s build.
16. BONUS: Arc (Elementalist or Totems) is one of the most fun and visually satisfying skills to play, and with Arc getting a buff in 3.9, this could be a great league-starting option for Metamorph! Here’s a link to Enki’s Arc Elementalist build guide. Here’s also a link to Havock5700’s Arc Totems Build Guide. Arc’s chain range was increased by 40% in 3.9.
17. BONUS: Soulrend Trickster is a solid build guide (I actually ran it in 3.8, but it’s performance was just “ok”). With the buff from 3.9, Soulrend could become one of the best new league builds/starters. Here’s a link to Syreith’s Soulrend Trickster build guide. Soulrend received a substantial buff of 50% higher duration in 3.9.
18. So you’ve gotten to the end of this list, but you’re hellbent on playing Zombies again in 3.9 even though they’ve been nerfed? Fine! Here’s the KING OF ALL SUMMONERS ZOMBIEMANCER & SPECTRES ON STEROIDS. I ran this build in 3.8 and it was everything it claimed to be. Even with the nerfs, this build will probably be just “very good” instead of simply “insane” in 3.9.

Conclusion

There are definitely other great builds that could have made it on the list, but I believe the above list is solid for what we’ve learned in 3.8 and what should carry to 3.9 Metamorph as Top Starter Builds.

I hope this list helps the PoE community; here’s to the continued success of Path of Exile and the fantastic job Grinding Gear Games has done with the game!