Glacial Hammer
Slayer build

Updated for Patch 3.20

The Best Crafty Guides by Odealo

Glacial Hammer is one of the first skills you've probably had a chance to experiment with as a Path of Exile player. It's a very simple Melee Strike, but a very effective one - it basically is an attack enhancement. Glacial Hammer has a very high chance to Freeze enemies, increases the effectiveness of Freeze and Chill, has increased Strike Range, and Added Cold Damage. The unique aspect of this skill is its enormous single-target damage, it's possibly the single-best Attack in the game in this category. As of patch 3.17, the skill converts 100% of your Physical Damage to Cold making it even easier to assemble. The build wasn't expected to perform well as a fast mapper, and it definitely isn't one, but it is still at an acceptable level due to the abundance of Frenzy Charges and Shattering mechanics. Patch 3.19 introduced a new, reworked Heatshiver Helmet that massively increases Damage by adding Fire Damage sourced from Cold.

As a Duelist, you're often conditioned to choose a playstyle that offers purely physical damage output. It's because of how easy it is to access the nodes suited for such playstyle from your starting location on the passive skill tree, and because more than often Raider, Berserker, or Inquisitor can execute it better. In this build, we wanted to expand on the dormant single-target potential of Glacial Hammer, so we went with a Slayer. With Bane of Legends and Headsman, the character will be able to kill bosses with ease. Masterful Form will increase its damage after combining it with Arn's Anguish. The Impact is chosen for a better clear speed and damage. The defenses of the build have been more of an afterthought, but luckily for us, it can be easily patched up with tons of Armour, Fortify Buff, and a lot of Life. 

You can also find our other Path of Exile builds right over here Odealo's Crafty Guides - Full List

1. Gameplay

It's a simple-to-play build: jump using your Leap Slam until you spot any opponents, try to land right in the center of a pack of enemies, swing your weapon a few times using Glacial Hammer, and continue the loop. During boss fights deploy your Ancestral Totems for more Damage and Attack Speed. A level 1 Frost Bomb is better to be cast automatically, it grants a lot of utility bonuses. The Auras you should use are Hatred, Precision, Herald of Ice, Determination, Defiance Banner, Blood and Sand, and Aspect of the Cat. Have constantly enabled Blood Rage too. As your Guard Spell use Molten Shell, and for a Curse - Frostbite.

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

Start with a Strike Skill. It can be Glacial Hammer or Frost Blades. It's much easier to invest early on into general Attack Damage rather than a Specific Cold or Elemental one. To be able to fend off a surrounding mob of enemies use Ancestral Call Support, and pick an Attack mastery for extra range. Not long after the first few acts we recommend turning right on your passive skill tree, that's where Cold Attack Damage can be easily found. Allocate the passives near Fervour, these are some of the best ones. You can allocate a Precise Technique, but it requires keeping track of your Health and Accuracy which might be troublesome and slow you down. If you're using Glacial Gammer, seek mostly added to attacks type of Damage.

Suggested leveling Gem setups:

Glacial Hammer setup
	Glacial Hammer - It's the Strike Skill used for leveling, and then later on as a proper end-game Attack.
	Ancestral Call Support - Strike Skills target additional enemies for better AoE.
	Ruthless Support - Every third Attack deals much more Damage.
	Added Cold Damage Support - Adds Cold Damage to your Attacks.

various Gems
	Ancestral Warchief - A Totem for more Melee Damage.
	Frostbite - A Curse that lowers Cold Resistance.
	Blood Rage - Grants you Life Leech, Attack Speed, and a chance for a Frenzy Charge on Kill.
	Precision - Used for more Accuracy and Critical Strike Chance, it's good with Precise Technique.
	Hatred - More Cold Damage and Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage is great as you convert 100% of it to Cold already.
	Herald of Ice - Adds Cold Damage to Attacks and explodes shattered enemies.
	Leap Slam - A movement Skill, particularly useful during Labirynth trials.

Bandits:

We recommend killing all the Bandits for two additional Passive Points.

Leveling Skill Trees:

25 Points Skill Tree
Pick Master of the Arena, Art of the Gladiator, and Tribal Fury

62 Points Skill Tree
Allocate more Maximum Life, Reservation Efficiency, Cold Damage, and Elemental Damage nodes
 

Recommended leveling items:

Blackheart - Adds Damage, increases Damage, and grants some Maximum Life.

Adds 1 to 4 Physical Damage to Attacks Adds (10-15) to (20-25) Chaos Damage to Attacks Regenerate (10-15) Life per second 10% chance to Cause Monsters to Flee

The Ignomon - It adds Damage, Accuracy Rating, Evasion, Dexterity, and Fire Resistance.

(12-20)% increased Rarity of Items found 20% increased Light Radius Adds (18-24) to (32-40) Fire Damage to Attacks +(100-150) to Accuracy Rating +(100-150) to Evasion Rating +20% to Fire Resistance Nearby Enemies are Blinded

Meginord's Girdle - Great for the first few levels, it grants Damage, Maximum Life, and Cold Resistances.

+(25-35) to Strength +25 to Strength Adds 10 to 20 Physical Damage to Attacks 10% increased maximum Life +(10-20)% to Cold Resistance 25% increased Flask Life Recovery rate

Goldrim - It has a lot of Elemental Resistances.

+(30-50) to Evasion Rating 10% increased Rarity of Items found +(30-40)% to all Elemental Resistances Reflects 4 Physical Damage to Melee Attackers Level Requirement reduced by 100 (Hidden)

Redbeak - It is a good Sword for the first few acts, and has good DPS.

40% increased Global Accuracy Rating 100% increased Damage when on Low Life 50% increased Physical Damage Adds 2 to 6 Physical Damage 10% increased Attack Speed +(20-30) to maximum Life +2 Life gained for each Enemy hit by Attacks

4. Final Skill Tree, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

109 Points Final Skill Tree (doesn't include Unique or Cluster Jewels)
123 Points Path of Building (PoB) link
 

Ascendancy points:

Preferably in that order:

1. Impact
2. Bane of Legends
3. Headsman
4. Masterful Form

Pantheon:

Major God: Soul of Solaris: 6% Physical Damage Reduction if there is only one nearby Enemy; 20% chance to take 50%  less Area Damage from Hits

Minor God: Soul of Gruthkul: 1% additional Physical Damage Reduction for each Hit you've taken Recently up to a maximum of 5%

5. Final Gems links

[DPS] Glacial Hammer setup
	Glacial Hammer - A Strike Skill that deals a lot of Cold Damage to a single Target. Every third Attack Freezes freezer enemies and deals more damage.
	Elemental Damage with Attacks Support - Increases the Elemental Damage you deal with Attacks,
	Ruthless Support - Every third Attack is much more powerful.
	Ice Bite Support - Increases the Chance to Freeze, the damage you deal to Frozen enemies, and adds a lot of damage per Frenzy Charge.
	Cold Penetration Support - Your Cold Damage penetrates more of the Cold Resistance.
	Multistrike Support - Your Strike is repeated with increased Attack Speed. If you can accommodate the 7th Support Gem (from Uul-Netol's Vow) use  Hypothermia Support.

[UTILITY] Aura setup
	Blood and Sand - You can pick between two stances - one for more AoE, and the other one for more Damage.
	Precision - It's used only to get enough Accuracy for the Precise Technique. You might not need it at all.
	Defiance Banner - Increases your Armour and Evasion Rating while reducing the Critical Strike chance of nearby opponents.

[UTILITY] Aura setup
	Hatred - You deal more damage and gain extra Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage which is good with damage conversion.
	Herald of Ice - Adds Cold Damage to your Attacks and makes Shattered enemies explode increasing your clear speed.
	Determination - Adds and increases Armour for physical mitigation.
	Enlighten Support - Linked Spells have increased Mana Reservation Efficiency. it's optional.

[UTILITY] Ancestral Totems setup
	Ancestral Warchief - Totem that grants you more Melee Damage.
	Ancestral Protector - grants you more Attack Speed as it stays active, use the Phantasmal version for more Attack Speed.
	Multiple Totems Support - Allows you to summon both Totems at the same time.

[UTILITY] Frost Bomb setup
	Frost Bomb - Applies Cold Exposure for reduced Cold Resistance and reduces Life Regeneration rate. Keep it at level 1.
	Bonechill Support - Enemies in chilling areas created by Frost Bomb will receive more damage.
	Unbound Ailments Support - Chill lasts longer and is more effective.
	Cast when Damage Taken - Keep it at level 1 so that the linked Spells will trigger more often.

[MOBILITY] Leap Slam setup
	Leap Slam - A Movement Skill you can use to jump and move faster.
	Faster Attacks Support - Leap Slam can be used more frequently.

[UTILITY] Molten Shell
	Molten Shell - Guard Spell that reduces the damage you take from hits for a short time, it scales up with your Armour.

[UTILITY] Blood Rage
	Blood Rage - Increases your Life Leech, Attack Speed, and Frenzy Charges. It Drains your Life over time.

[UTILITY] Frostbite
	Frostbite - Best Curse for this build, it lowers Cold Resistance.

5. Gear Setup

It's an Attack that converts all of its Physical Damage to Cold. The most efficient way to increase your DPS is to look for added Cold or Physical Damage to Attacks. The character deals no Critical Strikes, but your Accuracy Rating must be higher than your Maximum Life. You will have to look for it on a Helmet, Gloves, Jewels, and Jewelry. To fit in all the Auras, we've used a Mana Reservation Efficiency Cluster Jewel which might be Expensive. To generate Endurance Charges we used Replica Farrul's Fur, one of the most expensive Body Armours. It's the easiest and most elegant way to do so, as the Armour is great on its own. Combined with Arn's Anguish, these charges will grant you more damage instead. Find a way to apply Frostbite on hit, and to cast Aspect of the Cat. The best mods are the ones that scale up your damage with Frenzy Charges.

(Helmet) Rare Helmet - Look mostly for Life, Resistances, Accuracy Rating, and a Cold Damage Reduction for nearby opponents.

Min. requirements: +70 maximum Life +80% Total Elemental Resistances Accuracy Rating Optional affixes: Nearby enemies take #% Increased Cold Damage Armour Intelligence

(Helmet) Heatshiver - It's the best option. It significantly increases your Damage, and with Galcial Hammer you're guaranteed to Freeze.

(80-100)% increased Evasion Rating 60% increased Mana Regeneration Rate +(20-30)% to Fire Resistance +(20-30)% to Cold Resistance Gain 1% of Cold Damage as Extra Fire Damage per 1% Chill Effect on Enemy Gain 100% of Cold Damage as Extra Fire Damage against Frozen Enemies

Helmet enchantment: Glacial Hammer Enchantment

(Body Armour) Rare Body Armour - It should be only a transitioning Armour so don't invest too much in it, just enough to get a lot of Life and Resistances.

Min. requirements: +100 maximum Life +80% to Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: increased Maximum Life Elemental Resistances You can apply an additional Curse

(Body Armour) Replica Farrul's Fur - It's the Armour you should definitely own for it generates you the Endurance Charges, and the maximum amount of them is equal to the Frenzy ones.

(100-150)% increased Armour and Evasion +(80-100) to maximum Life +2 seconds to Cat's Agility Duration Aspect of the Cat has no Reservation Gain up to your maximum number of Frenzy and Endurance Charges when you gain Cat's Agility You have Onslaught while you have Cat's Agility

(Weapon) Rare Mace - Just sort the weapons by the Physical or Cold Damage per Second and get the one with the highest number you can afford. Attack Speed is obligatory.

Min. requirements: around 400 DPS 20% increased Attack Speed Optional affixes: Accuracy Rating increased Damage adds Damage to Attacks

(Weapon) Frostbreath - A weapon that deals double damage at all times. It's quite good and definitely cheap.

15% reduced Enemy Stun Threshold Adds (26-32) to (36-42) Physical Damage Adds (26-32) to (36-42) Cold Damage (8-14)% increased Attack Speed +(40-50)% to Fire Resistance (35-50)% increased Chill Duration on Enemies Attacks with this Weapon deal Double Damage to Chilled Enemies

(Boots) Darkray Vectors - This pair of Boots grant you an extra Frenzy Charge and some other very useful bonuses based on the number of your active Frenzy Charges.

(40-70)% increased Armour and Evasion +(20-40)% to Lightning Resistance 5% increased Movement Speed per Frenzy Charge +1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges 40% reduced Frenzy Charge Duration 25% reduced Light Radius 10% increased Evasion Rating per Frenzy Charge

(Belt) Rare Belt - As was the case with a Rare Armour, get a Belt good enough until you can afford Arn's Anguish.

Min. requirements: +100 maximum Life +70% to Total Elemental Resistances 30% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills Optional affixes: increased Damage Armour increased Maximum Life

(Belt) Arn's Anguish - Transforms your Endurance Charges into Brutal Charges so that you're very likely to deal triple damage with hits

(15-25)% increased Stun and Block Recovery +1 to Maximum Endurance Charges +(600-700) to Armour (12-15)% increased maximum Life +(40-60)% to Fire Resistance Modifiers to Minimum Endurance Charges instead apply to Minimum Brutal Charges Maximum Brutal Charges is equal to Maximum Endurance Charges Gain Brutal Charges instead of Endurance Charges

(Amulet) Rare Amulet - Prioritize Life and Resistances, then look for Accuracy, added Damage, and some missing Attributes.

Min. requirements: +70 Maximum Life +70% to Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Adds Physical Damage to Attacks Accuracy Rating Attributes increased Area of Effect Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana

(Amulet) Uul-Netol's Vow - An Amulet that grants you the 7th socket, and for a build like this, it would be extremely beneficial.

Has 1 Socket Socketed Support Gems can also Support Skills from your Body Armour +(-30-30)% to Fire Resistance +(-30-30)% to Cold Resistance +(-30-30)% to Lightning Resistance +(-23-23)% to Chaos Resistance

Recommended Anointments: Divine Judgement Panopticon

(Ring) Rare Rings - Besides Life and Resistances look for the offensive or utility mods such as the ones listed here. Steel Rings are great for their inherent added Damage.

Min. requirements: +70 maximum Life +70% to Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: increased Melee or Elemental Damage Non-Channelling Skills have -7 to Total Mana Cost (crafted) Added Cold Damage per Frenzy Charge Accuracy Rating increased Attack Speed Added Physical Damage to Attacks Attributes

(Gloves) Rare Gloves - Life and Accuracy Rating are the most important mods. The more expensive ones include additional targeting for Strikes and Maximum Frenzy Charges.

Min. requirements: +70 maximum Life +500 Accuracy Rating Optional affixes: Added Damage to Attacks +1 to Maximum Frenzy Charges Strike Skills target 1 additional nearby Enemy increased Melee Damage increased Attack Speed

(Jewel) Watcher's Eye - Cold Penetration or added Cold Damage with Hatred are the best offensive mods you can find.

(4-6)% increased maximum Energy Shield (4-6)% increased maximum Life (4-6)% increased maximum Mana <Two or Three random aura modifiers>

(Jewel) Intuitive Leap - Allocate it near Fervour and allocate a few useful notables in the radius.

Passives in Radius can be Allocated without being connected to your tree

(Jewel) Lethal Pride - You can use it to gain additional Strength and some suitable modifiers as you put it near Savagery and Vigour.

Commanded leadership over (10000-18000) warriors under (Akoya-Kaom-Rakiata) Passives in radius are Conquered by the Karui Historic

(Jewel) Unnatural Instinct - The best place to put it is near the center of the Skill Tree, it will grant you a lot of various effects.

Allocated Small Passive Skills in Radius grant nothing Grants all bonuses of Unallocated Small Passive Skills in Radius

(Jewel) Rare Jewels - These should provide extra Life and various damage bonuses for Maces or one-Handed Weapon. Accuracy and Reservation Efficiency are also great.

Recommended affixes: increased maximum Life increased Physical/Area/Melee Damage with a one-handed melee weapon Increased Mana Reservation Efficiency increased Global Accuracy Rating Attributes Resistances Attack Speed

(Jewel) Large Cluster Jewel - We've used just one Large Cluster Jewel. If you don't have a Mana Leech source get Fuel the Fight Notable. For more Damage pick Martial Prowess.

Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Fuel the Fight 1 Added Passive Skill is Prismatic Heart 1 Added Passive Skill is Overlord 1 Added Passive Skill is Martial Prowess 1 Added Passive Skill is Blast-Freeze 1 Added Passive Skill is Blanketed Snow

(Flask) Lion's Roar - The best Flask for Melee Physical Builds. the damage it grants will be converted to Cold.

+1500 to Armour Adds Knockback to Melee Attacks during Flask effect Knocks Back Enemies in an Area when you use a Flask 75% chance to cause Enemies to Flee on use (7-10)% more Melee Physical Damage during effect

(Flask) Taste of Hate - It adds a lot of Cold Damage to your attack which is sourced from your Physical one.

+50% to Cold Resistance 20% less Cold Damage taken (10-15)% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage during Flask effect Gain (10-15)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage during effect 30% chance to Avoid being Chilled during Flask effect 30% chance to Avoid being Frozen during Flask effect

(Flask) Atziri's Promise - Use it for Chaos Resistance, Life Leech, and extra Chaos Damage from your Physical and Elemental Damage.

+35% to Chaos Resistance 2% of Chaos Damage Leeched as Life during Flask effect Gain (5-8)% of Physical Damage as Extra Chaos Damage during effect Gain (5-8)% of Elemental Damage as Extra Chaos Damage during effect

Other suggested Flasks: Quicksilver Flask with Bleeding immunity/removal Life Flask with increased Attack Speed Jade or Basalt Flask with increased Armour

If you have any other build requests, please leave that in the comments below.

Pictures used in this article are the intellectual property of Grinding Gear Games.