Shattering Steel
Impaling Totems Champion
Starter build

Updated for Patch 3.5

The Best Crafty Guides by Odealo

Estimated budget: medium

Shattering Steel is a new Projectile attack skill that has a chance to impale enemies on hit. Impale is a new mechanic introduced in Patch 3.5 which stores some of the Physical Damage dealt to enemies, and adds it on every consecutive Hit against this enemy. With several Impale stacks, your damage is multiplied to very high extents, and the bonus damage is granted both to you and your allies. In this case, Ancestral Protector Totems, which deals terrific damage. Since this is a Totem build, it requires nearly no specific unique items, but obtaining Tukohama's Fortress significantly increases your performance. Also, we believe this to be the most exciting Totem builds out there, which does not make you stay back and avoid attacks, but you jump right into battle and assist your Totems with Shattering Steel attacks. While the skill itself has a rather low base DPS, when you get maximum stacks of Impale it is compelling, especially against Bosses.

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

1. Gameplay

This build is based on the Champion Ascendacy class, as the only class that utilizes the Impale mechanic. Champion provides high bonuses to both yourself and your Totems via Worthy Foe and Master of Metal Passives. At the same time, Champion provides solid defenses with high Life, Armour Rating, Leech and Ascendancy Passives. This build provides unique playstyles, where you are a Ranged character dealing moderate damage from a medium distance, and summoning up to four Totems that obliterate enemies in close-range. This build has the potential to clear all the content, with our progress so far being all four Guardians. This build also utilizes the newly added Banner skill, which increases your chance to Impale, its effectiveness, grants Fortify buff, and again, increases the effect of Fortify buff.

0:06 Tier 15 Carcass 0:45 Tier 16 Elder Ramparts 1:20 Tier 16 Elder Underground Sea 1:57 Tier 16 Zana's Elder Barrows This video was recorded on a level 86 Champion with Soul Taker and Tukohama's Fortress

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

Leveling with this Champion is extremely easy. Master of Metal is the best early game Passive in Path of Exile, which provides bonuses equal to those of Abyssus unique Helmet early in the game, with no downside whatsoever. It will greatly increase your Physical DPS for each Impale stack on enemies and allow you to clear everything on your path with self-found equipment. Also, Totems are extremely popular for League Starter builds for that very reason of being cheap and effective early on.

Suggested leveling Gem setups:

Shattering Steel setup
	Shattering Steel - the primary Attack skill in this build
	Chance to Bleed Support - adds Physical Damage and increases the chance to inflict Bleeding
	Faster Attacks Support
	Maim Support - increases Physical Damage dealt and slows down enemies

Ancestral Protector setup
	Ancestral Protector - Totem skill which makes up for most of your damage dealt
	Melee Physical Damage Support - increases Melee Damage with attacks
	Melee Splash Support - grants Melee Splash to supported skills
	Multiple Totems Support - increases the number of your maximum Totems by two

Ancestral Protector setup
	Shield Charge Blades - your mobility skill
	Faster Attacks Support

Utility Gems
	Summon Lightning Golem - increases your Attack Speed
	Vulnerability - the best Curse for this build
	Herald of Purity - increases your Physical Damage with Attacks
	Dread Banner - increases your chance to Impale enemies

Bandits:

We recommend killing all the Bandits for two additional Passive Points

Leveling Skill Trees:

28 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Art of the Gladiator 2) Defiance 3) Golem's Blood 4) Retaliation 5) Splitting Axes

59 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Life and Mana Leech 2) Bloodless 3) Ironwood 4) Slaughter 5) Cleaving 6) Barbarism

Recommended leveling items:

Blackheart - one of the best leveling Rings for Physical DPS builds
Adds 1 to 4 Physical Damage to Attacks 5% increased Physical Damage Adds 1 to 3 Chaos Damage to Attacks +(20-30) to maximum Life (2-4) Life Regenerated per second 10% chance to Cause Monsters to Flee

Belt of the Deceiver - powerful Belt which can be used from lower levels
+(25-35) to Strength (15-25)% increased Global Physical Damage You take 30% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes +(30-40) to maximum Life +(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances Nearby Enemies are Intimidated

Relentless Fury - a mighty leveling Axe
(60-80)% increased Physical Damage Adds (3-5) to (7-10) Physical Damage 2% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life Culling Strike You gain Onslaught for 3 seconds on Culling Strike Cannot be Chilled during Onslaught

4. Final Skill tree, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

114 Points Final Skill Tree
114 Points Path of Building(PoB) link

Ascendancy points:

Preferably in that order:

1. Master of Metal
2. Conqueror
3. Worthy Foe
4. Unstoppable Hero

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 Tukohama While stationary, gain 2% additional Physical Damage Reduction each second, up to a maximum of 8% 

5. Final Gems links

[DPS] Shattering Steel
	Shattering Steel - your main skill, for both AoE and single target
	Vicious Projectiles Support - increases your Projectile's attack damage and Physical Damage over Time it causes
	Slower Projectiles Support - increases the damage of your Projectiles but slows them down
	Maim Support
Support Gems granted by Elder Gloves
	Faster Attacks Support
	Chance to Bleed Support

[DPS] Ancestral Protector
	Ancestral Protector - same as the leveling setup, just add new Support Gems as your progress in the Campaign and Maps
	Melee Physical Damage Support
	Melee Splash Support
	Multiple Totems Support
	Ruthless Support - grants increased damage on every third Hit from supported skills
	Maim Support

[UTILITY] Dread Banner
	Dread Banner - grants your increased chance to Impale and increases the effectiveness of Impale. Remember to plan the Banner when facing Bosses and tough rare monsters

[MOBILITY] Shield Charge setup
	Shield Charge - your primary movement skill
	Faster Attacks Support
	Fortify Support - grants a great defensive buff on melee Hits with Shield Charge that reduces your damage is taken and grants powerful buffs thanks to Unstoppable Hero Passive

[CURSE] Vulnerability Aura
	Vulnerability - recommended Curse for this build. If you can't afford Impresence Amulet, just use it in a low-level CwDT setup
	Blasphemy Support - makes your Curse work as an Aura around your character

[UTILITY] Immortal Call and Vaal Haste
	Immortal Call - grants brief immunity to Physical Damage. Keep it at level 1
	Cast when Damage Taken Support - will auto-cast Immortal Call. Keep this Gem at level 1
	Increased Duration Support - increases the duration of Immortal Call and Vaal Haste
	Vaal Haste - Vaal Aura that increases your Movement and Attack Speed for a brief duration

[UTILITY] Golem and Blood Rage
	Summon Lightning Golem - increases your Attack Speed
	Blood Rage - grants increased Attack Speed, Frenzy Charges and Life Leech

5. Gear Setup

Below you will find all the recommended gear for this build. This build requires no specific unique Items. The only item that we suggest investing in is Tukohama's Fortress which allows you to use four Totems, increases the damage of your Totems, and grant high Armour Rating bonus. All the unique items listed can be replaced with Life, Elemental Resistances, and Physical DPS rares.

At this point, we would love to invite you to visit our PoE Currency marketplace. You can buy, sell, and trade your items in Path of Exile with other players with the use of real cash. 

Our recommended items will:

1. Cap your resistances 
2. Give you enough DPS/Life to start mapping successfully

(Helmet) Rare Helmet - this is an excellent option for this build. Picking up a rare helmet will make it much easier to cap Elemental Resistances and wear the other required unique gear

Min. requirements: 80 maximum Life 25% Fire Resistance 25% Cold Resistance 25% Lightning Resistance

Helmet enchantment: 40% increased Ancestral Protector Damage

(Weapon) Rare Axe - aim for high Attack Speed and Physical DPS

Min. requirements: 350 Physical DPS 1.60 Attacks per second Optional affixes: increased Bleeding Damage

(Weapon) Soul Taker - one of the best weapons for this build. It has high Physical DPS and very high Attack rate. It's also the best weapon if you don't have Blood Magic yet (or don't plan to use it at all)

(100-140)% increased Physical Damage Adds 10 to 20 Physical Damage (20-25)% increased Attack Speed +(20-25)% to Cold Resistance Insufficient Mana doesn't prevent your Melee Attacks Your Physical Damage can Chill

(Weapon) Tukohama's Fortress - the best shield for this build. Increases the number of your maximum Totems and their damage by a lot

+(20-30) to maximum Life 3% reduced Movement Speed (Hidden) 40% increased Totem Damage +(80-100) to maximum Life +1 to maximum number of Summoned Totems +300 Armour per active Totem Blood Magic

(Weapon) Lioneye's Remorse - another solid shield which greatly increases your defenses. Also, if you don't use Blood Magic, you can use additional Auras and Spells that would normally Reserve your Life. This can be Herald of Purity, Haste, Hatred, and so on

+(20-30) to maximum Life 3% reduced Movement Speed (Hidden) (200-250)% increased Armour 20% increased Stun and Block Recovery +(160-180) to maximum Life 5% reduced Movement Speed -25 Physical Damage taken from Projectile Attacks +5% Chance to Block

(Body Armour) Rare Armour - a solid pick for early levels and when you just start mapping

Min. requirements: 1500 Armour 100 maximum Life Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances Attributes

(Body Armour) Belly of the Beast - the best defensive Body Armour for this build

3% reduced Movement Speed (Hidden) (150-200)% increased Armour (30-40)% increased maximum Life +(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances 50% increased Flask Life Recovery rate Extra gore

(Body Armour) Loreweave - another viable choice, which greatly increases your DPS and grants increased maximum Elemental Resistances

Has 6 Sockets Adds (4-10) to (14-36) Physical Damage to Attacks +(8-24) to all Attributes (20-60)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance +(15-50) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-60) to maximum Life +(20-50) to maximum Mana (6-30)% increased Rarity of Items found (15-50)% increased Elemental Damage Your Maximum Resistances are (76-80)%

(Boots) Rare Boots

Min. requirements: 70 maximum Life 25% Fire Resistance 25% Cold Resistance 25% Lightning Resistance 25% Movement Speed

Boot enchantment: 16% increased Attack and Cast Speed if you've Killed Recently

(Gloves) Rare Elder Gloves

Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life Socketed Gems are Supported by level # Faster Attacks Socketed Gems are Supported by level # Chance to Bleed Optional affixes: Added Physical Damage to Attacks Increased Projectile Attack Damage Elemental Resistances

(Belt) Belt of the Deceiver

+(25-35) to Strength (15-25)% increased Global Physical Damage You take 30% reduced Extra Damage from Critical Strikes +(30-40) to maximum Life +(10-15)% to all Elemental Resistances Nearby Enemies are Intimidated

(Belt) Rare Belt

Min. requirements: 85 maximum Life 20% increased Physical Damage 25% Fire Resistance 25% Cold Resistance 25% Lightning Resistance

(Belt) Stygian Vise

Min. requirements: 80 maximum Life 25% Fire Resistance 25% Cold Resistance 25% Lightning Resistance Optional affixes: Strength

(Amulet) Carnage Heart - a very solid pick for this build. It can be used starting at level 20

+(10-16) to all Attributes +(20-40) to all Attributes +(10-20)% to all Elemental Resistances (1.2-2)% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life 50% increased Life Leeched per second (30-40)% increased Damage while Leeching Extra gore

(Amulet) Impresence (Physical) - another, great Amulet for this build. Allows you to use Vulnerability Aura

+(10-16) to all Attributes Adds (12-16) to (20-25) Physical Damage +(400-500) to Armour +(50-70) to maximum Life (30-40)% increased Stun and Block Recovery Vulnerability has 100% reduced Mana Reservation Gain Maddening Presence for 10 seconds when you Kill a Rare or Unique Enemy

(Ring) Rare Steel Rings - the best in the slot

Min. requirements: 55 maximum Life Added min. 11 Physical Damage to Attacks 30 Intelligence 10% All Elemental Resistances 20% Lightning Resistance

(Ring) Mark of the Elder - the best in the slot, as long as your other Ring is a Shaper item. You may need to adjust Elemental Resistances on your other equipment when using Mark of the Elder

Adds (3-4) to (10-14) Physical Damage to Attacks Adds (26-32) to (42-48) Cold Damage to Attacks (6-10)% increased maximum Energy Shield (6-10)% increased maximum Life (60-80)% increased Attack Damage if your other Ring is a Shaper Item Cannot be Stunned by Attacks if your other Ring is an Elder Item 20% chance to Trigger Level 20 Tentacle Whip on Kill

(Jewel) Abyss Jewels - with added flat Physical Damage to Attacks

Recommended affixes: Added Physical Damage to Attacks Added Physical Damage to Axe Attacks maximum Life

(Jewel) Rare Jewels - they should provide extra Life and damage

Recommended affixes: increased maximum Life increased Physical Damage Optional affixes: increased Attack Speed

(Flask) Atziri's Promise - one of the best Flasks in Path of Exile, which is at the same time very cheap

+35% to Chaos Resistance 2% of Chaos Damage Leeched as Life during Flask effect Gain (15-20)% of Physical Damage as Extra Chaos Damage during effect Gain (10-15)% of Elemental Damage as Extra Chaos Damage during effect

(Flask) Taste of Hate - another extremely powerful Flask, both in terms of defensive and offensive utility

+50% to Cold Resistance 20% less Cold Damage taken 20% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as Cold Damage during Flask effect Gain (15-20)% 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) Lion's Roar - another great utility Flask, however, it only increases the Damage of your Totems, since Shattering Steel is not a Melee attack

+3000 to Armour Adds Knockback to Melee Attacks during Flask effect 75% chance to cause Enemies to Flee on use (20-25)% more Melee Physical Damage during effect Knocks Back Enemies in an Area when you use a Flask

Other suggested Flasks: Bubbling Divine Life Flask of Staunching (immunity to Bleeding) Ample Quicksilver Flask of Heat (immunity to Chill and Freeze effects)

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.