Updated for Patch 3.16
The Best Crafty Guides by Odealo
Estimated budget: medium
Guide notes |
August 12, 2021 -Updated for Patch 3.15 January 14, 2022 -Updated for Patch 3.16 |
Spectral Shield Throw is a very unique Attack that fires a spectral copy of your equipped shield that deals higher base damage based on your Shield's Armour and Evasion Attributes and has increased Critical Strike Chance based on Energy Shield. By equipping a shield with a high Armour Rating (preferably 2,500+), you end up with an Attack that has very high base damage, making it great for applying potent Bleed DoTs and allowing you to focus on getting Physical Damage over Time Multiplier and defensive attributes on your other equipment. This build can be easily played as a Starter build, which will offer amazing clear speed on low and Mid Tier Maps basically with 0 equipment, and as a Gladiator, you should be able to tank most of the content thanks to high Life, Armour, and Block Chance. You also benefit from a very powerful Spectral Shield Throw's Threshold Jewel, which greatly increases your clear speed by adding the extra Chain. Compared to the state from 3.15, in 3.16 the build has received some significant nerfs - it now uses Resolute Technique, and the Versatile Combatant is reworked thus optional.
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Spectral Shield Throw is a ranged projectile Attack skill, so this is somewhat similar to Bow builds, though you shouldn't be afraid to get hit at all thanks to your high Block Chance and other defensive stats. Spectral Shield Throw will fire projectiles that will shatter on impact releasing additional smaller projectiles. Thanks to the extra Chain, you will see tons of projectiles flying around your screen and applying very powerful Bleed DoTs. This build utilizes the Crimson Dance Passive, which allows you to apply up to 8 Stacks of Bleeding on a single enemy but with 50% Reduced damage. Overall, this can potentially quadruple your Damage over Time from bleeding if you can apply all 8 Stacks quickly. Thanks to the use of Gratuitous Violence, you will also cause enemies to explode dealing tons of Physical Damage in an area around them, greatly increasing your clear speed and overall enjoyment from playing this build. All you need to play this build is a high Armour Shield, Divide and Conquer Jewel, and extra Physical DoT multipliers on random rare gear.
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Leveling up an SST character should be a breeze. All you really need is, is Armour on your shield and Divide and Conquer Jewel. Not many players are using Spectral Shield Throw, so getting the Jewel even on a newly started League shouldn't be an issue. Initially, you want some extra Added Physical Damage to Attacks as well, as the base Armour on your shield won't be as high as Crated end-game one, but there are plenty of cheap items that will get the work done. Below you will find the basic setups for the leveling phase and several useful Unique Items that will help you rush through the campaign. It's also worth noting, that getting Gratuitous Violence should be your priority, as it greatly increases your clear speed. Even getting someone to rush you through the second Lab if you find it too difficult may pay up really quickly.
Suggested leveling Gem setups:
Spectral Shield setup | |
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Spectral Shield Throw - one of the first available skills you will get from a quest reward after killing Hillock. It will do great until you get the Sunder skill Gem |
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Chance to Bleed Support - adds flat Physical Damage and grants increased chance to apply Bleeding |
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Vicious Projectiles Support - greatly increases Physical Projectile Damage and Physical DoT applies by Spectral Shield Throw |
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Unbound Ailments - one of the core Support Gems used in this build which is accessible from level 8 so you should be easily able to equip it right after you start using SST at level 12 |
Reckoning setup | |
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Reckoning - deals extra damage and grants Life gained on Hit. As a Gladiator it will be triggered often enough to make it viable even on lower levels |
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Culling Strike Support - will have Reckoning instantly kill enemies below 10% making it a great way to finish off Bosses |
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Life Gained on Hit Support |
Utility Gems | |
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Ancestral Protector - this Totem skill increases your Attack Speed |
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Vulnerability - recommended Curse for leveling if you need extra damage against Bosses |
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Herald of Purity - increases your Physical Damage |
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Dash - the recommended Skill for increasing your Mobility. You can also use Leap Slam instead, which eventually both be used during late game |
Bandits:
We recommend killing all Bandits for the 2 additional Passive Points
Leveling Skill Trees:
36 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Art of the Gladiator 2) Master of the Arena 3) Golem's Blood 4) The "Shield" cluster 5) Crimson Dance
71 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Constitution 2) Born to Fight 3) Veteran Soldier 4) Bloodletting 5) Bloodless 6) Call to Arms
Recommended leveling items:
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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 |
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(25-35) to Strength (15-25)% increased 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 |
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+25% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier (120-150)% increased Physical Damage 20% reduced Rarity of Items found +(40-60)% to all Elemental Resistances +3 Life gained for each Enemy hit by Attacks |
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+(10-20) to maximum Life (60-80)% increased Armour +(30-50) to maximum Life -(80-50) Physical Damage taken from Projectile Attacks 200% increased Armour against Projectiles +25% Chance to Block Projectile Attack Damage |
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+(10-20) to maximum Life +(120-160) to Armour +(30-40) to maximum Life Your hits can't be Evaded +(3-5)% Chance to Block Adds 250 to 300 Cold Damage to Counterattacks |
Final Skill Tree:
105 Points Final Skill Tree (does not include Cluster Jewels)
123 Points Path of Building link (POB)
Ascendancy Points:
Preferably in that order:
Pantheon:
Major God: there are 2 Pantheon God's choices depending on if you are farming Maps or want to challenge one of the end-game Bosses
Maps:
Soul of Lunaris 1% additional Physical Damage Reduction for each nearby Enemy, up to 8%; 1% increased Movement Speed for each nearby Enemy, up to 8%
Bosses:
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%
[DPS] Spectral Shield Throw setup | |
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Spectral Shield Throw - your main DPS skill. It is a projectile-based Attack that throws a spectral copy of your shield. The skill's damage is based on your shield's defenses: Armour and Evasion Rating combined. The shield explodes on the first enemy hit and shatters into smaller projectiles that hit nearby enemies. It also has a built-in chain that boosts this build's clear speed |
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Brutality Support - greatly increases the supported skills' Physical Damage, but as a downside, makes it deal no Chaos and Elemental Damage |
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Vicious Projectiles Support - makes Spectral Shield Throw deal more Physical Damage and Physical DoT |
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Swift Affliction Support - increased the Damage over Time from Bleeding you inflict |
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Cruelty Support - increases your Damage and Damage over Time |
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Lifetap Support - makes Supported Attacks cost Life instead of Mana and grants a buff that increases your Damage after spending enough Life on the linked Skill |
Gems from Lioneye's Glare: | |
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Pierce Support - increases the Projectile Damage and causes shard projectiles to pierce enemies |
[UTILITY] Auras setup | |
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Herald of Purity - grants more Physical DPS which is the best type of multiplier you can have for this build |
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War Banner - it gives you increased Physical Damage, and Adrenaline when Placed |
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Pride - increases Physical Damage taken by nearby enemies. The effect is increased over time, so make sure to stay in close range to Bosses to benefit from it |
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Tempest Shield - Immunity to Shock and extra Spell Block Chance |
[UTILITY] Leap Slam setup | |
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Leap Slam - the recommended Movement skill for this build which allows you to progress faster through Areas and avoid incoming damage |
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Lifetap Support |
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Faster Attacks Support - link this Gem to Leap Slam for faster movement |
[UTILITY] Corrupting Fever setup | |
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Corrupting Fever - a buff that causes your Attacks to deal additional DoT Physical Damage, it will be refreshed automatically as you spend Life on Skills |
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Efficacy Support - increased Damage over Time and Skill Effect Duration |
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Brutality Support |
[UTILITY] Ancestor Totem setup | |
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Ancestral Protector - summons a Totem that increases your Attack Speed. In this setup, it will also Maim enemies and kill them instantly below 10% Life |
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Multiple Totems Support - allows you to summon two Totems with each cast up to a maximum of 3 |
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Culling Strike Support - this Gem can be linked to your Totem and it will have it finish off low-life enemies instantly |
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Maim Support - your Ancestral Protector Totems will slow down enemies on Hit |
[UTILITY] various gems | |
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Molten Shell - the best Guard Spell for this build which grants a protective shield based on your Armour Rating. Socket it under your left mouse button which will cause it to be triggered nearly automatically |
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Enduring Cry - a Warcry which generates Endurance Charges, grants extra Physical damage mitigation, and instant Life Recovery |
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Blood Rage - increases your Attack Speed and allows you to generate Frenzy Charges. It should be cast manually vs. Bosses or can be linked to a medium-tier Cast when Damage Taken Gem if you want it to be triggered automatically |
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Enhance Support - increased Gem Quality, meaning more Attack Speed and Duration for Enduring Cry and Molten Shiell |
[UTILITY] Vulnerability (from Ring affix) |
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Vulnerability - the best Curse for this build which increases Physical Damage taken by affected enemies. It's best to be applied by your Ring, and if not, you can either cast it manually or have it triggered by Cast when Damage Taken |
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Below you will find all the recommended gear for our Spectral Shield Throw Crimson Dance/Bleed Gladiator. All specific stat requirements are included. This section has been thoroughly reworked for Patch 3.16 and you should be able to somehow deal with most of the in-game content if you follow it up. The Items were picked up to stay in a reasonable budget of around 25 Exalted Orbs, allowing most casual players to obtain it. Obviously, there is plenty of space for improvements here.
We are also giving you the opportunity to get PoE Orbs necessary to purchase all the listed gear. You can head over to our Path of Exile marketplace and find cheap PoE Currency there. The link to the marketplace can be found on top of this page.
Our recommended items will:
Stat priorities on items:
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Min. requirements: 90 maximum Life 350 Accuracy Rating Nearby enemies take #% increased Physical Damage Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances High Armour Rating Chaos Resistance |
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Min. requirements: 110 maximum Life Optional affixes: Maximum Life% Socketed Attacks have -15 to Total Mana Cost Elemental Resistances |
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Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 15 Pierce (200-250)% increased Armour +(60-100) to maximum Life 0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana +160 Dexterity Requirement Enemy Projectiles Pierce you |
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+25% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier (120-150)% increased Physical Damage 20% reduced Rarity of Items found +(40-60)% to all Elemental Resistances +3 Life gained for each Enemy hit by Attacks |
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40% increased Global Accuracy Rating (80-95)% increased Physical Damage Adds (5-10) to (13-20) Physical Damage (20-25)% increased Attack Speed 10% increased Effect of Buffs on you 5% reduced Mana Reserved Allies' Aura Buffs do not affect you Your Aura Buffs do not affect allies |
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40% increased Global Accuracy Rating +8% Chance to Block Attack Damage while Dual Wielding Adds (60-70) to (71-80) Physical Damage 25% increased Global Physical Damage with Weapons per Red Socket 12% increased Global Attack Speed per Green Socket 0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana per Blue Socket +2 to Melee Strike Range per White Socket |
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Min. requirements: 90% increased Physical Damage over Time 20% increased Physical Damage 30% increased Damage with Bleeding Optional affixes: Attacks have a chance to cause Bleeding increased Attack Speed +20% to Physical Damage over Time Multiplier (crafted) |
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Min. requirements: 2500 Armour Rating Optional affixes: Maximum Life Elemental Resistances |
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3% reduced Movement Speed (Hidden) +(20-30) to maximum Life (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 |
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Min. requirements: 60 Maximum Life 25% Movement Speed Bleeding you inflict deals damage 5% faster Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances Attributes |
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Min. requirements: 100 Maximum Life 100% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Maximum Life% Armour Rating Increased Damage/Global Physical Damage |
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Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life Physical Damage over Time Multiplier Optional affixes: Dexterity, Intelligence Reduced Mana Reserved Non-channelling Skills have -# Total Mana Cost |
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Recommended Anointments: Command of Steel Charisma |
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Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life 75% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Attributes (Intelligence mainly) Curse Enemies with Vulnerability on Hit, with 20% increased Effect Added Physical Damage to Attacks |
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Min. requirements: 90 maximum Life 90% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Physical Damage over Time Multiplier Added Physical Damage to Attacks Accuracy Rating Damage while Leeching |
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Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Fuel the Fight 1 Added Passive Skill is Martial Prowess 1 Added Passive Skill is Feed the Fury 1 Added Passive Skill is Smite the Weak 1 Added Passive Skill is Veteran Defender |
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Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Eye to Eye 1 Added Passive Skill is Repeater |
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Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Fettle |
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(4-6)% increased maximum Energy Shield (4-6)% increased maximum Life (4-6)% increased maximum Mana <Two or Three random aura modifiers> |
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Allocated Small Passive Skills in Radius grant nothing Grants all bonuses of Unallocated Small Passive Skills in Radius |
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Recommended affixes: Maximum Life Projectile Damage/Attack Damage while holding a Shield Optional affixes: Attributes Attack Speed Accuracy Rating |
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Recommended affixes: Maximum Life Added Physical Damage to Attacks Optional affixes: Increased Damage if you've killed recently |
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+1500 to Armour (8-12)% Chance to Block during Flask effect (4-6)% Chance to Block Spells during Flask effect |
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Other suggested Flasks:
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If you have any other build requests please leave that in the comments below.
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