Voltaxic Rift
Chaos Arc Trapper
Patch 3.3 Build

The Best Crafty Guides by Odealo

Estimated budget: medium

Saboteur became the second most popular Ascendancy class in Path of Exile in Patch 3.3. Traps were significantly buffed, Shadow's part of the Skill Tree was redesigned to make it easier for Trapper characters, as well as a number of interesting and powerful Trap-related Gems, were introduced. In general, Trappers provide insane burst damage and various defensive mechanics are available to them including Mind over Matter and high Mana Regeneration, or Evasion and Dodge from Ranger's part of the Tree.

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1. Gameplay

As a Trapper you can lay Traps, that will cast certain skills when they are triggered by an enemy, or when their duration expires. With the use of Trap Support Gem, you can use Traps to cast any Spell or Attack that uses bows and wands. While the average damage of supported skills doesn't differ much from the regular damage of the skill, you are able to lay down as much as 23 Traps simultaneously. This provides one of the highest burst DPS in Path of Exile, and Traps excel in Boss fights and end-game encounters. Defenses in this build are based on Life, Mind over Matter and Dodge. On top of that, you can use Blink Arrow which is a much more reliable movement skill compared to Flame Dash usually used in standard Trapper builds. 

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

Leveling a Trapper is very easy. It is not the fastest type of character, but its' damage output is one of the highest even with just self-found rares. You can also get the Deerstalker boots or Mirebough staff. Both those items provide cheap 5 and 6 link setups, which will make your Traps one-shot everything on your way. In terms of gear, you should mainly focus on Life, Spell Damage, and Mana Regeneration rate.

Suggested leveling Gem setups:

Fire Trap setup
	Fire Trap - one of the first Traps available in Path of Exile. It deals moderate Fire AoE Damage making it a great choice for leveling
	Arcane Surge Support - increases your Spell Damage and Mana Regeneration Rate
	Added Cold Damage Support - adds Cold Damage to supported skills
	Added Lightning Damage Support - adds Lightning Damage to supported skills

Arc Trap setup
	Arc - since Arc Traps is your primary DPS source in this build, we recommend using it as soon as possible
	Added Lightning Damage
	Trap and Mine Damage Support - increased the damage of supported Traps and Mines
	Controlled Destruction Support - greatly increases the Spell Damage of supported spells
	Trap Support - granted by the Mirebough staff or the Deerstalker boots

Flame Dash
	Flame Dash - recommended movement skill until you start using Voltaxic Rift. Linked together with Arcane Surge will also grant the buff
	Faster Casting Support - increases the Cast Speed of Flame Dash
	Arcane Surge Support

Utility Gems
	Conductivity - recommended Curse for the leveling phase
	Herald of Ice - adds Cold Damage to your Spells and Attacks and causes AoE explosions when killing Frozen enemies
	Clarity - increases Mana Regeneration rate

Bandits:

We recommend helping Alira for extra Elemental Resistances and Crit. multiplier

Leveling Skill Trees:

33 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Saboteur 2) Expeditious Munitions 3) High explosives 4) Clever Construction

56 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Coordination 2) Master Sapper 3) Phase Acrobatics 4) Blast Cascade

Recommended leveling items:

Praxis - grants increased Mana Regeneration rate and high maximum Mana. Praxis is one of the best leveling rings in Path of Exile
+(20-25) to maximum Mana +(30-60) to maximum Mana (3-6) Mana Regenerated per second -(8-4) to Total Mana Cost of Skills 8% of Damage taken gained as Mana over 4 seconds when Hit

Fencoil - excellent leveling Staff, that provides the Trap Support Gem and a cheap 4-link
18% Chance to Block Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 8 Trap (40-50)% increased Damage (10-20)% increased maximum Life (10-20)% increased maximum Mana

Mirebough - Fated version of the Fencoil staff. It provides a cheap (when compared to regular 6linked items) 6 linked item for your Trap setup
18% Chance to Block Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 16 Trap Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 16 Cluster Trap Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 16 Trap And Mine Damage (40-50)% increased Damage (10-20)% increased maximum Life (10-20)% increased maximum Mana

Deerstalker - a cheaper alternative to Mirebough. Deerstalker boots provide very cheap 5-linked setup for your Traps which is more than enough to help you complete the campaign and start mapping
Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 11 Trap (160-200)% increased Evasion Rating +(35-45) to maximum Life (14-18)% increased Trap Throwing Speed 15% increased Movement Speed 15% increased Movement Speed for 9 seconds on Throwing a Trap

4. Final Skill tree, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

115 Points Final Skill Tree
115 Points Path of Building link 

Ascendancy points:

Preferably in that order:

1. Perfect Crime
2. Chain Reaction
3. Pyromaniac
4. Born in the Shadows

Pantheon:

Major God: 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%

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] Arc Trap setup
	Arc - your main DPS spell that is cast by your Traps
	Trap Support - allows you to throw Traps that use the supported skills
	Trap and Mine Damage Support
	Controlled Destruction Support
	Added Chaos Damage Support - adds Chaos Damage to supported Spells
	Added Lightning Damage Support
Optional Gems:
	Cluster Traps Support - makes you throw more Traps at once, but each deal less damage. It's a good Support Gem for faster map farming and when you can't afford 4 blue sockets (using both Cherrubim's and Voltaxic Rift make it somewhat problematic)

[UTILITY] Wither Spell Totem
	Wither - a channeled spell that increases Chaos Damage taken by enemies it hinders
	Spell Totem Support - will spawn a Totem that uses the With Spell
	Faster Casting Support - increases the rate at which your Spell Totem builds up Wither stacks

[MOBILITY] Blink Arrow
	Blink Arrow -  movement skill that can be used with Bows. It also created a clone of yourself which in combination with Phasing makes you less likely to be attacked
	Faster Attacks Support - increases the Attack Speed of Blink Arrow skill

[CURSE] Orb of Storms CoH setup
	Orb of Storms - an area/duration spell that is used to apply your curse and generate additional Power Charges
	Arcane Surge Support - match this Gem's level to Orb of Storm's Mana cost so that you gain the buff with every cast
	Assassin's Mark - increases the chance for cursed enemies to be critically hit, and the damage you deal with Critical Strikes. Also, generated Power Charges
	Curse on Hit Support - will make Orb of Storms apply your supported Curses

[AURA/UTILITY] Immortal Call and Clarity setup
	Cast when Damage Taken Support - auto-casts supported spells (Immortal Call). Keep this Gem at level 1
	Vaal Clarity - grants Mana Regeneration Aura, and also the Vaal version of the skill- which makes your skills cost no Mana for a brief duration
	Increased Duration Support - increases the duration of both Immortal Call and Vaal Clarity
	Immortal Call - grants brief immunity to Physical Damage. Is auto-cast and shouldn't be leveled above level 3

[AURA] Wrath
	Wrath - adds Lightning Damage to your Spells and Attacks

[GOLEM] Ice Golem
	Ice Golem - increases your chance to Critically Strike
	Cast when Damage Taken Support - auto-casts supported spells (Summons the Ice Golem). Use at maximum level

[UTILITY] Phase Run
	Phase Run - makes you less visible to enemies and increases your Movement Speed for a brief duration. Keep this gem at level 7
	Cast when Damage Taken Support - auto-casts supported spells (Phase Run). Use at level 5

5. Gear Setup

Below you will find all the required gear for this build. We have also included optional gear options. While this build is not very expensive, it requires several specific uniques, with rather unusual socket colors. Until you can obtain all the recommended gear, we advise playing this build as a regular Arc Trapper without the Chaos Damage conversion, possibly wearing cheap rare items (6-link in Mirebough, 5-link rare Staff, rare Body Armour, and Boots). 5-6 Links in Arc Trap setup will easily allow you to farm low tier maps and farm the currency needed for the more expensive gear.  

We would also like to invite you to visit our marketplace where you can restock your PoE Currency. On Odealo you can buy Orbs and Unique items from regular players, which guarantees competitive prices and prompt delivery.

Our recommended items will:

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

(Helmet) Rare Life/Res. helmet - aim for the highest defensive stats you can afford

Min. requirements: 70 maximum Life 25% Fire Resistance 25% Cold Resistance 25% Lightning Resistance Optional affixes: Mana

(Helmet) Starkonja's Head - a perfect choice for this build. It grants Crit Chance, very high Life bonus and Attack Speed (faster movement with Blink Arrow)

50% reduced Damage when on Low Life +(50-70) to Dexterity 10% increased Attack Speed 25% increased Global Critical Strike Chance (100-130)% increased Evasion Rating +(80-100) to maximum Life 150% increased Global Evasion Rating when on Low Life

Helmet enchantment: 40% increased Arc Damage

(Weapon) Voltaxic Rift - mandatory item for this build. Converts 60% of the Lightning Damage to Chaos. The Damage bonuses on this bow are irrelevant for this build, you can only focus on getting higher Attack Speed for better mobility with Blink Arrow

Adds 1 to (275-325) Lightning Damage (10-15)% increased Attack Speed 60% of Lightning Damage Converted to Chaos Damage 10% chance to Shock Your Chaos Damage can Shock

(Quiver) Rare Life/Crit. quiver - in most cases the rare quiver will provide the highest DPS. It can also provide better defensive utility

Min. requirements: 80 maximum Life 60% Global Critical Strike Chance 30% Global Critical Strike Multiplier 30% Lightning Resistance

(Quiver) Saemus' Gift - a budget-friendly quiver for this build. If you end up with high Intelligence bonuses on your rare gear including amulet and rings, this Quiver can grant over 30% increased Lightning Damage. It's a decent pick and costs near to nothing

(20-30)% increased Global Critical Strike Chance +(30-40) to Dexterity (8-12)% increased Cast Speed +(30-60) to maximum Life +(20-40)% to Lightning Resistance 20% chance to Avoid being Stunned 1% increased Lightning Damage per 10 Intelligence

(Armour) Cherrubim's Maleficence -  grants very high DPS bonus but lacks the Inpulsa's AoE explosions

3% reduced Movement Speed (Hidden) (50-80)% increased Chaos Damage (160-200)% increased Armour and Evasion +(70-100) to maximum Life 100% increased Life Leeched per second

(Armour) Inpulsa's Broken Heart - the best in the slot. Also, Inpulsa's Broken Heart can easily provide 4 blue sockets for the Arc Trap setup

3% reduced Movement Speed (Hidden) +(60-80) to maximum Life (20-50)% increased Damage if you have Shocked an Enemy Recently (25-40)% increased Effect of Shock Unaffected by Shock Shocked Enemies you Kill Explode, dealing (5-10)% of their Maximum Life as Lightning Damage which cannot Shock

(Boots) Inya's Epiphany - this pair of boots provide very high damage bonus. Also can amplify the Saemus' Gift's Lightning Damage bonus

+(50-70) to maximum Life 25% increased Movement Speed (5-8)% increased Intelligence 5% increased Damage per Power Charge 25% chance that if you would gain Power Charges, you instead gain up to your maximum number of Power Charges

Boot enchament: Adds 120 to 180 Chaos Damage if you've taken a Critical Strike Recently 10% Chance to Dodge Attack Hits if you've taken a Critical Strike Recently 8% chance to Dodge Spell Hits if you've taken Spell Damage Recently

(Belt) Rare Life/Res. belt - preferably a Stygian Vise if you can afford one for the extra Abyss socket

Min. requirements: 80 maximum Life 29% Fire Resistance 29% Cold Resistance 29% Lightning Resistance

(Gloves) Maligaro's Virtuosity - very cheap and solid pair of gloves for this build. Since they are that cheap, you can freely try to double-corrupt them for increased Spell Crit. Chance and maximum Life

+(20-30) to Dexterity 5% increased Attack Speed 50% increased Global Critical Strike Chance +(20-30)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier (60-80)% increased Evasion Rating Optional corrupt modifiers: Spells have +% to Critical Strike Chance increased maximum Life

Glove enchantment: Commandment of Frost

(Ring) Rare ring - used mainly for defensive stats (Life/Resistances) extra Lightning Damage is a nice addition

Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life 40 maximum Mana 26% Fire Resistance 26% Cold Resistance 33% Lightning Resistance Optional affixes: increased Lightning Damage

(Ring) Rare ring - same as above, though lower total Resistances are required and it might be affordable to get a Diamond Ring for extra Crit.

Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life 40 maximum Mana 30 Strength 39% Fire Resistance 39% Cold Resistance Optional affixes: increased Global Critical Strike Chance

(Amulet) Rare amulet - with Crit. Chance and Multiplier as the core stats for this slot

Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life 24% Global Critical Strike Chance 24% Global Critical Strike Multiplier 11% all Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Attributes Spell Damage Mana

(Jewels) Abyss jewels - with added Lightning Damage to Spells

Recommended affixes: maximum Life added Lightning Damage to Spells added Lightning Damage to Spells while wielding a two handed weapon Optional affixes: missing Attributes added Chaos Damage to Spells

(Jewels) Rare jewels - this should provide extra Life and damage bonuses

Recommended affixes: increased maximum Life increased Elemental/Lightning/Spell Damage Optional affixes: increased Global Critical Strike Multiplier increased Global Critical Strike Chance

(Flask) Atziri's Promise - the best Flask for this build. Grants additional Chaos Damage and insane Life Leech

+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) Vessel of Vinktar - another great utility Flask. You should only use the one with added Lightning Damage to Spells

+50% to Lightning Resistance +6% to maximum Lightning Resistance (80-100)% increased Charges used Shocks nearby Enemies during Flask effect, causing 10% increased Damage taken You are Shocked during Flask effect, causing 50% increased Damage taken Adds (15-25) to (70-90) Lightning Damage to Spells during Flask effect 20% of Lightning Damage Leeched as Life during Flask effect

(Flask) Lavianga's Spirit - another great Flask for this build. If you can't afford it just yet, just use a random Mana Flask

Your Skills have no Mana Cost during Flask effect

Other suggested Flasks: Bubbling Divine Life Flask of Staunching (immunity to bleeding) Experimenter's Diamond Flask of Grounding (increased Critical Strike Chance and self-shock removal)

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

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