Crucible Week 2: News, Meta Analysis & Winning Strategies
Welcome to the second week of the Crucible. Whether you're a returning Guardian or a new player, this guide will provide you with the latest news updates, dissect the current meta, and share some crucial strategies to get ahead in the game.
Crucible Week 2 News
A new patch has just been released, which brings a number of changes and balances that are sure to shake up the PvP meta. Be sure to stay updated with these changes, as the new balance patches could potentially shift the power of weapons, subclasses, and playstyles.
We're also seeing the return of the much-awaited Iron Banner. Guardians can compete in this special event to earn unique gear and weapons, making it an exciting time for all PvP enthusiasts.
Current Meta Report
Two weeks into the Crucible, we're beginning to see a new meta emerging. Here's a rundown of what's dominating the battlefield:
Weapons
Hand Cannons continue to be a favorite in the current meta, with the likes of Ace of Spades and Dire Promise standing out due to their high impact and usability at various ranges.
Pulse Rifles, specifically Vigilance Wing and Bygones, are also becoming increasingly popular. They're reliable at medium-long range engagements, where they outperform Hand Cannons.
In terms of Special Weapons, Shotguns like the Felwinter’s Lie and Astral Horizon are a top choice for aggressive players.
Subclasses
For Warlocks, Top-tree Dawnblade continues to dominate with its aerial combat superiority. Titans are seeing a surge in the use of Middle-tree Sentinel, courtesy of its versatile utility in both offense and defense. As for Hunters, the Bottom-tree Nightstalker is gaining popularity due to its ability to suppress opponents’ abilities.
Winning Strategies
Here are some strategies to help you dominate the Crucible:
1. Teamwork: The Crucible is not just about individual skill. Effective communication and teamwork can often overcome superior firepower. Stick together, call out enemy positions, and coordinate your Super abilities for maximum impact.
2. Map Control: Understanding the layout of the maps, including vantage points, choke points, and spawn locations, is crucial. Aim to control areas of the map that give you the advantage, forcing your enemies to fight on your terms.
3. Weapon Pairing: Pair your primary and secondary weapons in a way that covers various ranges. This way, you will be prepared for engagements at any distance.
4. Use Your Vertical Space: Many players forget to look up, giving you a surprising advantage. Warlocks and Hunters can use their aerial abilities to attack from above, often catching enemies off guard.
Crucible's dynamic environment promises exciting times ahead, as the meta will surely continue to evolve over time. Always remember that while adhering to the meta can give you an edge, your comfort and proficiency with your chosen weapons and subclasses are what truly drive your success. So, gear up, dive in, and may your Light guide you to victory!
Jun-06-2023
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Unraveling the PoE 3.22 Bla ...
The resurgence of the Blast from the Past event in Path of Exile's 3.22 league brings back the iconic Kalandra mechanics, promising a whirlwind of unique challenges and rewards. In this comprehensive guide, we dissect the Tablet Mechanic and delve into the exclusive Kalandra Jewelry, providing a roadmap for maximizing your rewards in the second November event. Understanding Kalandra Mechanics from the 3.19 Patch Kalandra, once released in a lackluster state, underwent significant changes in the 3.19 patch. Initial issues, such as loot distribution favoring magic monsters and player dissatisfaction, led to a shaky start. However, the league-specific nodes in the Lake of Kalandra hold valuable rewards, especially when battling map bosses and encountering rare drops. A learning curve in understanding loot placements and a shift from magic to rare monsters contributed to the league's eventual profitability. 1. Tablet Mechanic in PoE Kalandra League The Tablet Mechanic is a core element of the Kalandra League, and understanding its nuances is crucial for successful runs. Each zone in the game houses a Kalandra interactable tablet, with different layouts offering varying challenges and rewards. Here's a quick overview: How To Avoid A Bad Tablet? Identifying a bad tablet is key to optimizing your runs. Characteristics of a bad tablet include a Reflection of Tyranny node with four notches, indicating a higher chance of undesirable rewards. Ideal tablets should follow a 'snake' layout, avoiding branching paths. How To Get A Good Tablet? Creating an effective tablet involves focusing on more notches for rarer loot types and positioning the tablet further from the entrance for higher quantity of loot. Rare tiles, like Reflection of Paradise and Reflection of Kalandra, offer exceptional rewards. Aiming for a 5x5 layout enhances the overall path length and loot quality. Tablet Optimization - Special Tiles and 'Swap' Strategy Unlocking special abilities like Reroll, Skip, and Exile significantly improves tablet options. Banning specific nodes, especially those associated with defeating packs of infested creatures, enhances the chance of encountering rarer tiles. Swap a Reflection with another Reflection can be strategically used to 'waste' a move. Tablet Building For Kalandra League Start Initiating your Kalandra journey requires unlocking all three Exiles/Bans for a significant multiplier in good options. Prioritize bans by completing tiles at difficulty 8 and above, particularly focusing on Legion and Beyond tiles. Reroll and skip unlocks are beneficial but less essential. Additional Tips: - Utilize the option to convert a water tile into an empty tile strategically. - Early in rolling, if a 4x5 tablet appears, consider using the rare "Destroy This Tablet" option for a chance at a superior 5x5 tablet. 2. Kalandra Exclusive Jewellery (Reflecting Mists) The Kalandra-exclusive jewelry and Reflecting Mists stand as major rewards in the league. Understanding the RNG Reflecting Mist and the highly coveted Ethereal Reflecting Mist is crucial for maximizing benefits. RNG Reflecting Mist While the RNG Reflecting Mist tends to be lackluster in most cases, occasionally, it yields exceptional items. The rarity of this mist makes it akin to opening stacked decks, with the potential for god-tier items. Noteworthy is the possibility of obtaining Kalandra-exclusive bases through the RNG Reflecting Mist. Ethereal Reflecting Mist - The Jackpot The Ethereal Reflecting Mist offers unparalleled crafting potential by allowing players to choose the item for reflection. This enables the creation of items with more synergistic modifiers, and it can even 'flip' certain modifiers into negative values. While extremely rare, its impact on crafting is comparable to Hinekora's Lock. Valuable Insight: - The magnitude of the Ethereal Reflecting Mist scales with the difficulty of the tile, making higher difficulty tiles immensely valuable. 3. Best Strategy For Blast From the Past Kalandra (Trade Only) For those engaging in trade, a proven strategy from the 3.19 Kalandra league remains effective for the Blast From the Past event: - Purchase tiles, especially those lacking premium options, for a specific tile type. - Run the entire tablet, with POE currency drops covering costs. - RNG Reflecting Mists obtained during these runs can yield drops equivalent to 1+ mirror shard in value. Kalandra Tip: - Fast mapping synergizes well with Kalandra, maximizing in-map Kalandra events per hour. In conclusion, navigating the Blast from the Past event's Kalandra mechanics demands a blend of strategic tablet building, insightful use of Reflecting Mists, and a touch of trade expertise. Whether you're a veteran of the Kalandra League or stepping into its challenges for the first time, this guide equips you with the knowledge needed to triumph in the 3.22 league.Nov-21-2023
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Unlocking Power: PoE 3.22 B ...
As Path of Exile enthusiasts gear up for the anticipated Blast From The Past event in the 3.22 league, a strategic understanding of the Sentinel mechanics becomes paramount. In this comprehensive guide, we unravel the intricacies of Sentinels, delve into the Sentinel Passive Tree, dissect the Power Core mechanics, and unlock the potential of Recombinators for crafting mastery. 1. Decoding Sentinel Mechanics The Sentinel league in 3.22 can be likened to torment on steroids. Sentinels, the ethereal entities, transcend the limitations of destructibility, trailing players through maps. While they bring an enhanced loot system, their mechanics differ significantly from Tormented Spirits, eliminating the potential chaos of corpse explosions. Sentinels elevate monster stats, providing a new layer of challenge. 1.1 Types and Rarities of Sentinels Understanding the nuances of Sentinels is pivotal. There are three types: Red (Stalker), Blue (Pandemonium), and Yellow (Apex). Each Sentinel comes in four rarities: normal, magic, rare, and unique. Unique Sentinels, while intriguing, often fall short of expectations. Focus on maximizing the potential of magic and rare Sentinels for a more rewarding experience. 1.2 Optimizing Sentinel Types - Red (Stalker) Sentinels: Ideal for early-game progression and everyday mapping. They follow you, charging up a spell when near enemies, empowering them and providing a chance for Legion-style rewards. - Yellow (Apex) Sentinels: Disappointing in comparison to the others. Use them strategically on rare and unique monsters or in scenarios where their high empowerment number is beneficial. - Blue (Pandemonium) Sentinels: The standout, unleashing Pandemonium when activated. An empowerment beam is released, chaining to monsters within range. Optimal use involves rounding up a large pack in maps like Glacier or Beach for maximum impact. 1.3 Limited Charges and Optimizing Power Cores Sentinels possess limited charges, requiring thoughtful management. Power Cores come into play here, allowing the merging of Sentinels and providing a chance for additional modifiers. Amplifying, transforming, and generic power cores each have distinct use cases. Use amplifying cores on your best Sentinels strategically, save transforming cores for Sentinels with good mods, and utilize generic cores on Sentinels that empower many monsters but lack strong mods. 2. Sentinel Passive Tree - The Key to Empowerment The Sentinel Passive Tree offers a unique skill progression system. Sentinels level up as you engage and defeat enhanced monsters, providing a tree that unlocks progressively. While limited in scope, it grants significant power boosts. Spec into the tree wisely, considering increased chances for Sentinel rewards, crucial for acquiring valuable Recombinators. 3. Sentinel Power Core Mechanics - Fueling Potential Power Cores are essential crafting tools for Sentinels. Merging two Sentinels, regardless of their charge status, creates a powerful merged Sentinel. This merged entity inherits a 50/50 chance of the base types used in the combination. Additionally, it retains around 60% of the mods from the input Sentinels, enhancing its capabilities. Amplifying, transforming, and generic power cores offer distinct strategic advantages. 4. Sentinel Recombinators - Crafting Mastery Unleashed Recombinators emerge as the crown jewel of Sentinel loot. These powerful crafting tools can transform items with surgical precision. There are separate recombinators for armor, weapons, and jewelry. The process involves combining two items of the same class, retaining select mods from each, and introducing a chance for additional modifiers or upgrades. 4.1 Best Beginner Recombinator Strategy For +2 Amulets A beginner-friendly strategy involves sourcing two amulets, each with a desirable mod, and using a jewelry recombinator. The chance of success is one in three, and even failures grant one of the inputs back. The strategy is especially potent when neither amulet has additional prefixes, making it optimal for crafting desired combinations. 4.2 Trade League Dominance of Recombinators It's crucial to note that Recombinators thrive in trade leagues. While they can be utilized in Solo Self Found (SSF), the results are often less impressive, demanding greater effort. The trade-oriented nature of Recombinators makes them a powerful asset in the expansive Path of Exile economy. In conclusion, mastering Sentinels, understanding the passive tree, navigating power core mechanics, and harnessing the potential of Recombinators are pivotal elements for success in the Blast From The Past event. As the PoE community prepares for this unique journey, strategic insights into Sentinels unlock a world of possibilities for crafting and empowerment.Nov-21-2023
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Path of Exile (PoE) 3.22 De ...
In the ever-evolving world of Path of Exile (PoE), the introduction of new content and updates keeps players engaged and challenged. The recent 3.22 patch has brought forth the intriguing Delve Early Farming Guide, offering players the chance to delve into uncharted territories and unearth valuable rewards. In this guide, we'll delve (pun intended) into seven key tips that can help both new and seasoned players make the most out of the Delve content and enhance their PoE experience. 1. Understanding the Delve Mechanic: The Delve mechanic in PoE takes players on an underground adventure, accessible through Niko, who allows players to delve into mines and encounter diverse biomes and unique challenges. Sulfite, the key resource for delving, is acquired through mapping. Players navigate the volatile mine to collect valuable loot, fossils, and currency items. 2. Delve Changes in the 3.22 Patch: The 3.22 patch has introduced some item balance changes, particularly affecting delve-exclusive shields. The patch primarily addresses certain modifiers related to maximum elemental resistances. 3. Currency Generation in Delve: Delve offers various opportunities for currency generation. Farming fossils is a prime example, with different biomes yielding different types of fossils. Fossils can be traded for currency, making this a lucrative strategy for wealth accumulation. Selling resonators, particularly in bulk, is another profitable venture. Additionally, defeating bosses like Crystal King can yield valuable amulets and rings that can fetch a good price in the market. 4. Sustaining Sulphite for Delving: Sulphite is essential for delving, and its acquisition requires thoughtful strategies. Setting up the Atlas properly can help players earn more sulphite from maps. Utilizing Atlas passives and Ascendancy skills can further enhance sulphite gain. Running Wandering Path in the Atlas passive tree can result in higher sulphite drops during mapping. 5. Biomes and Cities in Delve: Biomes in delve offer specific loot drops and challenges. Players can target particular biomes to farm specific resources and maximize their gains. Cities in delve contain valuable items and loot chests, making them a rewarding destination for adventurers. 6. Special Item Drop Nodes: Restless Rubbles and other special nodes offer unique item drops: lightning items, contains cold items, fire items, Physical, containing Mana or cursed itemssome of which can be highly valuable or even build-enabling. Players can take advantage of these nodes to acquire rare and powerful items that can be used or traded. 7. Voltaxic Generator Setup and Depth Farming: Managing the Voltaxic Generator is crucial for surviving deep delves. Players should focus on maintaining Darkness Resistance, Light Radius, and Flare Capacity. Balancing these attributes is key to exploring deeper mine levels safely. Starting depth farming at around 150-250 is recommended for evasion-based characters, while characters with more survivability can venture deeper to around 300-350. In conclusion, the Delve Early Farming Guide in PoE 3.22 presents players with a plethora of opportunities to explore, conquer challenges, and amass wealth. Whether you're a newcomer seeking to learn the ropes of delving or a seasoned player looking to optimize your currency generation, these seven tips provide valuable insights to make the most of your delve experience. As the world of PoE continues to evolve, embracing new content and mastering its mechanics will undoubtedly lead to a more rewarding and thrilling gaming journey.Aug-17-2023
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Explosive Arrow Ballista El ...
Path of Exile is a highly popular action role-playing game that has been around for quite some time. For those who enjoy playing an Elementalist, there is a build that is worth considering. The Explosive Arrow Ballista Elementalist is a powerful build that can deal massive damage to enemies. This blog post will discuss this build in detail. 1. Overview: - The Explosive Arrow Ballista Elementalist is a powerful build that combines the Explosive Arrow skill with Ballista to deal massive area damage. - This build focuses on stacking explosive arrows on enemies and utilizing ballistas to amplify the damage. - The Elementalist ascendancy class provides additional elemental damage and utility, making it an excellent choice for this build. 2. Skill Gems: - Explosive Arrow: This is your primary skill. It fires an arrow that embeds itself in enemies and creates a fuse. After a short delay, the fuse ignites and explodes, dealing massive area damage. Link it with support gems like Greater Multiple Projectiles, Elemental Damage with Attacks, and Ignite Proliferation for enhanced damage and AoE coverage. - Ballista Totem: Summon Ballista Totems to support your Explosive Arrow. They provide additional damage, attack speed, and can be linked with support gems like Multiple Totems, Elemental Focus, and Added Lightning Damage for increased effectiveness. - Herald of Ash: Activate this aura skill to boost your fire damage and ignite chance. It also grants additional burning damage to enemies killed by your skills. - Cast When Damage Taken (CWDT) setup: Use CWDT linked with Immortal Call, Increased Duration, and Molten Shell for defense. It triggers automatically when you take a certain amount of damage, providing temporary invulnerability and extra armor. 3. Passive Skill Tree: - Prioritize passive nodes that increase bow damage, elemental damage, projectile damage, and area damage. - Allocate life and energy shield nodes to enhance survivability. - Take advantage of the Elementalist ascendancy class's notable passive skills, such as Mastermind of Discord, Beacon of Ruin, and Paragon of Calamity, which provide elemental damage boosts, ignite proliferation, and elemental ailment immunity. 4. Gear: - Weapon: Look for a high DPS bow with increased elemental damage and added fire damage modifiers. - Quiver: Choose a quiver that provides increased elemental damage, increased attack speed, and additional arrow modifiers. - Armor: Aim for a combination of life and energy shield on your body armor, and prioritize resistances and elemental damage modifiers. - Accessories: Focus on rings and amulets that grant increased elemental damage, life, resistances, and critical strike chance/multiplier. - Jewels: Use jewels with increased damage, attack speed, life, and resistances to further enhance your build. 5. Playstyle Tips: - Start by summoning Ballista Totems to provide additional damage and support your Explosive Arrow. - Fire Explosive Arrows at groups of enemies, aiming to stack multiple arrows on each target. - Once arrows are stacked, detonate them by hitting the same target repeatedly or using a single-target skill like Scourge Arrow. - Move strategically to avoid enemy attacks while maintaining a safe distance to deal damage effectively. - Utilize defensive flasks, such as Quicksilver Flasks and Basalt Flasks, to improve mobility and mitigate incoming damage. - Keep an eye on your mana pool and utilize skills like Herald of Ash and Anger for extra damage, while ensuring you have enough mana to cast your skills. You can customize the build according to your playstyle and available resources. Experiment with different gems, gear, and passive tree choices to optimize your Explosive Arrow Ballista Elementalist in Path of Exile. Good luck and have fun!Jun-20-2023