Level 96 Hybrid Crit Lightning Conduit Elementalist^3.26

Notes

Lightning Conduit Permafreeze - by CantripN

Guide: https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3229590 

Discord: https://discord.gg/tNEmmPQfne

Basics:
Use Orb of Storms + Spark / Lightning Tendrils early to get used to it
Swap to Orb of Storms + Arc / Storm Brand at level 12.

Optional: Swap to Orb of Storms + Lightning Conduit at level 28 at least (but only after Lab #1 for 100% Shock Uptime from OoS)

Orb of Storms can be used interchangeably with Storm Brand for Lightning Conduit, see what feels better for you.

======= Levelling =======

Levelling trees are provided for 1st, 2nd and 3rd lab on the guide and here. Make sure you check them out by switching between the available trees.

Elemental Overload for 40% More Damage until maps.

Levelling doesn't revolve around crit or freeze. We only transition once we start mapping.
Transition to Freeze happens (usually) when you get The Three Dragons and get to maps.

--- Gem progression ---

This section is provided by Enki with minor edits. 
Take this with a grain of salt, but if you're new to the game or playing casters, it's good advice.

Spark / Lightning Tendrils (Enemy at the Gate, Act 1) -> Arc / Storm Brand (The Siren's Cadence, Act 1)
+ Arcane Surge (Twilight Strand, Act 1) 
+ Added Lightning Damage (The Caged Brute, Act 1)
+ Spell Echo (The Eternal Nightmare, Act 4) / Lightning Penetration (for Storm Brand, A Fixture of Fate, Act 3)

Orb of Storms (Breaking Some Eggs, Act 1)
+ Added Lightning Damage (The Caged Brute, Act 1)
+ Elemental Focus (Sharp and Cruel, Act 2) 

Clarity (The Caged Brute, Act 1)
Herald of Thunder (Intruders in Black, Act 2) remove this gem once you get Zealotry/Wrath
Zealotry/Wrath (Lost in Love, Act 3

Frostblink (Breaking Some Eggs, Act 1) -> Flame Dash (The Caged Brute)

Wave of Conviction (Intruders in Black, Act 2) - You want this until you get gloves with Exposure.

Once you swap to Lightning Conduit you want these links early:
Lightning Conduit
+ Arcane Surge (Twilight Strand, Act 1) 
+ Added Lightning Damage (The Caged Brute, Act 1)
+ Lightning Penetration (A Fixture of Fate, Act 3)

Orb of Storms (Breaking Some Eggs, Act 1)

======= Mapping =======

Once you hit maps, you want to gradually swap to crit rather than non-crit once you have the gear, and start Freezing.

That means getting The Three Dragons, and better and better gear.

Leveling with Arc should be fine, though at some point you're likely to feel you need more DPS, and that's where Crackling Lance comes in, or Lightning Conduit.

I don't recommend wasting time on trading for rares while leveling unless you really feel stuck, but feel free if you enjoy that.

Agnerod West should be a very cheap mapping staff if you want one.