Level 100 LL Soulrend Occultist^3.26

Notes

3.26 Progression ( Time machine from Day 1 - Week 3 ) :
https://poe.ninja/builds/mercenaries/character/Womanyzer1993-2107/Alpha_Merc?i=1&search=class%3DOccultist&timemachine=day-1

Introduction:
_
My name is Alpha.
I am the creator of this build. 
I started this quite a few leagues ago.
It started of as a life version with barely any survivability. Transitioned into an ES version, including Shavronne's + CI.
I wasn't satisfied with the tankyness and sustain. I' ve done my research on other people's builds, and as time goes on, you get more experienced at the game. 
I've figured out that Low life would be a massive power increase, both in terms of survivability, aswell as damage. 
That's where the build started to feel like an actual good build.

WIth the introduction of T17's and Ubers, again I wasn't satisfied with the way it performed in that type of content. 
I found Ghostwrithe wich really had a massive impact yet again, giving the build arround 10 K energyshield, aswell as 81% maxrez already early game. Endgame numbers are close to 12 K ES.

Finally, last league, I decided to solve the Bossing issues the build had ( Talking about ubers. Regular and THe Feared are a joke for this build, even  without what's coming next )
The allmighty HUngry Loop.
Having this early game ( Read FAQ how to obtain ) basically trivializes all content. As long as you do not get one shot, you can not die. 
Since the build is structured in a way, that you do not rely on ANY STATS on one of your rings, this can be used for difficult situations. You could look at it as a " Cheat code " you can enable 
whenever you need it. 

Golems gave it the last touch. Enabling a completelly different aura setup with massive QOL impacts. ( Disclaimer: Golem Forbiddens might be insanely expansive again. )

I' m more than happy to share this build with the community. 
I' m not planning on making a youtube video, because I do not want this to become to viral, due to meta economy. We know how that impacts the prices for builds. 

I really hope you enjoy this build. 

If you have any questions, feel free to join our discord:			 https://discord.gg/XXPKUAEq7X

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Swap to Soulrend once you did Act 3 Quest  Sever the right hand and you are Level 28


Soulrend 4 Link Setup Optimal in order of potency:

Soulrend - LMP -  Cruelty  - Controlled Destruction

Alternative Supports for Soulrend In order of potency:

1 Swift Affliction
2 Void Manipulation
3 Efficacy									

Act 6 Nessa Gems:

Multiple Totems Support
GMP

Possible Auras based on preference while leveling ranked Best to worst based on my experience.

Malevolence  
Haste 
Grace
Purity of Elements

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FAQ Section




I struggle early game with survivability. My Damage is low. What can I do?
To be clear: The Day 1 life version is NOT the build. It's not even remotely comparable to what it can achieve. It's ment to make enough currency so you can transition into the ES version ( Day 2 Version )
That's where the build comes online. 
As with every damage over time build, their biggest weakness is damage scaling early on. 
For this build, getting +1 Chaos wands is huge. They can be bought for 1 alchemy on league starts since you can acquire them as soon as you killed Hillock from Act 1 vendors. 
As soon as you start getting to the Damage over Time multiplier nodes you'll notice a substancial increase in clearspeed. Rares will feel less " chunky ".
Make sure to cap your Resistances as good as you can, according to the act in wich you are in. Purity of Elements is the NUMBER 2 Aura after Malevolence. Do not ignore this.
That's what's keeping you alive and makes gearing early on much much easier, alowing for really good cheap early uniques and possibly the use of a Tabula without running into RES issues.
Make sure to grab some Life nodes on the tree. Aim for at least 3000 Life You do not need to follow the exact tree, all tough the progression Steps 1- 3 are well ballanced. It's ment for maximum progression. 
As a newer or less experienced player, life nodes will make mistakes more forgiving. Afterall this isn't a Righteous Fire Build during the leveling process.
Use 2 Wands. Shields sux cuz Shieldcharge movementspeed is super bad. Use flamedash instead. Untill you can afford : Frostblink of wintery Blast - Spell Echo - Faster Casting
Use wither totems early. Don't underestimate them. It's 80 % MORE damage single target.  Bossing is the ONLY weakness, early game for this build.

In regards to Expldody:
You can get a " Mark of submission " and socket a Dispair curse in it. Nice solution, depending on the price for a Despair on hit ring, wich usually cost about 35+ Chaos early League. They are very rare.


Map Mods:
This build can do ALL map mods. 
Mods it might struggle with early: No Regen. Fix: Enduring Mana flask for the few maps you might encounter. Simply swap one of the resistance flasks. 
T17 Mods: Less defences should be avoided. Not impossible but you really need to pay attention, especially if you juice it with explicit modifier effect.


Headhunter:
Absolutelly YES. Headhunter is amazing for this build in terms of clearspeed for super juiced maps. Ofc it's not as impactful in terms of damage as for an attack based build, but it provides MASSIVE 
Damage, speed, projectiles, toughness. Make sure to balance your stats propperly. The crystal belt has Strength and dex. Stats are what we're starved on this build. I would sugguest to have the helical Ring before
going for Headhunter. THat solves your stat issues. 


Mageblood:
Not an option at all due to the Traitor. It would result into needing a shavronne's, wich cuts 60% of your toughness. Not worth at all. 


Good Unique Items to have early on ( Day 1 Life version and Early Day 2 Version)
Null and Void Legion Gloves 
Simply the best Item in the game for early game. It makes you Physical damage IMMUNE every time Rampage refreshes ( Every 50 stack relates to refresh ). Rampage is busted. And good stats over all.
Cane of Unravelling, Ezomyte Staff
Very powerfull DPS option. No shield tho. Only worth if you can manage your links aswell as not having 2 Wands with over time multi and +1.
Death Rush
Adrenalline is huge. Overall a very good item. MIght be costing quite a bit tho.
Ashes of the Stars
A good early game alternative for Dragonfang, in case Soulrend Dragonfangs are exorbitantly expansive as they were last league.
Gifts of Asenath
This item should be a priority chase item for you. Temporal chains is not only sounding cool, it's a very strong defensive aswell as offensive layer. Increasing debufftimes on enemys makes soulrend last longer aswell.
Meaning, tempchains is an effective damage multiplier. On top of that, The explody does count as a hit and applies any on hit effects nearly 100% even while clearing. 
Replica Dragonfang
Simply the best Amulet for this build, with only the +8 Amulet beating it. CAREFULL! It needs the Soulrend Levels. Don't scam yourself. I'm speaking of experience. Bought one, tried to divine the Mana Reservation. 
Didn't realise it rerolls the skill aswell..... But it does. Don't divine your Dragonfangs.
Crown of the Inward Eye, Prophet Crown
As soon as you transition into ES, don't waste time looking for any other option. This is the undisputed, UNDISPUTED, BEST HELMET IN THE GAME!! for this build. 



How to fit 2 Auras early game:
You can path towards Charisma Notable ( 24% Reservation bottom mid near Overcharged Notable and Wasting Notable ) aswell as Influence Notable ( 8% reservation small node top side tree near Atrophy )
In addition, you can take the Mind Drinker Notable and allocate the Mastery for 12 % Reservation efficiency. 
Priority: 1: Charisma 2: Mind Drinker Mastery. 3 ( Most likely not needed but worth mentioning ): 8% Reservation Node before Influence Notable.
Mind Drinker is very strong in general. usually completelly solves mana issues during the entire campaign and most of the Day 1 life version. This lets you use a propper utility flask.



About Golems:
Golems allow you to drop Vitality and clarity and provides massive Castspeed / QOL / Damage with the Forbidden Setup. ( Be aware, these can cost up to 400 Divines combined ) It's the last thing to upgrade towards.
Combine this with Promordial jewels ( 60 % Golem effect is better than 4 Stat Rare jewels and allow for cheap Reservation / CB implicits )



About Hungry loop:
This build can facetank Ubers / T17 Bosses with +- 12 K ES, 81 % Max res, 70% Evade, Ghost Shrouds, Decent Spell Block ( +- 60 % ) all thanks to the Hungry loop.
In here is going to be a 5 link ED setup for infinite survivability and surprisingly high DPS aswell. Helps a ton on bosses wich used to be this builds biggest weakness prior to this change.
Essence drain leeches ES based on !! TOOLTIP DPS !!. No matter how much actual DPS you do to a target, the ammount leeched is based of the number on the tooltip, wich results in +- 20 K ES / Second, making you literally immortal, 
except oneshots, wich are very rare. This build tanks Uber Shaper slam, as long as he doesn^t crit. Despite the low Armor. Layered defense really does the trick. 
You do NOT need awakened gems in here. It's pure min maxing. You do NOT need to put quality on these gems, since it's ignored upon consumption. 



How to make a Hungry loop:
The Ring consumes gems that are leveling up while inside the ring. Meaning, you can have Level 19 gems with 100 % EXP in your offhand. Once ready to level up, place the gem in the ring socket and click the level up button. 
The gem is gone and becomes a stat on the ring. ( NO QUALITY EFFECTS ARE CONSUMED! NO NEED FOR GCP ! )

For the normal gems: Level your gems in the offhand. Once ready, swap and click.
For awakened gems: Buy Wild Brambleback ATTENTION: DO NOT LEVEL THE GEM TO MAX WITH BRAMBLEBACK. You can proceed into buying Facetors Lense.
 ATTENTION NUMBER 2: Do not put to much EXP on there. stop at +- 90 - 95 %. If you use the Facetors Lense above EXP cap, the gem will pop MAX.
This can not be used on a socketed gem. Level the rest of the EXP needed in your offhand untill ready.



How to solve mana issues:
The general rule of thumb is to have enough Mana / regen to keep soulrend 100% up on single target bosses. 
This build can struggle a bit with managing mana reservation, while still having enough mana to cast soulrend.
Here are a few options to solve this issue:
Have a Manaflask with " Flask effect does not end after reaching max resource " Mod : Enduring. Can also be used to be able to do No regen maps, in case you don't want to turn of an aura to be able to finish the map.
The Mind Drinker node on the Tree is exceptionally good for sustain. 
Clarity is a must pre Golem. Rather have a lower level VItality than Clarity!
Do not Max Vitality if you do not have enough mana reservation efficiency.
Basically any jewel with % mana res. eff. as either an implicit ( 2 % ) or a roll 2 - 3 % can really help.
Very important to solve aura fitting problems: These small cluster Notables on ! 3 Stat 6% reservation efficiency bases ! help fitting specific auras: Look for : 
-Uncompromising ( Determination ) 50% Reservation Efficiency
-Self-Control ( Discipline ) 80 % Reservation Efficiency
-Sublime Form ( Grace ) 50% Reservation Efficiency




Jewels with % reservation efficiency implicit.
Rare jewels can roll 3% Reservation efficiency aswell as an additional 5% implicit. Might be an early workarround at least for the life version and early day 2 swap.
Keep a good ammount of Mana unreserved in order to make the build feel smooth to play. I sugguest about  250+ Mana at least. That way you can cast 2 - 3 Soulrends, before you run out of mana.
While mapping, mana is no issue at all, since you restore Mana on kill. ( Mind Drinker Notable ) 




Gemswap / Gear Swap:

Mapping: Death Rush instead of Hungry Loop for bossing
Mapping: Awakened Greater Multiple Projectiles instead of Awakened Swift Affliction for bossing



Animate Guardian Gear:

I sugguest starting of with the budget options in all situations, to get a feel for the AG's survivability.
If you're satisfied with the regen, you can upgrade Weapon and helmet according to your likings.

Weapon:
1: Kingmaker 
2: Dying Breath - Early budget option

Helmet:		
1: Crown of the Tyrant ( Massive DMG 10% Pen )
2: Mask of the Stitched Demon ( Provides HP Regen. Should be mandatory if not running Gruthkul's Pelt )
3: Leer Cast ( Early budget option )
			  	
Body Armour:			
1: Garb of the Ephemeral  ( Very nice defensively due to crit immune aswell as Action speed modifier immune but risks dying on ubers - Needs Stitched demon )
2: Gruthkul's Pelt ( Giga Life regen but no benefits for us. Could be paired with Crown of the Tyrant instead of Stitched demon )

Boots:						
Rare boots with max life on max ES base  +  Chaos res ( Very important ) 


Gloves:					 
1: Southbound ( Best defensive option )
2: Unnerve implicit gloves ( Not really needed, since we're able to unnerve ourselves. with Awakened Controlled Destruction )



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Act Leveling ( DISCLAIMER: Old Guide. Does not include the Great white Beast + Firefly QOL. You can do the FIreflyies right away, no need to portal back.)

This is a Bulletpoint style leveling guide. 
Just do the steps exactly how they're listed and you'll never have to worry about where to go next. 
Includes all Trials. Don't skip them.


ACT 1 TO SOULREND OPTIMAL SETUP:

1 R - B - B 
Holy Flame Totem  +  Elemental Profilation + Rolling Magma

1 B - B
Frostblink + Arcane Sourge

1 B
Flamewall

Here are the mandatory quests that reward gems you can level in your offhand during the campaign.																

Gem Aquisition:																							Quest																														Gem

																													Act 1 The Caged Brute 																								LMP																																		
																													Act 1 The Caged Brute 																								Spell Totem Support
																													Act 1 The Caged Brute 																								Wither

																													Act 2 Sharp and Cruel 																								Cruelty					
																													Act 2 Sharp and Cruel 																								Controlled Destruction							

																													Act 3  Lost in Love																									   Malevolence												
																													Act 3  Sever the Right Hand																						Soulrend  ( Level 28 )


ALTERNATIVE:

Just play Essence drain contagion. A bit slower but more chill. 
Gem Links for ED are nearly the same as for Soulrend wich makes this very conveniant. Except for the LMP.
Essence Drain got a huge buff in 3.26, aswell as Soulrend, wich makes leveling with it maybe even better then the generic Flame Totem strat.
This is what I' m going to try this season aswell. 


Essence Drain - Swift Affliction -  Cruelty  - Controlled Destruction
Contagion - Increased Area of Effect


Gem Aquisition:																							Quest																														Gem

																													Act 1 The Siren's Cadence																						Essence Drain																																		
																													Act 1 Breaking some Eggs																						 Contagion

																													Act 3 A Fixture of Fate																								Swift Affliction

																													Act 4 The Eternal Nightmare																					  Increased area of Effect
																													



Complete Campaign Guide:

---------------------------Act 1---------------------------------

The Coast
The Mud Flats
Gather 3 Rhoa Questitems and open Submerged Passage
The submerged Passage
Get waypoint
Teleport to The coast
Go to Tidal Island
Kill Hilrake
Logout
Nessa Reward: Quicksilver 
Teleport to Submerged Passage
Drop Portal before running over Bridge
The Ledge
The Lower Prison
!!! Get waypoint , use TP to Town, Use YOUR PORTAL to Submerged Passage
Flooded Depths
Kill Dweller of the deep
Teleport to Lower Prison
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---																																																				
Upper Prison
Warden's Quarters
Kill Brutus
Logout
Teleport to Prisoners Gate
The Ship Graveyard
Find Waypoint
The Ship Graveyard Cave
Take the Allflame
The Ship Graveyard
The Cavern of Wrath
Find Waypoint and Teleport to The Ship Graveyard
Kill Fairgraves
Logout
Teleport to Cavern of Wrath
Cavern of Anger
Merveil's Lair
Kill Merveil
Southern Forest

---------------------------Act 2 --------------------------------


The Forest Encampment
The Old Fields
The Den 
Kill the Great white Beast
Logout
The Old FIelds
The Crossroads
Follow Stonepath to Waypoint Than go left
Chamber of Sins Level 1
Find Waypoint
Chamber of Sins Level 2
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---		
Kill Fidelitas
Take Balefull Gem
Logout
Teleport to The Crossroads
Go down to
The Fellshire Ruins
The Crypt Level 1
Take Waypoint
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---	
Logout
Go left
The Riverways
Follow Stonepath
Take Waypoint
Follow stone path
The Western Forest
The Weaver's Chamber
The Weaver's Nest
Kill Weaver            
Logout
Teleport to The Crossroads
The Broken Ridge
Kill Kraitlyn
Logout
Teleport to The RIverways
Go Up
The Wetlands
Kill Oak
Find Waypoint ( Up Left )
The Vaal Ruins
Find Apex
The Northern Forest
The Caverns
The Western Forest
KILL ALL BANDITS
Kill The Blackguards
Activate Seal
Logout
Teleport to Lioneyes Watch ( Act 1 )
Teleport to The Caverns ( Act 2 ) 
The Ancient Pyramid
Climb Stairs and Kill Vaal Oversoul

---------------------------Act 3 --------------------------------


Sarn Encampment
Ignore everything, Instantly go to
The Slums
The Crematorium
Take Waypoint
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---	
Kill Piety
Take Tolman's Braclet
Logout
Clarissa Reward: Sewer Keys
Marmoa Reward: Despair
The Slums
The Sewers
Loot 3 Platinum Busts
Take Waypoint
The Marketplace
Take Waypoint
The Catacombs
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---	
Logout
Teleport to The Marketplace
The Battlefront
Take Waypoint
Take Ribbon Spool
Go left ( up ) 
The Docks
Find Thaumetic Sulphite
Logout
Teleport to The Battlefront
The Solaris Temple Level 1
Find Waypoint
The Solaris Temple Levlel 2
Lady Dialla Reward: Infernal Talc
Logout
The Sewers
Open Barrier
The Ebony Barracks
Take Waypoint
The Imperial Gardens
Take Waypoint
Drop Portal in front of The Library
The Library
Take Waypoint and Teleport to Town
Take Portal
Move Upwards and do:
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---	
Logout
The Library
Find Candle Leaver
The Archives
Find 4 Golden Pages																		
The Ebony Barracks
Kill General Gravicious and go straight left Top to:
The Lunaris Temple Level 1
Take Waypoint
The Lunaris Temple Level 2
Find Portal and Kill Piety
Take Tower Key
Logout
FIRST LAB
Don't Die
Teleport to The Imperial Gardens
The Sceptre of God
The Upper Sceptre of God
Kill Dominus
Logout



---------------------------Act 4 --------------------------------

The Aqueduct
Highgate
The Dried Lake
Kill Voll
Take Desret's Banner
Logout
The Mines Level 1
Find Trapped Spirit
The Crystal Veins
Waypoint
Daresso's Dream
Kill Daresso
Take Eye of Desire
TP Town
Teleport to Crystal Veins
Kaom's Dream
Kill Kaom
Take the Eye of Fury
TP Town
Teleport to Crystal Veins
Belly of the Beast 1
Belly of the Beast 2
Kill Piety
The Harvest
Waypoint
Find 3 Organs
The Black Core
Kill Malachai
Logout
The Ascent

---------------------------Act 5 --------------------------------






The Slave Pens
Kill Overseer
Overseer's Tower
The Control Blocks
Kill Justicar
Take Eye of Zeal
Oriath Square
Waypoint
Templar Courts
Chamber of Innocence
Waypoint
Kill High Templar Avarius
Talk to Banon - What in Damnation?!
The Torched Courts
The Ruined Square
Waypoint
The Ossuary
Find Sign of Purity
Logout
Teleport to The Ruined Square
The Reliquary
Find Torments
Logout
The Ruined Square
The Cathedral Rooftop
Kill Kitava

---------------------------Act 6 --------------------------------


The Coast
The Mud Flats
Kill Dishonoured Queen
Take Eye of Conquest
The Karui Fortress
Kill Tukohama
The Ridge
The Lower Prison
Waypoint
---!!!TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL TRIAL!!!---	
Shavronne's Tower
Kill Shavronne
Logout
Teleport to Prisoners Gate
Valley
Kill Aberath
Logout
Teleport to Prisoners Gate
The Western Forest
Waypoint
The Riverways
Waypoint
The Wetlands
Kill Puppet Mistress
Logout
Teleport to The Riverways
The Southern Forest
Cavern of Anger
Take Black Flag
The Beacon
Waypoint
The Brine King's Reef
Kill Brine King


---------------------------Act 7 --------------------------------



Congrats! You've made it! From now on, you're on your own.
When it comes down to gem progression, have a look at the Early mapping setup and take it as a reference. 

Day 1 Setup 3.26:
https://poe.ninja/builds/mercenaries/character/Womanyzer1993-2107/Alpha_Merc?i=1&search=class%3DOccultist&timemachine=day-1

Good luck exiles.

-Alpha
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