Level 98 Hybrid Lightning Conduit Trickster^3.21

Notes

Pros & Cons:
+ Incredibly tanky, able to withstand even the strongest attacks
+ Good clear speed with Orb of Storms and Wormhole jewel
+ Can handle most content in the game
+ Consistent single target damage with Thunderfists
+ Immune to chills, freezes, and temporal chains with One Step Ahead shield and Chill Immunity boots
+ Life and Energy Shield sustain with Shaper-influenced amulet
+ Alakai pantheon provides more Chaos Resistance against Shaper beams
- Requires specific gear, such as Thunderfists and Elder Karma, to be effective
- Skill tree varies depending on crit or non-crit version
- Crit version sacrifices some defense for more damage

Tip & Tricks:
Here are some tips to keep in mind when building and playing an Unkillable God Lightning Conduit Trickster:
- Prioritize getting Thunderfists and awakened Lightning Penetration as soon as possible.
- Look for Elder-influenced gear for increased damage and survivability.
- Decide whether you want to build a crit or non-crit version and adjust your skill tree accordingly.
- Use Orb of Storms for clearing and Thunderfists for single target damage.
- Consider using a Wormhole jewel to increase the range and suppression of Orb of Storms.
- Use a six-link with Chain, Increased AoE, and Elemental Proliferation for the best clearing potential.
- Keep in mind that the build is fairly gear dependent, so focus on farming and investing in good gear.
- Stay aware of your surroundings and don't get caught off guard by strong attacks.
- Take advantage of the build's high survivability to tackle endgame content such as Shaper and Elder.
- Have fun and experiment with different gear and skill tree setups to find what works best for you.

The Thunderfist build for the Path of Exile Trickster Ascendancy class is a great option for players who want to focus on lightning damage and survivability. This guide will cover the gear, skills, and strategies needed to play this build effectively.

GEAR
The Thunderfist build relies heavily on the Thunderfist gloves, which are necessary for maximizing single target damage and consistently applying shocks to enemies. These gloves also allow for the use of Orb of Storms in a 6-link setup, which can greatly enhance clearing speed. Additionally, the build can benefit from the use of Arctic Armor or Aspect of the Crab to mitigate physical damage. While Aspect of the Crab is a great option, Arctic Armor has been recently buffed and is a viable choice, especially for Solo Self-Found (SSF) players who may find it difficult to farm for Aspect of the Crab. Another option is to run both Arctic Armor and Aspect of the Crab for added tankiness.

One Step Ahead and Soul Drinker are both viable nodes for the Trickster Ascendancy class, depending on your playstyle. Soul Drinker provides an added ES pool for increased damage and synergizes well with Spellbreaker. However, One Step Ahead can be used for added dodge chance and movement speed, which can be particularly useful for players who prefer a more defensive playstyle. If you are looking for even more damage, consider using a chest implicit with a Frenzy Charge every X seconds combined with Swift Killer.

Awakened Lightning Penetration is the most important awakened gem for this build, as it allows for the dropping of Wave of Conviction and gives a free link for Divine Blessing setup in the Vertex. The Vertex is a great item for the Trickster class, especially when combined with Inspiration for free Divine Blessing.

Crit vs. Non-Crit is a decision that players must make based on their preferred playstyle. Non-crit allows for more defensive specs, while crit can be a damage boost, especially when using awakened gems and trade league options.


Why Not CI?
CI, or Chaos Inoculation, is not recommended for this build as it trades life for very little ES gain, leaving the character more squishy. The only way it would be worth it is if the character decided to go crit and needed more damage. In this case, it would be better to go lowlife with Petrified Blood or, in Softcore, lowlife with an aura reserved on life instead of Pain Attunement.

Choose Trickster Over Inquisitor Or Elementalist
Trickster is the best choice for this build as it is incredibly tanky and can face tank most boss mechanics. Mapping is also quite easy as long as monsters are killed. Elementalist has an easier time shocking bosses early on but is extremely squishy without gear. Inquisitor is somewhere in between, being more tanky than Elementalist but less damage than Trickster.

Orb of Storms, Wormhole Jewel, And Trickshot Annoint
Orb of Storms is the best ability to combine with Lightning Conduit for Trickster. It has a good balance of clear and damage, although the playstyle of a melee character may require some getting used to. The Wormhole Jewel and Trickshot Annoint are also great additions to the build, providing added movement speed and damage.