The POEGuy Sucky Boy Compendium

EA Ballista Hierophant · Sucky Boy · Gear progression

Info Path of Exile 3.29 Updated: July 15, 2026
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Progression timeline representation made by BigCookies and build by POEGuy
💡 General Note: This is a companion site for getting a general idea of how to progress the build at each stage. So read POEGuy's full guide, watch the videos for deeper explanations, and ask for help on the Discord Server when needed.
Gear progression varies with lucky drops and market prices.

Phase 1: Acts-EA Acts 1–10

📋 POEGuy EA-Ballista POB: pobb.in/5jc4IEW9e_iu Check the guide for the most up to date.
🎯 Goal: Reach maps on Explosive Arrow with Quill Rain + Skirmish and capped Life/res rares.

🟠 Mandatory Uniques

  • •
    None required. Focus on skill gems and Life/res rares until trade is available.

✨ Nice to Have Uniques

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Quill Rain — buy as soon as you can after the Library swap (100% Attack Speed).
    • Take the Bow Mastery that converts Projectile Speed into Damage; aim for high Projectile Speed.
    • Avoid Foulborn versions that replace Projectile Speed with Increased Area of Effect; it is a damage nerf.
  • •
    Skirmish (+1 Totem; cheap priority quiver).

Accessories

  • •
    Prismweave (leveling damage belt).

⚪ Baseline Gear

  • •
    Acts 1–3 Weapons: Dual-wield Sceptres or Wands (no shield). Prefer % Spell Damage, % Fire Damage, +Level of Fire Skill Gems, or flat fire to spells.
  • •
    Act 3+ Bow: High % Increased Attack Speed and high base Attacks Per Second Bow until Quill Rain. (Tooltip lies — it does not calculate EA fuse damage!)
    🍪 Cookie Notes: The only 4 mods that affect direct-hit EA on a rare bow are:
    • #% Attack Speed
    • #% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills
    • #% increased Fire Damage (bench craft only)
    • #% increased Projectile Speed (with bow mastery)

🟡 Nice to Have Rares

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Rare Quiver — only before Skirmish (WARNING: NO PIERCE)
    • Best bases:
      • Broadhead Arrow Quiver
      • Primal Arrow Quiver
      • Two-Point Arrow Quiver
      • Feathered Arrow Quiver

Accessories

  • •
    Rings — Life, resists; grab % Fire Damage or #% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills if you see it.
    🍪 Cookie Notes:
    Buying a cheap Life + resists ring on trade is enough for this softcore trade setup—essence crafting is optional.
    • If you want to learn the essence crafting system, you can spam Deafening/Shrieking Essence of Anger for guaranteed % Fire Damage. (Essences above Screaming will reroll rare items without needing to scour them first).
  • •
    Belt — Life, resists; grab #% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills if you see it.

Armour Pieces

  • •
    All Armour Slots: Life + Elemental Resistances. Put Explosive Arrow on Body Armour — aim for a solid 4-link with at least 1 Green Socket.

📈 Stats to look for on rare items

General Baseline (All Rares)
80+ Maximum Life 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Ring & Belt Bonus (Nice to Have):
  • % Increased Damage with Elemental Attacks (Rings & Belts)
  • % Increased Fire Damage (Rings only)
Quiver Priorities
Baseline: 80+ Life & 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Bonus Stats:
  • #% increased Attack Speed
  • #% increased Damage with Bow Skills

💡 Phase Notes & Crafting

  • •
    Utility Gems: Keep Frenzy at level 1.
    • Frenzy: Effect does not scale with level—only quality. Also keeps mana cost low to make it easier to trigger with Manaforged Arrows.
  • •
    Green Socket: Put Explosive Arrow on Body Armour with at least 1 Green Socket. Matching green grants +10% Quality — that is +1 maximum fuse.
  • •
    EA Warning: Avoid Penetrating Arrow Quivers entirely; Pierce, Chaining, or Splitting prevents Explosive Arrow fuses from sticking.
  • •
    Trade Priority: Quill Rain then Skirmish as soon as currency allows — they carry Acts 3–10 into maps.
  • •
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Ring essence crafting is optional—buy Life + resists on trade if you prefer. Use Deafening/Shrieking Essence of Anger only if you want to practice the essence system for % fire damage.

Phase 2: Early Maps EA Level 68–78 · White/Yellow

📋 POEGuy EA-Ballista POB: pobb.in/5jc4IEW9e_iu Check the guide for the most up to date.
🎯 Goal: Comfortable white/yellow maps; lock in Daresso's Defiance.

🟠 Mandatory Uniques

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Quill Rain
    • Take the Bow Mastery that converts Projectile Speed into Damage; aim for high Projectile Speed.
    • Avoid Foulborn versions that replace Projectile Speed with Increased Area of Effect; it is a damage nerf.
  • •
    Skirmish (+1 Totem).

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Daresso's Defiance (Onslaught source).

✨ Nice to Have Uniques

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Wilma's Requital — grants Ancestral Bond and raises totem hit chance (saves tree points).
    • 3.29 Economy: May be expensive for the first couple of days due to competition from other popular builds.

Accessories

  • •
    Immortal Flesh (early mapping sustain).
🍪 Cookie Notes:
Prismweave (cheap damage belt)
  • Swap to another belt once you take the Elemental Equilibrium Keystone — Prismweave adds extra elemental damage on hit and will brick the keystone, preventing the wanted -25% Fire Resistance exposure.

🧪 Flask Setup

  • •
    Life Flask: Divine Life Flask with Immunity to Corrupted Blood and Bleeding.
  • •
    Utility 1: Start with the Granite Flask and then aim for the Rumi's Concoction flask. Provides massive physical damage reduction and block chance.
  • •
    Utility 2: Jade Flask for evasion.
  • •
    Utility 3: Quicksilver Flask for movement speed.
  • •
    Utility 4: Amethyst Flask for Chaos Resistance.
Rolling & Setup
  • •
    Prefixes: % Duration, % Charge Recovery, or % Max Charges.
  • •
    Suffixes: % Armour, % Crit Chance, % Evasion, or % Movement Speed.
  • •
    Warning: Flask suffixes do not stack! If you activate multiple flasks with the same suffix, only the highest value applies. Ensure each magic flask has a unique suffix.
  • •
    Flask Automation: Enchant utility flasks with Used When Charges Reach Full if you have not already.
  • •
    Prep: 20% quality with Glassblower's Baubles.

🟡 Rare Gear

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Rare Quiver — only before Skirmish (WARNING: NO PIERCE)
    • Best bases:
      • Broadhead Arrow Quiver
      • Primal Arrow Quiver
      • Two-Point Arrow Quiver
      • Feathered Arrow Quiver

Accessories

  • •
    Amulet
    • Look for +1 to Level of all Fire Skill Gems
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
  • •
    Rings — Life, resists, % Fire Damage / % Elemental Damage with Attacks.
    🍪 Cookie Notes:
    Buying a cheap Life + resists ring on trade is enough for this softcore trade setup—essence crafting is optional.
    • If you want to learn the essence crafting system, you can spam Deafening/Shrieking Essence of Anger for guaranteed % Fire Damage. (Essences above Screaming will reroll rare items without needing to scour them first).
  • •
    Regular Rare Belt — Life, resists, and % Elemental Damage with Attacks when available.

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Rare Boots (Preferably Armour / Evasion base) (Look for +25% Movement Speed).
    • Eater of Worlds Ichor any of the following:
      - Regenerate #% of Life per second per Endurance Charge
      - #% increased Armour from Equipped Helmet and Gloves
      - #% increased Life Regeneration rate
    • Searing Exarch Ember any of the following:
      - #% increased Damage per Endurance Charge
      - #% increased Action Speed
      - #% increased Movement Speed
  • •
    Rare Gloves (Preferably Armour / Evasion base)
    • Eater of Worlds Ichor any of the following:
      - Inflict Fire Exposure on Hit, applying #% to Fire Resistance
      - +#% chance to Suppress Spell Damage
      - #% increased Evasion Rating from Equipped Helmet and Boots
    • Searing Exarch Ember any of the following:
      - #% increased Attack Speed
      - #% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit
      - Ignites you inflict spread to other Enemies within # metres
      - #% increased Damage per Frenzy Charge
  • •
    Rare Helmet — before Wilma's Requital (Preferably Armour / Evasion base)
    • Eater of Worlds Ichor any of the following:
      - #% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as X elemental Damage
      - #% increased Attack Damage
      - Damage Penetrates #% Fire Resistance
    • Searing Exarch Ember any of the following:
      - #% reduced Mana Cost of Attacks (Only if struggling with mana)
      - #% of X Damage taken Recouped as Life
      - +#% to maximum Lightning Resistance
      - #% increased Area of Effect
  • •
    Body Armour (Preferably Armour / Evasion base)
    • Eater of Worlds Ichor any of the following:
      - #% of Physical Damage from Hits taken as an elemental type
      - #% Chance to Block Attack Damage
      - #% Chance to Block Spell Damage
      - #% increased Armour
      - +#% to all Elemental Resistances
    • Searing Exarch Ember any of the following:
      - +#% to all maximum Resistances
      - +#% maximum to an elemental resistance type
      - #% of Damage taken Recouped as Life
      - #% increased effect of Non-Curse Auras from your Skills

📈 Stats to look for on rare items

General Baseline (All Rares)
80+ Maximum Life 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Ring & Belt Bonus (Nice to Have):
  • % Increased Damage with Elemental Attacks (Rings & Belts)
  • % Increased Fire Damage (Rings only)
Quiver Priorities
Baseline: 80+ Life & 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Bonus Stats:
  • #% increased Attack Speed
  • #% increased Damage with Bow Skills

💡 Phase Notes & Crafting

  • •
    Flask Reminder: Re-check flasks once you finish Acts and enter maps — they are a huge defensive spike.
  • •
    Elemental Equilibrium: You only need 1 source of Cold or Lightning damage. Exposure does not scale with how much non-fire added elemental damage you deal—it is a flat -25% Fire Resistance.
  • •
    Utility Gems: Keep Frenzy at level 1.
    • Frenzy: Effect does not scale with level—only quality. Also keeps mana cost low to make it easier to trigger with Manaforged Arrows.
  • •
    Green Socket: Put Explosive Arrow on Body Armour with at least 1 Green Socket. Matching green grants +10% Quality — that is +1 maximum fuse.
  • •
    EA Warning: Avoid Penetrating Arrow Quivers entirely; Pierce, Chaining, or Splitting prevents Explosive Arrow fuses from sticking.
  • •
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Ring essence crafting is optional—buy Life + resists on trade if you prefer. Use Deafening or Shrieking Essence of Anger only if you want to practice the essence system for % fire damage.
  • •
    Catalysts: Apply Turbulent Catalysts to rings/belts with % Fire Damage or Elemental Damage until 20% catalyst quality.
  • •
    Eldritch Crafting: Eldritch Ichor and Eldritch Ember can be used on rare non-corrupted Armour pieces to add extra powerful implicit mods.
  • •
    Acquisition: Rare equipment can also be acquired from trade or the Breach Genesis tree using Provisioning Wombgifts.

Phase 3: Mid-EA Level 78–90 · Red Maps

📋 POEGuy EA-Ballista POB: pobb.in/5jc4IEW9e_iu Check the guide for the most up to date.
🎯 Goal: Comfortable red maps; add Breathstealer, EE Abyss jewel, and stretch toward Replica Dragonfang's Flight.

🟠 Mandatory Uniques

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Quill Rain
  • •
    Skirmish (+1 Totem).

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Wilma's Requital — grants Ancestral Bond and raises totem hit chance (saves tree points).
  • •
    Daresso's Defiance (permanent Onslaught; strong Armour/Evasion).
  • •
    Breathstealer — strong buffs and extra anoint.
    • Anoint Lava Lash: Clear, Clear, Golden
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Budget anoint Ash, Frost, and Storm: Sepia, Crimson, Crimson before you can afford Lava Lash.

✨ Nice to Have Uniques

Accessories

  • •
    Replica Dragonfang's Flight (Explosive Arrow version — stretch upgrade from +1 Fire amulet).
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
  • •
    Immortal Flesh (sustain belt).
🍪 Cookie Notes:
Ashes of the Stars
  • It's a good replacement +1 amulet only if you are unable to find a +2 amulet. Quality must be exactly the lowest roll of 20% or the highest of 30% — no in-between rolls, since EA gem quality grants a bonus for every 10%.

🧪 Flask Setup

  • •
    Life Flask: Divine Life Flask with Immunity to Corrupted Blood and Bleeding.
  • •
    Utility 1: Start with the Granite Flask and then aim for the Rumi's Concoction flask. Provides massive physical damage reduction and block chance.
  • •
    Utility 2: Jade Flask for evasion.
  • •
    Utility 3: Quicksilver Flask for movement speed.
  • •
    Utility 4: Amethyst Flask for Chaos Resistance.
Rolling & Setup
  • •
    Prefixes: % Duration, % Charge Recovery, or % Max Charges.
  • •
    Suffixes: % Armour, % Crit Chance, % Evasion, or % Movement Speed.
  • •
    Warning: Flask suffixes do not stack! If you activate multiple flasks with the same suffix, only the highest value applies. Ensure each magic flask has a unique suffix.
  • •
    Flask Automation: Enchant utility flasks with Used When Charges Reach Full if you have not already.
  • •
    Prep: 20% quality with Glassblower's Baubles.

💎 Jewels

Abyss Jewel

  • •
    1x Abyss Jewel with Flat Life and either:
    • Flat Lightning Damage
    • Flat Cold Damage
    Note: Triggers the Elemental Equilibrium Keystone.
    Warning: Avoid Flat Fire Damage!
    🍪 Cookie Notes: You can also roll #% chance to Taunt Enemies on Hit with Attacks. That can replace the taunt option on Totem Mastery so you can take something else.

🟡 Rare Gear

Accessories

  • •
    Amulet — keep +1 Fire Skills until Replica Dragonfang.
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
    Note: Look for a +2 gem by finding an amulet with both +1 to Level of all Fire Skill Gems and +1 to Level of all Skill Gems.
  • •
    Rings — Life + resists + fire/ele attack damage.
    🍪 Cookie Notes:
    Buying a cheap Life + resists ring on trade is enough for this softcore trade setup—essence crafting is optional.
    • If you want to learn the essence crafting system, you can spam Deafening/Shrieking Essence of Anger for guaranteed % Fire Damage. (Essences above Screaming will reroll rare items without needing to scour them first).
  • •
    Regular Rare Belt — Life, resists, and % Elemental Damage with Attacks when available.

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Rare Boots (Preferably Armour / Evasion base) (Look for +25% Movement Speed).
    • Eater of Worlds Ichor any of the following:
      - Regenerate #% of Life per second per Endurance Charge
      - #% increased Armour from Equipped Helmet and Gloves
      - #% increased Life Regeneration rate
    • Searing Exarch Ember any of the following:
      - #% increased Damage per Endurance Charge
      - #% increased Action Speed
      - #% increased Movement Speed

📈 Stats to look for on rare items

General Baseline (All Rares)
80+ Maximum Life 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Ring & Belt Bonus (Nice to Have):
  • % Increased Damage with Elemental Attacks (Rings & Belts)
  • % Increased Fire Damage (Rings only)
Quiver Priorities
Baseline: 80+ Life & 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Bonus Stats:
  • #% increased Attack Speed
  • #% increased Damage with Bow Skills

💡 Phase Notes & Crafting

  • •
    Flask Automation: Enchant utility flasks with Used When Charges Reach Full if you have not already.
  • •
    Elemental Equilibrium: You only need 1 source of Cold or Lightning damage. Exposure does not scale with how much non-fire added elemental damage you deal—it is a flat -25% Fire Resistance.
  • •
    Frenzy: Manually cast Frenzy on bosses to generate charges and apply curses. We use Lifetap instead of Manaforged Arrows so the build can ignore brutal map and altar modifiers (like No Regen) for massive quality of life.
  • •
    Green Socket: Put Explosive Arrow on Body Armour with at least 1 Green Socket. Matching green grants +10% Quality — that is +1 maximum fuse.
  • •
    EA Warning: Avoid Penetrating Arrow Quivers entirely; Pierce, Chaining, or Splitting prevents Explosive Arrow fuses from sticking.
  • •
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Ring essence crafting is optional—buy Life + resists on trade if you prefer. Use Deafening or Shrieking Essence of Anger only if you want to practice the essence system for % fire damage.
  • •
    Catalysts: Apply Turbulent Catalysts to rings/belts with % Fire Damage or Elemental Damage until 20% catalyst quality.
  • •
    Eldritch Crafting: Eldritch Ichor and Eldritch Ember can be used on rare non-corrupted Armour pieces to add extra powerful implicit mods.
  • •
    Helmet Priority: Wilma's Requital is the biggest mid-budget power spike after your body armour link setup.

Phase 4: Late-EA Level 90+ · High Investment

📋 POEGuy EA-Ballista POB: pobb.in/5jc4IEW9e_iu Check the guide for the most up to date.
🎯 Goal: High-investment pure EA — Replica Dragonfang's Flight, unique jewels, and optional Headhunter mapping.

🟠 Mandatory Uniques

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Quill Rain
    • Chase a high Projectile Speed roll (near 100%) and keep the Bow Mastery that converts it to damage.
    • Avoid Foulborn versions that replace Projectile Speed with Increased Area of Effect; it is a damage nerf.
  • •
    Skirmish
    • Prefer strong corruptions: Spell Suppression, +1 Arrow, or Point Blank.

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Wilma's Requital (best helmet — Ancestral Bond + hit chance).
  • •
    Daresso's Defiance (best body for Onslaught).
    • Corruptions to look for:
      • +1 to Level of Socketed Gems
      • +2 to Level of Socketed AOE Gems
      • +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
      • +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
  • •
    Breathstealer — strong buffs and extra anoint.
    • Anoint Lava Lash: Clear, Clear, Golden
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Budget anoint Ash, Frost, and Storm: Sepia, Crimson, Crimson before you can afford Lava Lash.

✨ Nice to Have Uniques

Accessories

  • •
    Replica Dragonfang's Flight — best amulet with +3 to Level of all Explosive Arrow Gems.
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
  • •
    Immortal Flesh (sustain belt).
  • •
    Headhunter — map blasting and Legion 5-Ways.
    • Budget alternative: Replica Headhunter.
🍪 Cookie Notes:
Ashes of the Stars
  • It's a good replacement +1 amulet only if you are unable to find a +2 amulet. Quality must be exactly the lowest roll of 20% or the highest of 30% — no in-between rolls, since EA gem quality grants a bonus for every 10%.

🧪 Flask Setup

  • •
    Life Flask: Divine Life Flask with Immunity to Corrupted Blood and Bleeding.
  • •
    Utility 1: Start with the Granite Flask and then aim for the Rumi's Concoction flask. Provides massive physical damage reduction and block chance.
  • •
    Utility 2: Jade Flask for evasion.
  • •
    Utility 3: Quicksilver Flask for movement speed.
  • •
    Utility 4: Amethyst Flask for Chaos Resistance.
Rolling & Setup
  • •
    Prefixes: % Duration, % Charge Recovery, or % Max Charges.
  • •
    Suffixes: % Armour, % Crit Chance, % Evasion, or % Movement Speed.
  • •
    Warning: Flask suffixes do not stack! If you activate multiple flasks with the same suffix, only the highest value applies. Ensure each magic flask has a unique suffix.
  • •
    Flask Automation: Enchant utility flasks with Used When Charges Reach Full if you have not already.
  • •
    Prep: 20% quality with Glassblower's Baubles.

💎 Jewels

Base Jewels

  • •
    Unique: Lethal Pride with 10% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit.
  • •
    Unique: Watcher's Eye with +#% to Chaos Resistance while affected by Purity of Elements.
  • •
    Unique: The Light of Meaning (6% Fire Damage).

Abyss Jewel

  • •
    1x Abyss Jewel with Flat Life and either:
    • Flat Lightning Damage
    • Flat Cold Damage
    Note: Triggers the Elemental Equilibrium Keystone.
    Warning: Avoid Flat Fire Damage!
    🍪 Cookie Notes: You can also roll #% chance to Taunt Enemies on Hit with Attacks. That can replace the taunt option on Totem Mastery so you can take something else.

🟡 Rare Gear

Accessories

  • •
    Amulet — keep +1 Fire Skills until Replica Dragonfang.
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
    Note: Look for a +2 gem by finding an amulet with both +1 to Level of all Fire Skill Gems and +1 to Level of all Skill Gems.
  • •
    Rings — fully catalysed fire/ele attack damage rings (Life + resists).
    🍪 Cookie Notes:
    Buying a cheap Life + resists ring on trade is enough for this softcore trade setup—essence crafting is optional.
    • If you want to learn the essence crafting system, you can spam Deafening/Shrieking Essence of Anger for guaranteed % Fire Damage. (Essences above Screaming will reroll rare items without needing to scour them first).
  • •
    Regular Rare Belt — Life, resists, and % Elemental Damage with Attacks when available.

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Rare Boots (Preferably Armour / Evasion base) (Look for +25% Movement Speed).
    • Eater of Worlds Ichor any of the following:
      - Regenerate #% of Life per second per Endurance Charge
      - #% increased Armour from Equipped Helmet and Gloves
      - #% increased Life Regeneration rate
    • Searing Exarch Ember any of the following:
      - #% increased Damage per Endurance Charge
      - #% increased Action Speed
      - #% increased Movement Speed

📈 Stats to look for on rare items

General Baseline (All Rares)
80+ Maximum Life 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Ring & Belt Bonus (Nice to Have):
  • % Increased Damage with Elemental Attacks (Rings & Belts)
  • % Increased Fire Damage (Rings only)
Quiver Priorities
Baseline: 80+ Life & 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Bonus Stats:
  • #% increased Attack Speed
  • #% increased Damage with Bow Skills

💡 Phase Notes & Crafting

  • •
    Endgame Focus: High Projectile Speed Quill Rain, corrupted Skirmish, and Wilma's before luxury belts/gloves.
  • •
    Elemental Equilibrium: You only need 1 source of Cold or Lightning damage. Exposure does not scale with how much non-fire added elemental damage you deal—it is a flat -25% Fire Resistance.
  • •
    Frenzy: Manually cast Frenzy on bosses to generate charges and apply curses. We use Lifetap instead of Manaforged Arrows so the build can ignore brutal map and altar modifiers (like No Regen) for massive quality of life.
  • •
    Green Socket: Put Explosive Arrow on Body Armour with at least 1 Green Socket. Matching green grants +10% Quality — that is +1 maximum fuse.
  • •
    EA Warning: Avoid Penetrating Arrow Quivers entirely; Pierce, Chaining, or Splitting prevents Explosive Arrow fuses from sticking.
  • •
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Ring essence crafting is optional—buy Life + resists on trade if you prefer. Use Deafening or Shrieking Essence of Anger only if you want to practice the essence system for % fire damage.
  • •
    Catalysts: Apply Turbulent Catalysts to rings/belts with % Fire Damage or Elemental Damage until 20% catalyst quality.
  • •
    Eldritch Crafting: Eldritch Ichor and Eldritch Ember can be used on rare non-corrupted Armour pieces to add extra powerful implicit mods.
  • •
    Jewels: Follow PoB jewel placements; prioritize % Fire Damage and Attack Speed on rares.

Phase 5: Ultra Late Tank EA Ultra Late · Tank Focus

📋 POEGuy EA-Ballista POB: pobb.in/5jc4IEW9e_iu Check the guide for the most up to date.
🎯 Goal: Ultra-late tank EA — Viridi's Veil, Dawnstrider, magic left ring for Crit immunity, and high-investment uniques.

🟠 Mandatory Uniques

Weapon Pieces

  • •
    Quill Rain
    • Chase a high Projectile Speed roll (near 100%) and keep the Bow Mastery that converts it to damage.
    • Avoid Foulborn versions that replace Projectile Speed with Increased Area of Effect; it is a damage nerf.
  • •
    Skirmish
    • Prefer strong corruptions: Spell Suppression, +1 Arrow, or Point Blank.

Armour Pieces

  • •
    Viridi's Veil — Crit immunity, enemy hits Unlucky, ele res, Armour, and +Level of Socketed Gems.
    • Left ring must be magic to enable Crit Strike immunity.
  • •
    Daresso's Defiance (best body for Onslaught).
    • Corruptions to look for:
      • +1 to Level of Socketed Gems
      • +2 to Level of Socketed AOE Gems
      • +2 to Level of Socketed Projectile Gems
      • +2 to Level of Socketed Duration Gems
  • •
    Breathstealer — strong buffs and extra anoint.
    • Anoint Lava Lash: Clear, Clear, Golden
    🍪 Cookie Notes: Budget anoint Ash, Frost, and Storm: Sepia, Crimson, Crimson before you can afford Lava Lash.
  • •
    Dawnstrider — grants Ancestral Bond (saves tree points), redirects up to 5% hit damage to a nearby totem (becomes 10% total when combined with Totem Mastery), plus 30% Movement Speed and Life.
    • Chase a useful corruption when fully min-maxing.

✨ Nice to Have Uniques

Accessories

  • •
    Replica Dragonfang's Flight — best amulet with +3 to Level of all Explosive Arrow Gems.
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
  • •
    Immortal Flesh (sustain belt).
  • •
    Headhunter — map blasting and Legion 5-Ways.
    • Budget alternative: Replica Headhunter.
🍪 Cookie Notes:
Ashes of the Stars
  • It's a good replacement +1 amulet only if you are unable to find a +2 amulet. Quality must be exactly the lowest roll of 20% or the highest of 30% — no in-between rolls, since EA gem quality grants a bonus for every 10%.

🧪 Flask Setup

  • •
    Life Flask: Divine Life Flask with Immunity to Corrupted Blood and Bleeding.
  • •
    Utility 1: Start with the Granite Flask and then aim for the Rumi's Concoction flask. Provides massive physical damage reduction and block chance.
  • •
    Utility 2: Jade Flask for evasion.
  • •
    Utility 3: Quicksilver Flask for movement speed.
  • •
    Utility 4: Amethyst Flask for Chaos Resistance.
Rolling & Setup
  • •
    Prefixes: % Duration, % Charge Recovery, or % Max Charges.
  • •
    Suffixes: % Armour, % Crit Chance, % Evasion, or % Movement Speed.
  • •
    Warning: Flask suffixes do not stack! If you activate multiple flasks with the same suffix, only the highest value applies. Ensure each magic flask has a unique suffix.
  • •
    Flask Automation: Enchant utility flasks with Used When Charges Reach Full if you have not already.
  • •
    Prep: 20% quality with Glassblower's Baubles.

💎 Jewels

Base Jewels

  • •
    Unique: Lethal Pride with 10% chance to Intimidate Enemies for 4 seconds on Hit.
  • •
    Unique: Watcher's Eye with +#% to Chaos Resistance while affected by Purity of Elements.
  • •
    Unique: The Light of Meaning (6% Fire Damage).

Abyss Jewel

  • •
    1x Abyss Jewel with Flat Life and either:
    • Flat Lightning Damage
    • Flat Cold Damage
    Note: Triggers the Elemental Equilibrium Keystone.
    Warning: Avoid Flat Fire Damage!
    🍪 Cookie Notes: You can also roll #% chance to Taunt Enemies on Hit with Attacks. That can replace the taunt option on Totem Mastery so you can take something else.

🟡 Rare Gear

Accessories

  • •
    Amulet — keep +1 Fire Skills until Replica Dragonfang.
    • Anoint Divine Judgement: Sepia, Teal, Black
    Note: Look for a +2 gem by finding an amulet with both +1 to Level of all Fire Skill Gems and +1 to Level of all Skill Gems.
  • •
    Ring 1 (Left — Magic): Magic ring with Life and flat Accuracy.
    • Must be magic and worn in the left slot for Viridi's Veil Crit immunity.
    • Craft: Amethyst Ring (or needed base) → Alterations for Life or Accuracy → bench the other. Annul if needed.
    • Catalysts: Abrasive Catalysts to 20% for more Accuracy.
  • •
    Ring 2 (Rare): Rare ring with Life, Resistances, % increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills, and/or % increased Fire Damage.
    • Fit rolls to budget. Apply matching Catalysts to 20% as needed.
  • •
    Regular Rare Belt — Life, resists, and % Elemental Damage with Attacks when available.

📈 Stats to look for on rare items

General Baseline (All Rares)
80+ Maximum Life 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Ring & Belt Priorities:
  • Left Magic Ring: Life + flat Accuracy (mandatory for Viridi)
  • % Increased Damage with Elemental Attacks (Rare Ring & Belts)
  • % Increased Fire Damage (Rare Ring)
Quiver Priorities
Baseline: 80+ Life & 60%+ Elemental Resistances
Bonus Stats:
  • #% increased Attack Speed
  • #% increased Damage with Bow Skills

💡 Phase Notes & Crafting

  • •
    Endgame Focus: High Projectile Speed Quill Rain, corrupted Skirmish, Viridi's Veil, and Dawnstrider before luxury belts/gloves.
  • •
    Elemental Equilibrium: You only need 1 source of Cold or Lightning damage. Exposure does not scale with how much non-fire added elemental damage you deal—it is a flat -25% Fire Resistance.
  • •
    Frenzy: Manually cast Frenzy on bosses to generate charges and apply curses. We use Lifetap instead of Manaforged Arrows so the build can ignore brutal map and altar modifiers (like No Regen) for massive quality of life.
  • •
    Green Socket: Put Explosive Arrow on Body Armour with at least 1 Green Socket. Matching green grants +10% Quality — that is +1 maximum fuse.
  • •
    EA Warning: Avoid Penetrating Arrow Quivers entirely; Pierce, Chaining, or Splitting prevents Explosive Arrow fuses from sticking.
  • •
    Left Magic Ring: Keep a magic Life + Accuracy ring in the left slot for Viridi's Veil Crit immunity.
  • •
    Catalysts: Abrasive on the magic Accuracy ring; Turbulent on the rare fire/ele ring and belts to 20%.
  • •
    Eldritch Crafting: Eldritch Ichor and Eldritch Ember can be used on rare non-corrupted Armour pieces to add extra powerful implicit mods.
  • •
    Jewels: Follow PoB jewel placements; prioritize % Fire Damage and Attack Speed on rares.

TL;DR Crafting and Notes EA Quick Reference

Armour, Flasks & Mapping Prep Implicits · Ready checks

🛡 Armour & Flasks

  • •
    Eldritch Implicits: Use Searing Exarch Embers and Eater of Worlds Ichors on your non-corrupted Rare Helmet, Gloves, Boots, and Body Armour to add powerful implicit mods.
  • •
    Flask rolling & automation: Optimize magic utility flasks for permanent defensive uptime.
    • Roll: Use Orbs of Alteration until you hit your target mod pairs.
    • Prefixes: % Duration, % Charge Recovery, or % Max Charges.
    • Suffixes: % Armour, % Crit Chance, % Evasion, or % Movement Speed—one unique type per flask.
    • Quality: 20% quality with Glassblower's Baubles.
    • Flask Automation: Enchant utility flasks with Used When Charges Reach Full if you have not already.
    • Warning: Flask suffixes do not stack—only the highest value applies if duplicated.
  • •
    Item Acquisition: Rare equipment can also be acquired from trade or the Breach Genesis tree using Provisioning Wombgifts.

✅ Mapping Readiness Checklist

  • •
    Mapping goals: Finish your first 3 Labs, keep Quill Rain online, and shore up Life and Resistances before pushing into red maps.
  • •
    EA Projectile Reminder: no Pierce, Chaining, or Splitting—fuses must stick.
  • •
    Green Socket: Keep Explosive Arrow in a Green Socket on Body Armour for the +10% Quality match bonus (+1 maximum fuse).
  • •
    Utility Gems: Keep Frenzy at level 1.
    • Frenzy: Effect does not scale with level—only quality. Also keeps mana cost low to make it easier to trigger with Manaforged Arrows.

Setup & Quality Catalysts · Harvest · Final slams

💍 Pre-craft setup

  • •
    Catalysts: Apply Turbulent Catalysts to rings/belts with % Fire Damage or Elemental Damage until 20% catalyst quality.

🌿 Bench & finishers

  • •
    Harvest Fix: Use the Horticrafting bench to swap resistance types when the tier is good but the element is wrong.
  • •
    Final Slam: If your finished rare has an open affix, use an Exalted Orb for a free extra stat.

Jewelry Crafting EA fire · Rare bases

🛠 Step-by-Step Crafting Walkthrough

🔥 Fire Damage Ring
  1. Base: Acquire any Ring base to cover the resistances you need.
  2. Roll: Use Deafening/Shrieking Essence of Anger to upgrade it (or reroll it), guaranteeing % Fire Damage. (Essences above Screaming will reroll rare items without needing to scour them first).
  3. Target: Repeat until the item rolls a high Maximum Life modifier (+70 or higher) and at least one good Elemental Resistance.
  4. Finish (Crafting Bench): Craft whichever stat is missing.
    • Ring/Belt Life: +(41-55) to Maximum Life.
    • Ring/Belt Resistances: +(29-35)% to a single Elemental Resistance, or +(17-20)% to a dual Elemental Resistance.
    • Ring Utility: Non-Channelling Skills have -6 to -7 to Total Mana Cost.
    • Open affix: Use an Exalted Orb for one extra stat.
  5. Final Step: Once satisfied with the ring, apply Turbulent Catalysts until 20% catalyst quality for stronger elemental damage modifiers.