Here are some PoE Scourge league starter builds worth considering

We go through some of the most common PoE league starter builds that you can try when Scourge launches.

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With the launch of PoE’s 3.16 Scourge league, many players are looking to come and try the game after an absence or for the first time. Since it is an entirely new league, it offers a total currency reset, along with the chance to roll an entirely new build. If you’re looking for some suggestions for PoE Scourge league starter builds, we recommend the following playstyles.

PoE Scourge League Starter

Before we go any further, the aspects that make a great PoE Scourge League starter (or any league starter) are based on several factors. The first is how great the build’s clear is. If you’re going to level through the acts of the story, then you’re going to want to plough through it as fast as possible, especially if you’re a returning player. Moreso, when you start making your way through the end game, you’re going to want to clear higher level Atlas Maps. Therefore, any build that has great clear is going to perform. 

On the other hand, you’re going to need a build that has decent survivability and speed. The former or the latter depends on what build you’re playing. For example, playing a minion build won’t require as much survivability, as you have hordes of minions at your disposal to face tank the baddies. Although, if you’re running a close-range build, you’ll want survivability, so you don’t get killed while getting close to your foes. This should be the case for Hardcore characters too.

Finally, you want a build that can somewhat transition to boss killing. While boss killing is largely an end game build playstyle, you’ll want some boss damage. You can still take on the biggest bads when you encounter them. However, your build should not be able to take on the end game boss. Keep these factors in mind when we go through the following build suggestions. Please note, these builds are not super in-depth. They are merely suggestions of builds, detailing what the core of the build entails. That way, you can work out if you like the build synopsis, allowing you to look deeper into the build if you so wish.  All of these factors are the key objectives the below PoE Scourge league starter builds achieve to a cheap and easy extent.

PoE 3.16 Skeleton Minions

Minions are one of the simplest PoE league starter builds in the game. While the Skeletons got a nerf in the 3.16 patch notes, it is still a viable self-starter. The perks of the build allow players to summon hordes of skeletons to do their masters bidding, commanding skeletons, spectres and other spooky Halloween themed creatures at its foes.

The main gem you are looking to acquire is the Vaal Summon Skeleton. The skill summons hordes of Skeleton Archers, Warriors and Mages, commanding by a Skeleton General. It means you want to go into the Necromancy Ascendency so that your minions get increased health, damage, and several other benefits from minor perks to really flatter the collection of minions.

In addition, you’ll want items like the Midnight Bargain. Several weapons out there increase your minion count, minion damage, minion movement speed, and other buffs. As for your other synergy items and skills, you can even spec into the Zealotry skill, as that increases your magic damage, scaling with your Mages.

If you’re wondering about flasks, you’ll need some form of mana flask. Your Vaal summon skeletons is quite a mana intensive build, meaning mana upkeep is essential. This is the core of the build. If you like the idea, we recommend looking for more in-depth min-max builds out there (the same goes for every league starter build listed below). 

PoE 3.16 Toxic Rain

Toxic Rain is one of the skill focuses of the Ranger playstyle. The skill is all about sending volleys of arrows into the air, but they rain down ‘toxic’ rain instead. However, while you’re leveling you’re going to want to use Splitting Steel and go melee. You won’t be playing full ranger for this build while levelling through most of the acts, but if you would prefer the Ranger style, you can pivot to that if you so wish.

If you want to level melee, you’ll need to start Slitting Steel and play a Champion playstyle. Level 30 or so, you should pivot Toxic Rain. After that, you want the Ballista Totem gem, previously known as RAT, if you’re returning after a period of absence. The skill allows players to repeat their bow attack and summon a totem that copies the user’s primary attack. The Ballista Totem is essential for providing extra DPS against both bosses and trash. You’ll also want Withering Attacks and Faster Attacks to compliment your Toxic Rain.

The only downside to the build is that the build lacks recovery. You’ll need to make sure you are using Life Flasks, so you don’t die. Remember to take some form of movement gem, so you have a way of escape.

PoE 3.16 Pathfinder Poison Concoction

Poison Concoction is one of the most hyped skills in the new PoE Scourge league. One of the reasons why si because it seems like it has a massive buff, along with some really good scaling in the Pathfinder tree through Master Toxicist, Nature’s Reprisal’s increased Chaos and AOE effect, and through active flasks.

As for your actual build, you’re going to need Chaos Mastery, as it is one of the best parts of the PoE tree for Chaos damage builds. You get increased withered strengths, better poison damage and so on. You’ll also want Flask Mastery, as Pathfinders naturally use a lot of Flasks to survive and scale their damage.

While there isn’t much known about the build for 3.16, many are theorizing that it could be incredibly powerful. If you want to run a Chaos damage themed poison build that isn’t Toxic Rain, then this could work for you. Just be aware this build is entirely speculation; it could end up being a bit weird. We recommend doing this if you’re much more familiar with the game andaree interested in theory crafting on the fly.

PoE 3.16 Arc Templar Build

Arc Totems are always one of the easiest starter builds in the game. Totems naturally retrigger your active skills, offering multiple ways to do damage at the touch of a button. One of the best ways to make the Arc Totem skill work is on a Templar. In fact, this is one of the most common PoE starter builds out there for the last few leagues.

The Arc Templar requires the player to move into the Hierophant Ascendency, as it offers the player better Arcane damage, mana, and improved Totem usage. By default, this scales really well with Arc Totems, as you’ll be using them as your primary damage tool. The core Ascendency traits include Pursuit of Faith, which adds +1 extra totem, along with increased totem duration and placement speed. In addition, you need The Cruel Labyrinth trait, as it offers increased damage per totem, along with better recovery to your health and mana.

The good thing about this build is that it is incredibly cheap to build to play. Totem gear is rather easy to come by and is incredibly cost-efficient to get running. The other gems and skills you’ll need are the Elemental Focus, Added lightning damage, and lightning penetration to increase your Arc Totems’ damage. 

As for your other skills, you’ll want Arcane surges. For bosses fights, you need Assassins Mark for increased damage to the target and Summon Lightning Golem for that extra support in difficult encounters. You’ll also want Dash in your boots, so you have great mobility. You can tell this is quite the well practised PoE league starter build, hence how easy and well documented this build is to pull off.

This concludes our PoE Scourge league starter builds list. Is there another build you think is worth mentioning? Let us know in the comments?