PoE Build 3.26: How to Craft an Explode Bow for Elementalist Lightning Arrow

The Explode Bow is one of the most iconic and satisfying weapons in Path of Exile, especially when paired with the Elementalist Lightning Arrow (LA) build. In 3.26, this combination remains a top-tier choice for mapping efficiency, clear speed, and visual spectacle. This guide will walk you through every step of crafting your own Explode Bow, optimizing it for Elementalist LA, and understanding the mechanics that make it shine.

 

 

 

Why Choose Elementalist Lightning Arrow?

Elementalist offers powerful synergy with Lightning Arrow due to:

 

● Proliferation and Shock Scaling: Elementalist’s Shaper of Storms and Mastermind of Discord amplify elemental damage and shock effects.

● Elemental Ailment Immunity: With Bastion of Elements and exposure mechanics, Elementalist is both offensive and defensive.

● High Clear Speed: Lightning Arrow chains and pierces, making it ideal for clearing dense packs.

 

Pairing this with an Explode Bow turns every kill into a chain reaction of destruction.

 

What Is an Explode Bow?

An “Explode Bow” refers to a rare bow with the modifier:

“Enemies you kill have a chance to explode, dealing a percentage of their life as physical damage.”

 

This modifier comes from the Crusader influence and is a game-changer for clear speed. It’s not a Lightning Arrow-specific modifier, but it synergizes beautifully with LA’s AoE and chaining mechanics.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Craft an Explode Bow

Crafting this bow requires a mix of PoE Currency, influence mechanics, and precision. Here’s a breakdown:

 

1. Base Selection

Choose a high-level bow base with good attack speed and crit potential. Recommended bases:

 

 

Make sure the item level is ≥ 82 to roll the explode mod.

 

2. Apply Crusader Influence

Use a Crusader’s Exalted Orb to apply Crusader influence. This is essential for accessing the explode modifier.

 

Tip: If you’re low on PoE Currency, consider buying a pre-influenced base from trade.

 

3. Use Essences or Fossils (Optional)

To target specific prefixes like “+1 to Socketed Gems” or “% increased Lightning Damage,” you can use:

 

● Essence of Wrath: For flat lightning damage

● Fossils: Use Corroded + Prismatic + Metallic in a 4-socket resonator to block unwanted mods and boost elemental rolls

 

This step is optional, but can help with early crafting.

 

4. Spam Scouring + Alchemy or Chaos Orbs

Use Orb of Scouring to reset the item in PoE, then Orb of Alchemy or Chaos Orb to reroll rare mods until you hit:

 

● “Enemies you kill explode.”

● “+1 to Socketed Gems” or “% increased Lightning Damage”

● Attack speed or crit chance

 

This is RNG-heavy and can consume a lot of PoE Currency.

 

5. Use Harvest or Bench Crafting

Once you hit the explode mod, use Harvest crafting or the Crafting Bench to:

 

● Remove undesired suffixes

● Add “Cannot roll Attack Mods” or “Cannot roll Caster Mods” to block certain rolls.

● Use Exalted Orbs to slam new mods safely.

 

6. Use Eldritch Currency (Optional)

In 3.26, Eldritch Implicits from Eater of Worlds and Searing Exarch offer powerful bonuses:

 

● Eater of Worlds: Chance to intimidate, increased attack speed

● Searing Exarch: Increased elemental damage, chance to scorch

 

Use Orb of Conflict, Ichors, and Embers to optimize implicits.

 

PoE Currency Cost Breakdown

Crafting an Explode Bow isn’t cheap. Here’s an estimated cost:

 

 

Total cost: 10–20 Divine Orbs, depending on luck and market prices.

 

Ideal Bow Modifiers for Elementalist LA

Here’s what you want on your final bow:

 

 

If you can’t get all these, prioritize explode and attack speed.

 

Elementalist LA Build Synergy

Once you’ve crafted your bow, here’s how to optimize your build:

 

Lightning Arrow Setup

Lightning Arrow – Trinity – Elemental Damage with Attacks – Mirage Archer – Pierce – Increased Critical Strikes

 

● Trinity: Scales elemental damage efficiently

● Mirage Archer: Boosts clear speed

● Pierce: Ensures arrows hit multiple enemies

 

Ascendancy Choices

● Shaper of Storms – Always shocks enemies

● Mastermind of Discord – Boosts elemental penetration

● Heart of Destruction – AoE and elemental damage

● Bastion of Elements – Primal Aegis for defense

 

Defensive Layers

● Spell Suppression from gear

● Evasion and Dodge from gear and flasks

● Primal Aegis from Elementalist

 

Mapping Strategy

With your Explode Bow and Elementalist LA setup:

 

● Use Harbinger Scarabs and Breach Scarabs for dense packs

● Run Juiced Maps with a high pack size

● Use Wrath Aura and Precision for damage and accuracy

● Consider Vaal Lightning Arrow for burst clearing

 

Final Tips

● Always keep an eye on PoE Currency prices. Crafting costs fluctuate with the league economy.

● Consider buying a fractured base with “+1 Socketed Gems” to speed up crafting.

● Use Trade Sites to compare prices before investing.

● If crafting feels too RNG-heavy, consider buying a pre-crafted bow and investing in other gear.