The Dark Pact Pathfinder build in Path of Exile version 3.24 is a unique and powerful setup that revolves around the Dark Pact skill, which chains between summoned skeletons to deal massive chaos damage. This build is particularly known for its high damage output and sustainability, making it a strong choice for both league starts and endgame content.
Build Overview:
The Dark Pact Pathfinder leverages the synergy between the Pathfinder's flask effectiveness and the chaos damage of Dark Pact. By summoning skeletons and casting Dark Pact, the skill chains between the skeletons, dealing area damage to enemies. The Pathfinder's ascendancy enhances the build's performance through increased flask uptime and additional buffs, providing both offensive and defensive benefits.
Pros:
• High Sustaining: The build is designed to counter incoming damage through high life regeneration and energy shield leech mechanics.
• League Starter: It doesn't rely on specific uniques, making it viable for league starts and Solo Self-Found (SSF) play.
• High Damage Output: Even on a low budget, the build can achieve impressive damage, making it a formidable boss killer.
Cons:
• Complex Playstyle: The unique playstyle may not be enjoyable for everyone, and it's recommended to watch gameplay videos before starting the build.
• Endgame Cluster Jewel: A medium cluster jewel with the Blessed Rebirth node is crucial for endgame content to prevent skeletons from dying prematurely.
Gearing:
For gear, the focus is on increasing life, energy shield, and chaos damage. The build can start with budget options and gradually progress to more specialized items. A key unique for this build is The Apostate, which significantly boosts the build's capabilities and allows it to tackle even T17 maps.
Ascendancy, Bandits, and Pantheon:
• Ascendancy: The Pathfinder ascendancy is chosen for its flask-related bonuses, which are essential for the build's performance.
• Bandits: Helping Alira is generally the recommended choice for the critical strike multiplier and resistances.
• Pantheon: Major and minor gods can be chosen based on personal preference or specific content being tackled.
Leveling:
During leveling, focus on life and damage nodes on the passive tree. Use leveling uniques and gear with life and resistances to ease the process. Transition to the Dark Pact setup once you have enough skeleton life to sustain the chain effect.
Playstyle:
The playstyle involves summoning skeletons and then casting Dark Pact to chain the damage. Positioning is key to ensure your skeletons are in the range of enemies for maximum damage output. Managing flasks for optimal uptime is also crucial.
Final Thoughts:
The Dark Pact Pathfinder build is a robust and enjoyable setup for those who appreciate a more active playstyle. With the right gear and understanding of the mechanics, it can excel in both clearing maps and taking down bosses. As with any complex build, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the playstyle and mechanics to fully harness its potential.
Remember, this is a brief overview, and for the complete details, it's best to consult the full guide and videos to get a thorough understanding of the build's intricacies and how to maximize its performance in the game. Enjoy your journey through Wraeclast with the Dark Pact Pathfinder build!