Alkuroth's Zero to Hero Melee Experience
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Progression Phases
- Zero Phase
- Campaign Phase
- Transition Phase
- Early Mapping Phase
- Mapping Phase
- Hero Phase
- Giga Phase
- Gearing & Stats
- Twink Leveling Tips
- General Tips
- Notes on Trade Links
- Trade Links (Extended)
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Overview
The goal of this build is to have a character that feels tanky and dishes out some big hits.
It should be smooth from a fresh league start all the way up to the pinnacle bosses.
If you have any feedback please leave a comment on my youtube channel, discord, or this sheet.
I am especially looking for feedback from newer players. Topics or questions that you want answered in order to smooth the journey from zero to hero.
I do recommend opening the spreadsheet alongside the pob. Link here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EdeQoTKp4yMIMuMvR21cLuo0ssi2KuWz036M4c3jW1A/edit?usp=sharing
IMPORTANT (shoot for this by the time you are in maps)
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75% All Elemental Resistances 0% Chaos Resistance
3000 Life
Hover over the items and at the bottom a lot of them will include tips on how to acquire or stat priorities
There are a lot of nodes to pick from. Before choosing a node to allocate ask yourself do I need damage, more defense, more regeneration?
I put prices on a lot of items. Totally ballpark also geared towards softcore league. Tried to overestimate rather than under.
There are multiple sets inside this pob to guide you from level 1 all the way to t17 maps and uber bosses.
zero -> campaign -> transition -> early mapping -> mapping -> hero -> giga
Zero (rushing to blood magic / resolute technique)
Campaign Lvl 40 Campaign Lvl 50 Campaign Lvl 60 Campaign Lvl 68 Transition Lvl 74 You will have to respec some nodes at this point to transition to one of the early mapping passive trees. Early Mapping Blood Magic Early Mapping - Do not make this swap until you have mana leech from attack damage of some sort (cluster jewel, amulet annoint, etc) (I prefer the non bloodmagic setup, it has autocast warcries, less buttons to spam)
Mapping Blood Magic Trade Links Mapping - Do not make this swap until you have mana leech from attack damage of some sort (cluster jewel, amulet annoint, etc) (should be able to clear all normal bosses with this setup)
Hero - Endgame - should be able to clear all ubers with this setup Hero - Endgame with Timeless Jewel - This is worth speccing into if you find a good timeless jewel. I have a trade link for some pretty decent ones in the trade link sheet.
Giga - for those that want to push it even further
You can compare skill trees in the bottom left of pob. Left side should be your current tree.
It will show nodes you should spec into as green and spec out of as red
Get Bestel's Chest for an early quicksilver. Leveling tips:
Skip stragglers, Group mobs into packs (have them chase you for a bit), Use your aoe efficiently to hit more mobs. Unless you are 3-5 shotting rares, skip them. If they are fast enough pull them into packs and damage them as you are damaging the groups. (insert video example)
Get Bestel's Chest for an early quicksilvers. Find the secret room on prison level for more quicksilvers. I like to run 3 quicksilvers. (insert video example)
Leap Slam Frostblink tech - you can use frostblink to cancel out of the later portion of leap slam's animation, making it much faster. (video example) So once your character reaches the highest point of the leap, cast frostblink.
Ascendency Order: Tasalio -> Sione -> Tukohama -> Valako
Can also go Sione -> Tukohama first for more damage. Gearing will be tougher but people that are very comfortable with the campaign will not have a problem.
Twink leveling tips:
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3 quicksilver + mageblood enchant rotate btwn them for perma uptime
Progression Phases
This project outlines a linear progression path with distinct phases from Zero to Giga, including campaign, transition, early mapping, mapping, hero, and giga levels. Each phase includes recommended passives, gear priorities, and notes on mana, auras, and provide context for map progression.
Zero Phase
- Zero (rushing to blood magic / resolute technique)
- Campaign progression: Lvl 40 -> Lvl 50 -> Lvl 60 -> Lvl 68 -> Transition Lvl 74
- You will need to respec nodes to transition into early mapping trees.
Campaign to Early Mapping Transitions
- Early Mapping Blood Magic
- Early Mapping - Do not swap until you have mana leech from attack damage of some sort (cluster jewel, amulet annoint, etc)
- I prefer the non-bloodmagic setup, it has autocast warcries and fewer buttons to spam
Mapping Branches
- Blood Magic Trade Links Mapping - Do not swap until you have mana leech from attack damage of some sort (should be able to clear all normal bosses with this setup)
Early Mapping Phase
- Phase focuses on acquiring mana sustain and mapping capability with blood magic or non-bloodmagic options depending on mana leech sources.
Mapping Phase
- Transition into tougher map content with improved gear and life pool. This phase includes gear changes and skill tweaks to handle higher tier maps.
Hero Phase
- Endgame - should be able to clear all ubers with this setup.
- Endgame with Timeless Jewel - worth speccing into if a good timeless jewel is found.
Giga Phase
- For those who want to push beyond standard endgame and tackle the hardest content.
Gearing & Stats
Gear Basics
- Weapon: 2H Maces are ideal. 2H Axes work too. Look for high base physical damage. Attacks per second is nice for QoL. Kaom's Primacy is a cheap unique to buy and use in red maps. Early game gear options are limited; unspec from weapon-specific nodes if not using the correct weapon.
- Armor/Jewelry: Prefer armor bases, but ensure stat requirements. Rings should focus on fire, all elemental resistances, life; Chaos base for ring. Amulets should cover int/dex/all attributes. Belts should be abyss, life, or life-based. Priority: Elemental Resistances to 75% across all elements, Fire Resistance prioritized, then Chaos Resist; then Maximum Life; then Dexterity/Intelligence for stat requirements; then Strength for melee damage and life.
Clusters and Passives
Medium Cluster (Adds 4-5 Passive Skills)
- Lead By Example (Onslaught)
- Warning Call (100% armor)
- Haunting Shout (Intimidate; can be sourced from other items)
- Mob Mentality (Charge generation) – least important, but useful in some situations
Large Cluster (Adds 8 Passive Skills)
- Fuel the Fight (Mana Leech)
- Overlord (Fortify, for maces only)
Small Passives (Priority Order)
- Chaos Res, All Attributes, Dexterity, Intelligence, All Elemental Res, Fire Res, Attack Speed, Passive Effect
Twink Leveling Tips
- 3 quicksilver + mageblood enchant rotate between them for permanent uptime
General Tips
- The main focus is ease of gearing and having a smooth zero-to-hero experience.
- Highly recommend farming normal Lab for Volcanic Fissure of Snaking. If you are on a trade league you can farm it until you have enough currency to buy. Aim for alt gems that are worth the most; sell them, buy the gem, etc.
- Here is a link to help determine what alternate gems are worth. Keep an eye on the league as it may change: https://poe.ninja/economy/settlers/skill-gems?level=1&quality=0-19&corrupted=No&gemType=Transfigured
- Vendor Recipes are extremely useful for SSF and leveling: https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Vendor_recipe_system
- If you have stat problems, search for +30 Intelligence or Dexterity Node; Attribute Mastery can help craft Intelligence + Dexterity onto gear.
- Overleech? Replace some damage auras with Petrified Blood. Do not reserve more than 49% of life, or 44% with a life-relevant mastery.
- Warcry cooldown trick: vary warcry qualities on auto-exertion (10, 15, 20) to stagger casts and improve rage uptime.
- Marohi is for big hits; for mapping use a faster 2h maul for maps. Do not map with Marohi – better for bosses or soul eater rares.
- Level up Clarity to the minimum level where mana regen remains acceptable. Autocasting warcries consumes mana.
- If mana is tight, drop Blood and Sand.
- Punishment should be max level; it is set to 1 in the POE planner for DPS calculations.
- Self-trigger savage hit with Vengeful Cry: Doedre's Elixir, Battlemage's Cry, Forbidden Rite, Echoes of Creation – mindful of chaos res.
- Sockets are tight; consider swapping gems per your build in the Skills tab.
- Corrupted Soul + Divine Shield + Echoes of Creation is a strong combo.
- For map mobility, consider dropping Basalt for Enkindled QuickSilver; faster two-handed weapon and Leap Slam/Faster Attacks are also options.
- If using Leap Slam, you may need to spec into Warcray Mastery to prevent Exert Travel Skills.
- Mageblood users: have an Enkindled QuickSilver on standby for mapping.
- Unwavering Stance might be mandatory with Marohi; if not needed, consider Glorious Vanity for Corrupted Soul.
- If ailments are an issue, or chilled ground is annoying, you can run Storm Shroud. Craft avoid shock with essences on boots; roll Eldritch currency to avoid shock/ailments. Shock is the most dangerous ailment. Use the Pantheon for shock before swapping over. Chill immunity on boots is nice too.
- If your body armor has no life modifiers, take the life mod on a life-based node.
- Swapping off Blood Magic? You need attack-damage mana leech (not physical). Options include Cluster Jewel, pathing to the Duelist, or amulet annoint.
- Item Info: Trade links are provided in a separate sheet. Trade Links
Note: This is campaign / early maps. Do not pick up generic rares (yellow) beyond this point; use a loot filter to filter them out. (insert loot filter)
Weapons, Armor, and Jewels Details
Weapon: 2H Maces ideal; 2H Axes work too. Look for high base physical damage; attacks per second improves QoL. Kaom's Primacy is likely a cheap option for red maps. Early game weapon choices are limited; unspec from weapon-specific nodes if not using correct weapon.
Armor/Jewelry: Prefer armor base items; ensure stat requirements. Rings: Fire %, All Ele Res, Life, Chaos base. Amulet: Int/Dex or all attributes. Belt: Abyss, Life, or Strength base.
Stat Priorities: Elemental Resistances to 75% (all), Fire Resist prioritized, Chaos Resist, Maximum Life, Dexterity/Intelligence (for requirements), then Strength, Armor.
Medium and Large Cluster Tips
- Medium Cluster: Leads By Example (Onslaught), Warning Call (Armor), Haunting Shout (Intimidate), Mob Mentality (Charge), etc.
- Large Cluster: Fuel the Fight (Mana Leech), Overlord (Fortify for maces).
Notes on Timeless Jewels, Glorious Vanity, and Essences
- Glorious Vanity and Timeless Jewels selection can be guided by a timeless jewel calculator; you can pick general vanity options like Doryani if you prefer.
- Echoes of Creation: Roll high on the damage explicit; if using the vengeful cry tech, ensure high self-damage explicit rolls.
Trade Links and League Considerations
Notes: Pay attention to the league before using these trade links. I will try to update them to the latest softcore trade league. If you are in standard or hardcore, you will 100% have to adjust the league.
If you want a specific trade link created or tips on how to search for stuff, leave a comment.
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/y9oEbPliR Volcanic Fissure of Snaking Gem 5/27/2025 (Gem)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Mercenaries/0WdDKMdhg 600 physical dps 2-handed mace 1.5aps 5/27/2025 (Weapon)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/NpkvI0 Kaom's Primacy Karui Chopper 5/27/2025 (Weapon)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/5972q3mha Decent 5-link Body 5/27/2025 (Body) Use harvest bench to reroll specific elemental resistance to fire. https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/QmD2OL3Iw Decent Helm 5/27/2025 (Helm) Use harvest bench to reroll specific elemental resistance to fire.
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/ZaGqGd0SQ Decent Gloves 5/27/2025 (Gloves) Use harvest bench to reroll specific elemental resistance to fire.
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/lW2yv2jHV Decent Boots 5/27/2025 (Boots)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/7v4rdBBC5 Decent Ring 5/27/2025 (Ring) Use harvest bench to reroll specific elemental resistance to fire.
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/2lRqKOpUk Decent Amulet 5/27/2025 (Amulet)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/zQ6V8lRC4 Decent Belt 5/27/2025 (Belt)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/eqYmDabHL max life, max any res jewel 5/27/2025 (Jewel) Use harvest bench to reroll resistance type to correct res and value. It also rerolls the range (free divine).
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/dweeO5oiJ max life, max fire res jewel 5/27/2025 (Jewel)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/Wo7anrbTm quicksilver, +30 charges, %ms during effect 5/27/2025 (Flask)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/mREZ7pwC6 granite, reduced curse or armor, charges when hit 5/27/2025 (Flask)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/J62EO6YIl instant recovery on low life eternal life flask 5/27/2025 (Flask)
- https://www.pathofexile.com/trade/search/Settlers/7v48M6gT5 Decent Corrupted Soul Glorious Vanity Timeless Jewels 5/27/2025 (Timeless Jewel)
This is the complete extraction of the document content. All data, tips, links, and guidance are preserved with headers and anchors for in-page navigation. The document covers the full zero-to-hero melee progression, gearing priorities, ascendency order, and a comprehensive set of tips for leveling, map progression, and endgame considerations for a Path of Exile softcore league. Ensure to cross-check with the provided POE site links and your own league’s current meta when applying these recommendations.