Summary
League start tier lists can be subjective, but this one is based on actual progression data, early-to-mid game farming viability, and the current meta. This tier list is designed for softcore trade players and focuses on builds that perform well from campaign through four-watchstone progression, with an emphasis on week-one performance on a moderate budget (10-40 POE divine orbs). Note that DoT skills are currently omitted as the patch notes have not yet finalized their buffs.
S-Tier: Top Performers
Kinetic Fusillade Totems
Kinetic Fusillade totems were one of the best league starters last league, and despite receiving a 15-20% damage nerf, they remain a top-tier choice. The build offers excellent clear speed, strong boss damage, and a safe playstyle where you place totems and let them do the work. It performs well in Legion, Breach, and even Uber boss rushing. For updated guides, follow Pron, who specializes in totem builds.
Slams into Righteous Fire
This is essentially two builds in one. Slams provide excellent campaign and early mapping progression, allowing you to boss rush and earn currency. Once you have your four watchstones, transition into Righteous Fire, which excels at late-game farming strategies like Breach and Abyss. Righteous Fire is one of the cheapest and most effective builds for these mechanics. Check out Nick Pox for RF guides and Ben for slam gameplay.
Penance Brand Assassin into Blade Vortex
This is a more experienced player's choice. Penance Brand Assassin handles progression smoothly, then transitions into Blade Vortex once you acquire a Tier Zero unique (approximately 10-20 divines). Blade Vortex with its 3-meter area of effect can instantly clear Legion encounters—attacking one monster kills the entire legion. This build excels at Legion, Breach, and Abyss farming. Check Dungrun for POB and gameplay.
A-Tier: Very Strong Choices
Static Strike Slayer
Static Strike Slayer offers exceptional clear speed and instant kill potential in maps. The build requires snapshotting—pre-buffing yourself before using Static Strike—which takes some practice. Other strike skills like Smite Slayer remain strong as well. Static Strike did receive a nerf, but it is still very powerful. Follow Aloha for updates.
Storm Burst Totems
Storm Burst totems have higher boss damage than Kinetic Fusillade but worse clear speed and coverage. This build is ideal for players who want to focus on bossing and Uber content on a relatively low budget. It is beginner-friendly and highly effective for its intended purpose. Check Aeroplane for detailed guides.
Winter Orb
Winter Orb is one of the most anticipated builds of 3.29. While it has a weaker early game compared to other builds on this list, it scales exceptionally well into the mid and late game. It offers exceptional clear speed, area of effect, and decent boss damage. Many content creators—including Ronarray, Rutu, and the author of this guide—are starting Winter Orb. This build is best for players who can handle a slower early progression for a powerful payoff later.
Kinetic Bolt Necro or Hierophant
Kinetic Bolt builds received roughly a 20% damage nerf but remain completely viable given their previous strength. Necromancer offers better day-one progression, while Hierophant provides higher scaling potential. This build is solid and well-tested. Red Viles is starting Necro Kinetic Bolt.
Lightning Arrow / Elemental Hit Deadeye
Bow builds are exceptional for fast mapping and clear speed, particularly for Legion, Breach, and Abyss. Lightning Arrow Deadeye is beginner-friendly due to its ranged playstyle, though it is squishy. It struggles with high-end bosses like Ubers but excels at T16 mapping. This author has a full updated guide available for Lightning Arrow.
Mines (Reap, Glacial Cascade, Eye of Winter)
Mines offer serious damage and versatility. Eye of Winter mines are pure boss killers with high DPS. Glacial Cascade mines are all-rounders. Reap mines have better map clear and perform well in Legion and Abyss. Choose based on your preferred content. Exop plays Reap mines, while Smokey usually plays Glacial Cascade.
Penance Brand Ignite
Penance Brand Ignite has weaker early progression due to delayed damage (brand activation then ignite tick), but it scales extremely well. With the Hale of the High ring (4-5 divines), the build transforms into a pseudo-autobomber where you shield charge, and everything dies. This is a satisfying playstyle for mid-to-late game. Check Zooboob and Gatha for guides.
B-Tier: Solid Options
General's Cry
General's Cry is a pseudo-minion build where you animate corpses to use your melee skills. It is a strong boss rusher, effective for regular bosses, Uber bosses with investment, and nightmare bosses. However, few people play it, making it harder to find updated guides.
Cyclone Slayer
Cyclone Slayer (often paired with Shockwave) is a fun, viable build that becomes strong immediately after the campaign. It can easily obtain four watchstones and is a solid all-rounder. This is a good choice if you enjoy Cyclone playstyle from other ARPGs. Savinex plays this build.
Mana-Stacking Spellcaster
Mana-stacking spellcasters are very strong but can feel clunky on day one. Once you invest 20-40 divines, the build feels excellent. It received buffs and nerfs that roughly cancel out, so it performs similarly to last league. Big Dogs plays this build.
Venom Gyre Deadeye
Venom Gyre Deadeye is a deck-stacking build focused on maximum zoom clear speed. It is very fast but squishy (sub-4K HP) and relies on evasion and spell suppression. It is similar to Lightning Arrow but without freeze. Excellent for Breach and Legion. Kana plays this build every league.
Bleed Boneshatter
Bleed Boneshatter is a solid, new-player-friendly build with excellent progression, tankiness, and ease of play. It is a great choice if you enjoy melee but don't want to play slams. Zizaran is updating a guide for this league.
Flicker Strike Slayer
Flicker Strike is an acquired taste—players either love it or hate it. If you have played it before, you know what to expect. If you haven't, be prepared for a unique experience. Mage Fuzz is the go-to creator for Flicker Strike content.
Specialized Farms
Toxic Rain (Heist)
Toxic Rain is a very fast build and is the go-to choice for Heist farming. It may also be meta for the new underwater Heist mechanic.
Shockwave Totems / Penance Brand (Sanctum)
These builds are the standard choices for Sanctum, which may have more value this league as it is the only source of Volatile Val Orbs.
Cast-on-Stun / Mirror Arrow (Ultimatum)
These are specialized builds for Ultimatum farming on a low budget. Check Miracle for updates.
Unknowns
The following builds are not included due to lack of information:
Luminary Ascendancy (Mercenary): This new Scion ascendancy could be excellent or mediocre. Captain Lance is starting this build, but the performance is unknown.
Crab Totems: A new crab staff was revealed, but the downside of crab totems (damage multiplier) is unknown.
DoT Skills: Awaiting patch note buffs; currently considered bottom tier.
Minions: The author does not play minions and cannot rate them.
Blade Vortex / Ethereal Knives: These are not recommended as league starters due to poor campaign and early mapping performance. If you want to play these, start Winter Orb and transition later.
Summary
Kinetic Fusillade Totems and Winter Orb are among the strongest choices this league, letting you farm efficiently without ever needing to buy POE currency just to afford basic gear. Slams into RF offers a smooth progression path. Penance Brand Assassin into Blade Vortex is a high-risk, high-reward option for experienced players. Static Strike Slayer, Storm Burst Totems, and bow builds provide excellent clear speed. Specialized farms have dedicated builds. Choose based on your preferred playstyle and tolerance for early-game clunkiness. Good luck in 3.29!
