Need some help/advice for a build.

As the title suggests, I am looking for build advice based off a PoB i've constructed. A lot of you are a helluva lot more knowledgeable about the game than I am, but I admit to enjoying tinkering around with PoB and coming up with new things, or just trying my own take at a build.

That being said, this PoB isn't for me specifically--It's for my brother. He absolutely loves playing Elemental Hit Heirophant (Templar) Totems, and was a little dismayed that there wasn't up-to-date build guides for it anywhere (At least as far as we've seen.) Apparently, as I'd asked around the Discord server that I am a part of, it was nerfed a few Leagues back? I wouldn't personally know though; I, and he, have both been on PoE hiatus until a little ways in to Heist.

When all-is-said-and-done though, we had to resort to using a very old pathing tree layout and build design for Ele Hit Totem Heirophant build. All-in-all, it's doing fine, but lacking in bossing. That's where my PoB'ing came in to play. To hopefully up the bossing damage dramatically over where it was/is (Currently he does only around 400k total Sirus damage with most of the old build's gear equipped.)

For your viewing pleasure, and hopefully future assistance, this is as good a time as any to post this:
https://pastebin.com/z2SfHn0K

I believe I have everything ticked accordingly, and I personally believe the build is viable enough. That being said, I am no whiz at this and could assuredly use the help. Disregarding the perfect rolls on the rares, if you can also bring those down in to a more entry-level version of them (I opted to roll for the highest possible damage that I could think of with my limited knowledge), that would be great as well. Resistances are a weak point of mine when designing his build.

He does like using Chin Sol, Skirmish and the Frostferno. Gang's Momentum I was keeping there for added boosted damage, and the Xoph's Blood was, as with my knowledge, the best DPS option available to the build while also saving a few passive tree nodes. The cluster jewels are just budget-level and easily made. The Repeater jewel isn't even necessary whatsoever, so if you want to remove that and use those points elsewhere, go for it. You can also feel free to re-path the tree.

I figured going for an evasive style build would be a good option for how he plays the game, which is a good reason why he's using Yriel's instead of Kaom's (disregarding the fact that PoB with his current gear that doesn't even come close to matching THIS PoB, said that Yriel was a far stronger dps option anyway.) I also figured he could use the additional 6L and work out something with those gem slots--which is where I figured Skitterbots might be able to do some justice for him and the build. You can feel free to change it though, if I am wrong.

Personally speaking though, I am quite happy with what I have produced. That being said, this PoB isn't for me--it's for him. I'd appreciate any help and assistance you all can offer. Play around with the PoB, reallocate passive nodes, timeless jewels, whatever. You're all a lot smarter than I am, and I am sure at least somebody can do this with a budget option that matches this or better I am sure. xD (That'd crush my soul, please be gentle! Jk.)

If you can help, want to, or try, just know I thank you upfront!

"

Bretherezen wrote:

He absolutely loves playing Elemental Hit Heirophant (Templar) Totems, and was a little dismayed that there wasn't up-to-date build guides for it anywhere (At least as far as we've seen.)

Hmm maybe you are not aware of this post?

https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/2224772/page/173#p22791192

Honestly, I don't typically look pages and pages down a thread. I look at the original post, as numerous ones of them have been updated to be, well, up-to-date with the current game build release. That being said, I'll look at this post. In addition to that though, I'd still appreciate advice and more on the PoB.

"

Bretherezen wrote:

Honestly, I don't typically look pages and pages down a thread. I look at the original post, as numerous ones of them have been updated to be, well, up-to-date with the current game build release. That being said, I'll look at this post. In addition to that though, I'd still appreciate advice and more on the PoB.

I guess I should have explained in my post above. Was thinking you might have took a look at the link before replying.

The post I linked is basically a fully updated detailed guide for 3.12 version of Elemental Hit Hierophant Totems. It's been there and have been updated for 4 leagues since 3.9 Metamorph and there were quite a number of people following it(Reading the post will answer this). Thus I didn't write any advice above because most info is already there in the guide.

I hope the guide will be helpful to you/your brother. :)


I'll add a few comments regarding your POB that is not written/elaborated in the guide:

- Arcane Surge works with spells, Elemental Hit isn't a spell and doesn't use cast speed(It uses Attack Speed and Ballista Totem uses Placement Speed) so it doesn't gain any benefits from Arcane Surge.

- Ensnaring Arrow will tether to the last enemy it hits, after the projectile has finished all its chains, forks, and pierces. Against a boss, who is usually alone, and you have pierce from Poacher's Aim, this means your projectile will pierce the boss and continue on and the boss will not be snared which I believe is the reason you are using Ensnaring Arrow for.

- 4.6k life these days with just 40/30(Acrobatics/Phase Acro) dodge and evasion doesn't really cut it these days. Can easily get one-shotted doing high tier contents. 5.5k+ life is more ideal, generally obtained using Kaom's Heart.


Cheers

Thank you very much for that advice, and I did get a good look at the thread as well. I should be able to mess around some more and alter his PoB again based off some/all of this.

Arcane Surge though was there linked to Flame Dash just because, no real reason/no real downside as far as I see. A "wasted" gem slot perhaps yes.

Thanks for the Snaring Arrow bit. I was curious if it would function how you said, or simply recognize that on ST fights it wouldn't be able to hit another target, and simply snare to the ground.. But now I know though, so I guess I can remove it and do something else there.

And I guess the eHp is a bit low in the health pool department... Kind of feeling that myself on my own character some.

I can work with this information though, thanks. If anything else, please don't hesitate to say~

No problem!

If you happen to have any questions regarding the guide you can post in that thread. Although I am not playing this league, I do drop by the forum once a day or two to take a look in case anyone posted any questions in the thread that needs some answers so yup.

Cheers