Tank in the DPS meta

25.7K ES
137K Armour
75/75 Block
1156 base ES regen
2699 ES regen with flask
4241 avg ES regen with Time of need
7.2k max mana
Regen swap with Titanium, Ephemeral and Shav ring: 28.6K ES, 5860 max avg regen

without Watcher jewel I have 17.6k ES, and with nerfed jewel I'll probably have 20.6k ES according to PoB, but then I can respec some mana to pure ES and still get around 22k

Tree: https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/3.1.1/AAAABAUDABzcQ8gdFPuqCPRPBFH7kiuPGhg8VeABb_novKpqQxFQKlP3wcNtSU_r5KcIfLuA4Ow4KU-ycKcrN2bBxZitHxiQ1jbFVcYGObc-ZlQsnLiT74iCx-q6PC3pAuL37-uhL7zqGyW9J9dqDlzQH1fJXsBWSKUYjHZMs80WLL_zBkmxHwLFirQMytMVUOwY18_YJGjyvoq3MVIpJ6l_xmaeRX49DxhWcU18S5swi3qXLTrYDXxca18qlnRtGWwLms9-bI9GhXuFMvrSg9uDzINfgptq-kuuNApDY_k3r2yESCL0UWCePEGH2VtOUiymKPpYWrdoiFoEB-vukyc=

Bandit: Passive
Pantheon: Solaris and Tukohama atm
Path of Building: https://pastebin.com/3W7jkj0r Wrong Armour and ES display cus of Watcher jewel and Greelwood calculations

Changes to the Aegis build in 3.0:
Swapped crit reduction belt and passive for more ES, got better rings.
Lost 2k ES, but gained almost full crit reduction and 10% aoe dmg reduction with the Solaris pantheon. Lost dps by going to self cast instead of CWC because of the nerf to it.

My thoughts on 3.0 tank builds:
DoTs are really hard, so removal/immunity items are very important.

Pantheon made crit opponents much more bearable, and others are also mitigated better, but CI nerf is also significant.

I still have to get and test Herald of Thunder (50% increased recovery of Life+ES after stopping taking DoTs) under Arakaali, see if it works with Aegis replenish, because if it does it will be the best option against non-crit.

Xirgil and regen builds should still work well with the legacy gears, and besides the obvious crit pantheon, the above mentioned recovery pantheon is also really nice on them. To proc it wear Reckless/Conv talisman to take crits and get ignited, then remove the ignite with a non-fix duration flask, like mana flask with avenger mod, so you can dispel it every 4 seconds and keep it up.

Regular setup (full tank):



Damage/thorn 78/78 block setup:

Anti-elemental setup:

Secondary damage / DoT setup:

Other swaps (resist overcaps):

Shaper's Touch is not only a budget option, but straight up better than any rare glove when you have 300+ strength because practically it turns all strength into intelligence, and it greatly boosts armour through evasion scaling (the armour on the base is insignificant).
Astramentis is also BiS, can give 220-330 intelligence equivalent (44-66% ES) thanks to the gloves. All of the three stats are used up, because it frees up 2 suffixes on rings, which can be int rolls or resists. It would require a mirror-tier rare amulet to beat it in pure ES numbers.

This setup is still not perfect, I need to get a useful helmet enchant, probably mana reservation for one of the auras, which would free up passive nodes, and I have 2% more block than needed with the Advancing fortress.

Tree: https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAABAUDAAFvBAcFLQthDXwOPA5cEVAUcRVQFy8bJRzcHRQfAiFgIvQksCepKPoppSpTLL8vbzW5NsU6UjwtQKBDY0PIRJ5Ffka3SU9JsUuuTLNOUk8EU7tV1lZIV8lZ81xrXhNfKmFSZOdmVGaeaGVo8mr6bAttGXC7cU1yD3KpdPF6735sf8aApIDgg1-ESIUyhmCG0Yt6jHaPGo9GkiuTJ5Rvly2YrZrPmzCePKEvpRinCKcrrKqvbLJwtAy3MbdouJO8qr6KwcXDbcT2xq7K09Af02_XatfP2CTZE9lb4vfpAuoY6rrr5Ovu7BjvTu-I7-vz3fcy98H46_k3-tI=?accountName=M%C3%A1rkusz&characterName=M%C3%A1rkuszTheBearded

Bandit: Passive
Pantheon: Solaris and Yugul (for the reflect) or Abberath (for fire reduction)

Stats:
Regular setup (full tank):
ES: 17896
Armour with Flasks: 151 537
ES Gain per block: 6061
Armour without Flasks: 39 346
ES Gain per block without flasks: 1574
Block: 75/75
Crit multi reduction: full by Solaris pantheon
Resists: max: 75/80/76
Dodge: 8% after taking crits (boot enchant)

Damage/thorn 78/78 block setup:
15936 ES, 148 380 Armour, 78/78 Block, nearly double damage on spells, Anvil rekts glasscannons.

Anti-elemental setup:
13935 / 0.75 = 18580 effective ES against elemental hits, 161 025 Armour
Take note that the ES replenish is indirectly also buffed by the 0.75 reduction because it is based on armour which is not lowered by swapping.

Secondary damage / DoT setup:
21708 ES, 20% DoT reduction, some ES regen (mostly from ascendency) and a 10-use ignite removal flask (for SR)

Path of Building code: https://pastebin.com/M1LehMr3

Regular setup (anti-crit, max tank):




Damage/thorn 78/78 block setup:

Anti-elemental setup:

Anti-elemental non-crit setup:

Secondary damage / DoT setup:

A few other swaps:


Shaper's Touch is not only a budget option, but straight up better than any rare glove when you have 300+ strength because practically it turns all strength into intelligence, and it greatly boosts armour through evasion scaling (the armour on the base is insignificant).
Astramentis is also BiS, can give 220-330 intelligence equivalent (44-66% ES) thanks to the gloves. All of the three stats are used up, because it frees up 2 suffixes on rings, which can be int rolls or resists. It would require a mirror-tier rare amulet to beat it in pure ES numbers.

This setup is still not perfect, I need to get a useful helmet enchant, probably light warp duration, and I have 2% more block than needed with the Advancing fortress. A lvl4 enlighten would make 4% unreserved mana instead of the current 1%, so I could use a lvl21 LW without reduced mana, and Tempest Shield could get a 4th support gem.

Tree: https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAABAUDAAFvBAcFLQthDXwOPA5cEVAUcRXXFy8bJRzcHRQdTx8CIWAi9CSwKPoppSy_LR8vbzW5NsU6UjwtQKBDY0PIRX5Gt0lPSbFLrkyzTlJPBFWpVdZWSFZjV8lZ81xrXhNfKmFSZOdmVGaeaFho8moBavpsC20ZcLtxTXIPcql08Xrvfmx_xoCkgOCDX4RIhTKGYIauhtGJ2It6jHaPGo9GkiuTJ5Rvly2XtJitms-bMKEvpRinCKcrrKqvbLcxuJO8qr6KwcXDbcT2xq7QH9Nv12rXltfP2CTZE9lb4vfpAuoY6-Tr7uwY707viO_r9zL3wfjr-Tf60v0A?accountName=M%C3%A1rkusz&characterName=M%C3%A1rkuszTheBearded

Stats:
Regular setup (anti-crit, all purpose):
ES: 19679 (+1k with rare belt)
Armour with Flasks: 155 742
ES Gain per block: 6230
Armour without Flasks: 38512
ES Gain per block without flasks: 1540
Block: 75/75
Crit multi reduction: 50%
Resists: max: 75/80/76 total: 133/118/117
Dodge: 8% after taking crits (boots enchant)
Swapping in the rare Crystal belt gives exactly 1000 ES and better resists.

Damage/thorn 78/78 block setup:
18144 ES, 155 119 Armour, 78/78 Block, nearly double damage on spells, Anvil rekts glasscannons.

Anti-elemental setup:
15420 / 0.75 = 20560 effective ES against elemental hits, 162 721 Armour

Anti-elemental non-crit setup:
16385 / 0.75 = 21847 effective ES against elemental hits, 162 721 Armour, but only 20% crit multi reduction

Secondary damage / DoT setup:
25160 ES, 20% DoT reduction, some ES regen (mostly from ascendency) and a 10-use ignite removal flask (for SR)


Conclusion: The build can gain as much ES per block as some people have as total EHP (6k+), yes it's op. I've tested against most top DPS builds in standard, and regular hit-based blockable builds can't kill it reliably, based on rng it takes 10-60 seconds to die them. A few exceptions that can kill me fairly fast are Flameblast, pure EA, HoT (IF they remove their CWDT setups or don't get near me). I can stand in Scorching Ray for a fairly long time thanks to the flask.
I dare to think this is the tankiest build overall atm. (Zerphi tanks can be better in few cases)

Path of Building code: https://pastebin.com/64nsb5up

Tree: https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAABAMBAAFvBx4NfA5IES8RUBGWFVAVfhXXGFYYahpIGyUc3B0UHU8d2R8YIvQmiCj6Kwospiy_LR80CjW5N2Y3gzwtPvFBh0J6Q1RJUUmxSi5LrkyzUftSKVXgVkhWY1fJWAdYWlnzXGtd8mZUZp5odGwLbRltbHIPeC96cHzlfPB_xoLHg1-DzIRIhq6IQox2jxqPRpDWkQeTJ5RvlS6YrZuhoS-m66cIpyunpbQMtUi3MLcxtz64k7v8vjq-isEAwcXDbcb3ytPNFtAf1YvXz9gk2VvaYt-K4vfndOha6QLquutj6-7sGO-I7-vw1fRx9Uv3wffX-Tf56PrS?accountName=M%C3%A1rkusz&characterName=PaukEmbor







Stats:
18234 Max ES (24k with Shield + Sword)
25345 ES/sec Recharge while recharging
74% attack block
75% spell block
81/81/82 Resists with flasks
2133 ES Regen/sec

Still has good damage when the opponents dont overcap againsts EE/Ele weak, or they are squishy (T value abuse, many skill shotguns etc)

I would like to share my current implementation of a CI Aegis Aurora Regen build I was playing recently because I had a lot of fun with it. and wanted to show my choices that are not so obvious about the build, like the tree. It was surprising for me how good it went in this crazy meta we have these days.

I can recommend this build for anyone who likes to survive the attacks of certain builds, kill some glasscannons, or just already have most of the gear pieces needed from pve like I did, and want to try a fun and easy to play build.

Gear:
Setup 1: Aegis




Setup 2: ES Shield and Body armour


Explanation:
The build works best against fast hitting opponents, and can deal enough damage to kill opponents without proper defences or in some optimal situations even with high defences. You can survive by the effect of Aegis Aurora replenishing your energy shield, Energy Shield regeneration, or if the damage taken is not blockable then even higher regeneration.

Defence:
High Energy shield is gained through gear and Discipline aura, this is the #1 focus of gear pieces. Try fitting in some armour on whatever piece you can find paired with good ES, like body armour. Get 2% block master mod on Gloves, and use a Sai dagger for another 6% block. Movement speed can be ommitted on boots for more ES, but I prefer to have it. Get overcapped resistances to avoid effect of curses and EE. You can get some damage for your spell on the dagger and the amulet. Shavronne's Revelation ring is nice to have for high ES regen.

It's best to have avenger mod on all flasks, because without the opponent using the Resolute Technique keystone, you will get constant flask charges combined with the Reckless Defence jewels, which cause the opponent to deal critical strikes on you.
One mana flask is advised because it has many uses because of low charges consumption and it is required to use self-cast abilities. Granite flask with good Iron Skin roll it required, as this is the highest source of Armour to maximise the effect of Aegis Aurora. Other good flasks are Sulphur for Consecrated Ground (more regen), and Stibnite to blind enemies with smoke.

Offence:
The #1 damage output of the build is Tempest Shield against blockable hits. If the opponent procs tempest often enough they can take massive damage from it. I advise having this skill in your body armour, preferably 6Ld: TS - Lightning Penetration - Elemental Focus - Controlled Descruction - Iron Will and a green utility. Utility gem can be Blind, Block Chance Reduction or Culling Strike.
Other Damage can come from Cast When Damage Taken, used mainly against non-blockable hits. In this case I advice putting the same type of elemental skills in your body armour with the apropriate resistance penetration gem. Having Molten Shell and Flame Dash againt physical build opponents can also deal good damage.
I prefer to have a self-cast skill to initiate fights with pinging the enemy. The best skill I found to deal some damage with such low investment in a 4L is Bladefall, but you can use another CWDT setup here.

Other swaps:
To further reduce incoming Critical Hit Damage (beware that you lose block chance, possibly ES, Armour, resists)
To cap your Block chance paired with the Deceiver 78/78
Anti-bleed
If the freeze removal flask is not enough
To replace Shavs ring if more Dexterity or Resistances needed.

Tree: link

Ascension: Guardian
Nodes taken in order of importance: Bastion of Hope, Radiant Faith, Harmony of Purpose
Harmony of Purpose is only useful against Dischargers, if you feel it unnecessary, you can pick up the small node before Time of Need (the Time of Need node itself isnt good because its based on maximum life and not ES)

Jewels:
Stats:
Setup 1: Aegis
ES: 13852
ES Regen: 1731 (2286 with Sulphur Flask) (Reduced by about half if affected by Frost Bomb)
Armour: 7411 constant (296 ES replenish by Aegis when blocking)
Armour with flask: 28390 constant (1136 ES replenish by Aegis when blocking)
Attack and Spell block chance: 74% (75 if all the below base attack blocks are max rolled)

• 32% from Aegis Aurora
• 20% from Reckless Defence x5
• 7% from Ascension
• 5% from Passives
• 6% from Sai dagger
• 3% from Tempest Shield
• 2% from Glove master mod

Resistances: 75% (174%) 80% (141%) 76% (145%)

Tempest Shield damage per hit tooltip (has 37% penetration):

• Unbuffed: 2734
• Elemental Overload is active: 3827
• Sulphur flask: 3063
• Culling strike support instead of BCR: 3063
• Culling strike and Sulphur: 3391
• Both above buffs: 4747

Actual TS damage in PvP per hit (75% enemy resistance assumed):

• Unbuffed: 568.8
• Elemental Overload is active: 691.31
• Sulphur flask: 607.54
• Culling strike support instead of BCR: 607.54
• Culling strike and Sulphur: 644.47
• Both above buffs: 783.31

Setup 2: ES Shield and chest
ES: 17996
ES Regen: 2570 (3290 with Sulphur Flask)
Armour: 1011 constant, with flask: 13653
Attack and Spell block chance: 73%
Resistances: 75% (147%) 75% (109%) 76% (150%)

Counters and matchups:
Most of your matchups are simple, opponents don't deal enough damage to tickle you. Most of the time you will use the Setup 1.

Setup 2 is needed against non-blockable damage such as:
Explosive Arrow
Minion Instability
Bear Trap
Secondary damage of Lightning Arrow (sometimes at least)

Or if the opponent has significant block chance reduction.

Based on my tests this effect only reduce regeneration that is converted from Life regen by the ZO keystone, so the regeneration from Shav ring is not affected. Frost bomb is sometimes avoidable by moving out of it's AoE, because it applies during it's whole duration (3.5 sec) getting constantly hit, and remains for 2 sec after the last hit taken from the skill.

Against crit attack accuracy based builds, use blind support with Tempest Shield, and/or low level CWDT with Ball lightning and Blind support gem.

Pros:

• FUN!
• Can kill glasscannons
• Make protected no-discharge areas in Sarn
• Can kill people while AFK
• Rarely dies if played well
• Low skill needed to play
• Easy to observ other builds

Cons:

• Expensive
• Has weakspots
• Requires opponents to attack you
• Not 1v1 duel viable