Kay's Summoner Memorial Page | New Guide is linked inside!

Just wanted to post my version of RS that I am really happy with. They did feel a bit weaker early on but after some investment into gear and gems, they pretty much plow through any content. I did have some spectres die while towards the end of a really high quant t16 delirium map though.

With the nerfs to clusters, I feel like one cluster set is the sweet spot. I think using a second cluster set will barely improve damage and will most likely lose you a bunch of hp.

I opted not to go SO because they can't really kill enemies in proximity shields and I thought their single target was kind of low. Plus I think they don't freeze enemies that often. With RS, they will freeze most enemies and that boosts survivability by a lot.

For the people with survivability issues, I think using a Forbidden Taste flask is a must, I have 7.9k hp and I only die if I'm playing stupid in high quant t16s. For the playstyle, you want to map quickly, but stop and convocate as you're nearing an enemy pack. Ideally run around them and never dash into a group of enemies. I can just breeze through all maps without worrying about survivability much unless it's a high rolled t16. For some more survivability, getting an AG with "nearby enemies are blinded" is a huge help. I can usually dash into packs, convocate and not get hit.

My spectres each do 1.5m sirus dps which is def more than plenty so RS while nerfed, are def still extremely strong. While I think my gear is pretty good, it's def not necessary as the most expensive items I have are an aul's and bottled faith which aren't needed. And instead of a +2 wand you can use a +1 wand and +1 spectre boots.

My items are as follows:


Some insights into my build:
I opted for reduced mana reserved on shield instead of hp on block since I use a forbidden taste flask. This and the aul's let's me reserve hatred, haste, skitter w/ bonechill, aspect, and a level 15 precision.

Reduced mana cost on rings makes none of my skills cost mana so you don't have to worry about baran maps or can't regen mana maps.

I decided to go with a little less movespeed on my boots but got immune to chill and freeze since I hate maps with chilled ground esp since you won't have flasks up all the time. And this let's me fit in bottled faith since you don't need an immune freeze flask.

I don't like using spectres in helmet since I like to gem swap for conqs and shaper/elder/sirus. Ideally I'd have minion life in helm but I opted for more spectre damage.

For the large cluster jewel, a perfect large cluster w/ vicious bite, renewal, rotten claws/raze and pillage, would be probably only 20k more damage but it costs 5 times as much. 4ex vs 20ex+.

I took bone barrier ascendancy for survivability since I would only benefit some movement speed w/ mistress of sacrifice. I will prob swap to it later on when I don't care about dying as much.

If I were to hit level 100, my last 3 points would go into finishing the enduring bond wheel.

https://pastebin.com/MB55KYTc

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ZeroCloud wrote:

Why is Glancing Blows not used in the 2 cluster setup?

The nerf made Glancing Blows much less attractive than it used to be:

https://reddit.com/r/pathofexile/comments/ith5ay/glancing_blow_and_recovery_on_block_some/

It's no longer obviously a good choice like it was last league.

That said, even with the double cluster tree, you should be near capped on block without glancing blows when Rumi and offerings are active.

"

ZeroCloud wrote:

How good is the life on block truly? It seems that when we are at risk we are either getting 1shot or quickly burst down and in both scenarios I don't see how the small amount of life recovery would keep up. I'm just questioning if this is only helpful in rare cases where it might be nicer for the minions to have frenzy instead.

It's extreme good for incoming burst damage like chaos snakes and porcupines (though hopefully you're freezing them enough to have that not be too big of an issue).

Some people prefer getting more DPS. Some prefer the survivability.

Can Jewels have added elemental damage or does that screw things up?

How viable is Queen's Decree for SSF?

Just got to maps and dropped one. I have a garbage shield/wand (convoking w/ %50 minion damage, and a shield with just life/res) setup so QD def feels better at the moment. PoB DPS is def higher (~%10 per spectre loss in exchange for +1 specter)

What combo of affixes would I need to roll on a shield/wand to clearly pass the QD setup? life on block and/or lvl 25 spectre?

Playing pretty casual this league, so it'll be awhile before I can craft a +1 trigger wand, happy to rock this bug chungus for a bit

Hello guys, can someone link somewhere working PoB file with added syndicate operative spectres pls? I try it muyself, but pob is just open with error.

Hey can someone look at my items and see what I should upgrade? I'm using the pure spectres double cluster set up right now and I just died horribly to A4 sirus. I basically get one shotted at the last phase.


I have about 4.8k hp.


Thanks

Hello ! Following this guide and having a lot of fun. I looted this Large Cluster Jewel today, and I am asking myself about his pricing, because the trade macro is going crazy with this one, and since it's a minion related cluster jewel, I'm wondering how much I could get from this one or if I should keep it for the endgame.



I'm also asking myself about this jewel :



Thanks to all !

when can you switch to a pure specter build? after getting to 4 specters? or is it even worth it until 5?

and should i switch from slave drivers to another type of specter even in base build one i get to maps??

would appreciate the info. thanks!

regarding the syndicate operatives:

would swapping ele with attack for lv 21 phantasm supp be a damage increase? since the other support gems would be quite okay for phantasms

Hello,

I've seen several videos of Kay with the "Fortify" buff, or am I supposed to have it? From a gem in my gear, a passive in my skill tree or a jewel that I need to put?

Thanks :)