Armageddon Brand
Ignite Elementalist build

Updated for Patch 3.16

The Best Crafty Guides by Odealo

Estimated budget: moderately low

There are quite a few Brant Skills in the game by now, Armageddon Brand being probably the best in terms of clear speed, even on the highest tiers of Maps. AoE Fire explosions all over the screen make this build very enjoyable and attractive. Ignite from Armageddon Brand and Vaal Righteous Fire will melt even the toughest Bosses, but still Map farming and starting new Leagues is what this build excels at. We recommend this build as a League Starter because it's very cheap to start dealing a high amount of damage and solid defenses even when equipped in a set of random rares.

You can also find our other Path of Exile builds right over here: Odealo's Crafty Guides - Full List

1. Gameplay

Armageddon Brand Elementalist is slightly different than regular spellcasters. Brands are the type of skill that attaches them to nearby enemies and they will periodically deal AoE damage. After you move away, or an enemy with an attached brand is killed, Brands are "set free" and you can use Brand Recall, which teleports them to your position, immediately attaching them to nearby enemies. Or, as in your case, you can simply place new Brands as you progress through Maps. You will be also using Fire Wall which adds another instance of Fire DoT damage that is not Ignite (as you can't apply more than one) greatly increasing your single target DPS and AoE coverage. For the defenses, this build offers solid Life and Energy Shield pool (approximately 8,000 Total) and a high Block Chance with Glancing Blows. If you combine that with Golems' buffs, Primal Aegis, and immunity to Reflected Elemental Damage, you end up with a pretty tanky character right there.

0:08 Tier 15 Bog 0:39 Tier 15 Colonnade 1:06 Tier 15 Cursed Crypt 1:32 Tier 16 Maze 1:51 Tier 16 Siege This video was recorded on a level 90 Elementalist with approximately 9000 Life and Energy Shield combined and 750k DoT from Armageddon Brand (it's not the best you can do so Boss fights take a bit longer, but you can still take down most of the Bosses in the game using it). This is an outdated video from Patch 3.13 - we will update it in the next few days

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

You can level up this Witch character with a Firestorm Spell. It provides you with both great AoE and single target damage versus bosses. You should be using this setup until you can buy Armageddon Brand spell at level 28. Some of the support skills that are linked to Firestorm are also being used as support for Armageddon Brand which makes it more convenient to play. 

Suggested leveling Gem setups:

Firestorm setup
	Firestorm - your primary DPS source. Later on, it should be replaced with Armageddon Brand
	Added Lightning Damage Support
	Concentrated Effect Support - increases our damage output by a lot, an expense of lower AoE
	Elemental Focus Support - grants an increased Elemental Damage

Armageddon Brand setup
	Armageddon Brand - the primary Skill used in this build which becomes accessible at level 28. It deals mainly Fire DoT in form of Ignite so most of the Support Gems linked should increase Damage over Time, Ignite Damage, and Burning Damage
	Ignite Proliferation Support - increases the damage you deal with Ignites and makes inflicted Ignites spread
	Burning Damage Support - greatly increases damage you deal with Damage over Time effects caused by your Brand
	Combustion Support - grants an increased chance to Ignite and Fire Damage

Utility Gems
	Flammability - the recommended Curse for this build, reducing enemies fire resistance and increasing Chance to Ignite
	Summon Lightning Golem - the best Golem for the leveling phase which increases your Cast Speed, making it much smoother to play
	Herald of Ash - grants increased Burning Damage and causes slain monsters to Ignite nearby monsters for a percentage of the overkill damage
	Clarity - provides increased Mana Regeneration rate
	Flame Dash - your primary mobility skill

Bandits:

We recommend killing all the Bandits for two additional Passives Points

Leveling Skill Trees:

28 Points Skill Tree
Priorities: 1) Heart and Soul 2) Practical Application 3) Fire Walker 4) Cruel Preparation 5) Heart of Flame 6) Breath of Flames

64 Points Skill Tree
Go for Runebinder, Runesmith, get more Maximum Life and Fire Damage

Recommended leveling items:

Emberwake - one of the best spellcaster's leveling rings for fire builds. It increases Ignite chance and Fire Damage

(30-40)% increased Fire Damage (5-10)% increased Cast Speed 10% chance to Ignite You can inflict an additional Ignite on an Enemy Ignited Enemies Burn 65% slower

Pyre - a great leveling ring that grants an amazing Burning Damage bonus, which is applied from Armageddon's Brand ignite

+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance +(25-35)% to Fire Resistance (60-80)% increased Burning Damage 40% of Cold Damage Converted to Fire Damage 10% increased Light Radius Ignited Enemies you hit are destroyed on Kill

Goldrim - one of the best leveling Helmet which covers up all your needs for Elemental Resistances during early levels

+(30-50) to Evasion Rating 10% increased Rarity of Items found +(30-40)% to all Elemental Resistances Reflects 4 Physical Damage to Melee Attackers Level Requirement reduced by 100 (Hidden)

Perandus Blazon - provides decent Life and Attribute bonuses, which helps with a lack of Dexterity and Strength on our Passive Tree. On top of that grants increased Flask effect duration, which makes our Quicksilver Flask work longer

+(20-30) to all Attributes (6-8)% increased Quantity of Items found +20% to Fire Resistance 20% increased Flask effect duration -2 Physical Damage taken from Attacks

Axiom Perpetuum - increased Cast Speed, additional flat Damage to Spells and an immense amount of Critical Strike Chance for Spells make it the best leveling weapon for our build. Recommended for dual-wielding

(4-6)% increased Cast Speed (100-140)% increased Critical Strike Chance for Spells Adds (2-3) to (5-6) Fire Damage to Spells Adds (2-3) to (5-6) Cold Damage to Spells Adds 1 to (10-12) Lightning Damage to Spells

4. Final Skill Tree, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

117 Points Skill Tree
117 Points Path of Building (PoB) link

Ascendancy points:

Preferably in that order:

1. Shaper of Flames
2. Mastermind of Discord
3. Heart of Destruction
4. Bastion of Elements

Pantheon:

Major God: Soul of Lunaris 1% additional Physical Damage Reduction for each nearby Enemy, up to 8%; 1% increased Movement Speed for each nearby Enemy, up to 8%

Minor God: Soul of Gruthkul 1% additional Physical Damage Reduction for each Hit you've taken Recently up to a maximum of 5%

5. Final Gems links

[DPS] Armageddon Brand
	Armageddon Brand - your primary DPS spell. Skills attach brands to enemies, which causes meteors to fall from the sky, dealing massive AoE damage to nearby enemies and inflicting deadly Ignite
	Combustion Support - grants more Fire Damage, higher Chance to Ignite, and reduces enemies' Fire Resistance. All-around best support gem for this setup
	Deadly Ailments Support - provides an insane damage boost to Ignite and Burning Damage
	Burning Damage Support - increases the damage of your Ignites
	Swift Affliction Support - greatly increases your Damage over Time
	Ignite Proliferation Support - significantly increases your Ignite Damage and makes it spread to nearby enemies

[DPS] Flame Wall
	Flame Wall - your secondary source of Fire Damage over Time which stacks with your Ignite. Flame Wall has a decent radius and has very high base Damage over Time
	Elemental Focus Support - greatly increased Elemental Damage but makes Flame Wall unable to Inflict Ignite (and DoT effects can't do it anyway)
	Controlled Destruction Support - greatly boosts Spell Damage, and since Flame Wall can't Crit. the downside is negligible
	Burning Damage Support
	Swift Affliction Support
	Efficacy Support - grants a high bonus to Spell Damage and DoT

[UTILITY] Flame Dash setup
	Flame Dash - the recommended mobility Spell used in this build
	Arcane Surge Support - it gives you Mana Regen and Cast Speed, keep it at a level low enough so that a single cast of Flame Dash will activate it

[UTILITY] Stone Golem/Steelskin setup
	Summon Stone Golem - Stone Golem increases your Life Regeneration rate which is one of the few utilized defensive mechanics in this build. It can be recast manually whenever needed
	Steelskin - the recommended Guard Spell for this build which grants a protective shield that absorbs incoming damage

[UTILITY] Aura setup
	Malevolence - the core Aura for Damage over Time builds. It grants a high bonus multiplier, as well as, opens up powerful Watcher Eye's options when you want to transition into end-game
	Clarity - increases your Mana Regeneration Rate which can be very useful when you don't have a fully geared character
	Summon Skitterbots - Skitterbots will Chill and Shock enemies increasing your damage and lowering the mobility of your opponents
	Vitality - an Aura that regenerates your Life

[UTILITY] Wave of Conviction/Curse setup
	Cast when Damage Taken Support - will auto-cast Wave of Conviction after you take damage. Keep this Gem at level 1
	Wave of Conviction - used to apply Fire Exposure and trigger your linked Curse. Keep this Gem at level 1
	Flammability - is the recommended Curse for this build. It will reduce the Fire Resistance of your enemies
	Hextouch Support - will apply Flammability on Hits with Wave of Conviction

5. Gear Setup

Below you will find all the recommended and required items for this build. As usual, all required stats are listed (items are also included in the PoB link). This is a rather inexpensive build, which should not cost more than a few Exalted Orbs, but you can increase it's power immensely by investing in more powerful uniques and Rares with Fire Damage over Time Multiplier. On higher-level (95+) you can also consider adding more Cluster Jewels

At this point, we would love to invite you to visit our Path of Exile Marketplace where you can buy cheap PoE Currency in case you are unable to complete your build.

Our recommended items will:

1. Cap your resistances 
2. Give you enough DPS/Life to start mapping successfully

(Helmet) Rare Helmet - a decent pick for this build which will grant strong defensive bonuses

Min. requirements: 75 maximum Life 90% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Nearby Enemies have -9% to Fire Resistance

(Helmet) Crown of the Inward Eye - grants high bonus Life, Energy Shield, and Mana, and based on your total bonuses it will also increase your damage. If you don't want to spend too much on some crazy Rare, this will be most likely the best choice for this build

333% increased Armour and Energy Shield (9-21)% increased maximum Life, Mana and Global Energy Shield Transfiguration of Soul Transfiguration of Body Transfiguration of Mind

Helmet enchantments: Armageddon Brand deals 40% increased Damage Armageddon Brand has increased Activation Frequency Armageddon Brand Damage Penetrates Enemy's Fire Resistance

(Weapon) The Searing Touch - the BiS item for this build which also is much easier to obtain than a similar Rare

+18% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff +2 to Level of all Fire Spell Skill Gems (70-90)% increased Fire Damage 10% increased Cast Speed +(40-60)% to Fire Damage over Time Multiplier

(Weapon) Rare Staff - if you are playing SSF or can't obtain Searing Touch, you can try getting any Rare with Fire Damage over Time Multiplier and possible some

Min. requirements: 50% increased Spell Damage 50% increased Fire Damage over Time Multiplier Optional affixes: increased Burning Damage +# to Level of all Fire Spell Skill Gems Cast Speed

(Body Armour) Rare Body Armour - the BiS option in terms of defenses. Look for high Life and bonus Energy Shield based on your Max Life which should increase your effective HP by a lot

Min. requirements: 100 Maximum Life Grants 10% of Maximum Life as Extra Maximum Energy Shield Optional affixes: Maximum Life % Elemental Resistances

(Body Armour) Carcass Jack - if you want to maximize your DPS and clear speed on low Tier Maps, this is one of the best Items you can get

(120-150)% increased Evasion and Energy Shield +(50-70) to maximum Life +(9-12)% to all Elemental Resistances (40-50)% increased Area of Effect (40-50)% increased Area Damage Extra gore

(Boots) Rare Boots

Min. requirements: 60 maximum Life 90% Total Elemental Resistances 25% increased Movement Speed Optional affixes: Attributes

Boot enchantment: Regenerate 2% of Life and Mana per second if you were Hit Recently Adds 45 to 68 Fire Damage if you've Killed Recently

(Belt) Rare Belt  - use any base, either Leather for the highest bonus Life and Stygian Vise for an extra Abyss Jewel

Min. requirements: 100 maximum Life 90% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Attributes Increased Damage Maximum Life%

(Amulet) Rare Amulet - the best in Slot. You will need extra Life, Attributes, and it can also grant Fire Damage over Time Multiplier

Min. requirements: 50 maximum Life 15% Fire Damage over Time Multiplier 40 Dexterity Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances Spell Damage Attributes

(Ring) Rare Ring - preferably a Ring with highest defensive bonuses and Life (Two-Stone or Vermillion Ring)

Min. requirements: 65 maximum Life 90% Total Elemental Resistances Optional affixes: Attributes

(Ring) Malachai's Artifice - causes your Lightning Golem Socketed in it to proc Elemental Equilibrium which greatly reduces Fire Resistance of affected enemies

Has 1 Socket Socketed Gems have Elemental Equilibrium -20% to all Elemental Resistances +(75-100)% to Fire Resistance when Socketed with a Red Gem +(75-100)% to Cold Resistance when Socketed with a Green Gem +(75-100)% to Lightning Resistance when Socketed with a Blue Gem All Sockets are White

(Ring) Replica Emberwake - one of the best Rings for this build, it shortens the duration of Ignite, but that's not an issue since it will be constantly applied by Brands. It increases the Ignite Damage by a lot. If you are using it make sure to use the Damage over Time Master with increased durations, and 20 Quality Flammability Curse so that the duration of your Ignite is over 0.5 seconds or it won't apply the damage

+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance (30-40)% increased Fire Damage (5-10)% increased Cast Speed 90% reduced Ignite Duration on Enemies 10% chance to Ignite Ignites you inflict deal Damage (35-45)% faster

(Gloves) Rare Gloves - preferably Fingerless Silk Gloves but all types are viable

Min. requirements: 80 maximum Life 13% Fire Damage over Time Multiplier Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances Attributes

(Jewel) Watcher's Eye - as you are using Malevolence Aura, picking up a Watcher's Eye Jewel is the easiest (but not cheapest) way to increase your Fire Damage over Time Multiplier

(4-6)% increased maximum Energy Shield (4-6)% increased maximum Life (4-6)% increased maximum Mana <Two or Three random aura modifiers> Recommended Aura modifiers: +(18-22)% to Damage over Time Multiplier while affected by Malevolence

(Jewel) Rare Jewels - all jewels should provide extra Life and at least one Damage amplification mod

Recommended affixes: maximum Life Fire Damage over Time Multiplier Optional affixes: Spell Damage Damage Over Time Attributes

(Jewel) Rare Jewels - in our case - level 90 character, we were able to use one Medium Cluster Jewel with extra Ignite DPS bonuses

Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Exposure Therapy 1 Added Passive Skill is Smoking Remains 1 Added Passive Skill is Blowback 1 Added Passive Skill is Brush with Death 1 Added Passive Skill is Burning Bright

(Jewels) Abyss Jewels - priority is maximum Life and Phasing/Onslaught which make your character much faster

Recommended affixes: maximum Life Optional affixes: Chance to gain Onslaught on kill Chance to gain Phasing on kill Increased Damage if you've killed recently

(Flask) Rumi's Concoction - this Flask boosts your chance to Block Attacks and Spell Damage which is one of the core defensive mechanics used in this build

+1500 to Armour +(8-12)% Chance to Block Attack Damage during Flask effect +(4-6)% Chance to Block Spell Damage during Flask effect

Other suggested Flasks: Simmering Divine Life Flask with Bleeding immunity Enduring Eternal Mana Flask, preferably with reduced Mana Cost of Skills Quicksilver Flask with bonus Movement Speed during Flask effect Sulphur Flask with increased duration and Freeze Immunity

If you have any other build requests please leave that in the comments below.

Pictures used in this article are the intellectual property of Grinding Gear Games.