Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion
Hierophant Build

Updated for Patch 3.23

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The build uses Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion Skill, which in contrast to regular RF not only sources its damage from Maximum Mana instead of Maximum Life, but it is also affected by all modifiers to Spell Damage, including Increased Spell Damage from the Indigon Helmet. It's one of the most potent sources of Damage that's rarely explored in DoT Builds as the DoT damage does not scale with it, the few exceptions include Essence Drain, Vortex, or the Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion. To get more Damage from Indigon get a lot of Maximum Unreserved Mana to then spend it very quickly with Arcane Cloak Skill. Maximum Mana is gained from Maximum Mana and Intelligence modifiers and passives. To Recover all this Mana back, use Armageddon Brand of Volatility with Brand Mastery that Recovers 10% of your Maximum Mana after the Brand Expires, which it does after merely one activation. During mapping, you won't need to do it as you also gain Mana on Kill with Thrill Killer and/or Mind Drinker. To sustain the self-inflicted damage you will need Life Regeneration with Zealot's Oath Keystone and high Maximum Fire Resistance.

Hierophant is the ascendancy that specializes in Mana with passives such as Divine Guidance and Sancturay of Thought. These grant Mana, Damage, Reservation Efficiency, Area of Effect, and Energy Shield. It's a durable build with over 10k of ES, a lot of Evasion, and reduced Elemental Damage Taken. It has a low Block Chance and almost no Armour, but the high ES Pool combined with Arcane Cloak Guard Spell will protect you from getting killed in one Hit. Despite Reserving no Mana you're still able to Reserve your Life to host multiple expensive Auras. It will additionally allow you to have one Aura for free when linked to an Eternal Blessing Support Gem. All your Life is Reserved, but Chaos Damage won't kill you as long as you wear the Ivory Tower and have your Coruscating Elixir Flask on.  Attribute-stacking builds are expensive, even if there are a lot of Unique Items included, so be sure you can afford it.

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

1. Gameplay

The RF of Arcane Devotion deals damage around you. It's the only source of substantial DPS. During tough encounters, apply the Flammability Curse and use Scorching Ray, which will apply Exposure and spawn Brands to recover Mana. Use your Arcane Cloak as soon as it's off Cooldown to gain a lot of Damage for the next 4 seconds. For Auras, use Grace, Malevolence, Discipline, Purity of Fire, and Clarity.

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

The build requires some very specific gear pieces and can't be used during leveling. Instead, follow our Templar Leveling Guide using Lightning Spells. It's one of the fastest ways to quickly go through acts and low-tier maps. Transition into this build after acquiring all the necessary items.

Bandits:

you should kill all three Bandits for two additional Skill Points

4. Final Skill Tree, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

112 Points Final Skill Tree (doesn't include Unique or Cluster Jewels)
119 Points Path of Building (PoB) link

Ascendancy points:

Preferably in that order:

1. Arcane Blessing
2. Conviction of Power
3. Divine Guidance
4. Sanctuary of Thought

Pantheon:

Major God: Soul of Arakaali: 10% reduced Damage taken from Damage Over Time

Minor God: Soul of Shakari: You cannot be Poisoned while there are at least 3 Poisons on you; 50% less Duration of Poisons on You

5. Final Gems links

[DPS] Righteous Fire setup
	Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion - It deals damage based on your Maximum Mana to your character and enemies around you in the form of Fire Damage over Time.
	Burning Damage Support - Grants more Burning Damage.
	Efficacy Support - You deal more Damage over Time. It can be replaced with  Swift Affliction if you're also using Arcane Surge Support in this setup.
	Controlled Destruction Support - Makes you deal more Spell Damage, as this RF's DoT is affected by all Spell Damage modifiers.
	Elemental Focus Support - Use it to deal more Elemental Damage.
	Arcane Surge Support - Arcane Surge grants you more Spell Damage if you have Arcane Surge Buff, which you do because of the Arcane Blessing and Arcane Capacitor passives.

[UTILITY] Scorching Ray setup
	Scorching Ray - It's important to use some kind of Channelling Skill with Armageddon Brand of Volatility. Scorching Ray applies one of the strongest Fire Exposures so it's the best option. Even with no Support Gems, it will deal quite a lot of Damage due to the Indigon.
	Infused Channelling Support - Use it to gain an Infusion Buff and take less Damage while dealing more of it yourself, even with RF. Channel for one second every six seconds.
	Cast while Channelling Support - Casts Armageddon Brand of Volatility while using Scorching Ray.
	Armageddon Brand of Volatility - It's supposed to Recover 10% of your Maximum Mana when it expires, which it does after activating once. Allocate the specific Brand Mastery to achieve it. It's a great source of Mana Recovery during boss fights.

[UTILITY] Auras setup socketed in Prism Guardian
	Discipline - Adds Energy Shield and increases its Recovery Rate.
	Grace - Adds and increases Evasion, which you have a lot of already from the Shaper's Touch Gloves.
	Purity of Fire - You need a lot of Maximum Fire Resistance to withstand self-inflicted Burning Damage. Increase this Gem Level to 21 and socket in the Prism Guardian for additional Maximum Fire Resistance.

[UTILITY] Eternal Blessing setup
	Malevolence - It makes you deal more Damage over Time and increases your Skill Effect Duration.
	Eternal Blessing Support - If you have no Mana Reserved, it allows you to have one permanent Blessed Aura off charge with an increased Aura Effect.

[UTILITY] Arrogance setup
	Clarity - It does nothing with Shavronne's Revelation, but unlocks some of the best mods on a Watcher's Eye. If you don't have it, use  Vitality instead, or alongside it if you have enough Life.
	Arrogance Support - Linked Skills Reserve Life instead of Mana, your Mana Pool has to remain Unreserved.

[UTILITY] Arcane Cloak setup
	Arcane Cloak - Activate it to Spend 64% of your Current Mana and gain up to 2000% increased Spell Damage from Indigon. You need to spend at least 16000 Mana in 4 seconds to reach this aspirational cap, which is impractical to even attempt doing with any other Skill.
	Less Duration Support - Arcane Cloak has less Duration and you can use it again sooner.
	Swift Affliction Support - It also lowers Skill Effect Duration.

[MOBILITY] Shield Charge
	Shield Charge - Shield Charge is used to travel faster.

[UTILITY] Flammability setup
	Flammability - A Curse that lowers the Fire Resistance of your enemies. If you don't want to cast it, get a slightly worse Elemental Weakness as Corrupted Gloves' Implicit.
	Sigil of Power - After spending Mana while inside of Sigil of Power, it grows stronger, causing enemies to deal less damage to you.
	Hex Bloom Support - Flammability proliferates when an affected enemy dies.

6. Gear Setup

The build requires a lot of Unique Items, some of which are very expensive. The ones listed here with no Rare counterparts are mandatory at least in this version. Your focus is on Mana and Intelligence. Intelligence grants Mana and Energy Shield, that's why it's important. With Shaper's Touch Gloves, it grants Evasion. Mana will affect your Damage with the Indigon Helmet, Transfiguration of Mind, and AoE due to Sanctuary of Thought. Strength grants Mana and Energy Shield via Shaper's Touch and some Damage with the Iron Will Keystone. Don't forget to cap your Resistances after you put most of your resources into Intelligence and Mana. It can be done with Ruby, Topaz, and Sapphire Flasks. You can also look for Burning Damage modifiers on your items but don't prioritize it over Mana or Intelligence. Life Regeneration will affect your ES with Zealot's Oath.

Our recommended items will:

1. Cap your resistances at 75%
2. Provide you with enough DPS and Life to start mapping

(Helmet) Indigon - Increases your Spell Damage alongside Mana Spent Recently, which is the main reason to stack Mana and use Arcane Cloak. The Damage over Time of Righteous Fire of Arcane Devotion is affected by all Spell Damage modifiers.

(150-180)% increased Energy Shield (6-10)% increased maximum Mana Recover (8-10)% of Life when you use a Mana Flask Non-instant Mana Recovery from Flasks is also Recovered as Life (50-60)% increased Cost of Skills for each 200 total Mana Spent Recently (20-25)% increased Spell Damage for each 200 total Mana you have Spent Recently, up to 2000%

(Weapon) Rare Mace - You need a weapon with a lot of Maximum Mana and various types of Fire Damage over Time modifiers. Attributes and DoT Multipliers are too very valuable. Some of these modifiers can be Crafted.

Min. requirements: 100% Increased Fire, Burning, Spell, or Elemental Damage in total +120 to Maximum Mana Optional affixes: Fire Damage Over Time Multiplier Strength and Intelligence

(Off-hand) Prism Guardian - You can't reserve Mana but you can Reserve Life, and this Shield is the most efficient way to do so. Socket your most expensive and important Auras here.

+12% to all Elemental Resistances +2 to Level of Socketed Aura Gems Socketed Gems Cost and Reserve Life instead of Mana Socketed Gems have 30% increased Reservation Efficiency +(20-30) to Dexterity +25% to all Elemental Resistances

(Body Armour) The Ivory Tower - It protects you from Chaos Damage and grants tons of Energy Shield, ES Regeneration, Intelligence, and Mana. All of it is very important. There is no replacement for this Armour.

+(40-70) to Intelligence +30 to maximum Energy Shield per 100 Reserved Life +(80-100) to maximum Mana Regenerate 2% of Energy Shield per second Chaos Damage is taken from Mana before Life

(Boots) Legacy of Fury - These Boots will significantly improve your Damage with powerful Scorch and "explosions" on kill. There are no Resistances, Mana, or Intelligence here so you might need to replace them with Rare Boots.

(200-300)% increased Armour and Evasion 30% increased Movement Speed Nearby Enemies are Scorched (30-50)% increased Effect of Scorch (30-40)% chance when you Kill a Scorched Enemy to Burn Each surrounding Enemy for 4 seconds, dealing 8% of the Killed Enemy's Life as Fire Damage per second

(Boots) Rare Boots - Get Boots with Attributes, Movement Speed, Mana, and Resistances if you can afford to do so. For Eldritch mods, seek Life Regeneration per Endurance Charge and Maximum Fire Resistance.

Min. requirements: about 100 Strength and Intelligence in total 25% increased Movement Speed Optional affixes: Life Regeneration Elemental and Chaos Resistances Maximum Mana Maximum Energy Shield 100% chance to Avoid being Chilled/Frozen

(Gloves) Shaper's Touch - Use these Gloves to gain tons of Mana with Energy Shield from Strength and Evasion from Intelligence.

(80-120)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +4 Accuracy Rating per 2 Intelligence +1 Life per 4 Dexterity +1 Mana per 4 Strength 1% increased Energy Shield per 10 Strength 2% increased Evasion Rating per 10 Intelligence 2% increased Melee Physical Damage per 10 Dexterity

(Belt) Rare Belt - Increase Attributes via Hunter or Elder Suffix, and try to get some Intelligence from Crafting Bench. Energy Shield, Maximum Mana, and Resistances are valuable too.

Min. requirements: increased Attributes (Hunter/Elder Suffix) up to 100 Strength and Intelligence in total +50 to Maximum Mana Optional affixes: Energy Shield Elemental and Chaos Resistances

(Belt) Cyclopean Coil - It's a reasonably priced Belt with a lot of Maximum Mana, Attributes, and Freeze immunity. Use it before you're able to afford a better one.

+(25-40) to maximum Life +(60-80) to maximum Life (5-15)% increased Attributes Cannot be Frozen if Dexterity is higher than Intelligence Cannot be Ignited if Strength is higher than Dexterity Cannot be Shocked if Intelligence is higher than Strength 1% increased Damage per 5 of your lowest Attribute

(Amulet) Astramentis  - The cheap Unique Amulet with a lot of Attributes that we recommend using in a budget version of this build.

+(10-16) to all Attributes +(80-100) to all Attributes -4 Physical Damage taken from Attack Hits

(Amulet) Eyes of the Greatwolf  - Eyes of the Greatwolf with suitable rolls will undoubtedly be very expensive. You're looking for increased Intelligence, Strength, or all Attributes with Life Regeneration, Global Defences, Fire Damage, or Maximum Mana.

<Two random talisman implicit modifiers> Implicit Modifier magnitudes are doubled Corrupted

(Amulet) Rare Amulet  - A Rare Amulet can be excellent too. Look here for Maximum Mana, Attributes, and Resistances. The best ones will have a Synthesised Implicit or Shaper's Suffix for increased Attributes.

Min. requirements: missing Attributes 60 Intelligence +60 to Maximum Mana Optional affixes: Elemental or Chaos Resistances increased Maximum Mana increased Energy Shield increased Intelligence/Attributes

Recommended Anointments: Prodigal Perfection Primal Spirit Mind Drinker Soul Thief

(Ring) Shavronne's Revelation - Put it on your right finger to gain tons of Maximum Mana and ES Regeneration. The downside will hardly apply as you don't Regenerate Mana, you Recover it with a Brand or maybe a Flask too.

+(60-75) to Intelligence Right ring slot: You cannot Regenerate Mana Right ring slot: Regenerate 6% of Energy Shield per second Right ring slot: +250 to maximum Mana Left ring slot: You cannot Recharge or Regenerate Energy Shield Left ring slot: Regenerate 40 Mana per Second Left ring slot: +250 to maximum Energy Shield

(Ring) Rare Ring - On a Ring you shall get the usual Mana and Attributes, especially Intelligence. You will probably need some Dexterity too for the Grace Skill Gem.

Min. requirements: 40 Strength 40 Intelligence +50 to Maximum Mana Optional affixes: Elemental and Chaos Resistances Maximum Energy Shield

(Jewel) Rare Jewels - Jewels will supply you with Mana, Energy Shield, Attributes, Chaos Resistance, and Burning or general Elemental Spell Damage.

Recommended affixes: increased Burning Damage increased Maximum Energy Shield increased Maximum Mana Chaos Resistance Attributes

(Jewel) Healthy Mind - Socket it near Cruel Preparation to gain much more Mana.

(15-20)% increased maximum Mana Increases and Reductions to Life in Radius are Transformed to apply to Mana at 200% of their value Corrupted

(Jewel) Split Personality - Intelligence and Mana on Split Personality are very expensive, but it's what you're looking for. Adjust your Skill Tree to maximize the bonuses derived from these Jewels.

This Jewel's Socket has 25% increased effect per Allocated Passive Skill between it and your Class' starting location <Two random modifiers> Corrupted

(Jewel) Brutal Restraint - Transform Eternal Youth into the Traitor Keystone to have your three Flasks up permanently. It also grants some Dexterity.

Denoted service of (500-8000) dekhara in the akhara of Balbala Passives in radius are Conquered by the Maraketh Historic

(Jewel) Forbidden Flame & Flesh - Searing Purity, Augury of Penitence, Time of Need, and Sanctuary are the best passives you can allocate with Forbidden Jewels.

Allocates <Random Ascendancy Notable> if you have the matching modifiers on Forbidden Flesh Allocates <Random Ascendancy Notable> if you have the matching modifiers on Forbidden Flame

(Jewel) Watcher's Eye - Mana as Energy Shield from Clarity is the best modifier to get on a Watcher's Eye. Another great mod is the Malevolence's DoT Multiplier. Clarity, Discipline, Grace, and even Purity of Fire may present themselves with various excellent additions.

(4-6)% increased maximum Energy Shield (4-6)% increased maximum Life (4-6)% increased maximum Mana <Two or Three random aura modifiers>

(Jewel) Large Cluster Jewel - Use it to create a suitable environment for two of your Split Personality Jewels. There are quite a few Notables to look for, most importantly Scintillating Idea from a Lightning Cluster Jewel for a 20% increased Maximum Mana.

Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Prismatic Heart 1 Added Passive Skill is Widespread Destruction 1 Added Passive Skill is Scintillating Idea 1 Added Passive Skill is Disorienting Display

(Flask) Coruscating Elixir - Ivory Tower protects you from Chaos Damage until you have no Mana. Use this Flask to shift incoming Chaos damage to affect Energy Shield if your Mana has been depleted, and to take less Fire Damage.

+50% to Fire Resistance 20% less Fire Damage taken Chaos Damage taken does not bypass Energy Shield during effect Removes all but one Life on use Removed life is Regenerated as Energy Shield over 2 seconds 25% increased Duration

Other suggested Flasks: Topaz Flask with Bleed Immunity Sapphire Flask with increased Movement Speed

If you have any other build requests please leave that in the comments below. We are always open to suggestions and constructive feedback.

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