PoE Sanity

GGG target nerfed me???!?!??!? Spark totem Shaman starter build update

By DsfarblarwaggleWatch videoDuration: PT11M1S

Summary

  • Ancestral Bond Nerf: A recent update removed the “no cost” modifier for Ancestral Bond, meaning totems now require mana to place.
  • Build Impact: While mana management will be more challenging, the build remains viable, particularly for Shaman, Oracle, and Infernal variants.
  • Mana Scaling: Archmage is now effectively mandatory to handle high mana costs without additional downsides.
  • Strategy Adjustments: Players will need to prioritize mana efficiency, mana regeneration, and potentially sacrifice some damage nodes to sustain totem placement.

Understanding the Ancestral Bond Change

The primary change is the removal of the line that made totems cost nothing to place. Because mana costs for spells and totems are inherently high, this necessitates a stronger focus on mana sustain.

  • Archmage Utility: Since you now have to pay mana, Archmage becomes a mandatory inclusion. It provides damage without an additional downside, which is crucial for this archetype.
  • Mana Scaling Challenges: The current state of Path of Exile 2 makes solving mana costs for spells difficult. While playable, it may not feel as smooth as before.

Gear and Passive Tree Adjustments

  • Idol of Ishta: This is now a high-priority item. It provides cost efficiency (buffed to 15%) and reservation efficiency.
    • Using a Darkness Enthroned with a helmet roll allows you to slot the Idol for significantly increased cost efficiency (up to 30%) and reservation (up to 24%).
  • Mana Remnants: Previously a “nice to have” node, this is now effectively mandatory for mana stacking. Testing indicates that the “on-kill” variant triggers correctly with totems.
  • Passive Tree:
    • Prioritize mana regeneration nodes over some damage nodes.
    • Be cautious with nodes like Overzealous, as the increased cost penalty may be a “deal breaker” for the build.
    • Consider dropping unnecessary damage nodes to path toward cost efficiency or mana regeneration.
  • Curse Management: To mitigate high mana costs, it may be necessary to de-level curses, using plus-gem-level gear to reach the required threshold to affect high-level enemies without inflating the cost.

Future Testing and Considerations

  • Arcane Surge: While potentially useful for mana regeneration and cast speed, the current methods of acquiring it (support gems or specific passives) are difficult to optimize for this build.
  • Mechanic Testing: Due to inconsistencies in how some mechanics interact with totems, further testing will be conducted on whether specific passives (like those triggering on crit) can be reliably used for sustain.
  • Endgame vs. Campaign: The mana issues will be more pronounced in the endgame due to the combination of Mind over Matter (which halves mana regen) and heavy mana scaling. Campaign leveling is expected to remain largely unaffected.

Key References