PoE Sanity

Grenades Levelling Build | The FASTEST 1 to Maps in PoE 2

By GuyThatDiesWatch videoDuration: PT5M38S

Summary

  • Efficiency: Achieves a 3-hour and 38-minute completion from level 1 to Maps in a completely solo self-found environment.
  • Core Mechanics: Utilizes a combination of Explosive, Gas, and Oil grenades for high area-of-effect damage and strong single-target bossing.
  • Mobility: Employs the Bounce skill for rapid movement and terrain traversal.
  • Scaling: Transitions from Frost Bomb exposure in the early game to Gas/Oil rotations and Cluster Grenades in the late game.
  • Key Priority: Emphasizes that gear quality is the primary driver of damage, often outweighing build specifics.

Act 1: The Foundation

Early in Act 1, focus on acquiring Fragmentation Rounds, Explosive Grenade, and Frost Bomb.

Bossing Rotation:

  1. Start with Frost Bomb.
  2. Throw two grenades while Frost Bomb is on cooldown.
  3. Use Fragmentation Rounds as a filler.
  4. Re-apply Frost Bomb as soon as it is available to stack exposure before unloading grenades.

Upgrades and Support Gems:

  • Multi Shot: Obtain from Arryagne. This is a massive early-game upgrade that allows you to throw multiple grenades simultaneously.
  • Elemental Armament 1: Your second support gem.
  • Skill Setup: Explosive Grenade linked with Multi Shot and Elemental Armament.

Mid-Act Additions:

  • Flash Grenade: Excellent for clearing packs and stunning bosses for safety. Link this with Multi Shot as well.
  • Bounce: Use this for mobility and jumping over ledges/walls.
  • Attrition: Pick this up in the second half of the act.

Passive Tree and Attributes:

  1. Path toward Ricochet, then move into Overwhelm.
  2. Attribute Priority: Intelligence (Level 9, after Crowbell), then Strength, then Dexterity. Taking Intelligence first is mandatory to use Bounce immediately upon acquisition.

Act 2: Power Spikes and Gas Rotation

The build comes online fully once you acquire Gas Grenade (Level 5 skill gem) and upgrade to a Varnished Crossbow.

Updated Bossing Rotation:

  1. Throw two Gas Grenades before the boss becomes damageable.
  2. Detonate with Explosive Grenade once the boss is active.
  3. Rotate skills as they come off cooldown.
    • Note: Do not throw more than two Gas Grenades at once; the limit is 6 clouds, and Multi Shot hits this cap in two throws.
  4. Drop Frost Bomb: At level 20, Frost Bomb loses effectiveness against higher-level enemies and should be removed.

Jewelsorbs and Passives:

  • Obtain a Lesser Jewelsorb from the Buried Shrines league mechanic.
  • Slot it into Explosive Grenade with Magnified Area 1 (replace with Deliberation later).
  • Passives: Finish Overwhelm and Colossal Weapon.
    • Critical Tip: Ensure Overwhelm is on Weapon Set 1 so the reduced attack speed penalty does not affect the speed of Bounce.
  • Path toward Grenadier, Adrenaline Rush, and Repeating Explosives.

Act 3: Scaling Resistance Shred

In the Sandswept Marsh, pick up another Lesser Jewelsorb from the Azec Campfire and a Tier 3 support gem from the league mechanic. Upgrade to a Bombard Crossbow.

Skill Updates:

  • Oil Grenade: Your primary boss damage booster. It lowers enemy resistances and scales ignite damage.
  • Herald of Ash: Acquired after Azec Bog to improve pack clearing.
  • New Rotation: Oil Grenade (apply first) -> Gas Grenades -> Explosive Grenades.

Support Gem Adjustments:

  • Apply Deliberation to Explosive Grenade.
  • Move Magnified Area to Gas Grenade via the new Lesser Jewelsorb.

Act 4 and the Transition to Maps

Before entering Act 4, your passive tree should include Demolitionist, Crushing Judgment, and Authority. At level 52, you acquire your final skill: Cluster Grenades.

Final Leveling Gem Setup:

Explosive Grenade: Multi Shot 2, Elemental Armament 2, Deliberation
Gas Grenade:       Multi Shot 2, Elemental Armament 2, Deliberation
Cluster Grenades:  Multi Shot 2, Cooldown Recovery 2, Short Fuse 1, Deliberation 
                   (or Fire Attunement if using strictly Physical/Fire damage)
Oil Grenade:       Potent Exposure, Persistent Ground 1
Flash Grenade:     Multi Shot 2, Stun 1
Utility:           Herald of Ash, Attrition, Bounce

Use the Greater Jewelsorb from Kanu’s league mechanic to enable the extra support gem on Cluster Grenades.

Final Advice on Gear

Gear quality is more significant than the build itself. High-tier gear can triple or quadruple total damage output. If progression feels slow, prioritize upgrading your weapon and accessories over passive tree optimization.

Key References