Path of Exile 3.22 update, the Trial of the Ancestors, has added and made quite a few changes to the popular loot-based RPG. With that in mind, you might think it’s hard to get into the game. But thankfully, the Path of Exile community has shared useful tips, tricks, and builds to dive in again. Here are some of the most recommended starter builds for Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors from the community.
Path of Exile Trial of the Ancestors: Best Starter Builds
(Updated on October 11, 2024 – updated links and format)
For more variations of Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors starter build, you’ll want to visit the POEBuilds subreddit. The community has also compiled other builds suited for more experienced players. Such as the Detonate Dead Elementalist, Explosive Trap Trickster, Minion Army Necromancer, and much more. Do note that most builds from version 3.21 still work fine for the Trial of the Ancestors update.
Carn’s Slayer Boneshatter Slayer Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors Starter Builds
For those of you who enjoy melee combat, you can try this build from YouTuber Carn. The Boneshatter build, utilizing the namesake skill, is a blast to play. Letting you wipe out groups of mobs as you Leap Slam between them to the next target and deal shockwave upon a stun. However, as you can expect, this Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors starter build isn’t particularly suited for single targets.
Ascendancy
- Impact
- Brutal Fervour
- Bane of Legends
- Headsman
Skills
- Boneshatter
- Berserk
- Molten Shield
- Warlord’s Mark
- Ancestor Totem: Ancestral Protector and Ancestral Warchief
End Game Skill Gems and Passive Tree
- Armor: Pride, Grace, Determination, War Banner, Frostblink, Ancestral Cry
- 2-Handed Melee Weapon: Boneshatter, Awakened Melee Physical Damage Support, Ruthless Support, Fortify Support, Awakened Brutality Support, Close Combat Support
- Any Item: Vaal Ancestral Warchief, Ancestral Protector, Maim Support, Multiple Totems Support
- Any Item: Berserk, Blood Rage, Faster Attacks Support, Leap Slam
- Any Item: Cast when Damage Taken Support, Vaal Molten Shell, Warlord’s Mark, Lifetap Support
Palsteron’s Toxic Rain Ballista Pathfinder Build
This is a pretty straightforward, all-rounder Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors starter build. Using the Toxic Rain skill, your Pathfinder will fire lots of arrows and create toxic pools. The surrounding toxic will then deal chaos DOT or damage over time against all enemies in the area. The DOT gives you a lot of leeway when not attacking enemies since they will still take a huge amount of damage.
Ascendancy
- Nature’s Reprisal
- Nature’s Adrenaline
- Master Surgeon
- Nature’s Boon
Skills
- Toxic Rain
- Ensnaring Arrow
- Frenzy
- Warlord’s Mark
- Auras: Malevolence, Petrified Blood, Haste
End Game Skill Gems and Passive Tree
- Lightning Coil Desert Brigandine: Toxic Rain, Ballista Totem Support, Efficacy Support, Awakened Void Manipulation Support, Lifetap Support, Awakened Vicious Projectiles Support
- Quill Rain Short Bow: Ensnaring Arrow, Mirage Archer Support, Culling Strike Support, Greater Multiple Projectiles Support, Blind Support, Flame Dash
- Wilma’s Requital: Immortal Call, Cast when Damage Taken Support, Increased Duration Support, Lifetap Support
- Shagreen Gloves: Blood Rage, Petrified Blood, Malevolence, Vaal Haste
- Stealth Boots: Frenzy, Greater Multiple Projectiles Support, Despair, Vitality
Tripolar Bear’s Cold DOT Elementalist Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors Starter Builds
Compared to other Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors starter builds, this one is a comfier build. Tripolar even claims that this build could “trivializes the entire endgame” once geared properly. Using various Cold skills, all you need to do is apply DOT or damage over time Cold damages to your enemies. Combine it with Evasion, Spell Suppression, or Armour skill to buff up your defense.
Ascendancy
- Mastermind of Discord
- Heart of Destruction
- Shaper of Storms
- Bastion of Elements
Skills
- Creeping Frost
- Vortex
- Vaal Cold Snap
- Determination
- Frostbite
- Shield Charge
End Game Skill Gems and Passive Tree
- Any Item: Creeping Frost, Vortex, Awakened Swift Affliction Support, Cruelty Support, Awakened Elemental Focus Support, Empower Support
- Any Item: Endgame, Vaal Cold Snap, Bonechill Support, Awakened Controlled Destruction Support, Cruelty Support
- Any Item: Determination, Grace, Malevolence, Defiance Banner
- Any Item: Shield Charge, Faster Attacks Support, Culling Strike Support, Elemental Weakness
- Any Item: Cast when Damage Taken Support, Molten Shell, Flame Dash
- Any Item: Hatred, Divine Blessing Support, Inspiration Support
- Mark of Submission: Frostbite
Pohx’s Righteous Fire Inquisitor Build
If you need a tankier Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors starter build, then Righteous Fire Inquisitor is your best bet. It will give you a fire aura with DOT and extremely defensive stats in the mid to late game. But do keep in mind that in the early game, it’s a bit weak, especially to Uber Bosses. Pohx also made a whole wiki for his Path of Exile builds, so give it a look if you still need more information!
Ascendancy
- Sanctuary
- Pious Path
- Augury Of Penitence
- Righteous Providence
Skills
- Righteous Fire
- Frostblink
- Shield Charge
- Fire Trap
End Game Skill Gems and Passive Tree
- Armour: Righteous Fire, Elemental Focus Support, Burning Damage Support, Increased Area of Effect Support, Lifetap Support, Swift Affliction Support
- Helmet: Fire Trap, Lifetap Support, Trap and Mine Damage Support, Combustion Support
- Weapon or Shield: Vaal Molten Shell, Blood Rage, Summon Stone Golem
- Weapon or Shield: Frostblink (Lvl 1), Lifetap Support, Flammability
- Gloves: Malevolence, Determination, Purity of Elements, Wave of Conviction
- Boots: Shield Charge, Faster Attacks Support, Lifetap Support, Infernal Cry
Palsteron’s Explosive Arrow Ballista Elementalist Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors Starter Builds
This last Path of Exile: Trial of the Ancestors starter build is a “Totem build” but has excellent DPS. Making it a pretty easy build to get into, not to mention having an easy gear curve. Dealing damage is convenient thanks to being able to spawn Totems. But you have to take into account the time for the Totems to charge and start attacking. Don’t forget to check Palsteron’s 3.22 update video guide for the tweaked version.
Ascendancy
- Shaper of Flames
- Mastermind of Discord
- Heart of Destruction
- Bastion of Elements
Skills
- Explosive Arrow
- Frenzy
- Aura: Determination, Grace, Defiance Banner, Precision
- Arcanist Brand + Flammability + Flame Surge
- Molten Shell
- Flame Dash
End Game Skill Gems and Passive Tree
- Two Handed Range: Explosive Arrow, Ballista Totem Support, Ignite Proliferation Support, Lifetap Support, Awakened Deadly Ailments Support, Awakened Burning Damage Support
- Any Item: Arcanist Brand, Flammability, Flame Surge
- Any Item: Determination, Grace, Defiance Banner, Precision
- Any Item: Lightning Spire Trap, Combustion Support
- Any Item: Frenzy, Faster Attacks Support
- Any Item: Vaal Molten Shell
- Any Item: Flame Dash
- Any Item: Summon Lightning Golem
