PoE: Top 5 Self Cast Builds
1. Self-Cast Ice Nova of Frostbolts Inquisitor (Templar)
The Ice Nova of Frostbolts Inquisitor is the best self-cast spell build available in Path of Exile.
Mapping: 10/10 Delve: 10/10 Heist: 8/10 Damage: 9/10 Safety: 9/10 Bosses: 9/10
Build Guide
The self-cast Ice Nova of Frostbolt Inquisitor is currently the strongest self-cast build available in Path of Exile and does excellent with both single target damage and clearing damage. Ice Nova of Frostbolts also has a wide area of effect attack that casts off of up to four Frostbolts that typically travel ahead of you which gives excellent mobility. If you would like to try out the Ice Nova of Frostbolts Inquisitor build you can find a guide for it here Ice Nova of Frostbolts Inquisitor Guide.
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2. Penance Brand/Storm Brand Inquisitor (Templar)
The Penance Brand/Storm Brand Inquisitor is one of the best single target builds and does well with clearing damage.
Mapping: 8/10 Delve: 9/10 Heist: 10/10 Damage: 9/10 Safety: 8/10 Bosses: 10/10
Build Guide
The single target damage for the Penance Brand of Dissipation Inquisitor is one of the very best in the game and it also comes with excellent clearing damage. Anytime you want a little more AoE damage you can switch from Penance Brand of Dissipation to Storm Brand of Indecision for improved clearing damage. If you are interested in trying out the Penance Brand/Storm Brand Inquisitor build you can find a guide for it here Penance Brand/Storm Brand Inquisitor Guide.
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3. Soulrend of the Spiral Trickster (Shadow)
The Soulrend Trickster is the strongest self cast Shadow build in our rankings and was buffed in the new season (3.26).
Mapping: 9/10 Delve: 10/10 Heist: 10/10 Damage: 8/10 Safety: 10/10 Bosses: 7/10​​
Build Guide
This build uses a very high amount of mana to deal chaos damage over time which makes Trickster the perfect ascendancy for Soulrend of the Spiral. You will gain 1% mana on kill per Mastery node taken with the Polymath ascendancy which helps out a lot with the very high mana cost of Soulrend. If you are interested in trying out the Soulrend of the Spiral Trickster build you can find a guide for it here Soulrend of the Spiral Trickster Guide.​​​
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4. Vaal Blade Vortex Occultist (Witch)
The Cold Blade Vortex Occultist is a melee spell build that has excellent clear with the Profane Bloom ascendancy.
Mapping: 9/10 Delve: 10/10 Heist: 9/10 Damage: 8/10 Safety: 8/10 Bosses: 6/10​​
Build Guide
The Cold Blade Vortex Occultist is similar in playstyle to Cyclone except that it's a spell that requires it to be recast in between fights. The Profane Bloom Occultist ascendancy is also used with this build and is one of the most powerful ascendancy nodes available in the game for clearing damage. If you are interested in trying out the Cold Blade Vortex Occultist build you can find a guide for it here Cold Blade Vortex Occultist Guide.
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5. Vaal Spark of the Nova Hierophant (Templar)
The Vaal Spark Hierophant is the fifth place self cast build on our list and has strong defensive layers and clear.
Mapping: 8/10 Delve: 7/10 Heist: 7/10 Damage: 7/10 Safety: 7/10 Bosses: 6/10​​​​​​
Build Guide
The Spark Hierophant is comparable offensively and stronger defensively than the Inquisitor version of the build. You will also have four Endurance and four Power charges at all times from the Conviction of Power ascendancy. If you are interested in trying out the Spark Hierophant build you can find a guide for it here Spark Hierophant Guide.
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HM. Essence Drain Trickster (Shadow)
The Essence Drain Trickster is the honorable mention and is a strong build for clearing large groups of weaker enemies.
Mapping: 7/10 Delve: 8/10 Heist: 7/10 Damage: 5/10 Safety: 7/10 Bosses: 5/10​​
Build Guide
The Essence Drain Trickster has fallen in popularity in recent years but is still a great option for clearing large groups of weaker enemies. Tricksters also have very strong defensive layers from their ascendancies. If you are interested in trying out the Essence Drain Trickster build you can find a guide for the build here Essence Drain Trickster Guide.​​
Note: Hexblast and Hexblast of Contradiction were removed from the rankings after major nerfs to the way they play.
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And that's all for the Top 5 Self Cast Builds! For more about PoE you can view an endgame guide here Endgame Guide.
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