Amidst all the recent melee buffs in Path of Exile, there are a few Spell builds that have remained largely untouched. One such build is the Archmage Hierophant using the new Transfigured gem, Ice Nova of Frostbolts. This build has incredible single-target damage, great clear speed, is fairly tanky, and has almost infinite scaling potential. If you want to farm Tier-17 maps, 100 percent Delirium, Simulacrums, or even some Uber bosses, this is the perfect build for you.

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Depending on how much DPS you want to sacrifice, you can make the build pretty tanky for it to be viable in Hardcore. Also, since there are not a whole lot of Uniques required to set it up, you can easily build it in SSF.

What Is The Best Templar Build?

The main skill gem that the build revolves around is Ice Nova of Frostbolts. It is a new Transfigured gem that was recently added to PoE. The way this build functions is that we cast the Ice Nova of Frostbolts on top of Frostbolts. This makes it a two-button build. However, if you use Kitava’s Thirst, you essentially turn it into a one-button build by socketing in Frostbolts linked with Greater Multiple Projectiles.

It is important to mention that the build requires a lot of Cast Speed to feel snappy. This is because without a high enough Cast Speed, you will not trigger enough Frostbolts to do any meaningful damage. And also because our main Movement Skill is Frostblink of Wintry Blast, which is also entirely dependent on your Cast Speed.

  • Path of Building

Another very important thing that you need to keep in mind is that Kitava’s Thirst requires you to spend at least 100 Mana in a single cast to trigger the socketed spell. When it comes to bosses, you will cast your Sigil of Power, Frost Bomb on top of the boss, and then spam Ice Nova until it is dead.

If you have issues sustaining your Mana, remember to get ‘Reduced Mana Cost’ on both rings. You should also try to get some Mana Regen on your gear, and get ‘Recover Mana when you use a skill’ mastery.

What Are The Recommended Uniques?

There are not a lot of required Uniques that you need for the build to function. However, there are some Uniques that are massive QOL upgrades. Some of these are:

Helmet

Kitava’s Thirst can essentially turn this build into a one-button build. However, it has a downside of reduced Cast Speed, which you will need to get somewhere else. If you can do it, it is an incredible helmet to wear.

Amulet

Unless you can acquire a Mirror-tier amulet, using the Atziri’s Foible is a very good option.

Belt

The only correct answer is Mageblood. This belt can automate Utility Flasks, which means perma-uptime on things like Shock avoidance, Cast Speed, reduced effects of Curses, Elemental Resistances, etc.

Body Armor

Lightning Coil is a very good Body Armor that you can use to get 50% of your Physical Damage as Lightning Damage. But since it reduces your Lightning Resistance by -60, it can be a little hard to use it unless you have a Mageblood to cap your resistances.

Jewels

Watcher’s Eye, Ancestral Vision, Unnatural Instinct, and Perandus Pact.

How To Level The Build?

If this is not your first character in the league, you can definitely level with Ice Nova of Frostbolts as soon as you can equip it. However, if you plan on leaguestarting with it, there are a few options that you can use:

  • Ball Lightning
  • Armageddon Brand
  • Archmage with Firestorm

It all comes down to preference, but we do recommend leveling using Archmage paired with Firestorm.

Since we cannot use Archmage before Level 31, we will need to complete the first few Acts with something else, like Rolling Magma.

We have shared all the required links in the table:

Level

Main Links

Supplementary Links

Level 1 to Level 38

  • Rolling Magma + Combustion + Elemental Proliferation
  • Wave of Conviction
  • Holy Flame Totem
  • Flame Wall

Level 38 to Kitava

  • Firestorm + Archmage + Inspiration + Unleash
  • Arcane Cloak + More Duration + Arcane Surge
  • Sigil of Power
  • Arcanist Brand
  • Punishment

Maps

  • Ice Nova of Frostbolts + Archmage + Inspiration + Spell Echo + Intensify
  • Frostbolt + Returning Projectiles + Greater Volley
  • Arcane Cloak + More Duration + Arcane Surge

We also recommend linking Grace / Clarity with Eternal Blessing to free the Aura. As for your movement skills, you can use Shield Charge paired with Faster Attacks. If you need to cross some gaps, Flame Dash is a good option. If the gem-sockets are not an issue, we also recommend using Punishment on bosses to increase your DPS by a lot.

Please note that you will need to have a shield equipped to use Shield Charge.

If you manage to get some Chaos Orbs while leveling, there are a few cheap Uniques that you can use to make the leveling process a whole lot smoother. These are:

Helmet

Mindspiral gives you a lot of flat Mana, damage taken recouped as Mana, and 15% of your maximum Mana as extra ES, which is huge while leveling. After you switch to Ice Nova of Frostbolts, you can also use Kitava’s Thirst. This helmet is a massive QOL, as it essentially transforms the playstyle into a one-button build.

Ring

Valako’s Sign is the ring we recommend, since it provides you with a 25% chance to shock enemies. And then you get increased damage against shocked enemies on top of a lot of life leech.

Amulet

While not the cheapest Unique, Atziri’s Foible provides you with a lot of Mana, which means more DPS and tankiness. Moreover, it should also help you with Attribute requirements. This has to the BiS amulet for the build, so try to get it as soon as possible.

Since we do not use a lot of Uniques, capping Elemental Resistances should not be an issue. Because of this, we recommend killing all the Bandit Lords to get one Passive Point in the second Act. When it comes to Pantheon, the Soul of the Brine King for stun immunity and the Soul of Garukhan for increased Movement Speed are generally recommended.

Always make sure to have around 200 HP per Act and keep your weapon upgraded. Some of the stats to chase after are:

  • Lightning Damage
  • Added Lightning Damage to Spells
  • Increased Cast Speed
  • Mana
  • Spell Damage
  • Elemental Damage
  • Level of Lightning Spell Skill Gems

You can always use the Crafting Bench in your hideout to get any missing stats. Other than that, having capped Elemental Resistances, a bit of Evasion, Spell Suppression, etc. are all good.

  • Leveling Path of Building

What Is The Ascendancy Order?

Since we stack a lot of Mana, there is no better Ascendancy than the Hierophant. You have perma-uptime on Arcane Surge, which grants 20 percent Spell Damage. Divine Guidance is an incredible node that provides a lot of Mana, a bit of tankiness, and Transfiguration of Mind, which is just more damage.

Sanctuary of Thought, on the other hand, grants an extra maximum ES based on 20 percent of your maximum Mana. Furthermore, it gives you a lot of AoE, reduced Mana Cost, and Mana Reservation Efficiency of skills. Lastly, Conviction of Power allows us to use a bunch of Power Charges and Endurance Charges.

The following is the order in which you will need to choose the Ascendancy Nodes for the build:

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