Introduction
There’s a simple reason for why this build exists, ease of use. Sunder-based builds have typically always been strong for newer players, and with the changes to Ascendancy in 3.2, and the upcoming skill revamps in 3.3, Sunder and Earthquake are shaping up to be very popular. The easy-to-obtain gear choices can carry players through to end-game. And the build really shines with some currency investment for certain Unique items.
The long range of Sunder’s seismic wave allows you to decide to fight either from melee or range, depending on the encounter. The high defense will enable you to tank most of the hits in the game, which leads to very active and fast gameplay – jumping between packs with Leap Slam, obliterating whole groups of monsters with Sunder and Herald of Ash’s explosions.
Build Pros
- Scales well into the end-game
- Great damage that transitions easily from map clearing to boss killing
- Great league starter
Build Cons
- Early game is a bit slow
- Not Budget Friendly at end-game
- Build is weak to physical and elemental damage reflect mods
Passive Tree(s)
40 points: www.poeurl.com/bUfe
70 points: www.poeurl.com/bUfB
Level 84 tree: www.poeurl.com/bUfz
Level 93 tree: www.poeurl.com/bUe9
Pantheon
Farming maps: Gruthkul, Lunaris
Farming guardians: Tukohama, Solaris
Bandits
Help Oak
Ascendancy skill points
Juggenaut
Unflinching, Unbreakable, Unstoppable, Unrelenting
Leveling Items and General Tips
Brightbeak
Wideswing
Belt of The Deceiver
Blackheart
Kaom’s Way
High armour is a great boon for damage mitigation on this build, aim for 20K. Keeping Endurance Charges up to max on high-end bosses is a must to survive.
DO NOT USE HERALD OF ASH ON ELEMENTAL REFLECT MAPS
Avoid these map mods:
- Physical Reflect (All Maps)
- No Leech/Regen (All Maps)
- Extra Elemental Damage Mod types (High-Tier)
- Poison on Hit (High-Tier)
Skill Gem Setup
Either
6L Sunder: Sunder + Concentrated Effect + Melee Phys + Multistrike + Fortify + Maim
or
6L EQ: EarthQuake + Less Duration + Fortify + Concentrated Effect/AoE + Melee Phys + Maim
6L: Warchief + Melee Physical damage to attacks + Faster Attacks + Concentrated Effect + Bloodlust + Maim
4L: Leap Slam+ Faster Attacks + Blood Magic + Culling Strike/Fortify
3L: CWDT lvl 1 + Enfeeble lvl 5 + Blood Rage lvl 7 (Blood Rage is useful for buffing EQ as well)
1L: Enduring Cry, Hatred, Herald of Ash and/or Arctic Armour
Notes: EQ requires certain items / optimization in order to perform well. You may use Ruthless instead of Fortify. Link Leap + Fortify if you don’t use Fortify in your main attack setup.
Build Uniques / Example Rare Gear
Tip: Click on the item to view it on PoE Wiki or to view similar rare items in poe.trade.
In this section you will find all the suggested items for this build. We always try to include optional gear in our listing, or try your own assuming you get similar stat rolls. Aim for high-quaity Rares if you’re replacing Uniques.
Your goal here for speed is to stack movement speed and Evasion as high as possible.
Helmet
Starkonja’s Head or Devoto’s Devotion are OK choices, but a Rare with max life and resist rolls will greatly improve survivability. Try to get Sunder buff enchants from Labyrinth ASAP.
Body Armor
Belly of the Beast is viable but not perfect due to low armor and high cost. Rare body armour with high armour (1700-2000 minimum), life, resists
Belt
Belt of the Deceiver or Perseverance. Onslaught is a great option for this build.
Gloves
Tombfist is the BIS unique due to the modular nature of the Abyss sockets. Rare gloves: life, resists, attack speed, flat phys dmg; recommended crafting base: Spiked Gloves Find the recommended Rare gear mods below.
Min. requirements:
60 maximum Life
25% Fire resistance
25% Lightning resistance
25% Cold resistance
Optional affixes:
increased Attack Speed
Boots
Rare boots with max rolled Life, Resists and Movement Speed are BIS.
Min. requirements:
80 maximum Life
20% increased Movement Speed
25% Fire Resistance
25% Lightning Resistance
25% Cold Resistance
Amulet
Bisco’s Collar is by far the best for map farming. Bloodgrip for Lab, Carnage Heart for Guardians.
Rings
Rare Steel Rings with the following mods are your best bet overall.
Min. requirements:
60 maximum Life
15% All Elemental Resistances
Adds min. 14 Physical Damage to Attacks
Flasks
Atziri’s Promise
Lion’s Roar
Instant heal Life (+ bleed removal)
Instant heal Life (+increased armour during flask effect)
Basalt (+freeze removal)
Jewels
Recommended affixes:
% increased maximum Life
% increased Melee/Physical/Physical with Axes/Physical with Two-Handed Melee Weapons Damage
% increased Attack Speed/Attack Speed with Axes/Attack Speed with Two-Handed Melee Weapons Damage
Optional affixes:
% increased Area Damage
