POE builds are always a tricky thing to get right. Many players struggle to find a good “in-meta” choice during any Path of Exile league. And with Legion and the hyper-focused melee meta-game, players are encountering this same problem again. Enter our build guide for both a strong melee build and a wonderful POE build for new players using the Reave Gladiator archetype.
Reave itself is an area-based damage skill that offers pretty respectable offense on its own, even before we layer in Support Gems and the like. This POE build really starts to come into its own though once we get into the nitty gritty of stacking in tons and tons of Fire Damage. To go along with that, we’ve constructed a very strong Physical Damage build that takes Critical Strikes and combines them with mountains of elemental fire damage to melt even the toughest foes.
The concept is very simple, use your movement skill to proc Fortify into a pack and immediately drop your Warchief and War Banner. Start popping off Reave stages as fast as possible, ideally before you even move into position, as the stages apply as fast as possible. These buffs to your DPS will help you burst down a pack.
The defensive aspects of this POE 3.7 build can go one of two ways. You can either focus on dodging attacks entirely by staying at the edge of Reave’s range while you build stacks to apply DPS, or you can rely on very high Chance to Block Attack and Spell Hits. The former option is more for very advanced players and requires intimate knowledge of bosses to do effectively. New players are probably going to have more fun going with a Shield focus as Block Chance isn’t hard to max out, and it completely mitigates any incoming damage that’s blocked.
You’ll find all you will need to construct this build down below. The guide assumes that you’re going all-out and are maximizing every aspect, but you don’t have to go that far at all to reach a point where the build is enjoyable. Even in the low 90s with less-than-perfect gear, the build runs Maps and Delves just fine. And it’s a great choice as a league starter build for any POE player. If you are a brand new Path of Exile player, feel free to check out our various POE guides for noobs.
Build Pros
- Good Defenses
- Good clear speed
- Hardcore viable
Build Cons
- Single Target damage isn’t great
Passive Tree(s)
Here is the Endgame Passive Tree
Pantheon
Upgrade all of these.
Major God: Soul of Arakaali
Upgraded, the extra boosts to regen and other defensive layers is unbelievably good. Other major gods can be selected, based on content you are doing and based on personal preference.
Minor God: Soul of Ralakesh
The Bleed immunity is helpful if you’re not getting it from another source. Abberath offers decent defensive help as well for fire damage. Any Minor is useful here though.
Bandits
Helping Alira is your best option for extra Crit DPS. Kill them all for the two additional passive skill tree points is OK if you can get enough Crit bonuses on gear.
Ascendancy
Gladiator
Ascendancy points:
Preferably in that order:
- Blood in the Eyes
- Gratuitous Violence
- Painforged
- Versatile Combatant
Enchants
Helmet:
40% increased Reave Damage
Blood Rage grants additional 12% increased Attack Speed
Boots:
0.6% of Damage Leeched as Life and Mana if you’ve Killed Recently
Regenerate 2% of Life and Mana per second if you were Hit Recently
x% increased Attack and Cast Speed if you’ve Killed Recently
Gloves:
Commandment of Commandment of Light or Force.
You could also use these Corruptions on Gloves:
+1 to Maximum Endurance Charges
(4–6)% increased maximum Life
(8–10)% increased Attack Speed
Leveling Items and General Tips
Leveling Uniques: Check out our leveling Uniques guide
Act 1: The Ledge
Act 2: The Fellshrine Ruins
Act 3: The Docks
Act 4: The Dried Lake
Act 5: The Chamber of Innocence
Act 6: The Ridge
Act 7: The Temple of Decay lv1-2
Act 8: The Harbour Bridge
Act 9: The Blood Aqueduct
Act 10: The Ossuary
Avoid these map mods:
* Any Damage Reflect
Be careful of these map mods:
* Monsters have #% increased Critical Strike Chance / +#% to Monster Critical Strike Multiplier
With high evasion, attacks should almost never crit you. Spells on the other hand can still hit hard.
* Monsters fire 2 additional Projectiles
Scary mod on some bosses and monster types. Some monsters are still able to spam out too many projectiles to handle.
* Area contains two Unique Bosses
Your goal to survive this mode is a combo of extreme DPS and Life. The faster you can down the bosses, the less threat they pose.
* #% increased Monster Movement Speed / #% increased Monster Attack Speed / #% increased Monster Cast Speed
Some bosses are going to be too fast to hit effectively, meaning you’ll spend more time than you normally should kiting them. This combination with Temporal Chains is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.
* Players are Cursed with Vulnerability
Negated during mapping with a Warding Flask, but not against bosses. Ailments from bosses can kill you easily.
* Players are Cursed with Temporal Chains
I would personally avoid this on high-tier maps.
Final Skill Gem Setup
You’ll find recommendations for different attack skill setups for this build below. The basic buff and aura setups are down there too. The basic idea is to swap out to your single-target skill before taking on the boss, so keep that in mind.
=== MAIN ATTACK ===
Vaal Reave-> Melee Physical Damage -> Damage on Full Life -> Multistrike -> Increased Critical Strikes-> Added Fire Damage
=== SECONDARY DPS SKILL ===
Vaal Ancestral Warchief -> Bloodlust -> Melee Physical Damage -> Ruthless
=== MOVEMENT ===
Shield Charge -> Faster Attacks -> Blood Magic -> Fortify
=== AURA/UTILITY ===
Cast When Damage Taken -> Enfeeble -> Immortal Call -> Tempest Shield
Arctic Armour
Herald of Purity
Herald of Ash
Blood Rage (Once you have decent Gear)
Build Uniques / Example Rare Gear
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-quality Rares if you’re replacing Uniques. The Minimum/Optional requirements listed assume you’re using Rares as a replacement for listed Uniques (where possible).
Depending on your gear choices, you can go for either a lot more DPS at the expense of Life, or go for more defensiveness by sacrificing a portion of DPS. This is your choice. In most cases, I would prefer Life personally, as it’s just a bit more forgiving. If you’re a new player, this may the path for you.
Stat Priorities:
Life is super important for survivability, especially at end-game. Although be careful not to forsake too many damage mods for it or you won’t be able to kill mobs quick enough for your defenses to handle incoming DPS.
Physical Damage is your primary DPS, and it scales primarily as a percentage that converts to Fire. This means you should target Physical damage over direct Elemental damage scaling so as to not compromise defenses.
Resistances until capped.
Depending on your gear, either Armor or Evasion Rating is your primary defensive layer, so scaling the highest value any way you can is great for defenses, especially while bossing. Armour will be better for most people, depending on gear and flask choices.
Attack Speed means that you simply attack faster the higher it is. This stat becomes vital for scaling overall DPS. Attack Speed is great for your movement skill to keep Fortify up.
Weapons
This POE build is a bit unique when it comes to melee, especially in Legion league. As Reave relies on building up stages to apply damage, we can take advantage of Attack Speed and Physical Damage increases to both buff the damage per strike and the speed at which strikes are applied. This offers us the chance to go for a Sword/Shield setup to accomplish a few different things.
For one thing, Swords have higher base Crit Chance, meaning more consistent burst damage. And the addition of the Shield pairs well with the rest of our gear for decent incoming DPS mitigation.
In terms of Uniques, a few different high pDPS Uniques are on the table for this POE build. Scaeva is one strong contender, depending on socket colors. Another more general option might be Ahn’s Might, assuming you don’t stack on anymore sources of Frenzy Charges in other slots.
Here are the requirements I would aim for if going for a Rare option instead of a Unique:
Min. requirements:
300+ pDPS
Adds # Physical Damage
% Increased Physical Damage
Increased Attack Speed
Accuracy Rating
Optional affixes:
Crit Buffs
Chance to Deal Double Damage (Shaper Mod)
+ to Weapon Range (Elder Mod)
Increased Attack Speed (Elder Mod variant)
Shield
This is your primary source of Block Chance, so you have a few options. Lioneye’s Remorse is a cheaper starter option for endgame maps. The Surrender is your endgame Unique of choice though for this build. If you want to use a Rare option, keep these stats in mind as a baseline:
I would recommend going for a base that has Armour as a base type. Pinnacle Tower Shield or Colossal Tower Shield could be good bases in this type depending on item level.
Min. requirements:
+70 Maximum Life
% increased Armour / +#% Chance to Block
% Increased Physical Damage
Optional affixes:
Increased Maximum Life (Corruption)
+ to Level of Socketed Gems (Corruption)
+1% to maximum Block Chance (Corruption)
% Additional Physical Damage Reduction (Elder)
Helmet
A Rare works best here, the enchant is where most of the power of this slot comes from. I would say going for enchants which increase your main skill damage are best. Devoto’s Devotion is an OK replacement Unique that’s relatively affordable. A better unique option would be Starkonja’s Head for most players, as it’s affordable and synergizes well.
Min. requirements:
90 Maximum Life
Increased Maximum Life
Uncapped Resistances
Optional affixes:
Nearby Enemies take #% Increased Physical Damage (Jagged Fossil)
Reduced Attribute Requirements
Body Armor
The strongest option for many will be a Unique like Belly of the Beast.
Loreweave is another powerful option for defensive players. And even though POE 3.6 handed a nerf to it, it’s still very strong as that extra bit of elemental resistance can allow you yo take slightly more damage overall. Although the defensive focus of this build in POE Legion is much more about learning the boss fights and physically dodging than face-tanking hits.
A Rare can work if you have the right corruptions/mods. Aim for a Life base. If going the Rare route, prepare to get needed attributes on the chest in order to get more DPS from your Jewels and other Affixes.
There are several ways to further increase the effectiveness of a Rare here, but they will massively increase the currency cost, as a high-end Armour that fits these parameters would be Mirror-service-worthy.
- A + Level to Socketed Gems Corruption is extremely useful if running a Rare.
- Getting Reduced Attribute Requirements can really help if you’re struggling with attributes. This can also free up other Affixes as you no longer need to waste them. This would allow you to further increase your DPS. Although getting this mod combination will be extremely hard, and will cost a lot of currency, so bank on just using a crafted affix instead. You only really need this on one item, so scale Physical DPS with the other items
- Getting a high, or possibly Legacy, Increased Life and/or Chaos Resistance roll really helps with survivability if you’re lacking in resists.
Min. requirements:
100 maximum Life
Increased Maximum Life (Elder Mod)
Physical Damage Buffs
Optional affixes:
Chaos Resistance
Uncapped Resistances
Belt
Abyss Belts with Life and Resistances are a good option for more difficult end-game sections and bosses. Other Rares might do in a pinch, but not having good rolls can make you a lot more squishy than is tolerable. Abyss Jewels are also a great source for damage buffs as well. Buffing your damage and Life is the best bet here with Jewels.
Elder/Shaper variants are good too, assuming you can get a good combo of Life and Resists on them.
Another good bet is a Cyclopean Coil. Although this will be really expensive as it’s pretty high-demand. The added life and Attributes are extremely useful, so this is a good option if you want to avoid wasting other affixes on attributes in favor of more DPS, assuming you can afford it.
Other Unique options are Belt of the Deceiver and The Magnate.
Min. requirements:
70 Maximum Life
% Increased Damage
x% Increased Elemental Damage with Attacks
Optional affixes:
Reduced Flask Charges Used
Uncapped Resistances
% Increased Global Physical Damage (Jagged Fossil)
Gloves
Gloves can be one of the more flexible gear slots while leveling, pick any Unique Gloves which focus on buffing needed Attributes or damage types and you’ll be fine for leveling. Once you hit end-game, opt for a high-end Rare ASAP. If you need help choosing Unique Gloves, refer to the leveling items section above, or go to this list.
Rare Gloves with buffs to Physical/Melee damage are great as and endgame option. Try Spiked Glove as a base. Always get some Attack Speed and added Physical Damage with this base to make it viable with this POE build.
Min. requirements:
70 Maximum Life
Uncapped Resistances
Physical Damage Buffs
Increased Attack Speed
Optional affixes:
Chaos Resistance
Crit Buffs
Boots
Rare boots with max rolled Life, Resists and Movement Speed are great as a generic choice, but you may find yourself a bit more prone to taking hits than you would like. This one is more of a personal judgment call. Here’s the basic requirements for Rare in this slot.
Min. requirements:
70 maximum Life
30% increased Movement Speed
Any Uncapped Resistances (>25%)
Once you’ve gotten decently into end-game, you may want to switch to a Unique that’s more tailored for the playstyle of the build.
Kaom’s Roots – This is the best Unique pair of Boots for this build, and will provide decent defensive stun immunity, just be sure you don’t compromise your resists or other defenses using these.
Death’s Door is another solid option for this slot. The Bleed immunity from these boots can open up a Flask affix for Freeze immunity instead. Just make sure you’re always immune to Bleed and Freeze in some way.
Amulet
If using a Rare, Get a Shaper/Elder and stack as much Life as you can on your Amulet to prevent feeling too squishy. Carnage Heart is decent for leveling, but you need more Crit Chance in later parts of the game to scale DPS effectively.
Min. requirements:
50 maximum Life
Adds Physical Damage
x% Increased Elemental Damage with Attacks
10% All Elemental Resistances
Optional affixes:
Gain #% of Physical Damage as Extra Fire Damage (Elder Mod)
% Increased Physical Damage
Rings
Ventor’s Gamble rings are a good choice here if you want some Magic Find. Always get a Ventor’s with positive rolls in all cases. It will be a bit more expensive, but not too much more. If using a Rare Ring, use the following start priorities to help guide your selection. Steel Rings are a good base for this build. Rolling high Item Level Shaper/Elder bases with Essences is a great option if you have the currency.
Min. requirements:
60 Maximum Life
x% Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Life
x% Increased Elemental Damage with Attacks
Uncapped Resistances
Optional affixes:
% Increased Melee Damage (Elder Mod)
Crit Buffs (Essence Mods)
Warlord’s Mark/Assassin’s Mark on Hit (Shaper Mod)
Flasks
Lion’s Roar – Useful utility flask for better defense that also grants a bit more DPS.
Atziri’s Promise – Provides both a good defensive backstop and some extra Leech for survivability in tougher fights.
Other Flasks:
- Experimenter’s Sulphur/Granite Flask of Warding (Curse Immunity, Choose Sulphur for DPS, Granite for Armour)
- Saturated Eternal Life Flask of Staunching (Bleed Immunity)
- Experimenter’s Diamond Flask of Curing (Poison Immunity)
You can swap these mods around if needed due to RNG.
Jewels
Abyss Jewels that have a chance to gain Onslaught can also be used in a slot for a damage increase. Watcher’s Eye with mods targeting your Herald buffs can also be really strong, but are very expensive, especially in Legion.
Rare Jewels can run with the following stats:
Recommended affixes:
- % Increased Maximum Life
- % Increased Attack Speed
- % Increased Attack Speed with Axes/Swords (Pick the one that pairs with your weapon)
- % Increased Melee Damage
- % Increased Physical Damage
- % Increased Crit Chance
Optional affixes:
Attributes (Dexterity/Intelligence only if needed for max level Gems)
