TL;DR
- Arc Elementalist excels at clearing packs with chain lightning and requires careful gear progression
- Prioritize elemental resistances and life on gear before transitioning to endgame uniques like Inpulsa’s
- Start with 4-link setups and gradually upgrade to 6-link for maximum damage potential
- Avoid common mistakes like neglecting defensive layers and improper flask management
- Master positioning and skill rotation to maximize clear speed and survivability
Greetings, exiles! Today we’re diving deep into the Critical Arc Elementalist Witch, one of Path of Exile’s most popular and effective spellcasting builds that dominates both mapping and boss encounters.
This build leverages Arc’s innate chain mechanics to clear entire screens of enemies while maintaining strong single-target damage through careful gem linking and passive tree optimization.
Essential Mods for Rare Items
– Elemental Resistances (prioritize capping at 75% for all elements)
– Inpulsa’s Broken Heart (game-changing chest for clear speed)
While accumulating PoE currency for your Inpulsa’s acquisition, utilize this budget chest alternative:
As your financial resources expand, target helmets featuring these crucial modifiers:
With additional currency available, upgrade your weapon to include these damage-enhancing properties:
Arc – Inspiration – Spell Echo – Added Lightning Damage – Lightning Penetration – Increased Critical Damage
– Begin with a 4-link configuration: Inspiration, Spell Echo and Added Lightning Damage.
– Upon obtaining 5 or 6-link armor, incorporate Increased Critical Damage and Lightning Penetration.
Proper gem progression is crucial – starting with core supports ensures functionality while additional links dramatically boost your damage output against tougher enemies and bosses.
Many players underestimate the importance of defensive layers in this build. While your damage will feel impressive early, endgame content requires balanced investment in life, energy shield, and mitigation.
Positioning is critical – maintain distance from threats while allowing Arc’s chain mechanics to efficiently clear packs. Proper flask management with shock and freeze immunity is non-negotiable for high-tier mapping.
For weapon upgrades, prioritize spell damage, critical strike chance, and cast speed. The Weapons Unlock guide offers additional insights into optimal stat prioritization that applies to PoE gearing philosophy.
Action Checklist
- Cap elemental resistances (75% fire, cold, lightning) on all gear pieces
- Set up 4-link Arc with Inspiration, Spell Echo, Added Lightning Damage
- Farm currency for Inpulsa’s Broken Heart while using budget alternatives
- Upgrade to 5 or 6-link setup adding Critical Damage and Lightning Penetration
- Optimize helmet and weapon with spell damage, crit, and cast speed modifiers
No reproduction without permission:GameCDjnh » PoE Builds 3.17: Critical Arc Build – Elementalist Witch Master the Arc Elementalist Witch build with expert gear progression, skill optimization, and endgame strategies
