Explosive Concoction of Destruction
Ascendant Build

Updated for Patch 3.25

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Explosive Concoction is a very unique Skill, in a sense that you're prohibited from using a weapon, but in turn, the Skill deals more damage if it can grab a Charge from each one of your Topaz, Sapphire, or Ruby Flasks each time you Attack. It's also one of the very few Skills that can shotgun, meaning a single enemy will take damage from each Projectile received from a single Attack, and so you're encouraged to fire a lot of extra Projectiles. It is of course all balanced out by the fact that each additional Projectile consumes one more Flask Charge, requiring a top-of-the-line Flask sustain to extract all this potential. The Skill has a quite high base Crit Chance and deals mixed Elemental Damage, mostly Fire, with a high Critical Strike Multiplier.

To generate enough Flask Charges you shall allocate passives for passive Flask Charges gain, some of which are found on a Medium Cluster Jewel, the Traitor Keystone, wear a good Belt (such as The Tides of Time), and gain Flask Charges on Critical Strike - via Flask Mastery, Flask's Prefixes, and the Careful Conservationist notable. What you can also do is select a Pathfinder, as it has some of the best-suited passives for this Skill in particular, but an Ascendant is equally, if not even more, viable. You can select the Pathfinder's Flask-related traits as well as Slayer's AoE, Culling Strike, and Overleech.

The build is very durable against Elemental Damage because you're using these three Elemental-themed Flasks with increased Flask Effect. Damage over Time is not a big problem thanks to the Overleech and 10% instant Life Leech. Physical Damage, however, is dangerous and you should avoid it. You have only around 20k Armour which is enough to map comfortably, but not to withstand big blows from T17 bosses. Still, the build can be described as very tanky because of the very high Block Chance (against Spells and Attacks), and capped Spell Suppression.

You can also check our other Path of Exile builds right over here Odealo's Crafty Guides - Full List

1. Gameplay

Explosive Concoction is used to deal damage. Stand close to your Target to minimize the Projectile spread and to take advantage of Point Blank Keystone. To move around, and to generate Power Charges, use Shield Charge. Elemental Weakness and Vaal Haste are to be used manually when you fight a tough enemy. Blood Rage and Molten Shell are triggered automatically, as is Sniper's Mark. Your passive skills are Purity of Elements, Tempest Shield, and Precision.

2. Build's PROS & CONS

3. Leveling tips

A compelling leveling guide for this build can be found here: Scion Leveling Guide for PoE with Bows. It's the most efficient way to level up a Scion character.

Bandits:

Kill all three bandits and be rewarded with two additional Skill Points

4. Final Skill Tree, Ascendancy Points, and Pantheon

Final Skill Tree:

115 Points Final Passive Tree (doesn't include Cluster Jewels)
123 Points Path of Building (PoB) link

Ascendancy points:

Preferably in that order:

1. Pathfinder
2. Path of the Ranger
3. Slayer

Pantheon:

Major God: Soul of Lunaris: 1% additional Physical Damage Reduction for each nearby Enemy, up to 8%; 1% increased Movement Speed for each nearby Enemy, up to 8%

Minor God: Soul of Garukhan: 60% reduced Effect of Shock on you

5. Final Gems links

[DPS] Explosive Concoction of Destruction setup
	Explosive Concoction of Destruction - Deals mixed Elemental Damage with high base Crit Chance and Crit Multiplier, but makes it so that you can not use a Weapon. Consumes one Topaz, Sapphire, and Ruby Flask Charge per Projectile fired, which requires good Flasks sustain.
	Elemental Damage with Attacks Support - More Elemental Damage with Attacks.
	Greater Volley Support - Fired Projectiles can Shotgun a single enemy, so increasing their number is crucial.
	Inspiration Support - Increased Crit Chance, Elemental Damage, and Reduced Mana Cost of a Skill.
	Increased Critical Damage Support - Your Crit Chance should be capped, or at least very high, making this Support Gem an obvious choice. If you don't have it as high yet, replace it with  Elemental Penetration Support.
	Empower Support - Grants Gem Level for more Damage. Level-3 Corruped Empower is good enough if you have Skin of the Lords.

[UTILITY] Mana-reserving Spells setup
	Precision - Accuracy and Critical Strike Chance, which Precision grants, are very important in this build.
	Purity of Elements - Used for additional Elemental Resistances and immunity to all Elemental Ailments.
	Tempest Shield - More Spell Block Chance. It would be nearly impossible to cap it otherwise.
	Enlighten Support - Lowers the Reservation Cost of all linked to it Skills.

[UTILITY] Sniper's Mark setup
	Sniper's Mark - Marked enemy will receive increased Projectile Damage.
	Lifetap Support - Linked Skills cost Life instead of Mana.
	Mark on Hit Support - Sniper's Mark will be cast on all Rare and Unique enemies you Hit with any of your Attacks.

[UTILITY] Automation setup
	Automation - Linked Skills are Triggered on their own.
	Molten Shell - Absorbs some of the incoming Hit Damage for a moment, or until it can take no more.
	Blood Rage - It's a Life Leech, Attack Speed, and Frenzy Charges on Kill. It drains your Life, but with Life Leech is not a big issue.

[MOBILITY] Shield Charge gems
	Shield Charge - The movement Skill used to move around faster.
	Power Charge on Critical Support - Use it for a high chance of gaining a Power Charge on Critical Strike with Shield Charge.
	Increased Critical Strikes Support - Increases Crit Chance for Shield Charge to generate Power Charges with ease. If you have some space left, include  Inspiration Support in this setup.

[UTILITY] Elemental Weakness
	Elemental Weakness - Your second Curse. It lowers enemies' Elemental Resistances.

[UTILITY] Vaal Haste
	Vaal Haste - Vaal Haste will increase your Movement and Attack Speed for a short while.

6. Gear Setup

It's a Life build that relies heavily on capped Attack and Spell Block Chance, as well as Spell Suppression Chance. Life is Recovered back with Life Leech and maybe a bit of Life Regeneration if you get a lot of it on your Rare Items. Your Armour is not very high, but you can increase it by investing in Evasion, as you do have Iron Reflexes allocated. You'll only need a bit of Suppression and Block on items, most of it is gained from passives. Flask management is also very important, as you consume up to 40 Flask Charges (from each  Flask) a second by Attacking. That's more Flask Charges consumed just by drinking from them, which you also should do since at this point is not even that big of a deal. Look mainly for increased Flask Charges Gained and Reduced Flask Charges Used. Flask Charges gained on Crit are also important. For more damage, invest in Gem Level, Crit Chance, Crit Multiplier, and generic Elemental Damage. You will mostly deal Fire Damage, but other types are also noteworthy. Strength and Intelligence may be lacking, so look for these Attributes on Rare Items. You won't need any Elemental Resistance; Purity of Elements and Flasks got you covered.

Our recommended items will:

1. Cap your resistances at 75%
2. Provide you with enough DPS and Life to start mapping

(Helmet) Rare Helmet - With Flasks and Purity of Elements, your Elemental Resistances should be sorted out. In this case, look mostly for Maximum Life, Chaos Resistance, Attributes, and maybe even Accuracy and Spell Suppression if you need it. For the Eldritch mods, we recommend increased Effect of Elemental Weakness and a portion of Physical Damage taken as Elemental.

Min. requirements: +90 to Maximum Life Strength and Intelligence Optional affixes: Accuracy Evasion Spell Suppression Chance Chaos Resistance

(Off-hand) Rare Shield - Besides the obvious stats, there aren't that many good reasons to use a Rare Shield over Svalinn. It's mostly Maximum Life and whatever you need the most.

Min. requirements: +90 to Maximum Life Attack Speed Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances +#% to any maximum Elemental Resistance Spell Suppression Chance Block Chance Accuracy Socketed Gems have 30% increased Reservation Efficiency

(Off-hand) Svalinn - Lucky Block Chance is a big defensive layer if it's capped; it's the main reason to use this Shield at all. You can also put your Elemental Weakness Gem here to save a button to press.

+(10-20) to maximum Life (10-15)% Chance to Block Spell Damage +(100-150) to Ward -10% to maximum Chance to Block Attack Damage -10% to maximum Chance to Block Spell Damage Chance to Block is Lucky Trigger a Socketed Elemental Spell on Block, with a 0.25 second Cooldown

(Off-hand) Atziri's Reflection - It has tons of Intelligence, Elemental Resistances, Evasion, increased Curse Effect, and Curse "resistance". It's fine if you can't get Svalinn.

6% increased Movement Speed +(40-60) to Intelligence (180-200)% increased Evasion Rating +(180-200) to maximum Energy Shield +(20-30)% to all Elemental Resistances Hex Reflection Unaffected by Curses (15-20)% increased Effect of your Curses

(Body Armour) Skin of the Lords - A simple Armour that increases the ever-valuable Skill Gem Level and Global Defences (Armour and Evasion) by 100%. It is expensive, but you should get it at some point. Until then, just get something basic like Farrul's Fur, Carcass Jack, or a rare armour.

Has no Attribute Requirements or Energy Shield (Hidden) Sockets cannot be modified +2 to Level of Socketed Gems 100% increased Global Defences You can only Socket Corrupted Gems in this item Has 6 Linked Sockets (Hidden) <Random Keystone>

(Boots) Rare Boots - Aim for Maximum Life, Movement Speed, Attributes, and Chaos Resistance or Spell Suppression. The Redeemer boots would be an excellent choice if you could score the mods for Elusive and Onslaught. If not, get the Eldritch mods for Action Speed and Life Regeneration.

Min. requirements: +90 to maximum Life 25% increased Movement Speed Attributes Optional affixes: chance to gain Onslaught o Kill You have Tailwind if you have dealt a Critical Strike Recently (only if you don't have the Deadeye Ascendancy Passive) chance to gain Elusive on Critical Strike Resistances

(Gloves) Rare Gloves - Here you can get Maximum Life, Attack Speed, Accuracy, Attributes, and Evasion or Chaos Resistance. For the Eldritch mods, try to get increased Critical Strike Chance for Attacks and increased Effect of your Marks.

Min. requirements: +90 to Maximum Life +400 Accuracy Rating Strength Intelligence Optional affixes: Attack Speed Elemental Resistances Chaos Resistance

(Belt) Rare Belt - A Rare Belt offers Maximum Life, Strength, and increased Elemental Damage with Attack. Micro-Distillery Belt, or any Belt with multiple modifiers boosting your Flask charges gained, or reduced Flask Charges used will make for a good base. It can be a fine option if you don't want to use The Tides of Time.

Min. requirements: +90 to Maximum Life Strength increased Elemental Damage with Attacks various Flask modifiers Optional affixes: Elemental Resistances Chaos Resistance

(Belt) The Tides of Time - Increases the effect of your Flasks, and grants you a lot of Flask Charges; that makes it a good candidate for a build that uses a lot of Flask Charges, but it's possible to sustain this Charge drain with a good Rare Belt.

+(260-320) to Armour and Evasion Rating 100% increased Life Recovery from Flasks 100% increased Mana Recovery from Flasks Flasks applied to you have 25% increased Effect Life Flasks gain (0-3) Charges every 3 seconds Mana Flasks gain (0-3) Charges every 3 seconds Utility Flasks gain (0-3) Charges every 3 seconds

(Amulet) Rare Amulet - The biggest advantages of Ashes or the other Unique Amulet over a Rare one are the extra Gem Levels or Gem Quality. Only a very expensive Rare Amulet, one with preferably two levels to Explosive Concoction, will make it worth the hassle. On top of that, seek Maximum Life, Attributes, and Critical Strike modifiers.

Min. requirements: 80 Maximum Life +1 to Level of All [any Elemental] Skill Gems Optional affixes: +1 to Level of All Skill Gems increased Global Critical Strike Chance increased Global Critical Strike Multiplier Attributes Non-Channelling Skills have -7 to Total Mana Cost (crafted)

(Amulet) Ashes of the Stars - Gem Quality reduces Flask Charges used by Explosive Concoction. Keep in mind that you will probably fire 10 Projectiles per skill use.

+(10-16) to all Attributes (5-10)% increased Experience Gain of Gems +1 to Level of all Skill Gems +(20-30)% to Quality of all Skill Gems

(Amulet) Replica Dragonfang's Flight - It could very well be the best, and probably the cheapest, option for an Amulet, given you have the correct variant of it.

+(10-16) to all Attributes +3 to Level of all <Random Skill> Gems +(5-10)% to all Elemental Resistances (5-10)% increased Reservation Efficiency of Skills Items and Gems have (10-5)% reduced Attribute Requirements

Recommended Anointments: Whispers of Doom

(Ring) Rare Ring - Rings present themselves with a great opportunity for more Maximum Life, Chaos Resistance, and Attributes. Reduced Mana Cost of Skills, Accuracy, and Attack Speed are other great options. Diamond or Amethyst Rings will fit the build well.

Min. requirements: +90 to Maximum Life Non-Channelling Skills have -7 to Total Mana Cost (crafted) Chaos Resisance Optional affixes: Attack Speed Accuracy Rating Life Regeneration Attributes

(Ring) Anathema - You could, in theory, make use of 5 Curses (Flammability, Conductivity, Frostbite, Elemental Weakness, and Sniper's Mark) instead of 2. It's however a difficult task to actually apply all of them, as you lack Gem Sockets. If you can make it work despite of that, Anathema is a must-have.

+(15-25) to maximum Energy Shield +(30-40) to Intelligence (10-15)% increased Cast Speed (10-20)% chance to gain a Power Charge when you Cast a Curse Spell Your Curse Limit is equal to your maximum Power Charges

(Jewel) Unnatural Instinct - Socket it near Harrier notable, starting in the center of a Skill Tree. It will grant you various stats, especially when combined with The Light of Meaning.

Allocated Small Passive Skills in Radius grant nothing Grants all bonuses of Unallocated Small Passive Skills in Radius

(Jewel) The Light of Meaning - Socket the Light of Meaning near Sentinel, in such a way that it overlaps with Unnatural Instinct. It should increase your Crit Chance, which is hard to cap otherwise.

Passive Skills in Radius also grant 5% increased Global Critical Strike Chance

(Jewel) Brutal Restraint - You're looking for the Balbala's Traitor Keystone for Flask Charges. Socket it near Fervour notable for a lot of Dexterity, and at least 2 notables upgraded with 10% increased Flask Charges Gained to make it 100% (with Alchemist's Genius on).

Denoted service of (500-8000) dekhara in the akhara of (Asenath-Balbala-Nasima) Passives in radius are Conquered by the Maraketh Historic

(Jewel) Replica Reckless Defence - A lot of Block Chance against Spells and Attacks with no downside, as long as you have Purity of Elements on, which you do.

+(2-6)% Chance to Block Spell Damage +(2-6)% Chance to Block Attack Damage +10% chance to be Frozen, Shocked and Ignited

(Jewel) Forbidden Flame & Flesh - Any of the Ranger's Ascendancy choices, or Slayer, will be good.  Assassin could be another fine pick. Get the cheapest pair available.

Allocates <Random Ascendancy Notable> if you have the matching modifiers on Forbidden Flesh Allocates <Random Ascendancy Notable> if you have the matching modifiers on Forbidden Flame

(Jewel) Watcher's Eye - Flask Charge on Critical Strike (Precision) is the best modifier to look for if you struggle with Flask sustain. You're also using Purity of Elements, where you may find a lot of Chaos Resistance.

(4-6)% increased maximum Energy Shield (4-6)% increased maximum Life (4-6)% increased maximum Mana <Two or Three random aura modifiers>

(Jewel) Large Cluster Jewels - Corrosive Elements applies all three types of Elemental Exposure, while Sadist increases your Elemental Damage by a lot. These two notables are the best ones you can get.

Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Corrosive Elements  1 Added Passive Skill is Doryani's Lesson 1 Added Passive Skill is Sadist 1 Added Passive Skill is Widespread Destruction

(Jewel) Medium Cluster Jewels - You need one Medium Cluster Jewel with Fasting and Spiked Concoction for Flask Charges. You can also get one more for Projectile Damage.

Recommended affixes: 1 Added Passive Skill is Spiked Concoction 1 Added Passive Skill is Fasting 1 Added Passive Skill is Eye to Eye 1 Added Passive Skill is Pepeater

(Flask) Dying Sun - It's a Ruby Flask, which is required anyhow, that grants you two additional Projectiles while it's on. With your Flask Effect increased by 50% that's one additional Projectile. It consumes a lot of charges when drinked from, so for pinnacle bosses, you can replace it with a magic Ruby Flask.

+40% to Fire Resistance +5% to maximum Fire Resistance (125-150)% increased Charges per use (60-40)% less Duration (10-20)% increased Area of Effect during Effect Skills fire 2 additional Projectiles during Effect

(Flask) Oriath's End - Use only for mapping, where you won't run out of flask charges that easily.

+35% to all Elemental Resistances (20-40)% increased Charge Recovery Enemies you Kill during Effect have a (20-30)% chance to Explode, dealing a tenth of their maximum Life as Damage of a Random Element

Other suggested Flasks: Sapphire Flask with increased Critical Strike Chance Topaz Flask with increased Armour

If you have any other build requests please leave that in the comments below. We are always open to suggestions and constructive feedback.

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