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In this tier list, we'll break down where the most popular builds currently stand in early league progression, from B-tier builds that provide reliable but slower starts, all the way up to S-tier builds, which dominate mapping, bossing, and efficient currency farming in week one. While every build can succeed with enough investment, choosing the right league starter can make a massive difference in how smooth and profitable your early experience will be.
B-Tier Builds-Reliable but Slower League Starters
B-tier builds are solid, dependable league starters that can comfortably carry players through early acts and into maps.
However, they lack the explosive clear speed or boss-racing efficiency required to compete at the top of the early league economy. These builds are best suited for players who value safety, consistency, and gradual scaling rather than day-one dominance.
Eviscerate Assassin
The Eviscerate Assassin offers strong damage paired with respectable defenses, making it a safe and controlled option. While slower than many meta alternatives, it rewards careful positioning and methodical gameplay. The build scales well with currency investment, but early on it simply cannot compete with the clear speed of higher-tier builds. It's an excellent choice for players prioritizing survivability over raw speed, but it will lag behind in early boss races and currency generation.
Heavy Strike Builds
Heavy Strike sits firmly in the B tier as a melee-focused option emphasizing positioning and high-impact hits. Players who enjoy close-range combat will find it engaging and forgiving. While its damage can reach impressive levels with the right gear, its clear speed is only respectable, not exceptional. Magefist and Sage Ballista variants offer approachable setups that perform reliably, especially for newer or returning players.
Flicker Strike
Flicker Strike finally earns a place on the tier list due to its incredible late-game potential. With insane mobility and damage, this build shines when properly geared-especially strength-stacking variants. However, early progression can feel rough and inconsistent. Flicker Strike rewards experience and mechanical knowledge, making it a powerful but risky choice for seasoned players rather than beginners.
Anaxionite Mines Trickster
The Anaxionite Mines Trickster is a niche chaos mine build that remains functional despite nerfs to action speed and spell suppression. Its freeze immunity and solid sustain make it reliable in mid-to-late-game content. While not beginner-friendly, it scales well with investment and rewards careful planning and precise mine placement.
Penance Brand of Dissipation Hierophant
The Penance Brand of Dissipation build shows promise but hasn't been fully optimized for league start. Testing shows decent damage and clear speed, but it struggles to compete with faster meta builds like Attack Wanderer or Earthshatter Slammer. This is a more experimental choice for players looking to try something niche rather than chase the top of the meta.
Overall, B-tier builds provide smooth progression to around level 70 and into early maps. They won't dominate boss races or farm currency at lightning speed, but they offer stable gameplay and a solid foundation for transitioning into stronger builds later.
A-Tier Builds-Strong, Competitive League Starters
A-tier builds are excellent early league options that offer high clear speed, strong single-target damage, and reliable performance in breach mechanics and early bosses. While the gap between A and S tier is relatively small, A-tier builds usually require slightly more investment or rely on specific items that introduce early uncertainty.
Cobra Lash & Venom Builds
Cobra Lash is one of the strongest A-tier builds, relying on Hand of Wisdom and Action for early power before transitioning into ward stacking later. It boasts excellent clear speed and strong bridge progression, but its reliance on a key unique item can be risky in the first few days of a league.
The Venom variant performs similarly, offering strong early damage and clear potential. Both builds strike a great balance between safety, clear speed, and boss damage.
Viper Strike of the Mamba PathfinderThe Viper Strike Mamba Pathfinder is a cost-effective, high-DPS option that has remained strong across multiple patches. Flask efficiency from the Pathfinder ascendancy allows excellent sustain and damage scaling. While its clear speed doesn't quite reach S-tier levels, it excels at sustained damage and early content efficiency.
Smite Slayer
Smite Slayer is a straightforward and reliable melee build. While it doesn't reach the extremes of Attack Wanderer or Earthshatter Slammer, it offers good clear speed, strong single-target damage, and consistent progression through early maps. It's a low-risk option for players who want dependable performance without complicated mechanics.
Energy Blade Builds
Energy Blade builds remain extremely strong early league starters. Despite energy shield stacking being slightly weaker than in previous patches, Energy Blade's flat damage makes it incredibly effective. These builds scale exceptionally well into the late game and provide fast breach and map progression with minimal risk.
Archmage Arc
Archmage Arc continues to be a high-tier option despite minor nerfs reducing damage by roughly 10–15%. It still handles tier 17 content and Uber bosses effectively, with solid clear speed and incredible early league rush potential. Even after nerfs, it remains a strong and viable choice.
Lightning Arrow & Elemental Hit Deadeye
Bow-based builds like Lightning Arrow Deadeye and Elemental Hit Deadeye remain viable A-tier options. While slightly squishier due to spell suppression nerfs, they still offer strong clear speed and solid early performance. Players should be mindful of their relative fragility compared to tankier melee builds.
Overall, A-tier builds are powerful, reliable, and competitive with S-tier options. Minor gear dependencies or patch changes prevent them from fully dominating league start, but they remain excellent choices for most players.
S-Tier Builds-The Meta Kings of Patch 3.27
S-tier builds define the early league meta. These builds excel at clear speed, bossing, and currency generation, making them the top choices for players focused on efficiency and progression.
Righteous Fire Chieftain
The Righteous Fire Chieftain remains a staple for players who value safety and sustain. Its tankiness makes early maps extremely forgiving, even with minimal gear. However, its lack of burst damage makes early tier 17 content and high-speed farming more difficult. Still, it's an excellent low-risk league starter.
Attack Wanderer (Top S-Tier Pick)
The Attack Wanderer, especially with Kinetic Rain, sits at the top of the S tier. Offering unmatched clear speed, strong single-target damage, and incredible flexibility across ascendancies, it dominates softcore trade leagues. Even if certain skills underperform, the Wanderer archetype remains one of the most efficient builds in the game.
Earthshatter Slammer
Despite minor nerfs, Earthshatter Slammer remains a powerhouse. It excels at early boss rushing and scales smoothly into mid-game content. With strong clear speed and massive damage, it's both an excellent starter and a long-term investment.
Kinetic Rain Herald Stacker
The Kinetic Rain Herald Stacker Elementalist is borderline broken. With over 20 million DPS, elemental immunity, permanent guard skills, and energy shield overleech, it demolishes both maps and bosses while remaining nearly immortal.
Dexterity Stacker Cyclone
Dex Stacker Cyclone Gladiator evolves into a lightning-fast screen-clearing machine. Its smooth leveling, flexible gear progression, and insane late-game scaling make it one of the most consistent and enjoyable league starters available.
Dex Stacker Venom Gyre
The Dexterity Stacker Venom Gyre Assassin combines insane mobility with screen-wide clear and massive single-target bursts. Strong flask uptime, evasion, and spell suppression provide excellent survivability, making it one of the most versatile farming builds in the game.
Cast on Stun Chieftain
Finally, the Cast on Stun Chieftain specializes in Ultimatum farming. While not beginner-friendly, it offers one of the strongest currency strategies in the league for experienced players who understand its mechanics.
Final Thoughts
Patch 3.27 has reshaped Path of Exile's meta in exciting ways. While B-tier builds offer stability and safety, A-tier builds provide strong all-around performance, and S-tier builds dominate week-one progression and currency farming.
Choosing the right build ultimately depends on your goals-whether that's racing bosses, farming currency, or enjoying a smooth and safe start. With the right preparation, any of these builds can succeed, but S-tier options clearly stand at the pinnacle of early league performance.
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