Updates UPD 18.07 : Dropped flash freeze wheel not worth it on merciless.

UPD 19.07 : Running Artic Armour from now. The only way to go for 2h melee.

UPD 23.07 : Updated the tree. Heartseeker cluster is really bad if you are not passing by.

Better to focus on specific crit nodes(mace, sword etc).

UPD 25.07 : Another late game pathing update. Picked up endurance charge near duelist.

I think it's better than 9% life.

Added FAQ section! My gear is incomplete so I don't want to rush video

with easy maps and low DPS. But you can make me if I see requests in the comments.

UPD 26.07 : FAQ update.

UPD 03.08 : Found golden proj speed value: 38%.

Mechanics



Frost blades is а "Riddle". At first look it got only one unique bonus: +14 weapon range.

But it has another hidden one: homing projectiles pretty restricted in direction though. So obviously you want to increase aoe, 3 proj is not enough.



And this is when fork is coming on stage. This gem is very situational because of the way projectiles spread. But in the FB case they are homing in the fixed degree area. Now you think: "Great I need only fork to make it work!"



No. You are wrong. Cause projectiles are low range like ethereal knives. And you will need more projectile speed to make them find another target!



So why to use this skill?



+Animation and sound are great, also freezing and shattering packs!

+Pretty good AoE with smart positioning and enough projectile speed.

+Can be used like hit and run to kite mobs



-Without fork skill is useless, don't even try to level without it.

-Not a single target option



Which gems to use?



After linking fork the main rule to follow: don't link less damage supports like chain, LMP, GMP they are complete garbage. You need more damage for both projectiles and melee attack. So I recommend to take a look at gems like this: There is a great synergy between them and hatred aura if you can afford it.



Special note about multistrike:

This support is great! You get rid of stupid melee targeting system. You never feel slow or clunky. But from my 100+ hours experience I can tell it's the best choice when you are melting through packs not when you struggle and have only 4L desperately seeking for more damage supports. So my opinion: you need at least 5L to use it. Also sometimes you need to target particular mob in pack like necro or to aim forking projectiles properly. With MS you can't do it.



Hypotermia is another gem of choice for FB for obvious reasons. But ask yourself how often you will need this boost and how able you are to chill stronger targets like magic packs? I recommend to test this one. Another great support is phys projectile damage. You will get this bonus 100% of the time on the first hit with no downsides. That's why I recommend it over hypotermia. Or you can get both if you are lucky.



Passives and classes



So we talked about gems and you think: "Haha get gud you forget projectile speed you are screwed". Nope. This is not EK pre 2.0 and I'm not Scrublord to waste 1 gem slot.



seriously?...

That's why I get projectile speed from the tree. You ever wonder why flash freeze node exist? Today you find out. So about Projectile speed. You want as much as possible and trust me it still will be not enough you will be addicted to this shit like I am you will leave your work and your family to get more and shot mobs offscreen laughing like crazy.



To other key stats: melee phys damage is useless, but phys damage with %weapon type name% is the King! It boosts both melee and projectile damage.



And the most important part! You need crit, mostly crit chance. Like... Badly, same thing like with projectile speed. Pre 2.0 patch I would say 2h FB is not possible because of this.

HAHAHA NICE JOKE LOOK AT THIS AND LAUGH:



2H Crit build is a real thing now. But it is always your choice.



The thing about crit it's not only about dps. By linking fork you are dealing with AoE lack. But trust me it's not enough. What you gonna do with 30 little beetles? Thats why you need herald of ice. It's the key herald and I can say absolutely for sure: you can't play FB without it! As you know crit is required to get bonus AoE damage. Mystery solved. Without this I would probably think about going RT or other tricky stuff. But no it's the only way to go here.



Also pick up good stuff like frenzy charges. Remember what I wrote about support gems? So why you still don't want to get +more all damage? Huh?



Here we go. So classes. Which one you will pick up? Let's conclude, you need:



1) Projectile speed

2) Crit chance

3) Phys damage with %weapon name%



Marauder? No you will struggle with accuracy.

Duelist. GOOD

Scion. GOOD

Ranger. GOOD

Shadow. GOOD



I recommend to choose from these 4. Which one doesn't matter at all. Except... 1 little thing. If you are going OP dagger oneshot everything with mirrored weapon go shadow or ranger. Scion and duelist probably will be better for 2H build with more life nodes and some 2h based one.



---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

tree https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-tree/AAAAAwAAAdwFLQVmBiAS4RQgFHUaPiPTI_YpLi5TNZI5DjrhQzFHfkrITP9Nkk3jTipQR1O7VP5VqVb6Vw1YdVoaW69fP2VNagFuqm8nbztyqXSgdO12rHfXd-N4DXh6eWh7w3y4fXWC5ITZhO-FUodqiq-NfY1-j2CQEZJ9lcyXtJhvmmqi6qOKplepJ6luqZStjbXyu-O9Nr3mvqe-vL_VwBrBBMMzxKLNmM9-02_TftZY2L3ZYdrB3CPlz-oY6mLrCe0_7g7vDu968azyRfcy-WP-Cv6P_ro=

links

FAQ " How many links do I need to make Frost Blades work?

Only 2 to start. With 4 you can easily begin maps no problemo.

I will even say that when you got 5L better to put you single target there and stick with 4L frost blades.



" Can I use Frost Blades as single target skill?

No.



" What single target to use?

Frenzy, Puncture, Double strike list goes on. Molten Strike with PB is probably top DPS.



" What stats I need need on gear except mentioned crit?

You need chaos resist and as much life as possible. I don't recommend to focus on armour too much.

There is no way you come close to shield build amounts.

Better to pick straight phys reduction from endurance charges + AA first, than max out armour.

Also Weapon elemental increase is pretty op on rings and amulet.



" o4all

Are you 100% sure Melee Physical Damage doesn't apply to "whole" of Frost Blade?

Yes, 100% sure everything with melee tag apply only to melee part of attack. Phys damage with %weapon type% is related to source of damage. So no melee tag=apply to everything. This mechanic is not new. Lightning strike share it too.



" o4all Also, heard somewhere that Fork, does not have auto-target, only Chain can auto-target because of Chain's default auto-target.

CHAIN vs FORK is a very hot topic among FB users. I recommend you to decide for yourself which one is better.

My opinion: FB is not a range skill. It has very descent melee base attack. Chain heavily cutting it.

I think the main point is not the average DPS. It is the DPS when you need it!



1) With chain you can't reliably focus single target(rare, vaal totem).

This is also the reason why I don't like multistrike with FB.

2) Fork deal more DPS to big packs.

It's just the math.



In my opinion chain+multistrike is the worst possible combo for lazy people

who want to hold one button. Only 2 to start. With 4 you can easily begin maps no problemo.I will even say that when you got 5L better to put you single target there and stick with 4L frost blades.No.Frenzy, Puncture, Double strike list goes on. Molten Strike with PB is probably top DPS.You need chaos resist and as much life as possible. I don't recommend to focus on armour too much.There is no way you come close to shield build amounts.Better to pick straight phys reduction from endurance charges + AA first, than max out armour.Also Weapon elemental increase is pretty op on rings and amulet.Yes, 100% sure everything with melee tag apply only to melee part of attack. Phys damage with %weapon type% is related to source of damage. So no melee tag=apply to everything. This mechanic is not new. Lightning strike share it too.vsis a very hot topic among FB users. I recommend you to decide for yourself which one is better.My opinion: FB is not a range skill. It has very descent melee base attack. Chain heavily cutting it.I think the main point is not the average DPS.1) With chain you can't reliably focus single target(rare, vaal totem).This is also the reason why I don't like multistrike with FB.2) Fork deal more DPS to big packs.It's just the math.In my opinion chain+multistrike is the worst possible combo for lazy peoplewho want to hold one button. Frost blades is а "Riddle". At first look it got only one unique bonus: +14 weapon range.But it has another hidden one: homing projectiles pretty restricted in direction though. So obviously you want to increase aoe, 3 proj is not enough.And this is when fork is coming on stage. This gem is very situational because of the way projectiles spread. But in the FB case they are homing in the fixed degree area. Now you think: "Great I need only fork to make it work!"No. You are wrong. Cause projectiles arelike ethereal knives. And you will need more projectile speed to make them find another target!+Animation and sound are great, also freezing and shattering packs!+Pretty good AoE with smart positioning and enough projectile speed.+Can be used like hit and run to kite mobs-Without fork skill is useless, don't even try to level without it.-Not a single target optionAfter linking fork the main rule to follow: don't link less damage supports like chain, LMP, GMP they are complete garbage. You need more damage forprojectiles and melee attack. So I recommend to take a look at gems like this:There is a great synergy between them and hatred aura if you can afford it.This support is great! You get rid of stupid melee targeting system. You never feel slow or clunky. But from my 100+ hours experience I can tell it's the best choice when you are melting through packs not when you struggle and have only 4L desperately seeking for more damage supports. So my opinion: you need at least 5L to use it. Also sometimes you need to target particular mob in pack like necro or to aim forking projectiles properly. With MS you can't do it.Hypotermia is another gem of choice for FB for obvious reasons. But ask yourself how often you will need this boost and how able you are to chill stronger targets like magic packs? I recommend to test this one. Another great support is phys projectile damage. You will get this bonus 100% of the time on the first hit with no downsides. That's why I recommend it over hypotermia. Or you can get both if you are lucky.So we talked about gems and you think: "Haha get gud you forget projectile speed you are screwed". Nope. This is not EK pre 2.0 and I'm not Scrublord to waste 1 gem slot.That's why I get projectile speed from the tree. You ever wonder why flash freeze node exist? Today you find out. So about Projectile speed. You want as much as possible and trust me it still will be not enough you will be addicted to this shit like I am you will leave your work and your family to get more and shot mobs offscreen laughing like crazy.To other key stats:is useless, but phys damage with %weapon type name% is the King! It boosts both melee and projectile damage.And the most important part! You need crit, mostly crit chance. Like... Badly, same thing like with projectile speed. Pre 2.0 patch I would say 2h FB is not possible because of this.HAHAHA NICE JOKE LOOK AT THIS AND LAUGH:2H Crit build is a real thing now. But it is always your choice.The thing about crit it's not only about dps. By linking fork you are dealing with AoE lack. But trust me it's not enough. What you gonna do with 30 little beetles? Thats why you need herald of ice. It's the key herald and I can say absolutely for sure: you can't play FB without it! As you know crit is required to get bonus AoE damage. Mystery solved. Without this I would probably think about going RT or other tricky stuff. But no it's the only way to go here.Also pick up good stuff like frenzy charges. Remember what I wrote about support gems? So why you still don't want to get +? Huh?Here we go. So classes. Which one you will pick up? Let's conclude, you need:1) Projectile speed2) Crit chance3) Phys damage with %weapon name%Marauder? No you will struggle with accuracy.Duelist. GOODScion. GOODRanger. GOODShadow. GOODI recommend to choose from these 4. Which one doesn't matter at all. Except... 1 little thing. If you are going OP dagger oneshot everything with mirrored weapon go shadow or ranger. Scion and duelist probably will be better for 2H build with more life nodes and some 2h based one.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melee: Frost blades, Frenzy.

Spell: EK, Firestorm. Last edited by MCSMvsME on Oct 18, 2015, 1:02:50 PM