Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant Build Guide

Welcome to the ultimate guide for creating a powerful Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant build in Path of Exile. This build combines the devastating effects of Ice Nova with the Archmage support, allowing players to unleash massive amounts of cold damage while maintaining a high level of survivability. In this guide, we will cover everything from skill tree choices and gear recommendations to gameplay strategies and leveling tips. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, this guide aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to excel with this build.

Understanding the Hierophant Class

The Hierophant is a unique class in Path of Exile that excels in spellcasting and totem mechanics. With access to powerful passives that enhance mana regeneration and spell damage, the Hierophant is an ideal choice for players looking to maximize the potential of the Archmage support gem. This class is particularly well-suited for builds that rely on high mana pools and frequent spell casting, making it a perfect match for the Archmage Ice Nova setup.

Key Features of the Hierophant

Increased Mana Regeneration: Hierophants benefit from passives that significantly increase their mana regeneration, allowing for sustained spell casting.
Totemic Mastery: This class can summon totems that can cast spells on behalf of the player, providing additional damage and utility.
Powerful Ascendancy Skills: The Hierophant has access to skills that enhance spell damage and mana efficiency, making it a formidable choice for spell-based builds.

Core Mechanics of the Archmage Ice Nova Build

The Archmage support gem allows spells to deal damage based on the mana spent when casting them. This unique mechanic opens up a wealth of possibilities for scaling damage in the Archmage Ice Nova build. Ice Nova is a powerful cold spell that creates an area of effect around the caster, dealing damage to enemies within its radius while also applying a chilling effect. By combining these two elements, players can create a build that not only deals significant damage but also controls the battlefield with freezing effects.

How Archmage Works with Ice Nova

The synergy between the Archmage support gem and Ice Nova is the cornerstone of this build. When Ice Nova is linked with Archmage, the damage output becomes a function of the total mana spent during casting. This means that players should focus on maximizing their mana pool and regeneration to achieve the highest possible damage output. Additionally, investing in passive skills that increase cold damage and area of effect will further enhance the effectiveness of Ice Nova.

Skill Tree Overview

The skill tree for the Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant build is designed to maximize spell damage, mana pool, and mana regeneration. Below, we outline the key areas to focus on while leveling your character.

Key Passive Skills

Elemental Focus: This passive increases elemental damage, making it essential for boosting the damage of Ice Nova.
Mind Over Matter: This skill allows a portion of damage taken to be deducted from mana instead of life, providing additional survivability.
Arcane Focus: Increases spell damage and mana regeneration, enhancing overall performance.
Cold Mastery: This passive increases cold damage and critical strike chance, making it an excellent choice for Ice Nova builds.

Ascendancy Choices

When leveling as a Hierophant, you will have access to several powerful ascendancy skills. Here’s a breakdown of the recommended ascendancy choices for the Archmage Ice Nova build:

Sanctuary: Grants increased mana regeneration and a buff to your totems, which is crucial for maintaining spell damage.
Conviction of Power: This ascendancy provides a shield against elemental damage and enhances your spell casting capabilities.
Divine Guidance: Increases your maximum mana and provides a portion of damage taken to be deducted from mana instead of life.

Gear Recommendations

Choosing the right gear is vital for maximizing the effectiveness of your Archmage Ice Nova build. Below, we outline the essential gear pieces and their corresponding attributes that you should aim for.

Weapon Choices

For the Archmage Ice Nova build, you will want to focus on weapons that enhance spell damage and mana regeneration. Recommended options include:

Wand: Look for wands with increased spell damage, critical strike chance, and mana regeneration.
Staff: A staff can provide significant bonuses to spell damage and area of effect, making it a great choice for Ice Nova.

Armor and Accessories

When selecting armor and accessories, prioritize items that boost your mana pool, spell damage, and cold damage. Here are some key items to consider:

Chest Armor: Aim for a chest piece that has high energy shield and increased mana.
Helmet: Look for helmets that provide bonuses to cold damage and critical strike chance.
Rings and Amulets: Choose rings and amulets that enhance cold damage, spell damage, and mana regeneration.

Jewels and Flasks

Jewels and flasks are integral to optimizing your build. Here are some recommendations:

Jewels

When selecting jewels, look for the following attributes:

Increased Cold Damage: This will enhance the damage of your Ice Nova significantly.
Increased Spell Damage: Boosts overall damage output.
Mana Regeneration: Essential for maintaining your spell casting capabilities.

Flasks

Flasks are crucial for maintaining your survivability and damage output. Recommended flasks include:

Mana Flask: Restores mana quickly to allow for continuous spell casting.
Granite Flask: Provides a temporary boost to armor, enhancing survivability.
Quicksilver Flask: Increases movement speed, allowing for better positioning in combat.

Gameplay Strategies

Understanding how to effectively play the Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant build is crucial for success. Here are some gameplay strategies to consider:

Positioning and Movement

Proper positioning is key to maximizing the damage output of Ice Nova. Always try to keep your enemies within range while maintaining a safe distance. Utilize your Quicksilver Flask to reposition yourself quickly, especially during boss fights or when facing large packs of enemies.

Using Totems Effectively

As a Hierophant, you have access to powerful totem mechanics. Use totems to cast additional spells while you focus on positioning and dodging attacks. This not only increases your overall damage output but also allows you to control the battlefield more effectively.

Leveling the Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant Build

Leveling can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, it can be a smooth experience. Here are some tips for leveling your Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant build:

Early Game (Levels 1-40)

In the early game, focus on acquiring Ice Nova and linking it with support gems that boost its damage. Use your skill tree to prioritize mana regeneration and spell damage. Aim to complete the early quests to gain access to additional skill points and passive bonuses.

Mid Game (Levels 40-70)

As you progress into the mid-game, start focusing on acquiring key gear pieces that enhance your mana pool and damage output. By now, you should have your Ascendancy skills unlocked, which will significantly boost your performance. Continue to optimize your skill tree to maximize cold damage and spell effectiveness.

End Game (Levels 70+)

In the end game, focus on fine-tuning your gear and skill tree to maximize damage output and survivability. Engage in high-level maps and bosses, utilizing your totems and Ice Nova effectively to clear content efficiently. Consider experimenting with different jewel and flask combinations to find the perfect setup for your playstyle.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant build is a powerful and rewarding setup in Path of Exile. By understanding the mechanics of the Hierophant class and leveraging the Archmage support gem, players can create a build that excels in both damage output and survivability. Whether you're leveling through the game or tackling end-game content, this build offers a versatile and enjoyable experience.

For more information on Path of Exile builds and strategies, consider checking out the following resources:

Ready to take your Archmage Ice Nova Hierophant build to the next level? Start implementing these strategies today and dominate your foes in Wraeclast!