PoE 3.25 Totem Build & Leveling Strategy for Necro Settlers Event (Path of Exile Settlers 2.0)

For the Necro Settlers event in Path of Exile 3.25 reset, the Totem Hierophant build combines the safety of totem gameplay with impressive damage potential and inherent defensive layers, it is an excellent choice for the fresh version of the Settlers of Kalguur. Let’s break down the best PoE Settlers 2.0 build with pros, cons, gear, gems, leveling strategy, and tips.

PoE 3.25 Totem Hierophant for Settlers 2.0 - PoE Necro Settlers Best Build

This PoE Necro Settlers build serves as an excellent league starter for the Path of Exile 3.25 reboot, combining powerful damage output with inherent tankiness and a safe totem playstyle. The build progression starts with Holy Flame Totem until level 30, then transitions to Power Siphon Ballista after completing the Library Quest in Act 3. The early game focuses on acquiring red-blue-blue socket combinations and wands with beneficial stats like flat lightning damage and attack speed. At level 60, the build gains significant power through two affordable unique items: Piscator's Vigil and Mind of the Council. The Necro Settlers build utilizes Power Charges through Conviction of Power ascendancy and Instability nodes, achieving five minimum power charges for consistent damage output. Defensively, it employs a Mind over Matter strategy with significant mana investment, while the totem playstyle allows for safe clear speed. The build can handle all content through the campaign and into early mapping with minimal investment.

Build Pros:

Beginner-friendly: this totem build setup is very safe and suitable for beginners.

Strong damage output: it has great damage potential.

Inherent tankiness: it is also very tanky.

The quick ramp-up in the campaign: scale up quickly during the campaign progression.

Affordable gear: the gear requirements for this build are designed to be very cheap and budget-friendly, making it accessible for Settlers 2.0 starters.

Build Cons:

Totem playstyle: some players may not enjoy the inherent separation between the player character and the totems.

PoE Settlers 2.0 Totem Build Gear

Piscator's Vigil (Imbued Wand)

Mind of the Council (Harlequin Mask)

Malachai’s Loop (Harmonic Spirit Shield)

Glyph Hide (Crusader Chainmail)
Victory Circle (Amethyst Ring)

The Ephemeral Bond (Lapis Amulet)

Plague Gyre (Amethyst Ring)

Breathstealer (Hydrascale Gauntlets)

Agony Lock (Stygian Vise)

Dance of the Offered (Carnal Boots)

Condensed Divine Life Flask of Allaying

Viscous Eternal Mana Flask of the Cure

Perpetual Quicksilver Flask of the Cheetah

Endless Sulphur Flask of the Skink

Surgeon’s Quartz Flask of Bracing

PoE Settlers 2.0 Totem Build Gems

Power Siphon - Ballista Totem - Elemental Damage with Attacks - Added Lightning Damage - Increased Critical Damage - Damage on Full Life

Sigil of Power - More Duration - Increased Area of Effect

Frenzy - Cast On Critical Strike - Sniper's Mark, Summon Lightning Golem

Arrogance - Precision

Eternal Blessing - Purity of Elements

Arcane Surge - Automation - More Duration

Shield Charge - Faster Attacks - Flame Dash

PoE Settlers 2.0 Totem Build Leveling Strategy

1. Level 1-30 (Act 1 to 3, Before The Library)

• Skill: Holy Flame Totem. This is chosen for its ease of use and minimal respeccing later.

• Gems: Purifying Flame (until you get Holy Flame Totem), then Holy Flame Totem. Flame Wall is optional for added damage.

• Gameplay: Summon totems and move. Focus on completing quests and progressing through the acts.

• Gear: Prioritize finding items with Red-Blue-Blue sockets (for later Power Siphon setup). Look for wands with added flat lightning damage, attack speed, crit chance, or mana.

2. Level 30+ (Act 3)

• Transition to Power Siphon Ballista: Purchase Power Siphon, Ballista Totem Support, and other necessary gems from Siosa in the Library.

• Gems: Power Siphon - Ballista Totem Support - Elemental Damage with Attacks Support - Added Lightning Damage Support. Use Arcane Cloak on auto-cast and Clarity + Precision as auras. Frenzy and Sniper's Mark are recommended for single-target.

• Gear: At least one Spiraled Wand, two is preferable, you can acquire via vendors like Clarissa, crafting (Alchemy Orb/Essences), or drops.

• Leveling Gems: Immediately go to The Docks after the swap and farm until level 32 to level your Ballista Totem Support gem, as lower-level ballistas die too quickly.

3. Level 32+ (Post-The Docks)

• First Labyrinth: Prioritize completing the first Labyrinth as soon as possible after leveling your gems.

• Ascendancy (Hierophant): Take Conviction of Power for the four minimum Power Charges. Combined with Instability and Disciple of the Forbidden, this gives a total of five Power Charges, significantly boosting damage.

4. Level 32-60 (Acts 4-10)

• Gameplay: Totem playstyle - drop totems and move. Focus on progressing through the campaign.

• Gear: Look for 2 Red and 2 Blue socket items for your main skill links. Prioritize life, mana, and resistances on gear. Around Act 6, begin crafting on the bench to fix resistances. Use Amethyst Rings for chaos resistance. Keep an eye out for wand upgrades (check tooltips for damage comparisons).

• Izaro Fight (Act 4): Place totems, curse Izaro with Sniper's Mark, use Frenzy for charges, and kite.

5. Level 60+ (Mapping)

• Key Uniques: Equip Piscator's Vigil (wand) and Mind of the Council (helmet). These are cheap early in the league (1-2 chaos).

• Acquiring Uniques: If you lack PoE currency, run Heist contracts (Lockpicking, Perception, Counter-Thaumaturgy, Trap Disarmament) at level 59 and above to farm jewelry for chaos recipe. Alternatively, farm Blood Aqueduct.