As a new Keepers of the Flame league approaches in Path of Exile 1, many players are already preparing their builds and strategies. With patch 3.27 confirmed for a Halloween release in the United States and a November 1st launch for regions like Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand, excitement is building. This upcoming patch marks a significant event for both new and returning players, and picking the right league starter can make a massive difference in your journey. Let's walk through the new league mechanics and changes of PoE 3.27 and sort out the new meta builds you should consider when the Keepers of the Flame league begins.
PoE 3.27 Build Tier List – Best League Starter Builds for Keepers of the Flame
PoE Patch 3.27 Keepers of the Flame league brings with it not only a new league but also continued improvements and content expansions. The announcement for this patch is scheduled eight days before launch, returning to the usual schedule after a one-off change to avoid overlapping with other major releases.
As the end of the previous Mercenaries League approaches, many in the community have been sharing experiences and feedback about their league starter choices. Some players are already deep into planning their 3.27 starters, focusing on builds that scale well into endgame, perform reliably in a semi-SSF environment, and provide a balance between survivability and damage.
League start is also a time when many look at not just the power of a build but also its accessibility, cost, and how well it transitions from early maps to late-game bosses. The meta is always shifting, but certain builds consistently offer strong performance and reward for your time.
As always, there are many meta builds worth considering for league starters in the Path of Exile 3.27 expansion. Here we will keep updating the most honorable mentions from the community, including:
1. Righteous Fire Chieftain / Juggernaut
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Righteous Fire Chieftain has established itself as a legend among league starters for good reason. Each league, this build proves to be exceptionally reliable for clearing content. The playstyle is remarkably straightforward; you simply turn on Righteous Fire and proceed through maps without the need for constant button pressing. The build involves setting yourself on fire and utilizing that damage to incinerate everything around you. Playing as the Chieftain ascendancy, you become a human microwave, rapidly burning all nearby enemies.
Movement through the game is fluid, utilizing Shield Charge to traverse maps efficiently while everything ignites and perishes in your wake. Defensively, you’re exceptionally sturdy, almost like a tank, albeit one permanently ablaze. Offensively, enemies and packs combust at a blistering pace, with Chieftain’s explosion effects making every map feel like a celebration of fire and devastation.
If you’re after a build that lets you focus more on mapping and less on mechanical complexity, this is a fantastic choice. You’ll find yourself walking through maps, watching everything melt away with minimal effort.
2. Holy Relic Necromancer
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Holy Relic Necromancer, popularized by Balor Mage, stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness once you obtain a few inexpensive items. There is a minor requirement of securing two specific gems to start running this build in maps, but until then, running Absolution is more than enough to breeze through the campaign.
Once set up, this build offers immunity to all map mods, freeing you from the hassle of reading and avoiding specific modifiers—just grab and run maps freely. The playstyle centers around summoning Holy Relics, which are orbs that follow you and unleash bursts of damage whenever you hit enemies. You essentially jog through maps while your floating death orbs obliterate everything around you.
Each time you attack, your relics detonate with bursts of righteous fury, now with added poison damage, making for a unique mix of holy and toxic destruction. Cooldown stacking allows your relics to trigger rapidly, clearing packs with ease. Defensively, the Necromancer is built to be sturdy, with plenty of armor, block, and life, making it quite forgiving for new and experienced players alike.
If you want a stress-free experience, immune to map mods and with strong survivability, the Holy Relic Necromancer is a fantastic pick for the new league.
3. Blight/Contagion Trickster or Occultist
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blight/Contagion Trickster or Occultist is an exceptional league starter for 3.27, with a playstyle that lets you infect a single enemy and watch the entire screen explode through chain reactions. This approach is smooth, affordable, and highly effective for mapping and casual clearing, making you feel like a true biohazard. While single target may not be its strongest suit, the sheer speed and efficiency of clearing compensate for it. Players can choose Occultist for more damage or Trickster for increased survivability, providing flexibility based on preference.
4. Boneshatter Juggernaut
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Boneshatter Juggernaut delivers massive melee damage by stacking trauma, combining high offensive power with extreme durability. This build is celebrated for its ability to withstand tough endgame encounters, providing both impressive survivability and the raw force needed to shatter bosses and packs alike. Its sturdy defenses and straightforward melee gameplay make it a top choice for challenging content throughout the league.
5. Trap Trickster
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Trap Trickster, or “trapster,” is a satisfying old-school build where you litter the ground with traps and watch enemies die, delivering excellent safety for mapping and strong performance on bosses. The playstyle is unique but offers great rewards, as trap builds are versatile and enjoyable for players who love tactical gameplay. Overall, it excels at bossing and provides a safe environment for progressing through maps.
6. Toxic Rain Pathfinder
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Toxic Rain Pathfinder remains an eternal favorite, allowing you to spam arrows that poison everything as you rush through maps. The build is simple, scales impressively, and can tackle any content the game offers. Pathfinder’s flask sustain keeps the gameplay smooth, and while the visual clutter can be intense, the build’s performance is top-tier for progression and farming.
7. SRS Summoner Necromancer
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The SRS Summoner Necromancer, dubbed the Ace Ventura build, is well-suited for beginners and veterans alike. You summon a variety of minions who clear content efficiently without needing to aim, offering consistent performance on low gear. Their strong pathfinding keeps the action smooth, though chaotic visuals are part of the experience.
8. Ballista Totem (Sits Ballista)
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ballista Totem builds are perfect for chill players who want a safe and easy league starter. You set up your ballistas, watch them clear enemies, and can even sip coffee while playing. The build scales well with flat damage and is among the safest for progression, though early leveling can feel sluggish as totems ramp up. The overall experience is smooth and stress-free, making it a top pick for league starters.
9. Lacerate Gladiator
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lacerate Gladiator is a melee build focused on bleed damage, known for both its high damage potential and excellent survivability. This build offers a dynamic, active playstyle that rewards movement and positioning, and its layered defenses make it a safe pick for players seeking to tackle dangerous content. Its blend of durability and consistent DPS ensures steady progress throughout the league.
10. Cold DoT Elementalist
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cold DoT Elementalist harnesses cold damage and persistent damage over time effects, resulting in a versatile build that adapts well to varied content. With effective map clearing and reliable bossing, it offers flexibility to handle a range of challenges. Its straightforward mechanics and dependable progression make it a strong pick for players who value adaptability.
11. Detonate Dead Elementalist
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Detonate Dead Elementalist shines as a versatile all-rounder, offering robust defenses that are exceptional for a witch build. It excels at both boss encounters and map clearing, even on a limited budget, making it a practical option for players seeking flexibility. The combination of tankiness and strong area damage makes this build a reliable and accessible starter.
12. Explosive Arrow Champion
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Explosive Arrow Champion stands out for delivering impressive single-target damage while maintaining strong defensive capabilities. This bow build is especially effective for boss encounters and is favored by players who prioritize survivability as well as offensive power. With reliable tankiness and explosive impact, it's a solid league starter for those seeking a bow archetype.
13. Energy Blade Inquistor
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The ENERGY BLADE INQUISITOR is a strong pick for the 3.27 league because it offers a highly enjoyable, cost-effective experience with a satisfying level of complexity. The core idea revolves around Energy Blade, generating massive amounts of flat damage at the expense of energy shield, which is counterbalanced by Ivory Tower, a unique body armor that increases energy shield according to how much life is reserved. This approach utilizes stacking life and reserving it with auras, converting reservation from mana to life using Blood Magic, and integrating Wrath Pit Gloves to further boost critical chance and spell damage. Chaos damage, which would otherwise be fatal, is addressed by Coruscating Elixir flasks, while the Traitor keystone keeps flasks active by supplying constant charges, allowing players to rely on flask-based resistances and protection. With this setup, energy shield scaling directly translates to huge flat lightning damage, and the Inquisitor ascendancy amplifies this by granting Battle Mage, which adds weapon damage to spells, and Righteous Providence, providing critical chance based on strength or intelligence, with Shaper Touch Gloves adding further synergy. The build uses cast on crit to rapidly cast spells, and because its main source of power comes from energy shield, players can freely experiment with different spells simply by swapping gems. This flexibility means that from the campaign all the way to endgame, the build remains consistent and powerful, without requiring any drastic changes or expensive upgrades. Its engaging mechanics and adaptability make it a rewarding choice for Keepers of the Flame.
14. Lightning Arrow Deadeye
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐
Lightning Arrow Deadeye is a favorite among players who prefer a fast, agile playstyle and enjoy high damage output with ranged attacks. Crouching Tuna is known for a great guide, but the build itself is adaptable, you could opt for Ice Shot or other bow skills depending on preference. The core idea is to shoot lightning-infused arrows that chain between enemies and shock them, offering both strong area clear and single target damage.
You’ll find yourself zipping through maps, firing off bolts that chain and cause massive splash damage to groups, while still packing enough precision to take down tougher foes. The build stacks elemental buffs to maximize the power of each shot, making each arrow strike feel impactful.
Defense-wise, you’re more of a glass cannon, relying on evasion, spell suppression, resistances, and life to survive. Positioning is key, as you depend on movement and clever play to avoid danger. Ascendancy choices focus on enhancing mobility and projectile effectiveness, aiming to hit hard, fast, and from a distance.
If you like speed, mobility, and the thrill of dodging while dishing out powerful shots, Lightning Arrow Deadeye is an excellent way to start 3.27.
15. Blight of Contagion Hierophant
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Blight of Contagion Hierophant build is a strong pick for PoE 3.27, offering excellent area of effect scaling that helps contagion spread smoothly across packs, making map clearing efficient and satisfying. Hierophant’s ascendancy provides substantial AoE, spell damage, and defenses through arcane blessing and endurance charges, while the synergy with Ivory Tower allows a low-life setup that handles chaos damage safely by redirecting it to mana. Crafting ideal chaos gear is cost-effective, with chaos wands and amulets being easy to make, and most required uniques are affordable at league start. The playstyle is simple and effective, as most damage is applied quickly and spreads automatically, letting you stay mobile. While single-target damage is mid-tier and the build needs two buttons, its mapping speed, defensive layers, and ease of gearing make it a top recommendation for league starters, especially in trade league. SSF players should be aware that finding Ivory Tower can be a hurdle, but overall, the build is reliable, user-friendly, and fun for 3.27.
16. Ignite Elementalist
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Ignite Elementalist build is a fantastic choice for the Keepers of the Flame league thanks to its accessibility, durability, and satisfying playstyle. With Wave of Conviction for clearing and Vaal Flameblast for single target, the build delivers strong area coverage and impressive boss damage, even on basic gear. Elementalist ascendancy enables reliable ignites through Shaper of Flames and offers substantial physical damage reduction by converting a portion of physical hits to fire, which helps against the game's most dangerous threats. Multiple golems further boost survivability, granting life regeneration, energy shield, and mana recovery, making the build resilient in a wide variety of encounters. Players can easily fit defensive and utility auras using reservation efficiency nodes, and the build reaches high evasion and suppression even with self-found items, leaving plenty of room for improvement as progression continues. The defensive layers are complemented by the Ghost Dance keystone, and the gear requirements are minimal—items like Rebuke of the Vaal and The Vertex are affordable even in trade and common in solo self-found. Ignite damage uptime remains consistent due to long ignite durations, and the build is not gear-dependent for core performance, making it excellent for early league mapping and bosses. Overall, the Ignite Elementalist is reliable, scales well with gem levels, and feels rewarding to play in any league environment.
17. Volcanic Fisher Berserker
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the most talked-about builds currently is Volcanic Fisher Berserker. This setup excels as a league starter and is considered highly budget-friendly. All the necessary items are straightforward to craft or find, making this a very approachable build for new leagues. With its simple playstyle, you mostly use a single button, only occasionally activating extra skills for tougher bosses. This build is praised for its excellent map clear speed and outstanding endgame damage, suitable for both bossing and farming. The Volcanic Fisher skill automatically targets enemies, removing the need for precise aiming.
If you choose this path, there's ample opportunity to push your build further in the endgame, especially if you want to invest heavily and explore strength stacking for even more impressive results. Currently, Volcanic Fisher Berserker stands out as an extremely dominant build that should perform very well in the next league.
18. Blink Arrow Bombardier Necromancer
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Blink Arrow Bombardier Necromancer offers fast, enjoyable gameplay, as firing an arrow summons clones that bombard the screen with attacks. The build is simple, affordable to start, and scales impressively with investment, offering a powerful and fun way to clear content rapidly. Once it comes together, the screen-wide firepower feels incredible.
19. Poison SRS Necromancer
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐
Poison SRS (Summon Raging Spirit) Necromancer leverages minions to inflict poison damage, providing an engaging playstyle for those who enjoy active minion management. This build offers a unique combination of minion-based offense and damage over time, delivering solid clearing and bossing capabilities. It's a great fit for players who prefer a hands-on approach to summoner builds.
20. Ball Lightning Hierophant
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐
Ball Lightning Hierophant is a spellcaster build that excels with its cast-and-move playstyle, allowing players to weave through maps while dealing consistent lightning damage. It’s a comfortable choice for those who enjoy spell-based mapping with strong area coverage and mobility, ensuring steady progress and effective clear speed throughout early and mid-game stages in 3.27.
21. Perforate Berserker
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐
Perforate Berserker is all about simplicity and power, letting you slam the ground and watch everything die with impressive speed and physical damage scaling into endgame. The only real drawback is the classic berserker risk—you may fall in glorious melee combat, but the pace and impact are rewarding.
22. Hexblast Mines Trickster
For Standard Trade: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
For Solo Self-Found (SSF): ⭐⭐⭐
For Hardcore: ⭐⭐⭐
Hexblast Mines Trickster is a powerful mine build with exceptional single-target damage, particularly effective against bosses. Its mine-based mechanics provide a unique, tactical playstyle that rewards careful positioning and timing, and it appeals to players who enjoy a strategic approach to combat. High damage output and efficient boss killing make it a noteworthy option for league starters.
How To Choose the Right Build for Your Goals in PoE 3.27?
When deciding on your league starter, consider not only the build's power and budget but also your preferred playstyle and endgame ambitions. For instance, if you want to reach the damage over time cap with high investment, ignite or bleed ranged builds like Ignite Elementalist or Split Arrow/Puncture Bleed Bow Slayer might be good options. If you prefer a more hands-off approach, Righteous Fire or minion builds are ideal.
Community feedback suggests that some builds, such as Bleed SST Gladiator, may struggle to scale in the current meta, while others like Ignite Elementalist can be pushed to high levels with enough investment, though golem survivability can be an issue in tougher content.
If your aim is to make currency early in the league, it's worth considering your atlas strategy and picking a build that synergizes well with your preferred farming method. Focusing on this aspect can be more rewarding than simply following the strongest build guides.