Righteous Fire Chieftain Build Guide (Necropolis 3.24)
Jul-01-2024 PST
This version focuses on being an exceptionally tanky mapper while maintaining superior clear speed compared to other variants. The explosions triggered by the Chieftain Ascendancy deal sufficient damage to eliminate even tanky Rares and Map Bosses. However, this version has the worst recovery until you begin to acquire maximum Fire Resistance. On the positive side, stacking Fire Resistance will allow the Ascendancy to cover both Cold and Lightning Resistance.
Righteous Fire
Righteous Fire has been a staple in Path of Exile since the Closed Beta. It has had numerous variations, ranging from Juggernauts, Occultists, low-life Guardians, Hybrid Inquisitors, and now, the Chieftain. You can expect to charge through enemies and burn them to death while benefiting from the remarkable defenses provided by a Chieftain. For tougher targets, we’ll use Punishment and Fire Trap. For full single target damage, it is essential to stand still to gain the full effect of Ramako, Sun's Light.
Build Overview
In this section, we will outline the pros, cons, and general playstyle of the Righteous Fire Chieftain, enabling you to determine if this build is suitable for you.
Pros:
League Starter: Although you may not level with this skill immediately, you can start using it around Act 2 at levels 17 to 20. No leveling gear is required.
Easy Playstyle: Righteous Fire only needs to be activated once per instance. Subsequently, you mainly press three buttons: Shield Charge, Frostblink, and Punishment, and throw Fire Trap at tough targets.
Extremely Tanky: Achieving 90% maximum elemental resistance, 1.5k+ life regeneration, and easy access to Chaos Resistance.
SSF Friendly: This build does not require any unique items to progress through the atlas. While boss damage might be lacking, you can farm for better gear to tackle the endgame.
Cons:
Damage: The build does not excel in single target damage. However, it allows you to clear maps efficiently, although achieving 2-4 million damage (Guardian/Shaper DPS) can become expensive.
Map Mods & Melee: Avoid certain map mods like "No Regeneration," "- Maximum Resistance," and "Less Recovery." Being melee can be challenging for newer players, especially when under-geared, demanding more attention to rare monsters.
Bossing: Of the three variants, this one struggles the most with bossing on a budget, as its damage relies on standing still, which can be difficult against bosses. However, acquiring void stones on life and resistance gear is still feasible.
Playstyle
Activate Righteous Fire each time you enter a new zone. Use Shield Charge or walk, based on your preference. Occasionally apply Flammability on blue and rare packs of monsters, later replacing it with Punishment. Against tougher enemies, throw Fire Trap while maneuvering around them or sit on them if tanky enough.
For boss fights against Guardians, stand close to them and use Frostblink to chill and dodge heavy hits. Alternatively, keep them on the edge of your Righteous Fire ring and throw Fire Trap from a safer distance. When engaging large packs of monsters, remember to use Infernal Cry.
Damage Scaling & Defensive Layers
Our primary damage scaling involves four main components. These are common stats, but other sources exist.
Note: Righteous Fire scales off maximum health, so maintaining high health rolls on items is crucial. This does not apply to Fire Trap, so balance other damage modifiers accordingly.
High Sources of % Increased Damage:
% Fire Damage (Sceptre, shield, passive tree, jewels)
% Burning Damage (Sceptre, jewel, passive tree)
% Elemental Damage (passive tree)
% Minion Damage (passive tree & weapon) (due to Spiritual Aid)
High amounts of Damage over Time Multiplier:
% Fire Damage over Time Multiplier (passive tree, sceptre, jewel)
% Damage over Time Multiplier (passive tree, sceptre, jewel)
To level of Gems:
+1 to Level of all spell skills (sceptre and amulet)
+1 to Level of all fire spell skills (sceptre, shield, and amulet) (only scales Fire Trap; DoT Multi is preferred, this is a bonus stat)
PoB and Passive Skill Tree
The PoB community fork by LocalIdentity is the only version currently maintained. Ensure you use the correct version: PoB Community Fork. This comprehensive PoB will guide you through each leveling stage, from a League Start perspective and SSF environment.
Gearing
Each piece should ideally be on the highest armor base available, with high life rolls. As a Juggernaut, the goal is to stack armor.
Ascendancy, Bandit & Pantheon Powers
Refer to our dedicated page for recommendations on Ascendancy, Bandit choices, and Pantheon Powers for this build.
Leveling
For your first character, obtain some gems from the Witch before starting the Marauder. Level a Witch to level 4 to acquire these gems. Complete the “Breaking Some Eggs” and “Medicine Chest” quests.
Switching to Righteous Fire
This can be done at a minimum of level 17 after reaching your first Fire Mastery. To cap fire resistance, use two ruby rings and craft fire resistance on your gear from the bench in your hideout. To acquire ruby rings, vendor an iron ring with a red gem. The setup depends on the number of sockets available, prioritized in order of importance, so don’t worry if you only have a 4-link or 5-link.
Righteous Fire
Righteous Fire has been a staple in Path of Exile since the Closed Beta. It has had numerous variations, ranging from Juggernauts, Occultists, low-life Guardians, Hybrid Inquisitors, and now, the Chieftain. You can expect to charge through enemies and burn them to death while benefiting from the remarkable defenses provided by a Chieftain. For tougher targets, we’ll use Punishment and Fire Trap. For full single target damage, it is essential to stand still to gain the full effect of Ramako, Sun's Light.
Build Overview
In this section, we will outline the pros, cons, and general playstyle of the Righteous Fire Chieftain, enabling you to determine if this build is suitable for you.
Pros:
League Starter: Although you may not level with this skill immediately, you can start using it around Act 2 at levels 17 to 20. No leveling gear is required.
Easy Playstyle: Righteous Fire only needs to be activated once per instance. Subsequently, you mainly press three buttons: Shield Charge, Frostblink, and Punishment, and throw Fire Trap at tough targets.
Extremely Tanky: Achieving 90% maximum elemental resistance, 1.5k+ life regeneration, and easy access to Chaos Resistance.
SSF Friendly: This build does not require any unique items to progress through the atlas. While boss damage might be lacking, you can farm for better gear to tackle the endgame.
Cons:
Damage: The build does not excel in single target damage. However, it allows you to clear maps efficiently, although achieving 2-4 million damage (Guardian/Shaper DPS) can become expensive.
Map Mods & Melee: Avoid certain map mods like "No Regeneration," "- Maximum Resistance," and "Less Recovery." Being melee can be challenging for newer players, especially when under-geared, demanding more attention to rare monsters.
Bossing: Of the three variants, this one struggles the most with bossing on a budget, as its damage relies on standing still, which can be difficult against bosses. However, acquiring void stones on life and resistance gear is still feasible.
Playstyle
Activate Righteous Fire each time you enter a new zone. Use Shield Charge or walk, based on your preference. Occasionally apply Flammability on blue and rare packs of monsters, later replacing it with Punishment. Against tougher enemies, throw Fire Trap while maneuvering around them or sit on them if tanky enough.
For boss fights against Guardians, stand close to them and use Frostblink to chill and dodge heavy hits. Alternatively, keep them on the edge of your Righteous Fire ring and throw Fire Trap from a safer distance. When engaging large packs of monsters, remember to use Infernal Cry.
Damage Scaling & Defensive Layers
Our primary damage scaling involves four main components. These are common stats, but other sources exist.
Note: Righteous Fire scales off maximum health, so maintaining high health rolls on items is crucial. This does not apply to Fire Trap, so balance other damage modifiers accordingly.
High Sources of % Increased Damage:
% Fire Damage (Sceptre, shield, passive tree, jewels)
% Burning Damage (Sceptre, jewel, passive tree)
% Elemental Damage (passive tree)
% Minion Damage (passive tree & weapon) (due to Spiritual Aid)
High amounts of Damage over Time Multiplier:
% Fire Damage over Time Multiplier (passive tree, sceptre, jewel)
% Damage over Time Multiplier (passive tree, sceptre, jewel)
To level of Gems:
+1 to Level of all spell skills (sceptre and amulet)
+1 to Level of all fire spell skills (sceptre, shield, and amulet) (only scales Fire Trap; DoT Multi is preferred, this is a bonus stat)
PoB and Passive Skill Tree
The PoB community fork by LocalIdentity is the only version currently maintained. Ensure you use the correct version: PoB Community Fork. This comprehensive PoB will guide you through each leveling stage, from a League Start perspective and SSF environment.
Gearing
Each piece should ideally be on the highest armor base available, with high life rolls. As a Juggernaut, the goal is to stack armor.
Ascendancy, Bandit & Pantheon Powers
Refer to our dedicated page for recommendations on Ascendancy, Bandit choices, and Pantheon Powers for this build.
Leveling
For your first character, obtain some gems from the Witch before starting the Marauder. Level a Witch to level 4 to acquire these gems. Complete the “Breaking Some Eggs” and “Medicine Chest” quests.
Switching to Righteous Fire
This can be done at a minimum of level 17 after reaching your first Fire Mastery. To cap fire resistance, use two ruby rings and craft fire resistance on your gear from the bench in your hideout. To acquire ruby rings, vendor an iron ring with a red gem. The setup depends on the number of sockets available, prioritized in order of importance, so don’t worry if you only have a 4-link or 5-link.