3.14 Unnerfable Molten strike / Ele claw Pathfinder

POB, otherwise Path of Building.
It is a program that makes it easier to create, reference, and save builds.
In particular new players can easily use POB to reference builds.
It's mostly about following the skill tree in this scenario.
However, it has other functioning roles such as; being able to review the specific gear, gems, and flasks used at different periods of this build.
I highly suggest to any new player to become familiar with POB.
Even if you're not into the idea of making a build, it's one of the most useful reference tools we have and virtually all builds rely on it.

A link to the community fork version of POB:

https://github.com/PathOfBuildingCommunity/PathOfBuilding

Another link that contains a bit more useful resources you might like to look into:

https://pathofexile.fandom.com/wiki/List_of_Path_of_Exile_related_applications

https://pastebin.com/dLbW7UQD

The text guide is contained in the above POB's notes

https://pastebin.com/PPyxE7FU

The text is guide contained in the above POB's notes

https://pastebin.com/fZATxWeT

The text guide is contained in the above POB's notes

https://pastebin.com/Xcuq5hkc

The text guide is contained in the above POB's notes

https://pastebin.com/LWMGAgBW

The text guide is contained in the above POB's notes

https://pastebin.com/CDpeJrme

The text guide is contained in the above POB's notes

Original/simple version:

Evasion 2.0 (Detailed, more freedom, indepth explanations):

https://pastebin.com/S34MRZaD
This one is not league start viable.
It might be difficult or confusing for new players as well.
(You basically rely on slowly building up your damage mitigation so that a strong life flask alone can sustain you against practically anything which is really only
as abuseable on pathfinder with the ryslatha pantheon.)
It is a way to scale this builds defensive potential further.
I figured some people would like completely different ideas using similar mechanics and the same general path.
I would like to credit Deathbeam pathfinder builds for my ideas on this one.
It was surprisingly easy to adapt those ideas to my own build using entirely different things.
In all fairness i'm sure these are common picks due to being so strong anyway.
This versions potential is truly an up to date version. It's so fast it's crazy.

This build is a start towards adapting this to 3.15 hc.
In current form it is NOT hc viable. I still need to rack my brain and do a lot more research to fine tune the numbers properly. Not to mention many things need completely rearranged to properly account for the average party composition in HC.

https://pastebin.com/4rq0PkTD
This one is evasion based but includes strength of blood to be moderately bulky.
Doesn't sacrifice anything except a little life from tree.
(And of course life leech which we don't technically need on pathfinder but it is a nice thing to have for ultimatums and bosses with phases that cant be bypassed.)

All-in-all this one might be overall better than the basic evasion core.
This can be adapted if you really need some extra bulk going forward at around level 80~ by simply scrapping the clusters in the build.
That dps won't be super important until very late game so this is a viable option for new players to branch off into early into mapping.
It's much more forgiving over-all for an inexperienced player than the core evasion build.
Can legit stand there and let mobs slap you on most juiced yellow maps and blood rage does more than the mobs.

https://pastebin.com/pAU8GpCW
This variation is NOT viable for league start.
This version opts in for even more damage reduction.
It sacrifices a chunk more life from the tree to include a 2nd large cluster.
This change opens up the potentially infinite god tier dps this build is capable of.
With proper gear upgrades and adjustments this build is truly outstanding.
However achieving 3 different +1 projectile clusters can be difficult depending.
Thus this is a path i'd only recommend for experienced players going forward from level 90+.

If you have the currencies and/or this isn't your first character of the league:
By all means take this route as soon as possible.

This is a continuation of the ideas in both evasion and hybrid one.
I would suggest including a large cluster with disorienting display and smoking remains if you have any late game survivability issues on this build.
The only likely weakness is lack of evasion scaling later on which is totally eliminated by having a significant blind chance. It's a very strong and perhaps even broken debuff.

I've pasted the wrong pob link in here and totally saved over this pob.
It was absurdly complicated so I can't say i'm in a rush to figure it out again.
I already modified my gear and tree several times since then in-game as well due to testing other things.
If it all just suddenly hits me and I recreate the tree and gems i'll repost it.

Magma ball value, melee hit attack speed, and melee hit value are found in pob after setting up your configuration and enabling your flasks. ( As well as importing your own gear/jewels/tree.)

Projectile count is found in-game.
With my exact setup the count is 11.
It is possible to have a lot more with or without the enchant via unique megalomaniac clusters, large claw damage clusters etc.

Total magma ball dps is an imaginary number of "if every single projectile landed"

Unlikely magma ball dps is the portion that probably won't actually hit the mob in a single target situation

Thus this number must be shaved off the total.



True magma ball dps is the realistic damage of the portion that is likely landing
on the mob.

The attack speed of the magma balls is based on your melee hit attack speed-- be sure to not use the magma ball attack speed as it's very inaccurate.



Step 1:
(Magma ball value)414,596 * 11 (Projectile count) = 4560556 * 8.16 ( melee hit attack speed) = 37,214,136.96 (Total magma ball dps)

Step 2:
(Spread and point blank modifier value) 0.47 * 37,214,136.96 (Total magma ball dps) = 17,490,644.3712 (Unlikely magma ball dps)

Step 3:
(Total magma ball dps) 37,214,136.96 - 17,490,644.3712 (Unlikely magma ball dps) = 19,723,492.5888 (True magma ball dps)

Step 4:
(Melee hit value) 735,150.4 * (melee hit Attack speed) 8.16 = 5,998,824 (Total Melee hit dps)

Step 5:
(True magma ball dps) 19,723,492.5888 + 5,998,824 (Total Melee hit dps) = 25,722,316.5888
__________________________________________________________________________

25,722,316.5888 (Total true molten strike dps)

A somewhat outdated calculator if the math is too much:
https://moldydwarf.gitlab.io/MoltenStrikeDPS/index.html#zip_eJxtkV1vgjAUhv9Lr80Com72zsnQJXOYmcXrAqdSLT2kLTPLsv++2mGAzcv3eT84KV+kxuyRSRlXB0Knk2g+C0dXthZ2WTKVA6FhEHi8AQngs/PJ9D4ad3BRG0If7sJZh270t1ksjL3oVqaKUKsb8DJheleivTDOpHEwc2eYRGO1BlkRGrXk3Qh12AtZcKFhGN4woVYa5BmxGDop5/8MhhB/ui1Cx0Eb8/rvCa9NldoStMuNiKmLhBkLeqvxuILq5UP+9gdGb8LxncTzzUJnDAvt5wJ/YyKZOT1xftXPKtcLhP5UR3s7Di5R5d0jZ2jMGytE435W9P0Diwysig==

Really yikes long link.
Everything about it is accurate except the spread data it uses at the bottom.
With good positioning molten strikes spread even on very small mobs is much more likely to land than it was back then.
Not to mention the old molten strike setups included clear speed gems, mine fixates on single target dps.
Thus whatever this calculator tells you your dps is-- odds are you do 10~% more.
Keeping in mind dps is pretty specific. You won't do 25m damage instantly, it takes the full second to ramp up to the true dps. Sometimes 2-3 seconds to average the max potential depending on your positioning.
The math formula isn't as complicated as it might look, I highly suggest anybody of any level of education to give it an honest try.
I'm not exactly a math expert and i'm terrible at keeping up with numbers unless it means something to me. I just do equations one step at a time with a calculator. I have written it in a constructive way instead of in a proper formula format so that you don't even need to know the rules of algebra nor order of operations to figure out how to use the formula.

A very good claw is pretty mandatory late game, can be progressed in small increments for cheap early game.
(Prioritize flat ele damage > attack speed > crit multi > crit chance in order of left to right)
A useable one can be crafted yourself for 10~ chaos.
A really good one slightly better than this one is probably 1-5 exalted mid league. With any luck you can craft one yourself for much much cheaper.
It's a huge gap but you don't have to cross that gap until after red maps so this is definitely a budget achievable slot.

Another good claw:

I've used all sorts of things from lightpoacher to alphas howl.
I just ended up with rats nest for the movement speed and attack speed.
Early game helm slot can just be whatever uniques, resist rare, or whatever you pick up. Late game you just need the +2 projectiles for molten strike enchant.
Rats nest:
(+3 is impossible in temp leagues ignore my helmets enchant here.)

Starkonjas:

Hits cannot be evaded is key here.
Usually this shield isn't expensive anymore as very few builds use it.

If it's too difficult to obtain, look into ornament of the east claw:

Armor can be swapped to queen of the forest or whatever really.
I went with bob because it was cheap way back when.
There are countless viable options-- especially with how many new things we have this build doesn't even currently factor in.
Tabula rasa or whatever random 4/5l you can get ahold of works fine for a long long time.

A super budget 6l that can work:

You really just want an amulet with tier 1 crit chance and crit multi.
EDWA helps a lot too, everything else is QoL at best.
(Stuff just starts multiplying in cost by absurd numbers past that point.)
On the other hand it's shockingly simple to self craft those two stats alone.
I have not properly experimented with annointments yet, feel free to consider it QoL as well.
Early league rushers might like to use charisma or soverignty as an option
You can start using 3 auras before anybody even has an enlighten lvl 3.
(With a little luck, work, and trade stalking.)

Whatever you can get for rings to balance out is fine.
These slots are very expensive to fine tune and don't make a huge difference after the core. I'd suggest trying to craft some rings similar to mine late game.
Primarily focus on making your resists the exact same uncapped for wise oak.
Obviously the strength and intelligence are kinda important but that's cheap without the crit and EWDA. You'll likely find junk that works just fine.






The armour version requires 1 rotblood ring.

Attack speed, life, and resists are mandatory from this slot.

Early game just worry about resists mainly, the attack speed isn't immediately important, life can help even if it's just a junk tier roll.
End game we can't get around this slot in the armour build.
I have found ways to use unique gloves successfully in the evasion build, it's just QoL and up to you if you're willing to put in the work to rebalance resists even further.

The evasion version pretty much requires stygian vise for the blind chance:



The armour version requires chains of emancipation:

This slot is a real pain to get to an ideal state.
Early game don't even bother with 30% movement speed let alone any QoL craft bonuses. Just fixate on the life and res. I had to sacrifice evasion just to get a boot like this affordably. Upgrade as you run out of cheaper options.
Sadly I can't find any ways to replace this slot yet but the crafting options are much better end game now. Thus I don't think it's a big problem at all.

A problem I noticed my build had pretty early on was when there are no mobs and a hefty walk which a blink skill can bypass altogether. No brainer lightning warp, portal, and whatever gem you want to level in weapon.

6l: Multistrike + added lightning damage + conc effect + elemental focus + EDWA + molten strike
The bread and butter. This is the optimal single target dps setup for MS.

4l one: Ancestral protector + empower + Blind support + Blood rage
Capitalizes on attack speed thoroughly while adding one of the greatest layers of defense this build provides.

4l two: Wild strike + Multistrike + ancestral call + EDWA
The clear skill. Molten strike used to have a 1-2 gem variation to clear.
Reality is this is better clear than MS ever was even on a 4l setup.
I don't think there is a better option for this build, as this deletes packs in any shape, size, corridor, and opening.

4l three: Enlighten + Herald of Thunder + Wrath + Herald of Ice
Optimal aura setup for capitalizing elemental damage.
Can be varied in multiple ways for personal preference.

3l one: Fortify + Faster attacks + Flicker strike
This one I consider mandatory for the sake of clear speed.
If you absolutely hate it or your internet can't handle it use whirlng blades or shield charge.

3l two: Ice golem + CWDT + immortal call
This ones a two sided dagger.
It allows me to never have to keep up with ice golem at the cost of having a delay on immortal call.
I have tried many things like putting immortal call on the upper left slot as well as removing ice golem altogether for enhance.
I find it doesn't really matter in the end, our life pool is high enough to deal with the other side of that dagger and then some.
One less button to press-- praise rng.





Awakened gems aren't mandatory at all, simply QoL enhancements.
Regular 20/20 gems late game are perfectly fine.

6l: Molten strike + Multistrike + EDWA + Conc effect + Ele focus + Added lightning damage
The single target dps

4l One: Wild Strike + Ancestral call + EDWA + Multistrike
The clear skill

4l Two: Wrath + Enlighten + Herald of Ice + Petrified Blood
The auras

4l Three: Berserk + Empower + Enduring cry + Blood rage
Really tanky, really fast, and really strong all in one.

3l One: Shield charge + Fortify + Faster attacks
The mobility skill you can change to whatever in this version.

3l Two: Enhance + CWDT + Immortal call
Capitalizing immortal call the best we can with what we have left.

1l ring: Temporal Chains
Required to curse ourself to generate rage for using berserk.

Awakened gems aren't mandatory at all, simply QoL enhancements.
Regular 20/20 gems late game are perfectly fine.

Spiked concoction (Really op buff to flasks)
Peak vigour (life)
Fettle (expensive life)
Adrenaline (cheap life)
Aerialist (Dodge)
Agent of destruction (EDWA)
Alchemist (Recovery from flasks and attack speed amazingly good one)
Antivenom (Chaos res, chance to avoid poison, max chaos res)
Basics of pain (Crit chance/damage generic extras)
Battle hardened (Evasion and armor real damn good for the armor build)
Blessed (Life and chaos resist)
Calamitous (EDWA)
Careful handling (generic life)
Corrosive elements (EDWA/potential ele exposure)
Dark messenger (herald boost, generic damage increase)
Darting movement (Movement speed and dodge)
Devastator (fun explosions.)
Distilled perfection (Life flask recovery and flask duration)
Dragon hunter (Potentially broken double armour proc.)
Elegant form (Dodge)
Empowered envoy (Herald buff, good kind.)
Endbringer (some ok damage buff if using two heralds.)
Enduring composure (Infinite endurance charges on armour build)
Eye of the storm (generic crit chance)
Eye to eye (generic projectile damage)
Fasting (Flask charges and movementspeed while not using flask)
Feast of flesh (Life)
feed the fury (Leech/damage while leeching)
Flow of life (generic/maybe pricy life.)
Force multiplier (5% chance to deal double damage)
Fuel the fight (attack speed/damage while leeching)
Furious assault (attack speed)
Gladiators fortitude (damage/life)
Haemorrhage (Generic crit chance)
Heart of iron (10% of life added to armour)
Heraldry (Really broken lightning exposure which almost always happens on bosses)
Hit and run (Generic dodge)
Holistic health (life)
Improvisor (Attack speed)
Lead by example (get onslaught from enduring cry on armour build)
Martial prowess (Attack speed)
Menders wellspring (Life flask recovery/charges/remove bleeding mega op)
Militarism (Armour and life)
Natural vigour (life and evasion)
Overshock (One of the strongest dps notables you can get)
Paralysis (Another strong dps notable)
Peace amidst chaos (life and armour while stationary)
Precise commander ( crit chance and multi)
Precise retaliation (Crit chance/potentially multi)
Pressure points ( crit chance and 5% chance to deal double damage)
Prismatic carapace (+1% to all max res and +30% armour)
Prismatic dance (+1% to all max res and +30% evasion)
Prismatic heart (all res and edwa)
Pure guile (Generic blind chance)
Purposeful harbringer (Generic herald buff)
quick get away (Crit, attack speed, movement speed)
Readiness (Evasion and chance to avoid bleeding/impale)
Repeater (Attack speed)
rot-resistant (Chaos res)
rote reinforcement (Pathetic 20 life)
Sadist (Big EDWA)
Savage response (Crit chance)
Scintillating idea (Lightning penetration)
Second skin (30% increased armour)
self-fulfilling prophecy (Generic crit multi)
Shifting shadow (OP blind and evasion)
Skullbreaker (Generic crit multi)
Special reserve ( damage during flask)
Storm drinker (Very op lightning penetration)
Stormrider (Insane edwa and good source of power charges)
Student of decay (Chaos res)
Sublime sensation (Life)
Supercharge (Amazingly broken dps)
Surging vitality (Life)
Thunderstruck (Very good lightning damage bonus and generic crit chance)
Towering threat (Yikes trade off of 8% life for increasing area of effect.)
Unspeakable gifts (Fun explosions)
Untouchable (Dodge and evasion)
Vengeful commander (Somewhat significant wrath buff)
Wall of muscle (Life)
Winter prowler (Movement speed and max cold res)
Also any previously mentioned:
Smoking remains
Disorienting display
Fan of blades
Brewed for potency
Wind-up

To start this builds survivability is heavily based on killing things before they kill you. Life leech(Or life flask with strength of blood builds) + evasion/dodge stats + blind is how you survive aside from that. The dmg mitigation for this build is poor and nearly non existant.
So without further ado:
1. Not using your ancestral protector very often. That blind support is VITAL.
(Or otherwise not having a significant and reliable form of blind; i.e % chance to blind on hit abyss jewels, smoking remains/disorienting display large cluster, blind support linked to ancestral protector, etc.

2. Not keeping flasks up. You will lose a lot of survivability if flasks are not going 100% of the time you're in combat. Whether you rely on a life flask or not doesn't matter. Pathfinders gain immunity to elemental ailments among many other important buffs while flasks are active.

3. Standing there too long. This build is meant to move and keep moving.
Eventually rng will result in you abruptly dying if you just sit still or try to attack something out of your range without flickering or walking to it.
Nothing in this entire game should require you to stand still for longer than 2 full seconds on this build. Use that as a pointer as to when to reflicker or ignore leftovers and move on for optimal clear speed as well.

ELSE
I don't think it's easy to die on this build played right.
I have never once died in all the years I have used this by anything except internet issues, computer issues, or doing very stupid things that result in obvious deaths. (i.E not knowing boss mechanics, positioning errors, flickering all your frenzy charges away, etc.)

You're not keeping your flasks going 100% of the time.

Aside from that:
Is it even possible..?
I think only stuns can kill this build.
In order to get stunned to begin with you need to make not one but a large series of mistakes. This build is like a flying castle.
If you truly believe there is something wrong and it's getting you killed I suggest referring to "Reasons why this build might not do damage."
It's likely one of those problems.

If nothing here can explain why you're dying:
It's a you problem. You either don't know the mechanics of a given boss, you aren't paying attention to be wary of elemental reflect mods, or you're otherwise doing something unknowingly getting yourself killed.
However, very fortunately-- i'm not an elitist jerk. No matter what it is i'd be glad to help you figure out what's causing it. Feel free to pm me about any issues. I simply cannot account for the countless possibilities of things that can cause deaths in a single guide. Thus I don't directly address the most basic nor complex things here.