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Hello, Exiles! Today, we're diving deep into one of the most exciting builds for Path of Exile 3.25— the Ice Nova Frostbolt build. This build combines powerful cold and lightning damage to deliver a potent mix of destruction and crowd control. Whether you're a seasoned Exile or just starting out, this guide will cover everything you need to know to master the Ice Nova Frostbolt build, from the passive skill tree to gear and key mechanics.

Introduction

In this build guide, I'll take you through the essential aspects of the Ice Nova Frostbolt build. Instead of showing a simple showcase of the build’s power through Uber encounters, I’ll present a more nuanced look at how this build performs in high-stress situations. We’ll examine its effectiveness in handling tough content like Expeditions and Rogue Exiles.

Passive Skill Tree

The passive skill tree for the Ice Nova Frostbolt build is designed to maximize both cold and lightning damage while ensuring survivability. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

1. Core Nodes and Paths:

  • Start with the Templar Tree: Begin your leveling journey with Rolling Magma, transitioning to Armageddon Brand by Act 3. This setup will see you through the early stages of the game.

  • Switch to Ice Nova and Frostbolt: Once you hit level 44 and can equip your desired chest piece, switch to Ice Nova and Frostbolt. Make sure to respec your skill tree accordingly.

  • Key Nodes:

                 ▫ Less Mana: Pick up nodes that reduce Mana costs and improve Mana regeneration. This is crucial for sustaining your skills.

                 ▫ Block Chance: Allocate points into the Red Nightmare Jewel for increased block chance. This helps to reach the cap for block chance, crucial for survivability.

                 ▫ Power Charges: Maximize your power charges to increase your damage output. Take nodes that enhance your power charges and provide additional damage.

                 ▫ Crit Multi and Penetration: Focus on nodes that increase critical strike multi against unique enemies and provide lightning penetration.

2. Defensive Mechanisms:

  • Chaos Res and Energy Shield: Take nodes that improve your chaos resistance, energy shield, and overall survivability.

  • Arcane Capacitor: Provides additional boosts for your arcane surge, which is essential for managing Mana and increasing your damage.

3. Glorious Vanity:

  • Dariani’s Influence: Use Glorious Vanity with Dariani’s influence to convert Mind Over Matter to Corrupted Soul. This adjustment allows you to have 50% of non-chaos damage bypass your energy shield, enhancing survivability.

4. Mana and Life Nodes:

  • Mana Mastery: Invest in nodes that grant increased Mana recovery and improved Mana regeneration.

  • Life Nodes: Ensure you have sufficient life nodes to balance out your Mana and energy shield.

Ascendancy

For the Ice Nova Frostbolt build, the Hierophant ascendancy is the best choice. Here’s the recommended path:

1. Divine Guidance: Provides significant Mana and Mind Over Matter benefits. This is crucial for your build as it allows you to convert a portion of damage to Mana, improving your survivability.

2. Sanctuary of Thought: Reduces Mana costs and increases area of effect. This helps with crowd control and efficiency.

3. Arcane Blessing: Choose this at the Uber Lab for additional defensive and offensive boosts.

Gear and Itemization

Your gear choices will significantly impact the effectiveness of the Ice Nova Frostbolt build. Here’s what you need to focus on:

1. Wand:

  • Void Battery: Provides an extra power charge, spell damage per power charge, and increased elemental damage. Enchant with increased elemental damage.

2. Shield:

  • Surviving Shield: Essential for block chance. Look for a shield with high block chance and the ability to trigger socketed spells on block.

3. Helmet:

  • GG Helmet: Opt for a helmet with bonuses to power charges and Mana. Aim for high Mana and energy shield rolls.

4. Chest:

  • Cloak of Defiance: Offers high evasion and energy shield, and also provides Mind Over Matter. If possible, get a double corruption with increased AOE or reduced extra damage from crits for better survivability.

5. Gloves and Boots:

  • Paladin Gloves and Boots: These provide high armor and energy shield. If you can’t find suitable Paladin boots, Carell boots with decks are a good alternative.

  • Mods: Look for resistances, life, and Mana on gloves and boots. Eldritch implicits like unnerve are highly desirable.

6. Accessories:

  • Netzies Foible: Boosts Mana and reduces attribute requirements. Essential for Mana management.

  • Anema Ring: Increases curse limit, allowing you to run more curses.

  • Diamond Ring: Provides increased crit strike chance. Aim for additional resistances and Mana.

7. Anoint:

  • Mind Drinker: Enhances Mana recovery and is essential for maintaining your Mana pool.

Skill Gems and Links

Here’s the recommended setup for your skill gems:

1. Ice Nova: Primary damage skill. Link with Elemental Focus, Hypothermia, Increased Area of Effect, and Controlled Destruction.

2. Frostbolt: For freezing enemies and adding cold damage. Link with Greater Multiple Projectiles, Spell Echo, and Cold Penetration.

3. Defensive Skills: Include Immortal Call, Cast When Damage Taken, and other defensive skills to enhance your survivability.

Gameplay Tips

  • Mana Management: Keep an eye on your Mana pool. Use Arcane Surge and Mana Mastery to keep your Mana costs manageable.

  • Block and Defense: Make full use of your block chance to mitigate damage. Positioning and movement are key to staying alive.

  • Curse Usage: Apply curses strategically to maximize your damage output. Pay attention to curse effectiveness on high-tier maps.

Conclusion

The Ice Nova Frostbolt build in Path of Exile 3.25 is a powerful and versatile setup that excels in both offensive and defensive capabilities. With the right passive tree, gear, skill gems and Path Of Exile Currency, you can dominate high-tier content and take on the toughest challenges the game has to offer. Remember to continually tweak and adjust your build based on your personal playstyle and the content you’re tackling.

Happy Exiling! If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.