Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder Build Guide (3.18 Sentinel)
Introduction
Poisonous Concoction is a poison-based attack skill introduced in Path of Exile’s 3.16 Scourge League. It offers incredibly clear and an old overlapping style of scaling its damage to the point where it becomes an absolute powerhouse. For players who like to blast through the game on a budget and want a build that is minmaxable with an acceptable amount of currency and incredible returns, this is a one of a kind build.
Mechanics
This build relies on Pathfinder and the insane innate damage of Poisonous Concoction to be able to scale defenses out of this world. In the endgame version it stacks Armour, Evasion, Suppression, Life, Ghost Dance and Elemental Damage reduction to achieve a very durable build. Whilst doing so, it maintains millions of Bossing DPS and way above acceptable clear speed.
The way the build works is by using Life Flask charges to scale up your damage. This is because of the flat added chaos damage you’re getting from the Poisonous Concoction gem. Other than that, there’s a couple of debuff mechanics such as curses ( Despair), damage increments (
Wither) and additional clear speed
Plague Bearer which round out the build to have it all.
The path of building offers you a starter set of gems & gear and a more optimized lategame selection of items.
Build Viability in Numbers
This is where I’ll rate the build in numbers. The lower the number the worse I actually think the build is in that compartment.
- Durability : 9/10
- Damage : 8/10
- Playstyle : 9/10
- Gearing : 9/10
- Complexity : 7/10
Path of Building & Skill Tree
You can find an optimized Path of Building here. Every build I release will use the community fork of Path of Building, which is maintained and updated in a much more regular fashion than the original one. You can find PoB’s Fork, by LocalIdentity, here.
If you are not comfortable with Path of Building, we also have a PoePlanner for you. Do note that PoE Planner does not support Cluster Jewels and some specific unique jewels and it is highly recommended you install Path of Building to follow builds most optimally.
Gem Links
Endgame
Main Link: Poisonous Concoction
Greater Volley Support
Awakened Greater Multiple Projectiles Support
Awakened Unbound Ailments Support
Awakened Void Manipulation Support
Awakened Vicious Projectiles Support
Auras: Vaal Grace
Malevolence
Herald of Agony
Defiance Banner
Determination
Enlighten Support
Make sure to link them all to an enlighten level 3 (by splitting them up in different items).
Utility 1: Withering Step
Vaal Molten Shell
Cast when Damage Taken Support
Ancestral Protector
Utliity 2: Plague Bearer
Increased Area of Effect Support
Enhance Support
Blood Rage
League Start
Main Link: Poisonous Concoction
Greater Volley Support
Greater Multiple Projectiles Support
Unbound Ailments Support
Void Manipulation Support
Vicious Projectiles Support
Auras: Vaal Grace
Malevolence
Herald of Agony
Defiance Banner
Utility 1: Withering Step
Vaal Molten Shell
Cast when Damage Taken Support#
Utility 2: Plague Bearer
Increased Area of Effect Support
Blood Rage
Despair
Utility 3: Wither
Ancestral Protector
Multiple Totems Support
Faster Casting Support
Gear Summary
Early Game – Leaguestart Environment:
Item Slot | Item Name |
Head | Rare Evasion Helmet with Life, Resistance, Spell Suppression & a Poisonous Concoction AoE enchant |
Amulet | ![]() |
Chest | Rare Chestpiece with Life, Spell Suppression & Maximum Life as Energy Shield craft |
Gloves | Rare Evasion/Energy Shield with Life, chance to Suppress Spell Damage, Resistances (Potentially Attack Speed) |
Boots | Rare Evasion Boots with Life, Movement Speed, chance to Suppress Spell Damage & Resistances or ![]() |
Belt | Rare Belt with Strength, Life, Resistances |
Rings | Rare Rings with Life, Resistances & Attributes |
Shield | ![]() |
Lategames:
Item Slot | Item Name |
Head | Rare Evasion Helmet with Life, Resistance, Nearby Enemies take 9% increased Chaos Damage & a Poisonous Concoction AoE enchant |
Amulet | Catalysed ![]() |
Chest | Rare Chestpiece with Life, Spell Suppression & Maximum Life as Energy Shield craft |
Gloves | Rare Evasion/Energy Shield with Life, Attack Speed, Chaos DoT Multi, Resistances |
Boots | ![]() |
Belt | Rare Belt with Strength, Life, % increased Life, Flask Effect, Resistances |
Rings | Catalysed ![]() |
Shield | ![]() |
Jewels | Increased Maximum Life, Chaos Damage over Time Multiplier, Damage with Poison |
Flasks
1 | ![]() |
2 | ![]() |
3 | ![]() |
4 | Saturated ![]() |
5 | ![]() |
The Cheetah affix should be swapped to a Catarina Benchcraft for Reduced Mana Costs once you swap to the late game aura setup to reduce the cost of your Poisonous Concoction to 7.
Be sure to check out our Flask Crafting Guide to learn everything you need to know about how to set up your non-Unique flasks.
Questions & Support
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Short Guide Disclaimer
Due to the sudden rise in popularity and the necessity we feel to cover the guide on our platform, we opted to write this guide out in a short version. Feel free to come around on Discord and ask our thriving community for feedback or extra help if this guide didn’t cover all the information you sought.
Thank you for the build!
I’d like to ask why is there a Multiple Traps support for the Utility 3 links under League Start. I haven’t played since 3.13 and plan to use this build as my starter for 3.17