Path of Exile 3.26 has brought another exciting chapter for players to explore, and with it comes a fresh batch of builds to try out. Whether you're a seasoned exile looking for something powerful to carry you through endgame, or a newer player searching for the best way to progress through the acts and start mapping, this build tier list will help you figure out what's hot—and what's not—in 3.26.

This guide will cover over 30 builds, placing them into S, A, B, and C tiers based on their performance in mapping, bossing, survivability, gear dependency, and overall playability. While every build can be viable with enough investment and skill, some stand out far more than others for the average player. Let's break it down.

C-Tier Builds

C-tier builds can still clear content, but they generally require higher gear investment, feel clunky, or are outclassed by other archetypes.

1. Archmage Poison Spark Pathfinder

This experimental build tries to fuse Archmage mechanics with poison scaling. Unfortunately, the synergy just isn't there. Archmage demands heavy mana investment, while poison benefits from fast, frequent hits. The result? Poor single-target damage, awkward gameplay, and significant gear demands. It's a fun idea, but far from practical for league starters or progression-focused players.

2. Ice Shot Mines Deadeye

Mines and bows don't naturally mix, and this build is a prime example. It struggles with survivability and fluidity, requiring a particular gem setup to function decently. Mapping is okay thanks to Pierce and chain, but bossing becomes tedious—a novelty build for players wanting something different, but not competitive.

3. Archmage Detonate Dead Pathfinder

Detonate Dead (DD) typically excels with classes that have mana recovery and damage scaling—something Pathfinder lacks. Compared to Inquisitor or Hierophant variants, this build feels underpowered, especially in boss encounters. The mana mechanics feel strained, and the build has lost its place in the meta.

4. Tree Stack Penance Brand

Tree stacking remains a niche mechanic, but this Penance Brand variant just doesn't deliver. It has poor defenses, relies too much on precise positioning, and suffers in juiced map environments. While not unplayable, it's outshined by other brands and tree stack builds.

5. Icicle Mines Deadeye

Once a meta favorite, Icicle Mines have declined sharply. Pairing them with Deadeye doesn't help much. Saboteur remains the king of mine builds, and this setup struggles to keep up. Weak bossing and reliance on older mechanics make it hard to recommend in 3.26.

6. Detonate Dead Scorching Ray Chieftain

This version of DD tries to take advantage of life-based scaling and regen, but the synergy just doesn't click. Damage is underwhelming, defenses are inconsistent, and while it can do casual mapping, it falls flat in serious content.

B-Tier Builds

These builds are solid for players who understand their limitations. They're often good for league starts, SSF, or casual play, but may lack bossing power or mapping speed without investment.

1. Righteous Fire Chieftain

An old favorite, RF Chieftain remains a reliable build. Excellent regen, great for casual mapping and strong defenses. However, it lags in bossing without substantial fire damage scaling. Still a great SSF or hardcore option.

2. Holy Relic Necromancer

An easy-to-play minion build with solid AoE and good scaling into red maps. Unfortunately, it lacks the burst damage required for late-game bosses. Still, great for newer players and those seeking a relaxing minion playstyle.

3. Shield Crush Champion

Tanky and reliable, this build offers a straightforward melee experience. Fortify and armor scaling keep you alive, but clear speed and endgame performance fall short. Hardcore-friendly but not fast enough for softcore zoomers.

4. Toxic Rain Pathfinder

A long-time favorite, Toxic Rain is still relevant. Great DoT scaling, solid mapping, and flask synergy from Pathfinder. However, boss damage feels sluggish this league, and it doesn't scale as well into endgame without strong gear.

5. Penance Brand Inquisitor

While strong on paper, this brand build requires solid gear to function well. The Inquisitor helps with crit scaling, but overall efficiency is below top-tier builds. Fun to play and clears well, but it won't carry you through the hardest content without heavy Path Of Exile currency investment.

A-Tier Builds

A-tier builds strike a great balance of mapping, bossing, and survivability. They're viable for most content and make solid league starters or SSF picks.

1. Flicker Strike Slayer

A chaotic build that rewards speed and reaction. Excellent for zooming through maps with decent bossing if properly geared. However, desync and RNG make it a love-it-or-hate-it choice.

2. Cyclone Shockwave Slayer

Smooth melee gameplay with satisfying AoE. Shockwave boosts burst potential, and Slayer leech keeps you alive. It's not the highest DPS, but it's consistent, tanky, and enjoyable.

3. Explosive Trap Trickster

Strong single-target damage, decent mapping, and Trickster's defensive layers make this a sleeper hit. A little clunky due to trap playstyle, but scales well into the endgame.

4. Power Siphon Archmage Totem

A complex but effective build. Power Siphon delivers big crits, and Archmage scaling allows massive damage if mana mechanics are handled correctly. Excellent bossing, but not beginner-friendly.

5. Exsanguinate Mines Trickster

Blood-themed aesthetics, powerful DoT scaling, and solid survivability. Requires mine uptime awareness but offers high reward for skilled players.

6. Lightning Arrow Deadeye

Still a top-tier bow build with amazing clear speed. Chain and Pierce mechanics make mapping feel great. Bossing is decent, but squishiness can be an issue.

7. Bleed Reap Gladiator

Excellent defenses, solid block chance, and good DoT boss damage. Slow mapping compared to others, but very safe—great for hardcore or tank-oriented players.

8. Explosive Arrow Ballista Elementalist

A long-standing league starter that scales well into endgame. Ballistas allow ranged safety and reliable Ignite stacking. Slower mapping, but excellent bossing and SSF-friendly.

9. Bone Shatter Berserker

High-risk, high-reward melee build. Berserker rage and Bone Shatter stacking can delete bosses quickly. Needs some finesse due to self-damage mechanics.

10. Storm Burst Totem Hierophant

Totems offer a safe way to apply strong DoT through overlapping projectiles. Storm Burst has strong single-target potential and decent mapping. A reliable pick for those who enjoy totem playstyles.

11. Summon Raging Spirits (SRS) Necromancer

Minion players will love this fast, aggressive setup. Great for clearing, and can handle boss fights with proper scaling. Very accessible and beginner-friendly.

12. Blink Arrow Minion Guardian

A unique and stylish build that summons clones via Blink Arrow. Guardian offers great defenses, and while clear speed and damage aren't top-tier, it's fun and viable in most content.

13. Lightning Strike Slayer

Melee-projectile hybrid that blends fun gameplay with good AoE. Strong league starter potential with excellent clear. Slightly held back by reliance on gear scaling.

S-Tier Builds

These builds stand out across the board. If you're looking for the most efficient, high-performing builds in PoE 3.26, these are it.

1. Ground Slam Slayer

An unexpected powerhouse. Recent buffs have turned Ground Slam into a dominant melee skill. Huge AoE, reliable damage, and Slayer's overleech make it amazing for mapping and bossing alike.

2. Poisonous Concoction Slayer

No weapon needed, budget-friendly, and incredibly effective. Slayer adds tankiness, and the build thrives off flask synergy. A fantastic league start option that transitions well into the endgame.

3. Smite of Divine Judgment Slayer

A lightning-flavored melee build that combines visual flair with solid mechanics. Great damage, strong defenses, and simple gearing make it a standout.

4. Explosive Concoction Slayer

An elemental version of Poison Concoction that boasts crazy burst and good mapping. Very beginner-friendly and can handle nearly all content.

5. Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder

The Pathfinder version adds even more flask uptime and chaos damage scaling. Incredibly clear, great bossing, and one of the most well-rounded builds in the league.

6. Archmage Vortex Hierophant

A unique take on the DoT playstyle. Mana stacking through Hierophant gives great defense and offensive layering. Perfect for players who enjoy clever builds with a twist.

7. Volcanic Fissure Berserker

Flashy and extremely deadly. This crit-scaling melee skill destroys bosses and maps alike. Berserker rage keeps you topped off with damage. One of the most explosive and satisfying builds to play in 3.26.

Final Thoughts

Patch 3.26 offers a wide variety of builds to explore, and while the meta always shifts with new balance changes, several core mechanics and ascendancies continue to shine. Slayer, Trickster, and Pathfinder remain dominant across many archetypes. Whether you enjoy zooming through maps with Lightning Arrow, deleting bosses with Volcanic Fissure, or playing more unique styles like Blink Arrow Minions or Archmage Vortex, there's something here for every kind of exile.

Just remember: tier lists are guides, not rules. Your personal gear, league goals, POE currency and playstyle preferences should always come first. Experiment, adapt, and most importantly, enjoy the journey through Wraeclast.