Last Epoch Auto Smite Build – Lightning DPS for Fast Progression ~ HaploGamingChef

How the Auto Smite Paladin Works

This build centers around combining Javelin with the Smite skill using procs instead of manual casting. When you toss a javelin, it automatically triggers Smite at the target location, dishing out lightning-based spell damage without additional input. The combo creates a steady loop of AoE bursts while you maintain high uptime on buffs and leech effects.

You’ll also use Warpath to keep moving and spinning through enemies, making the build not just powerful but also super mobile. The mix of passive damage and leech from Smite makes it especially appealing for fast monolith farming.

Core Skills and Skill Interactions

The main skills powering this build are:

Javelin – Triggers Smite on impact when specced correctly.
Smite – Procced automatically, scaling with attunement and lightning bonuses.
Warpath – Used for mobility and continuous damage.
Holy Aura – Boosts your damage and resistances.
Sigils of Hope – Optional skill to increase spell and elemental damage passively.

The synergy between these skills creates a setup that doesn’t require precise timing or skill juggling. As long as you're spinning and dropping javelins, you're dealing consistent lightning damage.

Early Game Gear Setup

On day one, gear is usually rough. This build can still function with basic items you loot along the way. The key things to look for include:

Lightning spell damage on weapons and amulets
Attunement on armor and accessories
Spell leech or health on hit for sustain
Movement speed on boots to improve your map clear speed

Some unique items like Kelvis' Claim and Polaris are great early pickups if you get lucky. If not, any two-hand weapon or off-hand combo that boosts melee attack speed and lightning penetration will do.

Stats to Prioritize

As a Lightning Smite Paladin, focus on stats that directly boost your automatic damage and survival:

Attunement: Scales Smite’s damage.
Spell Damage: Works with your lightning spells, including procced Smite.
Lightning Penetration: Helps bypass enemy resistances.
Endurance and Health: Important for surviving higher corruption levels.
Mana Efficiency or Regen: Useful, especially when Warpath becomes more spammable.

Keep resistances overcapped too. Warpath and specific gloves can reduce your resistances, so preemptively boosting them helps balance the build.

Key Uniques and Aspirational Gear

Some key uniques to work toward:

Kelvis’ Claim (Weapon): Adds solid lightning stats.
Polaris (Smite Sword): Boosts melee attack speed and adds crit utility.
Descent (Belt): Auto-casts Smite every 10 seconds; excellent for burst.
Grasp of the Blood Mage (Gloves): Converts some health into spell leech.

Long-term, aim for items with Legendary Potential (LP) that enhance lightning damage, spell power, and defensive stats without draining your sustain.

Idols and Blessings

Your early idols don’t need to be perfect, but eventually, prioritize:

Idols with +Smite levels, spell crit, or lightning penetration
Defensive idols that boost resistances or health

From blessings, pick up:

Lightning Damage
Spell Leech
Critical Avoidance if you’re not running full blind uptime
Cold and Fire Resistances to offset penalties from skills like Warpath

Passive Tree Strategy

Start with the Sentinel base tree, grabbing key nodes like:

Juggernaut and Armor Clad for damage reduction
Gladiator to enable off-hand weapon setup
Fearless for health scaling

Move into the Paladin tree to unlock your core spell power and lightning modifiers:

Holy Precision and Judgment for scaling
Covenant of Light/Domination for lightning focus
Reverence of Duality for strong late-game boosts to health and damage

Javelin Setup for Smite Procs

In the Javelin tree, prioritize nodes that allow Smite to be cast automatically when you throw:

Divine Throws – Essential for the auto-cast
Anointed – Reduces Smite cooldown and adds consistency
Consecrated Ground – Heals and buffs you at the impact zone

Javelin becomes a utility trigger more than a direct damage source, so don’t worry about scaling it offensively.

Warpath for Mobility and AoE Damage

Warpath serves as your movement skill and provides passive damage and buffs while spinning. Use nodes like:

Unchained and Reckless Spin – Lower mana cost and let you spin forever
Winds of Justice – Adds a chance to proc Smite every second while channeling
Elemental Damage Nodes – Increase overall spell damage when spinning

This allows you to move through zones quickly while passively dealing AoE Lightning DPS.

Optimizing for High Corruption

This build can reach high corruption (1000+), but you’ll need:

Better resistances: Overcap for fire, cold, lightning
Endurance stacking: Prioritize on gear and passives
Mana sustain: To keep up with Javelin and Warpath uptime
Plus skill items: Boost Smite, Javelin, and Warpath levels to scale better

Even with bad gear, this setup can push 300+ corruption. With upgrades from the planner linked in the video description, you'll comfortably exceed that.

Final Thoughts on the Build

This Auto Smite Lightning Paladin makes leveling and progressing in Last Epoch smooth and simple. It’s highly scalable, easy to control, and doesn’t need perfect gear to perform well. Whether you’re farming early monoliths or trying out higher corruption content, this build brings both damage and quality-of-life to the table.

It’s still early, and tweaks will come as better gear becomes available, but even now, the build feels solid and capable of handling most content. If you're looking for a relaxed playstyle with minimal buttons, this may be the best Last Epoch Paladin build to start with.

Conclusion

If you're aiming for a powerful yet laid-back setup in Last Epoch, this Auto Smite Lightning Paladin build is a top-tier choice. It combines consistent Lightning DPS, strong healing, and mobility with very little active input. You can scale this build to handle high corruption and bosses by upgrading gear gradually—making it ideal for both newcomers and veterans alike.

With the right gear and blessings, expect strong survivability, smooth monolith clears, and a simple gameplay loop that's fun and effective. As you upgrade items listed in the build planner, performance will spike drastically—unlocking the build’s full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is this build beginner-friendly?
A: Yes. It works well even with starter gear and requires minimal micromanagement.

Q: What skill does the most damage in this build?
A: Smite, which is automatically triggered through Javelin and Warpath interactions.

Q: How do I sustain health in this build?
A: Through passive healing from Smite, gear-based spell leech, and Holy Aura.

Q: Can this build handle bosses and high corruption?
A: Yes, with the planned gear upgrades, it can exceed 1,000 corruption and kill bosses like Abberoth efficiently.

Q: What should I focus on first for gear upgrades?
A: Prioritize attunement, lightning spell damage, resistances, and +Smite skill level.

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