Last Epoch Season 3 Meta Shake-up: Builds That Thrived and Those That Didn't
Season 3 of Last Epoch has brought major changes that have reshaped the landscape of builds in the game. With the introduction of Chapter 10, new features like the Primal Hunt system, Primordial items, and significant class reworks have sent shockwaves through the meta. Whether you're an experienced player looking to optimize your Monolith farming or a newcomer trying to choose a build that suits your playstyle, this Last Epoch Build Tier List will give you all the insights you need.
We'll be covering the most notable buffs and nerfs, ranking the builds from S (top-tier) down to C (bottom-tier), so you can make an informed decision on what build to play in Season 3.
The Rise and Fall of Builds: What Changed in Season 3?
Season 3 has seen massive changes to both the meta and build performance. While some builds have been buffed and emerged stronger, others have been hit hard with nerfs. Some previously dominant strategies have lost their shine, while others have found new life with reworks and system changes.
The Primal Hunt system and Primordial items have altered the way builds scale and synergize, especially for minion-based setups. Meanwhile, certain class reworks have given a fresh coat of paint to builds that were once considered underwhelming. Let’s dive into the specifics of how these changes have affected each build’s performance, and why some are rising to the top while others are struggling to stay relevant.
C-Tier Builds: Struggling to Keep Up
While C-tier builds are far from unplayable, they’ve become less competitive in Season 3. Whether due to scaling issues, lack of synergy with new mechanics, or underwhelming performance against newer meta builds, these builds are showing their weaknesses.
Harvest Lich
The Harvest Lich build remains a favorite for those who enjoy melee spellcasting, but unfortunately, it has not seen the improvements it needed. The skill still feels clunky, with poor scaling compared to other melee options. While the Lich class itself received some improvements to ward passives and minion survivability, the Harvest skill did not get the much-needed rework. This means its clear speed and single-target damage still lag behind the current meta, relegating it to the C-tier.
Lightning Swarm Blade Druid
The Swarm Blade Druid build, particularly the lightning variant, continues to struggle in Season 3. While shape-shifting mechanics received some buffs, Swarm Blade still faces issues with damage scaling in the endgame. It struggles to keep up with other Druid builds like Earthquake or Bear builds, which received significant buffs. While the lightning swarm blade can clear maps with flashy AoE, survivability remains inconsistent, and the build’s potential is heavily gear-dependent.
Multi-Shot Marksman
Once a reliable ranged clearing build, the Multi-shot Marksman has been left behind due to significant changes to bow scaling and the rise of more powerful Falconer Ballista setups. While it can still clear areas with arrows raining down on enemies, mana management becomes an issue, and the build requires heavy investment in crit chance and attack speed to remain viable. Compared to newer builds like Hail of Arrows or Heartseeker, it simply doesn’t compete when it comes to damage consistency or boss-melting potential.
Torment Warlock
The Torment Warlock build received some changes to its Cthonic Fissure skill and minions, but these buffs did little to improve its overall performance. The damage uptime of the Torment skill remains inconsistent, and while it has its spirit army, the build is very defensively weak. Compared to faster damage-over-time builds, Torment Warlock feels too slow in Monolith farming.
Bleed Falconer
Falconer builds are still strong, but the bleed variant has not kept up with the other more explosive Falconer setups, like those focused on Ballista or Dive Bomb. Season 3 offered only minor changes to bleed scaling, and while Falcon AI remains reliable, it’s not enough to make this build stand out. It’s a damage-over-time playstyle, but lacks the burst damage needed for the higher tiers.
Roid Mage Necromancer
The Roid Mage Necromancer build is still gear-dependent, and despite receiving some buffs to minion survivability, it struggles to compete with other summoner setups. The mana stacking and reliance on perfect idols make this build inconsistent at best, and while it can output single-target damage, it lacks the sustain and scalability to push it into the B-tier.
B-Tier Builds: Solid Choices but Not Meta-Defining
The B-tier builds are not the strongest in the current meta, but they still offer solid performance for players who prefer a more niche or experimental playstyle. These builds require more gear investment and setups, but with the right optimizations, they can hold their own in Monoliths or boss fights.
Marrow Shards Lich
Season 3 gave Lich some love with reworked passives and per sustain buffs, making Marrow Shards more viable. However, the health cost mechanic remains risky, and it lacks the survivability needed to break into higher tiers. While it can provide solid ranged damage, the build still struggles with damage scaling and lacks the consistency required to compete at the top level.
Smite Void Knight
Smite Void Knight is a hybrid build that got some indirect buffs thanks to Primordial items that enhance spellcasting, but it still feels inconsistent. While it can chain void smite procs for decent map clear, it doesn’t hold up well against bosses, where its performance lags behind other, more reliable options like Racing Strike Void Knight or Warpath Void Knight.
Stygian Coal Lich
This build, based on Infernal Shade and necrotic dots, received some benefits from minion survivability buffs but still falls short in terms of damage uptime. It’s not terrible, but it doesn’t stand out enough to push it into A-tier. The Stygian Coal Lich is a good option for casual play but lacks the firepower needed to compete with stronger builds.
Multi-Strike Smite Void Knight
A hybrid melee-caster setup, the Multi-Strike Smite Void Knight can deliver decent boss damage, but awkward mana management and clunky playstyle hold it back. It’s still a viable option for mid-to-late game, but it lacks the smooth flow and efficiency of the top-tier builds.
A-Tier Builds: Competitive and Reliable
The A-tier builds are solid performers and are a great choice for players looking for a balanced experience. They may not be the most powerful in the game, but they offer reliable performance with room for optimization.
Flame Lich
Thanks to reworked passives and better ward scaling, Flame Lich has become a much stronger melee build. It may not be the top-tier melee option, but it’s a strong choice for those who enjoy damage-over-time with necrotic scaling. It remains strong in Monoliths and can deal decent boss damage, but it’s not quite as tanky as the builds in the S-tier.
Acid Flask Rogue
This build has always been a sleeper choice, but Season 3 has given it some love. Thanks to Primordial items improving scaling, the Acid Flask Rogue can now handle endgame farming more comfortably. While it’s still somewhat niche, the ability to cover large areas with poison makes it a fun and viable choice for those who enjoy strategic play.
Chaos Bolt Lich
With its ability to spam chaos projectiles and deal immense damage, Chaos Bolt Lich remains a powerful option. Season 3 has brought some minor buffs to ward scaling, improving its survivability, but the build still doesn’t match the raw power of other S-tier casters like Glacier Sorcerer or Tornado Shaman.
S-Tier Builds: The Pinnacle of Power
Finally, the S-tier builds represent the strongest and most meta-defining choices in the game. These builds excel in clear speed, boss melting, and overall performance, making them the best options for season 3.
Warpath Void Knight
Warpath Void Knight remains one of the best melee builds in the game. The synergy with Void damage and the ability to scale defensive layers while spinning through mobs is hard to beat. The build is very tanky, with high single-target damage and clear speed.
Tornado Shaman
The Tornado Shaman build excels at damage-over-time mechanics and AoE clear, with massive scaling potential thanks to earth/air synergies. The build has nearly unmatched scaling, high survivability, and great monolith farming potential. If you’re looking for a top-tier caster build, Tornado Shaman is the way to go.
Falconer Ballista
The Falconer Ballista build remains the most popular and strongest build this season. With primordial buffs pushing it to new heights, this build excels in single-target and clearing packs with ease. The ability to scale damage through Falcon AI combined with ballista placements makes this build one of the most fun and effective to play.
Conclusion: Which Build Should You Choose?
While the meta has shifted in Season 3 of Last Epoch, the key to success is understanding which builds are best suited for your playstyle. If you're looking for pure power, then Warpath Void Knight, Tornado Shaman, and Falconer Ballista are your go-to builds. However, if you prefer something a bit different, builds like Acid Flask Rogue or Chaos Bolt Lich still offer solid performance.
Ultimately, it’s about finding the balance between fun, effectiveness, and survivability. Season 3 has made it clear that the right build can make all the difference, so choose wisely!
FAQ
1. What is the Last Epoch Build Tier List for Season 3?
The Last Epoch Build Tier List ranks the most effective and competitive builds in Season 3, considering buffs, nerfs, and the meta shifts.
2. How do buffs and nerfs impact the builds?
Buffs and nerfs directly affect how strong certain builds are. Some builds are now more powerful due to buffs, while others are less viable because of nerfs.
3. Which build is best for farming Monoliths?
Top-tier builds like Warpath Void Knight, Tornado Shaman, and Falconer Ballista excel at Monolith farming due to their clear speed and damage.
4. Are all builds in Season 3 viable?
Yes, but some builds are more powerful than others. A-tier and S-tier builds are more competitive, while C-tier builds are weaker but still playable.
5. Which build is the most fun to play?
The most fun build depends on personal preference, but Falconer Ballista and Tornado Shaman are popular for their dynamic gameplay and strong performance.
6. How can I optimize my build?
Focus on gear synergy, passive tree optimization, and utilizing Primordial items to boost specific stats. Experiment with different setups for better results.
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