Some builds in Path of Exile feel smooth. Some feel strong. And then there are the rare ones that feel outrageously satisfying-the kind of build where every click detonates half the screen, every curse becomes a nuke, and every boss melts under a barrage of overlapping chaos explosions POE currency.
This Impending Doom Poison Elementalist-affectionately nicknamed the "donkey build"-is exactly that. With massive clear, monstrous single-target, and a uniquely rhythmic playstyle powered by curse overwriting, this remains one of the most explosive caster builds available in PoE today.
If you enjoyed Impending Doom back in 3.22, prepare yourself: this version is smoother, tankier, faster, and significantly stronger thanks to new uniques and optimized cooldown scaling.
Let's dive into the full breakdown.
How the Build Works: Impending Doom + Curse Overlaps
At the core of the build is Impending Doom Support, which causes your hex to explode in a chaos-damage nova when the curse expires or is overwritten. Normally, this takes too long to be practical, but the build solves that by abusing:
- Vixen's Entrapment (Unique Gloves)
These gloves automatically trigger additional curses when you cast a curse, with a 0.25-second cooldown. Every time these triggered curses overwrite the active curse on an enemy, they trigger Doom Blast-the actual chaos explosion.
- Fullborn Deod's Scorn (Unique Helmet)
This build exists because of this item. The helmet grants:
Socketed Gems are Supported by Level 30 Impending Doom
That alone turns what should be a 5-link into a functional 6-link with extremely high base damage.
The Curse Setup
Main Curse (in helmet): Temporal Chains-You manually cast this nonstop.
Filler Curse (in gloves first socket): Conductivity-This curse does nothing except overwrite the main curse to trigger explosions.
This "overwrite chain" creates rapid Doom Blasts that stack poisons and overlap as cascading explosions, covering screens in green chaos novas.
Cooldown Reduction: The Hidden Power Multiplier
Impending Doom has a 1-second base cooldown, while Vixen's Entrapment triggers have 0.25 seconds. To make the engine run at top speed, we scale Cooldown Recovery Rate (CDR).
Important Breakpoints
You want ~30% total CDR for optimal triggering.
Less than this: damage falls sharply.
More than this: unnecessary and expensive.
The build uses:
Boots implicit
Flask implicit
Boon of the First Ones (from the Stygian Vise implicit)-granting crucial cooldown recovery after casting Temp Chains.
The guide recommends simply following the gearing steps to hit the correct breakpoint without needing a deep calculator dive.
Screen-Wide Overlap: Spell Cascade Tech
Using Spell Cascade (in both helmet and gloves) ensures each Doom Blast can double hit by overlapping its radius. In the hideout, you can see the rings overlap by simply casting-this is exactly how you want it to behave in combat.
This matters most during boss fights, where positioning determines how many explosions stack on the target.
Reaching 100% Poison Chance
Because this is a poison build, we need full poison uptime.
You get 100% from:
Passive tree notables
Septic Spells clusters
Tattoos that grant poison chance
Simple, smooth, reliable.
Wither Setup Through Timeless Jewel
Instead of using Wither Totems or Spellslinger setups, this build uses a Glorious Vanity Timeless Jewel that transforms a node into:
Ritual of Shadows
25% chance to inflict Withered
Guaranteed stacks to reach 15 Wither
Fast, passive, and no gem slots wasted.
Gear Breakdown
This build is surprisingly gear-dependent, but every piece serves a purpose. Here's a streamlined breakdown of the core items.
Weapon: Profane Wand
You want:
Chaos Damage over Time Multiplier
Damage over Time Multiplier
Chaos Damage
Increased Cast Speed
Generic DoT scaling
Cast speed is huge-faster curses = faster explosions.
Shield: Saffell's Frame Alternative (ES + Block Shield)
The shield choice provides:
Strong block chance
Recover 5% ES on block
High flat Energy Shield
Powerful mapping sustain
This is the same shield used in many tanky Elementalist builds due to its reliability.
Body Armour: High ES Twilight Regalia
More ES = more effective HP = more casting freedom.
That's the only stat that matters most.
Helmet: Fullborn Deod's Scorn
This is non-negotiable.
Level 30 Impending Doom
Turns build into true 6-link
Any extra ES or corruption is a bonus.
Gloves: Vixen's Entrapment
Key stats:
Trigger additional curses
Curse cast speed roll (10-20%)-SUPER IMPORTANT
Filler curse goes in socket #1
Ring 1: Bistang's (for massive poison scaling)
Provides:
Up to 48% chance to inflict an additional poison
Almost a "more multiplier" for poison.
Use Physical/Chaos catalysts to maximize this.Amulet: Whispers of Doom (Infinity Variant)
Key effect:
Skills cost Energy Shield instead of Mana
With all your mana reserved, without this item your build literally cannot function. This one solves every mana issue forever.
Anoint:
Skittering Runes-To increase hex effect and curse radius.
Flasks: Tide of Time + Support Setup
Tide of Time grants:
Free charges every 3 seconds
Helps sustain defensive and utility flasks permanently
When mapping:
Swap Soulflask → Quicksilver for speed
Passive Tree, Jewels, and Tattoos
This build uses several synergy pieces to create a cohesive defensive layer and damage engine.
Key Mechanics
Stormshroud Jewel
Applies "Avoid Shock" to all elemental ailments, giving:
Freeze immunity
Ignite immunity
Brittle/Sap immunity
Combined with boots/flask implicits, you reach 100% avoid.
Replica Reckless Defense
Gives:
Spell block
Attack block
Little downside since ES recovers so fast
You won't reach block cap, but you get close enough for strong mitigation.
Boon of the First Ones
Requires:
23%+ CDR roll
This is the build's most essential flask implicit.
Don't buy a bad one.
Glorious Vanity (Ritual of Shadows)
Mandatory for Wither uptime and +chaos damage.
Tattoos
The build uses multiple:
Fortress (Global Defenses → ES scaling)
Treachery (Reservation efficiency)
Poison Chance tattoos
Aura Effect tattoo to reach 4.8m curse radius
The last one is NOT a mistake-curse radius is crucial for overlaps.
Cluster Jewels
This build uses:
Large Clusters
2× Primordial Bond
Medium Clusters
Circling Oblivion
Brewed for Potency
Septic Spells
Unwaveringly Evil
These scale DoT, poison chance, flask uptime, and cast speed.
Ascendancy Choices: Why Elementalist?
Shaper of Storms
Even chaos builds benefit from shock. With the overlapping explosions, shocks reach very high effect.
Shaper of Flames
Converts incoming physical damage into fire, giving strong defensive smoothing.
Liege of the Primordial / Golem Mastery
Multiple golems provide cast speed, regen, and defenses.
Bastion of Elements (optional)
Strong ES-based Aegis effect if desired.
Gem Links
Helmet (Impending Doom Engine)
Temporal Chains
Awakened Unbound Ailments
Awakened Deadly Ailments
Spell Cascade
Wither support if desired
Gloves (Curse Engine)
Conductivity (filler curse) in socket #1
Spell Cascade
Enfeeble
Despair or other hex
Body Armour (Auras)
Malevolence
Arctic Armour
Discipline
Flesh and Stone
Tempest Shield
Enlighten
Movement / Utility
Shield Charge + Faster Attacks + Momentum
Flame Dash
CWDT + Immortal Call
Gameplay: Smooth, Fast, Explosive
Mapping feels incredible. You run, you curse, the entire screen detonates. Spell Cascade overlaps fill the map with green rings of chaos.
Bossing is equally satisfying:
Stand still
Time curse overlaps
Watch bosses melt under dozens of poison stacks POE currency for sale
The build scales perfectly with investment and remains comfortable even in T17s and Uber bosses.
Final Thoughts
Impending Doom is back-and arguably stronger than ever. This Elementalist variant solves every old problem the build had: mana issues, slow cooldowns, clunky triggering, and low defenses.
