Path of Exile (PoE) has long been known for its deep and intricate gameplay, offering players a wide variety of builds, playstyles, and mechanics to explore. The "Flesh and Spirit" archetype, introduced in one of the game's more recent expansions, is an exciting and dynamic combination of summoning, spellcasting, and tankiness. This guide will delve into this powerful build, covering everything from passive skill tree choices to gear recommendations, as well as gameplay strategies to maximize your effectiveness.

Whether you're a seasoned Path of Exile veteran or a newcomer trying to grasp the complexities of the game, this guide will walk you through the mechanics, synergies, and tips to successfully play a Flesh and Spirit build.

Build Overview:

At the heart of the Flesh and Spirit build lies the idea of combining defensive and offensive capabilities, leveraging both the power of your summoned minions and your ability to deal damage through spells. The build is designed to be highly survivable, thanks to strong minions that tank for you, and efficient at clearing content, thanks to powerful damage-dealing abilities that scale off your minions' presence and your own spellcasting abilities.

While the Flesh and Spirit build does not necessarily demand high-end gear to function effectively, the right combination of items and passive skills can elevate your performance to new heights.

Core Mechanics:

The Flesh and Spirit build revolves around two primary aspects:

Minions: Summoned creatures that assist in combat by dealing damage, tanking, or providing utility.

Spirit-based Spells: Using your own spellcasting abilities, typically focused around elemental damage or energy shield management.

Key Skills:

The build relies on several critical skills to function effectively:

Summon Raging Spirit: A staple minion skill in this build, Raging Spirits are powerful summonable entities that attack enemies on sight. This skill is particularly effective for clearing mobs quickly, especially when combined with minion-related passive skills and support gems.

Summon Skeletons: While Raging Spirits handle damage output, skeletons serve as a secondary defense mechanism and are crucial in larger fights. They draw attention away from the player and help absorb incoming damage, especially in tough fights against bosses.

Raise Spectre: Raise Spectre allows you to resurrect the bodies of fallen enemies to fight for you. Spectres are highly customizable, with certain enemies providing powerful abilities that can significantly enhance your build's utility. You'll want to choose spectres that complement your other minions' roles.

Spirit Offering: This skill enhances your minions' power by granting them bonuses to damage, life, and other vital stats. By sacrificing part of your own resources, this skill can turn the tide of battle in your favor.

Herald of Agony: This spell adds an extra layer of damage and utility to your build, particularly when paired with your minions’ ability to apply poison or ailments.

Passive Skill Tree:

The passive skill tree in PoE offers players an opportunity to specialize in different aspects of their build. For the Flesh and Spirit build, several key nodes and areas of the tree should be prioritized:

Minion Damage: Focus on nodes that enhance the power, life, and resistances of your minions. These will help your summons take damage and deal more damage in return, thus enhancing your overall effectiveness.

Spellcasting and Energy Shield: You will also want to take advantage of nodes that boost your spellcasting abilities and improve your energy shield (ES). Having a solid energy shield pool will keep you protected, especially when you’re relying on minions to absorb the brunt of enemy damage.

Necromancer Ascendancy: The Necromancer ascendancy is the best choice for the Flesh and Spirit build due to its synergy with minion-based gameplay. Key nodes to focus on include:

Mistress of Sacrifice: Increases the effectiveness of your Spirit Offering and other sacrifice-based skills, granting significant boosts to your minions' survivability and damage.

Unflinching: Increases your energy shield and grants the ability to recover it when you summon a minion.

Commander of Darkness: Adds a layer of utility by granting your minions increased damage and resistances.

Energy Shield Recharge and Survival: It’s important to ensure that your energy shield recharges quickly between fights, as this will keep you in the fight longer. Key survival nodes, such as "Divine Shield," should also be taken into consideration for further defensive capability.

Gear Recommendations:

While the Flesh and Spirit build is flexible, the right gear can significantly impact your effectiveness. Here are some tips for selecting the best gear for your build:

Weapons: Focus on wands or sceptres that boost minion damage or provide additional bonuses to your spellcasting. Some weapons also grant a significant increase in energy shield and life, which is essential for your survivability.

Body Armour: Energy shield is your best friend in this build, so seek out body armor that increases your total energy shield pool. Chest armor with high ES and resistances will make your life much easier. You may also want to consider a chest piece with "Increased Minion Life" or "Minion Damage" if you're focusing more on their survivability and offensive power.

Gloves, Boots, and Helmets: For gloves, boots, and helmets, look for high resistances, increased energy shield, and minion damage boosts. You’ll want to ensure that your gear helps you tank while also giving you enough offensive support.

Jewelry: Amulets that increase your elemental resistances, energy shield, or minion-related stats are ideal. For rings, you want to focus on stats that boost your survivability, such as life, resistances, and energy shield.

Skill Gem Setup:

A proper skill gem setup is vital for your success in Path of Exile. Here are the most important gems to consider for the Flesh and Spirit build:

Summon Raging Spirit: The core gem for your minions, this should be supported by:

Minion Damage

Multistrike

Spell Echo

Raise Spectre: Raise Spectres are versatile, but some popular choices include the Solar Guards and Flesh Constructs. Support this with:

Minion Damage

Ruthless

Feeding Frenzy

Spirit Offering: To boost your minions' effectiveness:

Empower

Spell Echo

Herald of Agony: Use this skill in conjunction with:

Minion Damage

Faster Attacks

Energy Shield Management: Skills like Discipline and Clarity can help maintain your energy shield while providing you with a decent buffer for surviving tougher fights.

Gameplay Strategies:

The Flesh and Spirit build thrives on utilizing your minions effectively while casting spells from a distance. Here’s how to approach gameplay:

Positioning: Your minions should take the brunt of the damage, so always try to position yourself behind them. Use your ranged spells to deal damage from a safe distance, allowing your minions to absorb damage and control the flow of battle.

Energy Shield Management: Since you are using energy shield for protection, always be mindful of your energy shield’s status. Make sure it recharges before jumping into tough encounters.

Minion Buffing: Constantly use Spirit Offering and other minion-buffing skills to keep your summons at peak performance. A strong minion army is the key to success.

Adaptation: Depending on the area you're in or the content you're facing, you may need to adjust your playstyle. Some bosses or encounters require different strategies, such as focusing on crowd control or debuffing enemies.

Conclusion:

The Flesh and Spirit build in Path of Exile is a highly dynamic and rewarding playstyle, combining the power of minions with the utility of spells. By carefully selecting your skills, gear, and passive tree, you can create a versatile character capable of handling the challenges the game throws at you. Whether you’re looking to clear mobs with ease or tackle tougher bosses, this build offers flexibility and power for every situation.

With the right setup, you can ensure that your minions are both your offensive and defensive backbone, enabling you to stay safe while unleashing devastating attacks. If you’re looking for an engaging, survivable, and powerful build to take on Path of Exile’s most difficult content, Flesh and Spirit is a great choice.