PoE Vaal Ground Slam Build 3.25 – Path of Exile: Settlers of Kalguur

The Vaal Ground Slam skill in Path of Exile is a powerful melee attack that combines high damage output with the ability to stun enemies, making it an excellent choice for strength-based characters. This guide provides a comprehensive look at how to build around Vaal Ground Slam effectively in the 3.25 patch.

Key Features of Ground Slam and Vaal Ground Slam

Ground Slam (Level 20):

• Attack, AoE, Melee, Slam: Ground Slam is a versatile skill that slams the ground in front of you, creating a damaging wave that travels forward with an increased chance to stun enemies.
• Mana Cost: 11 mana.
• Attack Speed: 90% of base.
• Attack Damage: 356.9% of base.
• Effectiveness of Added Damage: 356%.
• Weapon Requirements: Requires an Axe, Mace, Sceptre, Staff, or Unarmed.
• Stun Mechanics: 25% reduced enemy stun threshold, with increased damage to closer targets.
• Radius: +1 metre, dealing up to 69% more damage to closer targets.

Vaal Ground Slam:

• Souls Per Use: 15, can store up to 4 uses.
• Soul Gain Prevention: 1 second.
• Attack Speed: 90% of base.
• Attack Damage: 522.9% of base.
• Effectiveness of Added Damage: 522%.
• Wave Mechanics: Creates a wave that travels in all directions, with increased chance to stun and higher damage to closer enemies.
• Stun Mechanics: 25% reduced enemy stun threshold, 200% increased stun duration on enemies.
• Radius: +0.9 metres, dealing up to 69% more damage to closer targets.
• Additional Features: Can’t be evaded, can be exerted as though it was not a Vaal skill.
• Corrupted: Cannot be modified but offers significant power.

Building Around Vaal Ground Slam

1. Weapon Choice:

• Axes, Maces, Sceptres, Staves, or Unarmed: Choose high-damage weapons with added physical damage and attack speed to maximize your damage output.

2. Passive Skill Tree:

• Focus on nodes that enhance melee damage, area of effect, attack speed, and stun mechanics. Specific clusters to prioritize include those near the Marauder and Duelist start areas.
• Consider pathing to nodes that increase stun duration and effectiveness, as well as those that improve skill duration for Vaal Ground Slam.

3. Support Gems:

• Melee Physical Damage Support: Increases physical damage.
• Increased Area of Effect Support: Expands the AoE of Ground Slam and Vaal Ground Slam.
• Stun Support: Enhances stun chance and duration.
• Pulverise Support: Increases area damage and AoE.
• Ruthless Support: Adds significant damage on every third hit, which synergizes well with Ground Slam’s stunning capability.

4. Armor and Accessories:

• Look for gear that boosts your strength, melee damage, attack speed, and stun chance.
• Prioritize items with high life, resistances, and armor for increased survivability.

5. Flask Setup:

• Life Flasks: For quick healing during intense battles.
• Utility Flasks: Such as Granite Flask for increased armor or Quicksilver Flask for increased movement speed.
• Mana Flasks: To manage the mana cost of your skills.

Combat Strategy

1. Engaging Enemies:

• Use Ground Slam to engage groups of enemies, leveraging its high damage and stun capabilities. Position yourself to hit as many enemies as possible with each slam, focusing on closer targets for maximum damage.

2. Utilizing Vaal Ground Slam:

• Activate Vaal Ground Slam during tougher encounters or when facing large groups of enemies. The omnidirectional wave and increased stun duration make it a powerful tool for crowd control and damage.
• The ability to exert Vaal Ground Slam as though it was not a Vaal skill adds versatility, allowing it to synergize with exertion mechanics for enhanced performance.

3. Managing Buffs and Debuffs:

• Take advantage of the increased stun duration and effect to maintain a high level of crowd control. The stunning mechanics provide excellent control over enemy movements, ideal for prolonged fights.

Example Builds

1. Marauder Juggernaut Ground Slam Build:

• Focus on high health, armor, and endurance charges for survivability.
• Utilize Ground Slam and Vaal Ground Slam to deal massive AoE damage and control enemies.
• Invest in stun and melee damage nodes to maximize the effectiveness of your attacks.

2. Duelist Slayer Ground Slam Build:

• Prioritize critical strike chance and leech mechanics for sustained damage and survivability.
• Use Ground Slam and Vaal Ground Slam to clear large packs of enemies quickly.
• Enhance AoE and damage with appropriate support gems and passive skill nodes.

Conclusion

The Vaal Ground Slam build for Path of Exile 3.25 offers a robust and versatile playstyle for strength-based melee enthusiasts. By focusing on maximizing damage, stun capabilities, and crowd control, players can effectively dominate both single-target and group encounters. Proper gear selection, passive skill tree planning, and strategic use of Ground Slam and Vaal Ground Slam will ensure that you unleash the full potential of this powerful skill. Equip your weapon, prepare your flasks, and crush the ground with the devastating power of Vaal Ground Slam.