2014.12.31 Multiple Maps

2014.12.31 Splitting Tropical Island Map of Balance
Servant of a Burning Fire - Standard
Mods - Monsters fire extra projectiles, player has Elemental Equilibrium
Quantity: +42% (15% from quality)

Currency Expended:
Not sure, I think this dropped with quality and then I modded it, but I'm just not sure.

Currency Gained:
1 Transmutation
3 Alteration
2 Augmentation
1 Jewelers
1 Fusing
4 Chromatic
3 Scrap
1 Whetstone
1 Chisel


Maps Gained:
Antagonists Grotto Map of Venom L66
Thicket L67

Now, I actually did run this map.  When I respeced this character, I picked up Elemental Equilibrium.  So this is an even better character for this map than a mostly physical damage character.  I made a strange build with this one.  I picked up armor, fire damage, endurance charges and life using Molten Shell as one of my main damage abilities.  The other ability I use for damage is Flame Strike linked to Mana Leech.  I also use Ice Nova linked with Curse on Hit to apply flamibility and triger Elemental Equlibrium.  Molten Shell mostly one shots normal monsters.  It's an interesting play style as it has little to fear from physical damage, but really struggles with fast moving enimies that deal pure elemental damage.  The biggest danger is probably to myself from reflect mobs.  I can see where it would be possible to one shot myself.  I have a Searing Bond gem as a method of dealing damage to monsters this build is not good at dealing with.

The loot was decent, and I can't complain about getting a level 67 map along with one that is all ready to run.  I always like seeing Alchemy and Chaos orbs in the loot list, but a Chisel and a Fusing aren't bad.  The extra projectiles really wasn't a problem.  In fact, it often helped trigger Molten Shell more quickly.  I did have to run from the boss to refill potions, but I haven't died with this build as it is very tanky.  That was the first time where pure physical damage threatened to overwhelm me.  I usually kite this map boss around and wear him down, so I was a bit surprised at how hard he hit even through all my armour and endurance charges.

2014.12.28 Shocking Arcade Map of Hordes
Lady Bla Bla - Standard
Mods - Rare monsters have a Nemesis mod; Monsters poison on hit
Quantity: +28%

Currency Expended:
None

Currency Gained:
1 Transmutation
2 Alteration
3 Augmentation
3 Chromatic


Maps Gained:
Grotto L66

This map was pretty easy.  The boss fight was slow since it wouldn't trigger Molten Shell for burst damage.  I ended up wearing it down with Searing Bond and hitting with Flame Strike when I could.  Even though the fight was slow, it wasn't really hard.  The loot gained was pretty minimal, but I didn't spend anything on this map and I got a non-magical grotto map back.  All in all, nothing to complain about.

Well, that's my mapping for 2014.  I may have to cut back some to try to get some non Path of Exile stuff done in 2015, but as long as there are new builds to try out, I see myself playing this game for a long time.