When I started Last Epoch, I picked the Acolyte class on a whim, and after dozens of hours I can safely say that the Warlock Mastery is one of my favorite classes in any ARPG I’ve ever played.
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Last Epoch’s 1.0 update added two new Masteries to the game: the Falconer and the Warlock. Inherently, the Warlock is all about cursing enemies and capitalizing on their weaknesses. My leveling build combines the Warlock’s proclivity for curses with its bonuses to Necrotic and Fire damage to make a flexible spell caster that douses the battlefield in danger. Chucking out curses, sliding across the screen, and spitting darkness-infused flames can be incredibly addicting. This build can clear through crowds with ease, and every death helps it build up Ward to absorb damage when the heavy hitters come out.
Below you’ll find everything you need to know about the passives and specializations that make this build tick. In terms of gear, you might want to keep an eye out for more Necrotic/Fire damage bonuses, but your primary focus should be on resistances. If your gear maxes out your resistances (gets them to 75%, that is), your skills will carry you far.
Acolyte Passives
The basic Acolyte passives are a great place to pick up a damage boost and some ground floor survivability. Blood Aura makes sure you’re dealing strong damage right out of the gate, and Mania of Mortality gives you a good source of Ward for protection. It might be worth circling back and taking more points in Unnatural Preservation for increased Ward Retention and resistances closer to the endgame. Focus on these passives:
Blood Aura
Mania of Mortality
Unnatural Preservation
Warlock Passives
Warlock passives will provide a huge damage boost. Chaos Flames combines with Chains of Ruins, Infernal Lash, and The Ashen One to shoot your Necrotic and Fire damage through the roof. Grimhilde’s Domain capitalizes on the further, turning you into a Witchfire flamethrower. Focus on these passives:
Chaos Flames
Soul Stealer
Harrowing Armor
Dark Protections
Chains of Ruin
Infernal Lash
The Ashen One
Grimhilde’s Domain
Chthonic Fissures
Chthonic Fissures is the first Warlock skill that you unlock when you take the Mastery. Chthonic Passage was just too cool for me to pass up in this build, and it becomes a great way to get out of a jam or to rush into a big crowd to start dealing maximum damage. Ash Cloud makes your Fire damage even stronger, and Spirit Gale helps spread your curses around. Before I had Soul Feast unlocked, I also specced into Chthonic Fissures’ Return Below node. It combos with the Infernal Shade ability I used in the earliest parts of the game, but I respecced it later. These nodes should be your first targets:
Chthonic Passage
Ash Cloud
Spirit Gale
Chaos Bolts
Chaos Bolts is your main damage dealer, and plenty of its nodes help you gain positive effects and deal more damage by attacking cursed enemies. After you’ve gotten the curse bonuses, put a point into The Burn to make this skill pair even better with Chthonic Fissures. Build into these nodes first:
Doom’s Vindication
Devour the Damned
Cursed Blood
Seed of Chaos
The Burn
Ghostflame
Before I unlocked this skill, I used Wandering Spirits for some AoE damage, but in my opinion, Ghostflame fulfills that need even better and fits perfectly into the Warlock vibe I was going for. The triple threat of the Fiery Desecration, Domain of Torment, and Enfeebled Prey nodes turn this skill into an extreme damage dealer. Decrepit Mortals is the icing on the cake that throws another curse into the mix. Here are the nodes you need to get the most out of Ghostflame in this build:
Fiery Desecration
Enfeebled Prey
Decrepit Mortals
Soul Feast
Before unlocking Soul Feast, I used Infernal Shade because it rapidly spread Ignite charges and paired well with some of the nodes available for Chthonic Fissures. Soul Feast is probably my favorite ability in this mode. It targets huge crowds of enemies, raking in Ward while also dealing significant damage. Nodes like Wrest and Usurp also help make bosses less of a struggle. Once you unlock Soul Feast, make these nodes your first priority:
Engorged
Wrest
Usurp
Withering Maw
Bone Curse
Bone Curse was my go-to through ability for my entire Warlock playthrough. It can easily paint a large group of enemies, which makes getting those most out of this build’s curse synergies a breeze. Unlocking the Misery node should be your first priority, since this build focuses on Necrotic and Fire damage above all else. Here’s what you should focus on leveling in the Bone Curse tree:
Conflation
Sigil of Mortality
Misery
About The Author
Gabran Gray
Contributing Writer - Gabran has been an avid gamer since he was old enough to manipulate a keyboard and mouse. He's been writing professionally and covering all things video games since 2021.
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Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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