Uploaded March 2016 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago

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This is a beginner friendly melee leveling build guide for Path of Exile Ascendancy. It works on a low budget, it is fast, easy to use and can carry you to endgame efficiently!

You will use Molten Strike and Cleave very early on, then transition into using Ancestral Protector to help with tough single targets. Sweep is replacing Cleave at level 12 and at level 28 you can replace Sweep with Cyclone, Ice Crash or Earthquake!

Example link setup
Support gems listed in order of priority, use what you have early on!

Main AoE Skill (pick ONE)

Earthquake – Melee Physical Damage – Added Fire – Less Duration – Increased AoE – Physical to Lightning/WED

Sweep – Multistrike/Faster Attacks – Melee Physical Damage - Added Fire Damage – Increased AoE

Cyclone – Melee Physical Damage – Added Fire – Increased AoE – Faster Attacks

Other useful Gems and Gem Setups

Leap Slam – Faster Attacks – Fortify/Life Gain on Hit

Enduring Cry

Hatred - Herald of Ash

Ancestral Protector – Faster Attacks – Melee Physical Damage – Added Fire – Physical to Lightning

Leveling Passive Tree for Earthquake


Early Game (rush for Resolute Technique)
poeurl.com/yK6

Intermediate (AoE, Regen, Life, Damage)
poeurl.com/yK5

Getting Ready for Maps
poeurl.com/yK4

Final Tree (90+)
poeurl.com/yK1

Any questions? Don't hesitate to ask here, on twitter or on stream!

Yoji on twitch:
twitch.tv/itsyoji
Yoji on twitter:
twitter.com/Its_Yoji

To play Path of Exile for free go to
pathofexile.com