Last Epoch: Tombs of the Erased - Smite Hammer Paladin Leveling Buil

Last Epoch's robust class system allows for a multitude of engaging and powerful builds. For players just starting their journey or looking to level a new Paladin, the Smite Hammer Paladin offers a smooth and enjoyable experience, especially when tackling the challenging Tombs of the Erased Last Epoch Gold.

Skill Specialization:

Prioritize specializing in the following skills as you level:

Smite: This will serve as your main single-target damage dealer. Focus on specializing in nodes that enhance Smite's damage, increase the likelihood of applying ailments (such as ignite or shock), and possibly add area of effect capabilities. Concentrate on the nodes that provide additional smite casts upon hitting.

Hammer Throw: This is your essential AoE skill. Specialize in augmenting the number of hammers thrown, their damage output, and their velocity. Take into account nodes that offer extra effects like bleed or fracture upon impact.

Holy Aura: This aura grants passive advantages, including heightened attack speed and elemental resistance. Specialize in nodes that further amplify these advantages and consider nodes associated with increased health regeneration. It serves as an excellent defensive measure.

Shield Bash: Utilize Shield Bash for mobility and to inflict debuffs on adversaries. Specialize in nodes that diminish its cooldown and extend its stun duration.

Volatile Reversal: This acts as your safety net and a tool for mana regeneration. As you specialize in Volatile Reversal, prioritize mana efficiency and cooldown recovery.

Passive Tree Allocation:

Paladin: Focus on passives that increase strength, vitality, health, and block chance. Points in the starting passives that boost elemental resistances are also valuable.

Forge Guard: As you level invest into passives that give you Armor and Thorns Damage scaling.

Sentinel: Fill Remaining nodes on passives that increase physical damage, glancing blow chance and block chance.

Leveling Strategy:

Early Game (Levels 1-20): Start with Smite and Hammer Throw. Focus on clearing mobs quickly with Hammer Throw and using Smite for tougher enemies and bosses.

Mid Game (Levels 20-50): Continue specializing your skills. Prioritize increasing your damage output and survivability. Look for gear upgrades that enhance your chosen skills.

Late Game (Levels 50+): Refine your build based on your preferred playstyle. Experiment with different item affixes and skill specializations to optimize your damage and survivability.

Itemization:

Weapon: Prioritize a one-handed mace or sword with increased physical damage, attack speed, and critical strike chance.

Shield: Look for a shield with high block chance, block effectiveness, and added health or resistances.

Armor: Focus on armor pieces with health, vitality, resistances, and armor. Affixes that boost physical damage or your chosen skills are also beneficial.

Belt: A belt with health, resistances, and mana regeneration is ideal.

Amulet and Rings: Look for affixes that increase your damage, survivability, and mana regeneration.

Key Statistics to Consider:

Enhanced Damage: This includes physical damage, melee damage, and elemental damage if you are applying ailments.

Attack Speed: This is vital for boosting your total damage output.

Health and Vitality: These are crucial for ensuring your survival.

Resistances: Ensure your resistances are capped to lessen incoming damage.

Mana Regeneration: This is important for maintaining your skill usage.

Block Chance and Block Effectiveness: These factors help in reducing incoming damage.

Gameplay Recommendations:

Positioning: Keep a safe distance from adversaries while using Hammer Throw to eliminate groups of enemies.

Mana Management: Be cautious with your mana consumption and use Volatile Reversal wisely to restore mana.

Kiting: Do not hesitate to kite enemies when necessary, particularly during difficult battles.

Adaptability: Modify your build and playstyle according to the challenges you face.

Transitioning to Endgame:

As you reach the endgame, you can transition this build into more specialized variations, such as a Hammerdin focused solely on Hammer Throw, or a Smite-focused build that utilizes unique items and passives to maximize its damage potential. Exploring different skill combinations and item affixes will allow you to create a unique build that suits your personal preferences buy Last Epoch Gold.

The Smite Hammer Paladin leveling build offers a well-rounded and enjoyable experience in Last Epoch. With its solid damage output, good survivability, and scalability, it's an excellent choice for new players and veterans alike. So, grab your hammer and your shield, and prepare to smite your way through the Tombs of the Erased and beyond! Remember to keep an eye out for that Last Epoch Gold, it'll help you gear up and progress faster.