Starting out strong in a new league or expansion in Path of Exile often comes down to selecting the right build that combines both damage and survivability. TheZizaran Early Infernalist Summoneris one of the most reliable choices for players aiming to quickly progress through content while maintaining excellent performance in the early stages of gameplay. This build capitalizes on summoner mechanics, particularly with fire-themed minions, and is designed to be beginner-friendly while retaining enough depth to remain effective in endgame scenarios.
Understanding the Infernalist Summoner Concept
What Is the Infernalist Summoner?
The Infernalist Summoner build revolves around using minions that deal fire damage, utilizing support gems and passive skill tree enhancements to increase their effectiveness. Rather than relying on direct spell casting or melee combat, this setup empowers your minions to deal continuous fire damage through explosions, auras, or ignite effects. The result is a powerful, low-maintenance build that is ideal for clearing packs and surviving boss fights early on.
Why Choose Zizaran’s Version?
Zizaran, a prominent content creator in the Path of Exile community, often shares optimized early league builds. His take on the Early Infernalist Summoner focuses on rapid leveling, reliable gear acquisition, and ease of play. By focusing on readily available minions and common support gems, his approach allows new or casual players to reach maps and even progress into endgame content without hitting a brick wall due to lack of damage or survivability.
Core Mechanics and Minion Choice
Main Minion: Raging Spirits or Summon Skeletons
The build typically usesSummon Raging Spirit (SRS)orSummon Skeletonsearly on, supported by fire-based damage enhancements. These minions are temporary, aggressive, and scale well with flat damage supports and fire conversion. Their ability to quickly swarm enemies makes them ideal for fast-paced gameplay in the campaign.
Supporting Minions
- Flame Golem: Provides consistent ranged fire damage and scales with minion bonuses.
- Carrion Golem (optional): Offers added damage and minion synergy if slotted in later.
- Animate Guardian: A strong defensive and utility choice for bossing and sustain later in the build.
Fire Damage Scaling
Through support gems likeMinion Damage, Elemental Focus, andCombustion, the build boosts fire-based output. Additionally, the passive tree emphasizes minion life and fire penetration, helping your summoned minions both survive and deal consistent damage.
Early Game Progression and Gem Setup
Act 1 to Act 3 Setup
Leveling with the Infernalist Summoner is smooth. Here’s a basic setup to use through the early acts:
- Summon Raging Spirit Your primary minion DPS source.
- Minion Damage Support Boosts overall SRS output.
- Infernal Legion Adds burning damage to minions.
- Combustion Support Helps reduce enemy fire resistance.
Defensive and Utility Gems
Supporting spells and movement skills are essential for survivability and speed:
- Flame Dash For teleport-based mobility.
- Desecrate + Flesh Offering Enhances minion attack/cast speed.
- Convocation Instantly summons minions to your location for better control.
- Determination or Vitality Early defensive auras to increase survivability.
Passive Skill Tree Focus
Key Notables to Reach
Building a strong foundation in the passive skill tree is crucial. Some of the top notables and clusters to aim for early on include:
- Lord of the Dead: Increases minion damage and quantity.
- Spiritual Command: Boosts minion attack and cast speed.
- Minion Instability: Causes minions to explode on death, dealing fire damage.
- Redemption: For scaling late-game minion power and utility.
Defensive Paths
To prevent becoming a glass cannon, path toward:
- Holy Dominion: Adds elemental resistances and fire damage.
- Heart and Soul: Increases life and mana pool for sustain.
- Enduring Bond: Helps with minion duration and effectiveness during longer boss fights.
Ascendancy Choices
Necromancer Subclass
The most synergistic ascendancy for this build isNecromancer, as it directly benefits minion-focused strategies. Prioritize these choices in order:
- Mindless Aggression: Early damage and movement speed for minions.
- Unnatural Strength: Increases all minion gem levels, which greatly scales fire output.
- Commander of Darkness: Boosts aura effectiveness and provides extra resistances.
- Mistress of Sacrifice: Adds utility from Offering skills and improves survivability.
Budget Gear and Progression Tips
What to Look for in Early Gear
The Zizaran Early Infernalist Summoner build is designed to function with very accessible gear. Focus on the following item stats:
- + to Minion Gem Levels
- Increased Minion Damage
- Life and Energy Shield for survivability
- Elemental Resistances (especially fire)
Important Uniques (Optional)
While not required, some unique items can significantly boost your performance if found or traded cheaply:
- The Baron: Useful for scaling minion strength-based damage later on.
- Victario’s Charity: Grants minion frenzy charges when properly used with Animate Guardian.
- Clayshaper: Boosts golem quantity and damage, enhancing overall utility.
Endgame Viability and Scaling
Transition to Late-Game
Once you’ve reached maps, the build can continue scaling effectively with minor adjustments. Invest in:
- Cluster Jewels with fire or minion modifiers
- Elemental Weakness or Flammability on hit
- Trigger setups for Desecrate and Offering spells
Bossing Performance
With proper scaling of fire damage and minion support, the Infernalist Summoner performs well in boss encounters. Minion survivability is key, so keep flasks and repositioning tools ready to avoid losing your army mid-fight.
TheZizaran Early Infernalist Summonerbuild provides one of the best entry points into Path of Exile’s complex gameplay. Its smooth leveling curve, budget-friendly gear path, and excellent synergy between fire-based minions and support gems make it ideal for both new and returning players. With a solid passive tree foundation and smart use of ascendancy perks, this build offers a strong balance of offensive power and defensive stability, allowing players to confidently progress through the campaign and into endgame content.