Hey Path of Exile players, Pashan here! Today, I'm giving you my day one update on the Kinetic Fusila Ballista Paladin. Since the league is just starting for many of you, I wanted to get this out early so you can see how the leveling experience is going.

I'm currently level 66, and the build has been an absolute breeze so far. If you're on the fence about trying it,with POE exalted orbs,let me tell you straight: this build is completely broken—in the best way possible. The POVs weren't lying. Kinetic Fusila is absurdly strong, and Ballista Totem fits perfectly, especially with the 50% reduced attack speed modifier. You don't need much reduced duration support—just the one from the tree, and it's enough to make your totems fire like a Gatling gun.

Even with the gauntlet bosses in this league, the build makes them feel like a joke. Leveling has been incredibly smooth—probably one of the easiest and most fun experiences I've had in a long time.

Skill Setup & Totem Mechanics

Here's how the build looks in action:

Totem placement: Drop a Ballista Totem and watch it fire relentlessly—there are no lingering projectiles, just constant damage.

Required supports: Less Duration is mandatory to keep everything in check. Avoid over-scaling attack speed, and make sure to pick up the cluster for less skill effect duration in the tree.

Check my first video for a more in-depth walkthrough, but this is the essential setup for smooth totem gameplay.

Gem Progression & Transition

Dualists won't have Kinetic Fusila, so if you're playing one, make sure to complete the library quest to grab it.

Other key supports from the library include Less Duration.

Respect timing: Wait until Greater Volley at level 38 for a significant power spike—more projectiles, more damage.

Five-link tips: If you complete breach mechanics, you can get a guaranteed five-link from Slave Pens or Twilight Strand. Otherwise, buying one for 1 Chaos is easy. Recommended support setup: 3 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Green.

The essential gems for this build are:

Kinetic Fusila

Ballista Totem

Less Duration

Greater Volley

Once you hit a five-link, switch in Life Tap for better sustain.

Gear and Itemization

Wands: Look for flat damage as much as possible, along with elemental boosts (cold, lightning, fire) and spell damage. Avoid suffixes with attack speed early on to prevent over-scaling.

Acquisition tips:

Gamble in towns or your hideout.

Use breach rewards and mechanics to increase chances of ranged drops.

Slam essences for extra damage stats.

Early priority: Invest in Do Raise Tenure as soon as possible for 100% increased spell damage, which translates directly into attack damage for your totems.

Defense: With gauntlet bosses, an Exhaust Graft shield is critical. I'm running a Heart of Flame Level 16, which provides insane shield values (up to 2,454), doubling my effective life pool. It's basically a permanent Molten Shell without scaling armor.

Early game (levels 1–12), Tool crafts can give you Squalling Tornado for ridiculous early clears. Once you hit higher levels, Exhaust Graft and Heart of Flame dominate.

Ascendancy Order

Light of Divinity → early game flat damage support.

Elemental Valiants → grants Anger and Raft buffs.

Purity of Elements → necessary after Raft, as it doesn't stack with Wrath.

Third Essences: Typically Anointed Champion, unless you get a rare early taunt jewel.

Totem taunt: Avoid it—it's unreliable and situational.

Skill & Map Progression

Act One:

Start with Galvanic Arrow, transitioning to Shrapnel Ballistas for better damage.

Boss fights, even with gauntlet mods, are trivial if you have a decent bow.

End of Act One: Move into Reign of Arrows. Upgrade your bow and stack as much flat damage as possible. Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder carry a lot of your early damage.

Everything else is as outlined in the POB notes and video. The build has been one of the smoothest campaigns I've experienced, and the gameplay is fun—totems just explode everything like a Gatling gun.

Final Thoughts

This build feels next-level strong and fun. I'm considering making it my league starter for 3.28, and everything I learn will be documented over on my YouTube and Twitch channels (twitch.tv/palrron). You can also find my character snapshot and full build notes linked in the video description.

If you want a smooth, ridiculously strong, and fun leveling experience in POE currency, the Kinetic Fusila Ballista Paladin is absolutely worth trying.