With the arrival of the Path of Exile 3.28 league in early March, anticipation is high for the fresh mechanics and adjustments on the way. Here is our early PoE 3.28 build tier list of OP League Starter builds to prepare for the new league - all builds are very diverse but fun and strong!

PoE 3.28 Build Tier List - Best League Starter for 3.28 League

PoE 3.28 is confirmed to launch in early March, and the new content and changes will be revealed soon, undoubtedly bringing new league mechanics to refresh your gaming experience. It's the time again to pick up your build! Reliable builds can help you transition smoothly from the campaign to tougher endgame content, no matter how the meta shifts.  

Strong league starters share a combination of accessible gearing, straightforward leveling paths, and guides that walk you through every step. Priority is placed on builds that deliver reliable performance, strong defenses, good, clear speed, and the kind of steady power growth that keeps you progressing. The following entries were selected because of their proven records across multiple seasons and their adaptability to different types of content, mapping, bossing, and league-specific challenges.

Here we compile league starters that shined in 3.27 and should transition strongly into 3.28, offering consistent performance, comfort, and. And the following list will be continuously revised and updated as more information about the new season is released and tested!

1. Earthshatter Berserker

Slams are a staple among league starters due to their tough defenses, reliable damage, and speedy progression with minimal investment. Earthshatter Berserker continues to be a great melee choice, combining fast attack speed, high-end damage output, and notable survivability. The flexibility to customize with various warcries and ascendancy choices lets you adjust the build to your comfort. It's well regarded for handling challenging encounters, and robust guides by community creators help you get the most out of the archetype.

2. Bleed Slayer Slams

Bleed-based slam builds on the Slayer ascendancy bring seamless area-of-effect and damage-over-time mechanics into play. With guides highlighting how you can lay down a slam and focus on evasion, this archetype feels especially smooth if you prefer a less hectic style yet still want high output. It’s accessible from the league start and delivers comfort in mapping and moderate gear requirements.

3. Poison SRS Necromancer

Poison Summon Raging Spirit (SRS) Necromancer has been remarkably stable. Aggressive minions handle enemies efficiently, offering both good speed and easy scalability into the endgame. You’ll benefit from a simple campaign, affordable gearing, and the kind of defense that’s useful for new players and veterans alike. Advanced minion guides give step-by-step instruction, making this a go-to pick for those favoring minions.

4. Spectre Necromancer

This build continues to win over minion enjoyers for its mixture of clear, bossing viability, and the kind of hands-off gameplay that allows you to progress without having to micro-manage too many moving parts. Comprehensive guides help new players from the first quest to higher-tier mapping. Scaling options let you push into more demanding content if you decide to invest further.

5. Explosive Arrow Champion

Explosive Arrow Champion stands as a dependable pick across both softcore and hardcore. Its development through years of optimization provides an easy playstyle with rock-solid defenses, even if its outright boss damage isn't at the very top. The build’s resilience lets you engage with difficult content without excessive risk, and recent guides are highly approachable for those just stepping in.

6. Shockwave Cyclone

Cyclone’s recent buffs push it back into the spotlight. The synergy with Shockwave offers impressive multi-target coverage—just spin through foes and let the triggered waves clear surrounding threats. Easy to scale and popular with those who value fluid, continuous gameplay, Cyclone builds remain effective for currency farming and league mechanics that reward broad clears.

7. Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder

If you want quick and efficient leveling alongside a tanky, flask-focused endgame, Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder is hard to ignore. The build brings strong area coverage, impressive speed thanks to flask charges, and can be swapped into other poison-based archetypes later on. It’s adaptable, forgiving, and consistently achieves good results on basic gear.

8. Reap & Exsanguinate Miner (Trickster/Saboteur)

Mine-based builds like Reap or Exsanguinate have been regarded for their ‘prepare and detonate’ playstyle that allows players to control encounters. Reap Miner, for example, is noted for strong mapping potential and solid damage. Trickster ascendancy, even after nerfs, continues to offer meaningful bonuses and protective layers, making these miners worth considering if you enjoy tactical setups.

9. Poison Animate Weapon

This is an emerging favorite among minion builds for the current league, boasting impressive mapping and bossing power. With poison scaling, this Animate Weapon build strikes an excellent balance for those who want to combine summoner strengths with sustained damage. The gameplay blends summoning with active poison application for a dynamic experience.

10. Blade Vortex Elementalist

Cold Blade Vortex Elementalist offers swift, kinetic gameplay. You traverse maps quickly, freezing enemies and benefiting from Elementalist’s array of bonuses. Though fairly close range (“melee-ish”), clear speed is excellent and layering freeze effects can act as extra protection. For those who appreciate tactile builds that reward movement and positioning, Blade Vortex is an excellent choice.

11. Lightning Arrow & Kinetic Blast (Deadeye/Elementalist)

Classic ranged options like Lightning Arrow and Kinetic Blast deliver high-speed clears, strong single target potential, and proven scaling with moderate investment. These are particularly popular for those who enjoy efficient mapping and blasting through league mechanics, with kinetic builds also providing explosive, off-screen coverage.

12. Holy Relic Guardian & Power Siphon Totems

Holy Relic builds offer a minion-based experience that is slightly slower to start but evolves into a powerful mapper and bosser once setup. Power Siphon Totems, meanwhile, stand out for totem fans who want a build capable of surviving and thriving in league content, especially when combined with efficient clear and bossing capacity.