Path of Exile 3.28 Mirage league, coming on March 6, 2026, brings fresh mechanics and massive changes to gameplay. It's time to set up the new meta to help a legendary Maraketh Sekhema put an end to an ancient war once and for all! Here is our updated PoE 3.28 build tier list of OP League Starter builds for the Mirage league - all builds are very diverse but fun and strong for endgame!
PoE 3.28 Build Tier List - Best Builds for Mirage League
A new Challenge League with new mechanics, a variety of new and reworked Skill and Support Gems, significant Endgame changes, and a plethora of Quality of Life features, the builkd meta in PoE 3.28 Mirage League is defined by high monster density, constant league mechanic overlap, and massive loot potential thanks to the Mirage system’s juiced, wish-modified areas. Meta builds now heavily prioritize clear speed, survivability, and flexibility; you need to swiftly clear multiple challenging mechanics in every map while staying alive in unpredictable environments. Buffed holy skills, new Guardian/Warden ascendancy options, and scalable minion and totem builds are top contenders. The addition of customizable imbued/exceptional support gems and accessible anointments means off-meta and hybrid builds get fresh power, but fast-clearing projectile, totem, and minion builds dominate early and mid-league due to their reliability and effectiveness in the new league structure.
Taking these changes into account, the best league starter builds for Mirage League will be those that clear content quickly, interact well with dense mechanics, and adapt to new gem/gear options. Top recommendations for 3.28 include:
1. Righteous Fire Chieftain
Righteous Fire Chieftain proves an excellent option for PoE 3.28 Mirage League thanks to changes that raise both mapping fluidity and overall consistency at every stage of play. The explosion effect from Chieftain has its damage halved but its chance doubled, so clear speed goes up across the board as you now have double the chance of getting a big explosion, which matters most in early maps, mid progression, and against packs where pulling clumps of mobs together to trigger explodes feels more rewarding. With ignite proliferation and more frequent explosions, chaining mobs is easier and the overall mapping flow improves, a key reason why the RF build appeals for players focused on clear rather than single-target bossing. The addition of a new fire mastery offers a potent boost with just one skill point, and gear like the Nebula Scepter becomes even better, helping push your fire multiplier as you progress. Even after a minor nerf to the Foul Red Dream jewel, it remains valuable for life stacking, while a new belt base from Blight introduces further ways to add power through anoints. The patch introduces new support gem mechanics and buffs to leveling tools like Holy Flame Totem, offering even smoother early-game and more flexibility in high-end setups. Altogether, these updates mean faster leveling, improved mid-game, and a more satisfying late-game experience, ensuring Righteous Fire Chieftain is a top-tier league start and endgame performer in Mirage.
Check out how to set up the Righteous Fire Chieftain for PoE 3.28
2. Ice Spear/Freezing Pulse Totems
For Path of Exile 3.28 Mirage League, the Ice Spear/Freezing Pulse Totems build continues to deliver reliable performance because nothing changed for this build, maintaining the same skill trees, anoints, and streamlined setup. Although awakened gems are gone, greater gems will step in as replacements, and for now, running normal 20/20 gems or even a 2023 gem from trade has shown that the DPS remains solid. During a seven-hour campaign practice, it became clear that leveling stays fast and smooth, without new obstacles, while taunt from totems and ancestral echosentry further stabilizes progression all the way to endgame. Practically, the build's speed increases in 3.28 thanks to patch notes indicating that totem placement speed now also scales how quickly totems emerge, causing them to spawn almost instantly and attack bosses with almost no delay after being summoned, so there's even less time between placing a totem and dealing damage. Gear requirements remain simple and accessible, with investment optional rather than mandatory—basic boots, res rings, and self-crafted Anatima offer plenty of value. In boss content, totems wipe out threats efficiently, as shown in Maven fights, where even without awakened gems and just regular projectiles, performance remains excellent and enjoyable. With more straightforward endgame due to changes such as no more scouting reports and, possibly, easier voidstones, the build promises another league of smooth farming and reliable bossing, suitable for both seasoned and new totem fans.
Check out how to set up the Ice Spear/Freezing Pulse Totems build for PoE 3.28
3. Glacial Cascade of the Fissure Miner Elementalist
For the 3.28 Mirage League in Path of Exile, the Glacial Cascade of the Fissure Miner Elementalist build shines due to a combination of strengths and the stability of patch changes. Since virtually nothing changed for this build in 3.28, and even the Elementalist node alteration results in only a 3% damage loss, the setup remains as potent as in the previous season. The build is described as a “well-rounded beast” that can trivialize all content, making it rewarding for beginners and experienced players alike. Scaling into high DPS is achievable with reasonable gear: 10 million DPS is possible at league start with just one mod gear, while SSF-viable endgame setups reach up to 100 million DPS, enabling players to handle Uber bosses and the toughest encounters with confidence. This one-button playstyle, empowered by mines’ autotargeting and overlapping ice fissures, grants not only effortless clear but also strong bossing potential. The routine for defenses incorporates evasion, block, and freeze proliferation, while offense easily scales through AoE overlaps and mine mechanics. The build is particularly attractive for league start, SSF fans, and those who want one of the top-performing setups without needing turbocharged items, since it is smooth to gear and extremely forgiving to play.
Check out how to set up the Glacial Cascade of the Fissure Miner Elementalist build for PoE 3.28
4. Kinetic Fusillade Hierophant
Kinetic Fusillade Hierophant shows strong performance in 3.28 Mirage League thanks to its clever mechanical interactions and sturdy defensive profile. The build transforms a normally single-projectile skill into a high-rate "machine gun" with the right combination of unique items and reduced skill effect duration, achieved by tuning attack speed to the desired level, which is easily calculated with a community tool. Hierophant is chosen over the usual Elementalist because it provides extra durability with Mind Over Matter and mana-based shielding, while also benefiting from endurance charges for both physical and elemental defense. The build effectively solves mana sustain since it's an attack-based setup, meaning mana is regained every time you use your main skill, even after taking big hits. League-starter versions yield impressive numbers: with low investment, you can reach multi-million DPS while maintaining a hefty effective HP pool of almost 20,000 against physical and solid elemental mitigation. Defensive layers include spells suppression, minimum endurance charges from Conviction of Power, overleaping arcane cloak for instant protection, and flexible pathing for more suppression or extra nodes if needed. It’s noted that even without the Arcane Cloak up, the build retains strong defense and output. Flexibility in the skill tree makes it easy to adapt, and the fun factor comes through with rapid-fire projectiles and unique gameplay. Despite concerns about potential future nerfs, this setup currently provides a surprising amount of power, making it a fun and viable option for the new league.
Check out how to set up the Kinetic Fusillade Hierophant build for PoE 3.28
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.