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PoE Build

[3.29] Shadow League Start Leveling

presentationShadow
presentationAssassin
Starter
Speed Leveling
3.29 CotA
Updated on Jul 24, 2026
Jul 24, 2026

Path of Building Code

Build Overview

Beginner friendly Leveling Guide for the Shadow Class.

You will find multiple leveling variants that will help you have a smoother leveling experience.
Starting with Cobra Lash for the first few levels, then transitioning into Poisonous Concoction and ofcourse ending the campaign with Poisonous Concoction of Bouncing.

In 3.29 Assassin has a lot of good and viable builds such as the Viper Strike of the Mamba created by Jungroan and the Bladefall build created by Ky. So feel free to swap over to any of those two builds when you want.

Obviously this Poisonous Concoction leveling build is a classic and old build so the full credit goes to its initial creator(s).

Since im league starting this for 3.29, I decided to create a detailed guide for any newcomers or anyone who has never tried this class.

If you're New to POE1 OR you have any questions, feel free to join me live on Twitch, Kick or Youtube.

Strengths and Weaknesses

  • Fast Campaign
  • Good Bossing
  • Easy to Play
  • Good Build Transitions
  • Low Gear Investment
  • Squishy

Build Variants

Our initial Variation between levels 1 to 12, will utilize the ability Cobra Lash. This ability is ranged and deals a ton of damage compared to others. With support gems such as Chance to Poison Support it further increases its damage making it easier to go through the first acts.

At level 13 we want to transition to Poisonous Concoction.

Equipment

Nailed Fist
Iron Ring
Wrapped Mitts
Scare Mask
Padded Vest
Rustic Sash
Ruby Amulet
Iron Ring
Pine Buckler
Wrapped Boots
Medium Life Flask
Medium Life Flask
Medium Mana Flask
Medium Mana Flask
Quicksilver Flask

Weapons:

For the first few levels, feel free to find a good Dagger/Claw + a Buckler to help with the damage and defense.

On your weapon you want to look for anything that empowers your damage further while focusing on Max life on your Buckler.
Bare in mind that we will completely drop both weapons once we transition to Poisonous Concoction so DO NOT invest or waste your time to look for good weapons.

Gear:

For the Body Armour, Helmet, Boots, Gloves and Belt, aim to go for EV/ES Hybrid bases and stack Max life + Resistances to help with your defenses further.

Jewellery:

Initially, you can do the same thing on both Rings and Amulet, by stacking Max life + resistances however you want to look out for Flat DMG on the rings. These mods will further increase your damage.

Passive Tree

main:
123
123
ascendancy:
8
8

For the first few levels we will go for a basic damage oriented path with the addition of Blood Siphon for some extra Life and defense.

Coordination, Entropy & Fangs of the Viper will increase your damage a ton.

Skills

Cobra Lash
Chance to Poison
Momentum
Shield Charge
Faster Attacks
Frostblink
Sniper's Mark
Precision
Withering Step

Cobra Lash is our main ability for the first few levels. By adding Chance to Poison Support and Momentum Support it will become better and faster.

We use Sniper's Mark to increase our potential damage on bosses, Precision to increase our speed and accuracy and Shield Charge + Frostblink for insane mobility throughout the campaign.

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Ability & Support Gem Links:

The gems that are placed together on the above visual mean that they need to be linked together.
The ones that are separated are the ones that dont need to be linked, therefore, can be placed anywhere.

In 3.29, the Socket Coloring system has changed and is now easier to use the full scale of the build. You dont necessarily need to match the colors anymore, however if you do, then you'll get extra Quality on the gems matching the socket color.

How it Plays

1-12 | Cobra Lash

Use Cobra Lash as your main damage ability on everything. Use Sniper's Mark on Bosses. Use Withering Step for defence. Use Shield Charge as your main mobility ability + Frostblink at the end of Shield Charge to cancel it and cover a larger distance.

13-26 | Pconc

Use Poisonous Concoction as your main damage ability on everything. Use Plague Bearer when full for a burst. Use Poacher's Mark on Bosses. Use Blood Rage as a dmging buff on bosses or clearing. Use Shield Charge as your main mobility ability + Frostblink at the end of Shield Charge to cancel it and cover a larger distance.

27-64 | Bounce Pconc

Use Poisonous Concoction of Bouncing as your main damage ability on everything. Use Plague Bearer when full for a burst. Use Assassin's Mark on Bosses. Use Blood Rage as a dmging buff on bosses or clearing. Use Desecrate on Bosses to trigger General's Cry. Use Shield Charge as your main mobility ability + Frostblink at the end of Shield Charge to cancel it and cover a larger distance.

Comments

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Stats

Stats are displayed for the "27-64 | Bounce Pconc" Variant only
Character
Attributes
117 / 
256 / 
128
Movement Speed
141%
Charges
Endurance Charges
3
Frenzy Charges
3
Power Charges
3
Defensive
Life
1,998
Energy Shield
344
Mana
482
Armour
0
Evasion Rating
2,394
Block
0%
Resistances
75% / 
38% / 
75% / 
-12%
Simulated
Effective Health Pool
4.2K
Max Hit
2.3K / 
8.4K / 
3.6K / 
8.4K / 
1.8K
Skill DPS Estimation
Poisonous Concoction of Bouncing
149K

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