Path of Exile 3.25 Frost Blades of Katabasis Slayer build and leveling guide

The Frost Blades of Katabasis Slayer is a strong build to use for the Path of Exile patch 3.25 league. The viability of this skill was questionable before, but the recent melee rework has done it several favors. When choosing a build template for a new season, it's important to know certain details before getting started. In the past, the Frost Blades of Katabasis were largely outclassed by their base form Frost Blades. With the implementation of the Path of Exile Settlers of Kalguur melee rework, however, the skill is much more potent.

In this guide, we're going to explain how to properly set up the Frost Blades of Katabasis Slayer build.

NOTE: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion.

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Path of Exile 3.25 Frost Blades of Katabasis build breakdown: Skill rotation and tips

Frost Blades of Katabasis is capable of causing several cold hits per swing. (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/Yohsene)

When playing a Frost Blades of Katabasis build, you have a few things to keep track of other than the main ability. Compared to one-button builds this may seem a bit busy, but it isn't too complicated.

The main combat ability you use for all your damage is Frost Blades of Katabasis (FBoK), which acts as an AOE, single target, and DoT. You also need to upkeep your aura and buff abilities Skitterbots, Herald of Ice, and Blood Rage.

Keeping Skitterbots active is especially important as they increase the cold damage enemies take when linked with Bonechill. The final thing you'll need is to ensure your Mark on Hit is linked correctly to debuff enemies you strike.

As long as you are keeping your myriad utilities up as frequently as possible, you'll only need to spam FBoK to play the build.

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Pros and cons of Frost Blades of Katabasis build in Path of Exile 3.25

The ability to hit over 20 times in one swing makes this skill unique. (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/iLoveRuetoo)

The Frost Blades of Katabasis build is very strong, especially with the 3.25 melee updates, but it's not without its downsides.

One of the biggest pros of the FBoK build is the movement speed debuff its chill applies to enemies. This was made even stronger in the Path of Exile Settlers of Kalguur update, by increasing how much unique enemies can be slowed.

Another big advantage is how this build rolls its AOE, single target, and DoT into one ability. This combining of damage types gives you room for utility skills such as Frostblink and General's Cry.

One of the most blatant cons of running this build is that you can't use the main ability until around level 75. Up to this point, you'll have to use Frost Blades, the non-transfigured version of FBoK. Another disadvantage is that its damage can halt somewhat in the mid-game without certain gear pieces. Some of these pieces include the White Wind Dagger and Southbound gloves.

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Path of Exile Frost Blades of Katabasis leveling guide: Skills to use in the early and mid-game

You won't be able to use the transfigured version of Frost Blades until level 75 (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/iLoveRuetoo)

When leveling the Frost Blades of Katabasis (FBoK) build, you will want to start by using the non-transfigured Frost Blades ability. You can also use utility skills like Precision, Hatred, and Blood Rage as you collect them to boost your damage and survivability. Frost Blades accompanied by the strongest axe you can find should carry your damage just fine through the early-game story Acts.

Once you've hit level 75, you'll be able to swap out your Frost Blades skill for the FBoK skill. You should also have Summon Skitterbots, Assassin's Mark, and General's Cry at this point as well. This is close to the final skill setup you'll be going for and should carry you through the last few level-ups safely.

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Endgame 6-link Gem setup for Frost Blades of Katabasis build in Path of Exile 3.25

Getting a 6-link ready is vital for capping this builds power. (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/Altek2k)

The ideal endgame 6-link Gem setup for the Frost Blades of Katabasis build will pump tons of damage into your main combat ability. Getting a 6-link may be a headache for some, but your build won't be able to reach its full potential without it. The following are the Gems to link to your FBoK skill gem:

Gem	Effect
Ice Bite	Grants a chance to gain a Frenzy Charge when killing a frozen enemy. Linked Gem gains an increased chance to freeze enemies, increased cold damage, and increased cold damage per Frenzy Charge.
Awakened Multistrike	Supported melee attack skills repeat 6 (3+3) times when used, gain increased attack speed, and deal 20% less attack damage. The first three repeats gain an increasing damage bonus.
Endurance Charge on Melee Stun	Gain an Endurance Charge when you stun an enemy. Supported skill gains damage based on the number of Endurance Charges, and has lowered enemy stun threshold.
Inspiration	Supported skill has lowered mana cost and grants an Inspiration Charge on use. Inspiration Charge grants increased elemental damage and crit strike chance to supported skill.
Awakened Added Cold Damage	Supported skill gains added cold damage. Increases level of supported cold gem by +1 at level 5.

With these linked to your FBoK cold Gem, you'll be ready to finish the last part of your build, the gear.

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Path of Exile 3.25 Frost Blades of Katabasis build endgame itemization: Uniques and affixes to look for

Several uniques can boost your cold damage. (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/Life and Lifestyle)

Although this build is dependent on having certain uniques to perform optimally, it doesn't require many of them. The following is a list of uniques you'll be aiming for in the Path of Exile 3.25 endgame:

• Heatshiver
• Kalandra's Touch
• Southbound
• Arn's Anguish
• Ralakesh's Impatience

These items largely focus on boosting your cold damage and increasing the number of certain charges you can have at once. With these equipped, you'll be able to cap out your power on this league starter.