In the whirlwind chaos of Path of Exile League 3.26, one build has erupted from the depths of Wraeclast's melee meta to become a clear fan favorite: Earthshatter Berserker. A league starter, racer's dream, and all-around campaign killer POE currency, this build is not just popular-it's everywhere.



Let's break it all down: why Earthshatter, how to play it, and what makes it arguably the best starter in the league.



Why Earthshatter?



Earthshatter is a slam skill that creates six deadly fissures on the ground. When triggered with a warcry, those fissures explode-dealing devastating AoE physical damage. The core gameplay loop is simple: slam, warcry, boom.



What sets this skill apart in 3.26 is how cleanly it transitions from campaign to endgame. With minimal gear requirements, strong scaling into red maps, and flexibility for Hardcore, Solo Self-Found, and even racing, Earthshatter Berserker hits every note a league starter should.



Playstyle: Simplicity Meets Power



One of the most appealing aspects of this build is its simplicity. Once you're in maps, Earthshatter becomes almost fully automated. Warcries are handled with auto-trigger setups-only Rallying Cry is manually cast, and even then, you'll only press it every 12 attacks thanks to the Berserker's Warbringer node, which exerts double the number of attacks.



The loop looks like this:

Right-click to slam and move

Occasionally hit Rallying Cry

Watch enemies vaporize in screen-wide explosions



This low-APM setup is perfect for players who want a melee build without the button-spam exhaustion. It's ideal for both new and experienced exiles.



Berserker Ascendancy Breakdown



Your ascension path looks like this:

1.Crave the Slaughter-Smooth rage generation during leveling.

2.Rite of Ruin-Huge damage and speed bonuses.

3.Warbringer-Doubles exerted attacks, reducing your manual warcry presses.

4.Defy Pain-Adds solid defense with Armour stacking and mitigation.



Some players may consider experimenting with Aspect of Carnage instead of Defy Pain, especially in softcore or damage-race scenarios. But if you value survivability-and you should-stick with Defy Pain.



Leveling and Campaign Progression



Earthshatter makes early progression fast and stable. Unlike builds that rely on rare gems (like Volcanic Fissure), Earthshatter is accessible from the start. You can quality the gem, level it to 20, and just go. No waiting on gem RNG or crafting delays.



Also, physical builds benefit from early mana leech, meaning you'll ditch things like Lifetap sooner. Just slot in a basic mana leech jewel and you're good.



Gear: Budget to Endgame



Early Game Gear:

The beauty of this build is that it functions on pure rares. No unique crutches required. This is huge for SSF players and racers. Just focus on:



Physical damage weapons

Life and resists on armor

Armor-based gear for mitigation



Mid to Endgame Scaling:



Once you're into red maps, recombinators come into play.Target crafted attack speed, phys damage, and added flat damage.



Key Endgame Items:

Echoes of Creation (helmet): Provides massive exerted attack bonuses but causes self-damage.

Glorious Vanity (Doryani's) + Divine Shield: Helps sustain the Echoes of Creation's damage.

Chest Implicit: Look for Physical Taken as Elemental for further mitigation.



Pro Tip: Don't equip Echoes of Creation too early. Make sure you have:

Physical damage reduction on your chest

High armor scaling

Max endurance charges (use Enduring Cry + Redblade Banner)



Weapon swap tech for mapping: start with Enduring Cry to auto-generate max endurance charges right as you enter maps. Clean and effective.Gems and Skills



Exile's Path of Building is organized beautifully-no more aimlessly wondering where gems go or which ones you're missing.



Main Skill Links (Earthshatter):

Earthshatter

Fist of War

Melee Physical Damage

Pulverise

Ruthless

Awakened Brutality (later upgrade)



Support Skills:

Warcry Automation (Enduring Cry, Intimidating Cry)

Molten Shell (defense layer)

Rallying Cry (manually cast for buffs)



Once you get Sunder during leveling, the campaign becomes a breeze.It's not just strong-it's fast.



Hardcore and SSF Viability



This build is built for solo play. Nothing here relies on trade or specific uniques. All gear can be farmed, crafted, or found reliably. That's why so many racers and HC SSF players lean into Earthshatter.



Durability, scaling, and accessibility combine to make Earthshatter the gold standard of league starters.



Common Pitfalls to Avoid



1.Equipping Echoes of Creation too early-Make sure your mitigation is in place.

2.Swapping to Suppression Gear-Wait until you're fully armor-stacked or you'll be vulnerable.

3.Neglecting Warcry Automation-Forgetting this will make your gameplay clunky and ineffective.

4.Underestimating physical scaling-Use your crafting benches, exploit recombinators, and invest in high-impact weapons.



Final Thoughts: More Than Cookie Cutter



Sure, Earthshatter is popular-borderline meta. But its flexibility, depth POE goods, and power make it so much more than just a bandwagon build.



If you want a strong, scalable, and reliable start to 3.26-this is the one.