If ever there was a class labeled as the "noob" class in Path of Exile, it would be the Templar. Intermediate players realize that the Templar has the power to protect himself from physical and magic attacks while also doing damage from both sources as well. It seems like a foolproof class. But experts have witnessed great players burn out by about halfway through the game as they fail to realize that the Templar actually requires a lot of care when constructing.
Choices made when constructing the Templar are critically important and these decisions have to be made early on in Path of Exile. Right off the bat, Templars are confronted with skills that concern certain weapon types, minions, elemental magic, and defense mechanisms. While other classes are proverbially choosing between pizza and spaghetti, the Templar has a veritable buffet in front of him. Don't get overwhelmed, this is a great problem to have and the pros will help players be the best Templar possible.
Updated on May 3rd, 2023 by Hodey Johns: Since first writing this article, Path of Exile has had several major updates, buffing and nerfing certain class options in order to bring a better balance to the gameplay. The Templar, being a balanced character between damage and defense, has thus been at the forefront of many of these changes. Player power is still a guiding light for the game and the same builds that were viable before are still viable now to varying efficacies. This has been updated to give players some points but it does not take a stance on how to play the class. Templars enjoy a myriad of builds, these are simply some points to consider while customizing the class.
10 Target Sanctity And Retribution First
It doesn't take much work to bring out the Templar's better side. Sanctity and Retribution are very close to the Templar starting position on the passive skill tree and should be the first targets regardless of endgame build.
Sanctity will increase armor by 20%, Energy Shield by 10%, regenerate 1% life per second, and add 10 to each intelligence and strength. Retribution increases damage by 14%, minion damage by 10%, attack and cast speed by 5%, and adds another 10 to intelligence and strength. This is an incredible amount of value in just two skills.
9 Find Lightning Strike Early
Path of Exile has a lot of popularity within the community due to its willingness to allow classes to experiment with an unlimited variety of builds. The Templar is no exception, though one particular skill gem stands out for the early game.
The thing about Lightning Strike is that it is cast when the player attacks with a melee weapon. This is tailor-made for a Templar that will be trying to balance physical attacks with magic attacks because it will combine the two sources of damage into a single medium of the standard attack.
8 Go For Other Lightning Active Skill Gems
While the Templar can reach across and theoretically do any type of elemental damage, the lightning damage buffs are the closest to the starting spot on the skill tree, so the Templar can stay closer to home and focus on other necessities.
Shock Nova is a great skill gem that will clear out mobs of enemies, Lightning Warp gives him a blink for mobility, and Wrath passively buffs lightning damage. This sets a foundation that will let players take on the Forbidden Sanctum (that isn't much of a roguelike at all).
7 When Enough Health Is Enough
The Templar is going to be stacking up armor and resistances at an incredible rate. Fans who pick up this great free-to-play game from the Epic Games Store will be in for a shock when they see how invincible the Templar can become.
As a result, do not waste too many gems or skills on building up a health pool because most enemies can't touch it. To clear Act 10, the final act in the game, a paltry 4,000 HP should cover any scratches. Any health after this is excessive and better spent elsewhere.
6 Matching Ascendancy With Playstyle
It's common to debate about the best Ascendancy in the game and there is some merit to looking at these kinds of hierarchies. However, for the Templar, all three options are valid, but only one will likely match the player's style. Ruthless Mode, designed for veterans, can be successfully tackled by any of the options here.
The Inquisitor is the most well-rounded as it buffs elemental damage, adds critical hits, and some tankiness. The Hierophant will help with mana and damage if it feels like spells need more beef to them. The Guardian protects allies, so if group play is happening consistently, this is the way to go.
5 Avoid Area Of Effects Skills
Many games like to throw in beginner's traps. Events such as capturing beasts can get newer gamers in over their heads in a hurry. And one of the greatest errors players can commit is by thinking that area of effect skills will add up over time.
These never stack up to anything that qualifies as exciting, even after a big investment. Gems and gear will add way more than these points and the Templar usually doesn't mind being surrounded, so taking out mobs with extravagant spells doesn't suit the forte of the class.
4 Put On Gear With Raw Stats
The Templar is a simple class in a complex world. Success will largely hinge upon how well the player has resisted the seductive call of fluffy item descriptions. The Templar needs big base attributes to have one of the best builds in the game.
With most active spell gems costing little to no mana and a health pool that is nearly negligible due to defense, the best thing a player can wear is gear that boosts raw strength and intelligence as these will boost what the Templar does best.
3 Use A Shield
The passive skill tree for Templars seems to suggest abandoning the classic Templar shield for a two-handed staff or two-handed axe. This is tempting, but don't abandon knowledge that has been carried down for generations; classes with shields should use their shields.
The reason isn't complicated; the best, unique shields add to the resistances and armor that makes a Templar invincible. Extra damage is great, but with elemental effects boosting the physical damage, the chance to add a little extra on the physical side just isn't worth the risk.
2 Don't Rule Out Wands And Scepters
Though the shield stays, there is no real reason to be attached to a melee weapon besides the Lightning Strike Gem. Ranged attacks can do just as much damage and adding the projectile element just makes the Templar that much more useful.
This is especially useful when playing solo. Some creatures just love to fly around and tanks like the Templar have very little they can do about it. By slapping on a ranged weapon, there's a whole lot of upside and very little downside, giving the class huge solo potential to handle any scenario.
1 Lead The Charge
Other characters can tank a little bit, but none of them do it like the Templar. As such, when playing in groups, never play from the back, always play in the front, even if the build selected focuses more on damage than tanking.
Pro players are often confounded by Templars that play from the back lines. Never do this. Additional kudos go to the Templars who make a point to distract enemies that have latched onto the glass cannons in the party, saving them from fatal blows. Completing the Maven's questline is easier with a Templar in the party to soak up damage.
Path of Exile is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.