Path of Exile 3.27 “Keepers of the Flame” launched on October 31, 2025 (PDT), introducing a Breach sequel mechanic with hive defense, Bloodline Ascendancies (10 new secondary trees from bosses), Grafts (body mod gear), and QoL like asynchronous trading. As of October 28, 2025 (pre-launch), Righteous Fire Chieftain (Marauder) is the top league starter class—SSF/HC viable, tanky (90%+ resists early), and scales to T17/Ubers on budget (~3-5 Divines). It’s praised for low-APM mapping, easy defenses (regen stacking), and smooth progression via Fire Trap leveling to RF swap.
Why Chieftain RF?
- League Starter King: Breezes campaign/maps; Chieftain’s Tasalio (fire res/regen) and Valako (fire DoT) enable RF at ~level 30 with basic flasks/gems.
- Defenses: 90% max res, leech/regen—tanks Breach hives/Mercenaries early.
- Damage: 5-10M DoT endgame; MF variants farm divs fast.
- SSF/HC Safe: Minimal uniques (Kaom’s Heart optional); crafts via bench.
Runner-Ups (Strong Starters):
- Lightning Strike Slayer/Champion (Duelist): Post-buffs, top melee clear/bossing; tanky fortify.
- Cyclone Gladiator (Duelist): Melee buffs make it zoomy; bleed explosions SSF-viable.
- Siege Ballista Hierophant (Shadow): Totem QoL; safe mapping.
- Poisonous Concoction Pathfinder (Shadow): Fast, flask-scaling DoT; SSF zoomer.
- Earthshatter Berserker (Duelist): Buffed melee; strong explosions.
RF Chieftain Quick Starter Plan
- Leveling: Fire Trap/Holy Flame Totem to Acts; swap RF post-Purity of Fire/Ruby Flask.
- Gear: Vitality Void ring, Kaom’s Heart chest (budget); bench craft res/regen.
- Ascendancy: Tasalio > Valako > Hinekora > Ramako.
- Pantheon: Brine King (stuns), Shakari (poison).
SSF/Trade: SSF god (tanks everything); trades to 100M+ DPS. PoBs on poe.ninja (post-launch ladders) or Pohx guides.
League starts October 31—RF Chieftain for safe riches!
