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.
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Choices made when constructing the Templar are critically important and these decisions have to be made early on. 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.
10 Target Sanctity And Retribution First
While the nerf to harvesting has left some players in shambles, thankfully it doesn't take a special activity to bring out the Templar's better side. Sanctity and Retribution are very close to the Templar starting position on the passive skill tree.
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
Path of Exile is one of the few looters alive and well in 2021 and it owes a lot of that credit 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.
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 and blink for mobility, and Wrath passively buffs lightning damage. If these prove elusive, don't be afraid to learn about trading to try and acquire these gems.
7 When Enough Health Is Enough
The Templar is going to be stacking up armor and resistances at an incredible rate. Fans of isometric RPGs that are playing other games while waiting for Diablo 2: Resurrected will be in for a shock when they see how invincible the Templar can become.
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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.
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. Rookies will be trying to learn about Path of Exile by trial and error most of the time. And one of the greatest errors they 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. Learning how to do a heist isn't child's play, but the Templar is more than capable. Though success will largely hinge upon how well the player has resisted the seductive call of fluffy item descriptions.
With most active spell gems he uses 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 he 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.
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The reason isn't complicated; the shield adds 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.
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.