next question: is it possible to create a viable build from scratch?

[Vuyek]

I know what I am doing in POE, I would say to intermediate level, but then my eyes just glaze over when spell echo is worse than unleash because reasons (tm) for SRS, and the many more obscure and esoteric rules that only the 0.1% of the playerbase know (no lifer youtube build creators).

I would like to experiment and make completely different yet viable builds on my own, reading only in-game text and resources.

Is that possible?

[Ravenkid9266]

There is a handy search function in game, the best use is to search for the term "more", "builds" are not as gear dependent so I am sure you can create something to suit your needs.

[Etalus]

Compared to PoE its incredibly easy to just wing a build into the endgame. And due to the nature of skill specialization, it's almost 0 cost to just pivot your build out of something thats not quite working out.

[Alexander Vendi]

The whole premise of the game is based around theorycrafting builds...
Word of advice, the skill trees *connect* you can proc one from another from another from another.. read everything!:)

[D#]

The only thing you cant respec is your specialization. I was running a Beastmaster build but really liked fury and swipe. I had to make a new druid that accentuated that play style. Figure out what skills you like and read every node in the skill trees to figure out how it all fits. You can even put points into the other spec trees but are limited to the 20 point and below nodes.