In a game filled with 100-Divine monstrosities and mirror-tier showcases, Path of Exile sometimes needs a reminder POE currency: you don't have to break the bank to clear high-end content. This 15-Divine Smite of Divine Judgment build by content creator Pet2 is exactly that reminder.

Not only does it offer reliable boss-killing potential, but it also lets you face-tank bears in Tier 17 maps AFK. This isn't just a meme-it's a real budget tank build that trades flashiness for dependable performance, perfect for players who want a strong, low-maintenance playstyle.

Let's break down how the build works, how it achieves surprising power on a tight budget, and what gear, passives, and strategies bring it all together.

Core Skill: Smite of Divine Judgment

The heart of the build is Smite of Divine Judgment, a melee strike skill that calls down lightning around the target. It's capable of double-hitting under the right conditions-particularly when you're positioned slightly away from the target.

It's simple, satisfying, and scales well with elemental damage, making it ideal for a lightning-focused build like this one.

Budget Tanking: How Does It Survive?

For just 15 Divine Orbs, this build is absurdly tanky thanks to several key mechanics:

 Energy Shield stacking using items like Aegis Aurora and Fertile Mind jewels

 100% Shock Avoidance through Stormshroud, flasks, and crafted gear

 Stun Immunity via Tatoo of the Taso-Tai Swiftfoot

 Blind mechanics (lowering enemy evasion for better accuracy and survivability)

 Spell Suppression, capped through passive allocation and gear

This combination allows you to stand toe-to-toe with Tier 17 bosses-and even Uber bosses-with minimal input. The downside? Block chance is mediocre (49% attack / 42% spell), so you can still die to RNG burst hits occasionally.

Accuracy on a Budget

One of the more clever parts of this setup is how it solves low accuracy without expensive gear:

 Split Personality jewel with Intelligence + Accuracy

 Accuracy Mastery: Gain accuracy equal to Intelligence

 Blind Mechanics: Reduces enemy evasion by 20%

 Blind is achieved in one of three ways:

1.Tattoo: Chance to Blind on Hit

2.Watcher's Eye: Blind while affected by Grace

3.Mercenary Setup: Using Eclipse Solaris wand for built-in Blind

Pet2 opts for the Watcher's Eye route, combining Grace aura with Blind-from-hit for a consistent debuff.

Flask Setup: Sustain + Resistances

Your flask setup is key to reaching 100% shock and stun immunity while also capping elemental resists.

Flasks used:

 Bismuth Flask (resists)

 Sapphire, Ruby, Topaz Flasks (resists)

 Silver Flask (onslaught)

Suffix Priorities:

 Avoid being stunned

 Avoid being shocked

 Increased Evasion Rating

 Elemental Resistances

 Increased Flask Charges or Recovery Rate

To help maintain uptime, Tides of Time grants free flask charges every 3 seconds.

Crafting Costs Breakdown

Much of the gear was self-crafted, helping keep costs low. Here's the crafting material usage:

 26 Dense Fossils for helm, armor, gloves-~218c total

 26 Resonators-~54c total

 17 Avoid Shock Essences-~17c

 Tempering Catalysts (20)-~200c

 Tainted Armor Scraps (10)-for Aegis Aurora quality

 Attribute Catalysts (11)-for ring (important for Strength stacking)

Passive Tree and Jewels

 Level 92 Character

 No longer uses triple cluster jewel setup-just two clusters to save points

Key Jewels:

 Fertile Mind: Converts Dexterity to Intelligence

 Stormshroud: Grants Elemental Ailment Immunity

 Split Personality: Gives Accuracy per Passive between jewel and start

 Light of the Meaning: Budget lightning damage boost

 Lethal Pride: Added Strength and double damage

Cluster Jewels

Medium Clusters (x2):

 Martial Prowess

 Drive the Destruction

 Fuel the Fight

 Overwhelm's Guard

 Crafted using ~7k Wild Lifeforce. Stats aren't perfect, but functional.

Ascendancy Choices

As a Trickster, you'll be using:

 Polymath

 Escape Artist

 Soul Drinker

 Spellbreaker

 These synergize beautifully with ES stacking, damage mitigation, and suppression needs.Mercenary Setup

Doryani's Prototype is the star here, enabling negative lightning resistance on your merc. Even without top-tier minus-res rings, Pet2 manages -121% Lightning Res on the merc-enough to melt bosses.

Other Merc Gear:

 Immortal Flesh (all res -25%)

 Rare Helmet with “Nearby enemies take increased elemental damage”

 Pertur's Amulet

 Eclipse Solaris (for Blind)

 Accumulator Wand or another Blind wand variant

 Despite the mediocre rings (60c and 90c), the merc didn't die once-even against Uber bosses.

Skill Links

Main 6-Link:

 Smite of Divine Judgment

 Volatility

 Elemental Damage with Attacks

 Multistrike

 Damage on Full Life

 Energy Leech Support

 Alternate Weapon Link (Vaal Smite setup):

 Poacher's Mark

 Smite (Vaal)

 Mark on Hit

Utility/Support Links:

 Gloves: Auto-Exertion, Volatility, Blade Flurry, General's Cry

 Boots: Punishment, Descrate, Arcanist Brand, Enable

 Shield: Tempest Shield, Blood and Sand

 Auras: Grace, Arctic Armor, Discipline (linked with Enlighten)

Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths:

 Tanky enough to AFK Tier 17 bears

 Extremely budget-friendly at 15 Divines

 Full shock and stun immunity

 Scales with energy shield and accuracy cleverly

 Can complete all bosses, including Ubers

Weaknesses:

 Low block chance makes it vulnerable to unlucky hits

 DPS is average, especially noticeable in Uber boss fights

 Requires smart flask uptime management

 Gear crafting requires attention to detail (but is doable)

Final Verdict

This build proves that high-tier content doesn't require high-tier currency. With only 15 Divines, you can achieve boss-killing capability buy POE currency, reliable survivability, and satisfying clear speed.