Melee builds in Path of Exile 3.26 demand tight synergy between the passive tree and skill gem setup to compete with ranged meta options. When planning for maximum single-target and AoE damage, prioritizing physical and elemental damage PoE 1 Currency nodes is key.

Start with Duelist or Marauder base classes for direct access to high-impact melee nodes. Routes that touch upon "Art of the Gladiator," "Destroyer," or "Bravery" offer early physical boosts and attack speed for smoother leveling and scaling.

Endgame passives should lean heavily into weapon-specific clusters (e.g., axes, swords, or maces). Nodes such as "Ambidexterity" or "Cleaving" offer damage while providing quality-of-life stats like attack speed or accuracy, essential for DPS stability.

Ascendancies like Slayer or Champion provide tremendous synergy. Slayer enhances leech and AoE, while Champion ensures Fortify uptime with bonus armor and taunt utility. These effects should be reflected in your passive investment to maximize uptime and effectiveness.

Skill gems such as Cyclone, Earthshatter, and Reave benefit from nodes that increase AoE, impale chance, or bleed damage. Linking these with support gems and passive bonuses like "Impale" or "Bleeding" creates compounding layers of damage output.

Don’t neglect survivability. While melee thrives in close combat, nodes granting life leech, reduced damage taken, PoE Currency or armor/evasion help mitigate proximity risks. A hybrid tree approach that balances DPS and durability provides better map clears and boss fights.

Final tweaks often involve jewel sockets. Watcher’s Eye with Pride mods, rare jewels with attack speed while dual-wielding, and Cluster Jewels that provide "Fuel the Fight" or "Iron

Breaker" further amplify your melee dominance.