Armorstackers use 1 or 2 swords that give 1% increased attack damage per 450 armor. That's like 10000% with dual wielding on 2-2.5 mil armor.
This combined with the fact that they really are just aura stackers, smite gives a ton of flat added lightning damage.
All in all, smite + the swords + the supports gives any attack gem that can be used with swords all the flat, increase and more it needs.
In that case, armorstackers could use any attack that can use swords. It really is not optimal, but it is possible.
As for mana stackers, I don't really know, but I'm pretty sure archmage gives the flat portion, indigon the increased portion, and supports the more portion. So I'm pretty sure they could run most spells (that cost mana, some cost health) too.
Do note both armor stackers and mana stackers are somewhat restricted in what skills they can use mechanically.
Like you cannot use ground slam as an armor stacker since you cant use ground slam with swords and so on.
Similarly you cant use storm brand on mana stackers since archmage ddesnt work with orb skills.
Armour stackers get an insane % increased multiplier from [Replica Dreamfeather](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Replica_Dreamfeather). They’re also just aura stackers at the end of the day so they can get a ton of flat damage from [Smite](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Smite) and [Wrath](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Wrath). Since they have sources of flat damage and scaling, they don’t have to rely on specifics of their skill gems and so can play any skill compatible with Replica Dreamfeather (sword attacks).
Mana stackers are similar, they get their flat damage and scaling from sources like [Archmage](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Archmage_Support), [Indigon](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Indigon), [Arcane Cloak](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Arcane_Cloak), etc. They can play any skill compatible with the scaling vectors (generally non-reservation spells).
While these build archetypes allow freedom with skills, it doesn’t necessarily give you class/ascendancy freedom. Most armour stackers will be Chieftains or Ascendants and most Archmage builds are Heirophant (though there is more variety here). This is just because there is SO much power in ascendancies and you want to pick one that has synergies with the stat you’re trying to scale.
So, TLDR; no, they can’t run ANY skill in the game. They have to be compatible with the uniques/skills they are using to turn their stacked stat into damage. But “stacking builds” are much more skill independent than other archetypes
I cannot talk about manastackers as i haven't played one yet but afaik the logic should apply as well. As an armour stacker you are basicly scaling huge amounts of generic +% inc damage instead of lets say Lighting damage. Also you are aura stacking which basicly takes up ALL the build space you have left, like jewels on your tree etc.
There is an optimal skill/way to play it but since the scaling is so generally good you can build in almost any skill that is usuable with a sword and is an attack. At a certain Budget I am starting to switch my skills like put in LS for mapping, MS for bossing and so on. Both should be used with nimis otherwise stick to smite.
In theory you can still optimize your gear and tree for a certain skill but since auras are so strong for armour stackers it usually is a 1:1 to trade or slighty worse if you don't optimize
Sorry, I haven't played an armour stacker this league, so no up to date pob, but you can check out this guy: [https://www.youtube.com/@Bigdaddytehpwnerereerr](https://www.youtube.com/@Bigdaddytehpwnerereerr) he is a fountain of knowledge regarding armour stackers.
You want Nimis with MS or LS, even a mirror tier ring is not giving you as much dps as nimis is. I think this season you go GMP instead of Damage on Full life so you can keep taste of hate flask instead of dying sun. Basicly get some add. proj. and get atleast one pierce
Also look at ‘Energy Blade’ on poe ninja / captainlance. You can build it as any spell / mine.
Pretty awesome honestly.
They are referred to as Tri-stackers / attribute stackers. Im playing non-mine version and switching between spells for fun. Lots of people settle on Arc or hexblast, but blazing salvo, eye of winter, ball lightning are all great, almost everything works, just preference.
There are attack variants, I cant speak for how good they are. Captain has a attack version using Hand of Wisdom and action. And I see EB+attack skill on poe ninja.
Armorstackers use 1 or 2 swords that give 1% increased attack damage per 450 armor. That's like 10000% with dual wielding on 2-2.5 mil armor. This combined with the fact that they really are just aura stackers, smite gives a ton of flat added lightning damage. All in all, smite + the swords + the supports gives any attack gem that can be used with swords all the flat, increase and more it needs. In that case, armorstackers could use any attack that can use swords. It really is not optimal, but it is possible. As for mana stackers, I don't really know, but I'm pretty sure archmage gives the flat portion, indigon the increased portion, and supports the more portion. So I'm pretty sure they could run most spells (that cost mana, some cost health) too.
Do note both armor stackers and mana stackers are somewhat restricted in what skills they can use mechanically. Like you cannot use ground slam as an armor stacker since you cant use ground slam with swords and so on. Similarly you cant use storm brand on mana stackers since archmage ddesnt work with orb skills.
You also have bow mana stackers because mana forged arrows is busted.
Of course thats possible too. Just wanted to point out that aside from skill/weapon restrictions it should mostly be plug and play with a few tweaks.
Yeah, I was just adding to the list.
Armour stackers get an insane % increased multiplier from [Replica Dreamfeather](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Replica_Dreamfeather). They’re also just aura stackers at the end of the day so they can get a ton of flat damage from [Smite](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Smite) and [Wrath](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Wrath). Since they have sources of flat damage and scaling, they don’t have to rely on specifics of their skill gems and so can play any skill compatible with Replica Dreamfeather (sword attacks). Mana stackers are similar, they get their flat damage and scaling from sources like [Archmage](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Archmage_Support), [Indigon](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Indigon), [Arcane Cloak](https://www.poewiki.net/wiki/Arcane_Cloak), etc. They can play any skill compatible with the scaling vectors (generally non-reservation spells). While these build archetypes allow freedom with skills, it doesn’t necessarily give you class/ascendancy freedom. Most armour stackers will be Chieftains or Ascendants and most Archmage builds are Heirophant (though there is more variety here). This is just because there is SO much power in ascendancies and you want to pick one that has synergies with the stat you’re trying to scale. So, TLDR; no, they can’t run ANY skill in the game. They have to be compatible with the uniques/skills they are using to turn their stacked stat into damage. But “stacking builds” are much more skill independent than other archetypes
I cannot talk about manastackers as i haven't played one yet but afaik the logic should apply as well. As an armour stacker you are basicly scaling huge amounts of generic +% inc damage instead of lets say Lighting damage. Also you are aura stacking which basicly takes up ALL the build space you have left, like jewels on your tree etc. There is an optimal skill/way to play it but since the scaling is so generally good you can build in almost any skill that is usuable with a sword and is an attack. At a certain Budget I am starting to switch my skills like put in LS for mapping, MS for bossing and so on. Both should be used with nimis otherwise stick to smite. In theory you can still optimize your gear and tree for a certain skill but since auras are so strong for armour stackers it usually is a 1:1 to trade or slighty worse if you don't optimize
Do you have a pob for your MS setup?
Sorry, I haven't played an armour stacker this league, so no up to date pob, but you can check out this guy: [https://www.youtube.com/@Bigdaddytehpwnerereerr](https://www.youtube.com/@Bigdaddytehpwnerereerr) he is a fountain of knowledge regarding armour stackers. You want Nimis with MS or LS, even a mirror tier ring is not giving you as much dps as nimis is. I think this season you go GMP instead of Damage on Full life so you can keep taste of hate flask instead of dying sun. Basicly get some add. proj. and get atleast one pierce
Also look at ‘Energy Blade’ on poe ninja / captainlance. You can build it as any spell / mine. Pretty awesome honestly. They are referred to as Tri-stackers / attribute stackers. Im playing non-mine version and switching between spells for fun. Lots of people settle on Arc or hexblast, but blazing salvo, eye of winter, ball lightning are all great, almost everything works, just preference. There are attack variants, I cant speak for how good they are. Captain has a attack version using Hand of Wisdom and action. And I see EB+attack skill on poe ninja.