Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support: A Comprehensive Guide
In the world of action RPGs, particularly in games like Path of Exile, maximizing damage output is a cornerstone of character builds. Among the myriad of skill mechanics and support gems, Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support stands out as a powerful tool for players seeking to amplify their elemental damage. This guide delves into the intricacies of this support gem, exploring its mechanics, strategic applications, and how it can be integrated into a cohesive build.
Understanding the Core Mechanics
The Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support gem is designed to enhance elemental damage dealt by attack skills. Unlike its base version, the awakened variant offers increased damage efficiency, making it a staple in many elemental attack builds. When equipped, this support gem modifies attack skills to deal additional elemental damage based on the type of element chosen (fire, cold, lightning, or chaos).
Key Features of the Awakened Version:
Increased Elemental Damage: The awakened gem provides a higher damage multiplier compared to its base counterpart.
Elemental Proliferation: It enhances the ability to apply elemental ailments, such as ignite, chill, or shock, which can lead to more consistent and higher overall damage.
Versatility: Compatible with a wide range of attack skills, making it adaptable to various playstyles.
Strategic Integration into Builds
To fully leverage the potential of Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support, it’s crucial to pair it with complementary skills and passive tree nodes. Here’s a breakdown of how to structure a build around this gem:
Skill Selection: Choose attack skills that naturally synergize with elemental damage. Skills like Pestilent Strike, Reave, or Dual Strike are excellent candidates due to their high attack speed and ability to apply elemental ailments consistently.
Elemental Focus: Decide on a primary element to invest in. For instance, if you’re building a fire-based character, allocate passive points to nodes that enhance fire damage, fire penetration, and ignite effectiveness.
Support Gems: Combine this support gem with others that amplify elemental effects. Elemental Proliferation Support and Hypothermia Support are excellent choices for cold builds, while Inferno Support pairs well with fire damage.
Abyssal Cry and Ailments: Utilize skills like Abyssal Cry to apply curses, further enhancing elemental damage application. For example, Elemental Weakness or Flammability can significantly boost your damage output against cursed enemies.
Case Study: A Fire Blade Flurry Build
Let’s consider a Fire Blade Flurry Champion build as an example of how Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support can be effectively utilized:
Main Skill: Blade Flurry (a high-area-of-effect melee skill)
Support Gems:
Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support (for fire damage)
Inferno Support (to enhance ignite and burn damage)
Multistrike Support (to increase attack speed and damage frequency)
Passive Tree: Focus on fire damage nodes, life regeneration, and attack speed.
This build excels at clearing maps quickly due to the high damage output and consistent application of ignite, which is further amplified by the awakened support gem.
Optimizing Damage Output
To maximize the effectiveness of Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support, consider the following optimization strategies:
Gear Crafting: Ensure your weapons and armor have high-quality affixes that enhance elemental damage. For example, crafting a weapon with “Global Increase Elemental Damage” or “Increased Fire Damage” can significantly boost your output.
Corruption Implicits: If possible, use corrupted gear with beneficial implicit mods, such as “Increased Elemental Damage” or “Chance to Ignite/Burn/Chill/Shock.”
Cluster Jewels: Invest in cluster jewels that provide elemental damage nodes, such as Elemental Damage, Ailments, and Resistances.
Conclusion
Awakened Elemental Damage with Attacks Support is a versatile and powerful gem that can elevate any elemental attack build to new heights. By understanding its mechanics, strategically integrating it into your build, and optimizing your gear, you can unleash devastating elemental force upon your enemies. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the world of ARPGs, this gem is a must-consider for any elemental damage-focused character.