PoE 2 Shrapnel – Path of Exile 2

PoE 2 Shrapnel

30% chance to pierce an enemy
Projectiles have 30% chance to chain an additional time from terrain

Path of Exile 2: Shrapnel – Unleashing Devastation with Piercing and Chaining Projectiles

Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve the action RPG genre, introducing deeper mechanics and more intricate gameplay for both new and veteran players. One of the exciting additions to the passive skill tree is Shrapnel, a notable passive skill designed for projectile-focused builds. By combining the power of piercing and chaining projectiles, Shrapnel offers players a new level of devastation in combat. In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and synergies of Shrapnel and how it can enhance your projectile-based playstyle.

What Does Shrapnel Do?

The Shrapnel passive skill enhances projectiles in two key ways:

30% Chance to Pierce an Enemy
This allows projectiles to pass through enemies, hitting multiple targets in their path. This effect works particularly well with high-velocity or high-volume projectiles, maximizing damage potential.
Projectiles Have 30% Chance to Chain an Additional Time from Terrain
This secondary effect causes projectiles to chain again when they hit terrain, allowing them to bounce to additional enemies or areas of the battlefield. The increased chance for chaining gives you more ways to spread your damage across a large number of targets.

Why Choose Shrapnel?

The Shrapnel passive skill offers a powerful synergy between piercing and chaining, both of which work well in different situations. Here’s why it’s worth considering for your projectile-based build:

Increased Coverage and Damage: Both piercing and chaining increase the number of enemies your projectiles can hit. With a 30% chance to pierce, your projectiles can continue to hit additional enemies behind the initial target. The chaining mechanic further extends this reach, ensuring no enemy escapes your wrath.
Improved Clear Speed: Shrapnel’s synergy with projectile chaining makes it incredibly effective for clearing large packs of enemies quickly. This is especially useful in high-density maps or when facing mobs with a wide spread.
Enhanced Boss Damage: While the piercing and chaining effects excel in mob clearing, they can also be applied to bosses with multiple hitboxes or secondary phases, helping you deal consistent damage during longer encounters.

Ideal Builds for Shrapnel

Shrapnel is a powerful skill for any projectile-based build, but it excels particularly in the following types of setups:

1. Bow or Crossbow Builds

With their high attack speed and damage potential, bow builds benefit immensely from Shrapnel. Projectiles like Divine Ire, Mirage Archer, or Ice Shot work well in conjunction with Shrapnel, dealing damage to multiple enemies as they pierce and chain.
Crossbows benefit similarly. Fast-firing crossbows with high projectile damage can make full use of Shrapnel’s piercing and chaining mechanics to deal with multiple enemies at once.

2. Wand and Spell Builds (Projectile Spells)

Spells that convert to projectiles, such as Arc or Lightning Tendrils, are perfect candidates for Shrapnel. The 30% chance to pierce allows these projectiles to continue through multiple targets, while the chaining effect increases the overall damage spread, making it ideal for spellcasters in both high-density areas and boss fights.

3. Trap and Mine Builds

Traps and mines that deploy projectiles can also make great use of Shrapnel. With a 30% chance for projectiles to pierce enemies, your traps and mines can clear large groups more effectively. The chance to chain off terrain further enhances the utility, especially in more confined spaces like dungeons or labyrinths.

Synergies with Other Skills and Passives

Shrapnel’s effectiveness can be amplified by several other passive skills and gem choices:

Projectile Damage Mods: Use gear and passive nodes that increase projectile damage or projectile speed to maximize the damage dealt by both pierced and chained projectiles.
Chain and Pierce Support Gems: Support gems like Chain, Pierce, or Multiple Projectiles work synergistically with Shrapnel, increasing the overall effectiveness of your projectiles and ensuring they hit more enemies.
Increased Area of Effect (AoE): For AoE-based builds, adding Increased Area of Effect or Explosion Area support gems can spread your projectiles’ impact, ensuring they cover large areas and hit more enemies.
Projectiles with Secondary Effects: Using projectiles that apply secondary effects (e.g., Ignite, Freeze, or Poison) can further enhance Shrapnel’s utility, allowing your piercing and chaining projectiles to apply these effects across a larger number of enemies.

Recommended Gear and Itemization

To maximize the power of Shrapnel, consider the following gear choices:

Bows, Crossbows, or Wand: Choose weapons with high projectile damage or attack speed. Additional modifiers such as “Increased Projectile Speed” or “Increased Pierce Chance” can stack nicely with Shrapnel.
Jewels with Projectile Mods: Look for jewels that increase projectile damage, attack speed, or critical strike chance. Mods like "Increased Chance to Pierce" or "Increased Projectile Speed" are particularly beneficial.
Quivers for Bow Builds: If you’re using a bow, quivers that enhance projectile damage or give bonuses to specific types of projectiles (e.g., physical, elemental) will improve your overall damage output.
Flasks: Flasks that provide increased attack speed, critical strike chance, or additional elemental damage can further boost the performance of Shrapnel in both clear speed and boss fights.

Playstyle Tips

Maximize AoE Coverage: When using Shrapnel, aim to maximize the area in which your projectiles will land. Use terrain and obstacles to your advantage, ensuring that your projectiles hit as many enemies as possible through chaining.
Positioning: Keep your distance from enemies to ensure your projectiles hit multiple targets. Use obstacles to your advantage, allowing your projectiles to bounce and chain to other enemies in the area.
Combine with Additional Projectile Effects: Use skills or support gems that increase projectile speed or the number of projectiles fired. This increases the chance of hitting more enemies and chaining additional times.

Final Thoughts

Shrapnel is a potent notable passive for players who favor projectile-based builds in Path of Exile 2. The synergy of piercing and chaining creates a devastating combination, allowing you to efficiently clear mobs and deal significant damage to bosses. Whether you’re wielding a bow, crossbow, wand, or utilizing trap-based projectiles, Shrapnel provides the versatility and power needed to dominate your enemies.

Maximize the potential of your projectiles, and let Shrapnel tear through the battlefield with precision and devastation.

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