10 Best PoE Attack Skills for Massive Damage

Path of Exile attack skills

If you’re looking for a Pokemon that can pack a punch, look no further than Poe. This Ghost/Fairy-type Pokemon has a formidable attack stat, making it a force to be reckoned with in battle. Poe’s best attack skills include Shadow Ball, Dazzling Gleam, and Hyper Beam. With these powerful moves at its disposal, Poe can take down even the toughest opponents.

Shadow Ball is a Ghost-type move that deals significant damage to the target. It also has a high chance of lowering the target’s Special Defense stat, making it even more vulnerable to future attacks. Dazzling Gleam is a Fairy-type move that deals damage to all adjacent opponents. It is a great move for taking out multiple enemies at once. Hyper Beam is a Normal-type move that deals devastating damage to a single target. However, it takes two turns to charge up, so it should be used strategically.

In addition to these powerful attacks, Poe also has a number of other abilities that make it a formidable opponent. For example, its Levitate ability makes it immune to Ground-type moves, which can be a major advantage in battle. Poe also has the ability to learn the move Protect, which can block an opponent’s attack for one turn. This can be a lifesaver in a close battle.

Arc Shot: The Sharpshooter’s Bane

Arc Shot is a bow skill that fires a single arrow that deals damage to the primary target and then chains to nearby enemies, bouncing up to six times. It is a versatile skill that can be used for both single-target and clearing groups of enemies. Arc Shot has a high base damage and a low mana cost, making it an efficient skill to use. The skill also has a relatively short cooldown, allowing players to use it frequently in combat.

Pros:

  • High base damage
  • Low mana cost
  • Short cooldown
  • Can chain to multiple enemies
  • Can be used for both single-target and group clearing

Cons:

  • Can be dodged by enemies
  • Limited range
  • Can be interrupted by enemy attacks

Build Variations:

Arc Shot can be used in a variety of builds, depending on the player’s playstyle and gear. Some popular Arc Shot builds include:

  • Critical Strike Build: This build focuses on increasing critical strike chance and damage, making Arc Shot do more damage with each hit.
  • Elemental Damage Build: This build focuses on increasing elemental damage, such as fire, cold, or lightning, to deal more damage to enemies with the Arc Shot chain.
  • Physical Damage Build: This build focuses on increasing physical damage, making Arc Shot do more damage to enemies regardless of their elemental resistances.
Build SkillGems SupportGems
Critical Strike Arc Shot, Power Siphon, Frenzy Critical Strike, Increased Critical Strike Chance, Increased Critical Strike Damage
Elemental Damage Arc Shot, Cold Snap, Shock Nova Increased Elemental Damage, Increased Fire Damage,Increased Lightning Damage
Physical Damage Arc Shot, Reave, Molten Strike Increased Physical Damage, Added Physical Damage, Melee Physical Damage

Barrage: A Flurry of Steel and Stone

Barrage is a powerful attack skill that hurls a volley of projectiles at enemies. It deals primarily physical damage and can be used for either single-target or area-of-effect damage. Barrage is a versatile skill that can be tailored to suit various playstyles and build.

Stats and Effects

Stat Effect
Attack Speed Increases the number of projectiles fired per second.
Damage Scale Determines the base damage of each projectile.
Projectile Speed Affects the speed at which projectiles travel.
Area of Effect Determines the radius of the area-of-effect damage.

Scaling and Synergies

Barrage scales well with increased projectile damage and attack speed. It can be synergized with other skills that enhance projectile damage, such as Greater Multiple Projectiles and Point Blank. Additionally, Barrage can benefit from support gems that increase its attack speed or area of effect, such as Faster Attacks and Increased Area of Effect.

Barrage is a versatile attack skill that can be used for a variety of builds and playstyles. It is a reliable option for both single-target and area-of-effect damage.

Blade Vortex: A Maelstrom of Blades

Blade Vortex is a devastating channeling skill that unleashes a torrent of whirling blades around the caster, shredding enemies caught in its path. As the skill is channeled, the blades gain increased area of effect and attack speed, creating a miniature tornado of cutting chaos.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • Devastating area damage that can clear large groups of enemies efficiently.
  • Scales well with investment, making it a powerful choice for both leveling and endgame content.
  • Versatile, as it can be adapted to various playstyles and builds.

Cons:

  • Requires sustained channeling, which can leave the caster vulnerable.
  • Can be mana-intensive, especially in longer encounters.
  • Can be affected by certain boss mechanics or enemy abilities that can knockback or stun the caster.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Blade Vortex functions by summoning a ring of spinning blades around the caster. These blades deal damage to enemies within a radius, and their attack speed and radius increase as the skill is channeled. The number of blades also scales with the caster’s attack speed.

To maximize the potential of Blade Vortex, it’s essential to build around the skill’s strengths. Items that increase attack speed, such as swords with the “Adds Attack Speed” modifier or the “Call of Steel” support gem, can significantly enhance the damage output of the skill.

Additionally, skills and passives that can reduce mana consumption, such as the “Eldritch Battery” keystone or the “Clarity” aura, can help alleviate the mana strain associated with prolonged channeling.

Factors Effects
Attack Speed Increases the number of blades and their attack speed.
Area of Effect Enlarges the radius of the blades’ damage zone.
Channeling Time Extends the duration of the blade vortex.
Mana Cost Increases the mana consumed per second while channeling.

Discharge: A Static Explosion

Discharge is a channeled lightning spell that deals damage to enemies based on how much they’ve been charged by your lightning attacks. It can be used to clear out large groups of enemies or to quickly take down a single target. Discharge is a powerful skill, but it comes at a cost mana. You’ll need to make sure you have enough mana to use it effectively.

Pros

  • High damage potential
  • Can clear out large groups of enemies quickly
  • Can be used to quickly take down a single target

Cons

  • High mana cost
  • Can be difficult to aim
  • Can be countered by enemies with lightning resistance

Damage Scaling

The damage of Discharge is based on the following factors:

Factor Effect
Lightning Damage Increases the base damage of Discharge
Cast Speed Increases the rate at which Discharge charges enemies
Area of Effect Increases the area of effect of Discharge
Duration Increases the duration of Discharge’s charge effect

Usage Tips

Here are a few tips for using Discharge effectively:

  • Discharge is best used against enemies that are clustered together.
  • You can use Discharge to quickly take down a single target by charging them up with a few lightning attacks before casting Discharge.
  • Discharge is a powerful skill, but it comes at a high mana cost. Make sure you have enough mana to use it effectively.

Elemental Hit: A Symphony of Elemental Fury

Unleash a devastating torrent of elemental energy with Elemental Hit. This versatile skill adapts to the elements of your equipped weapons, seamlessly transitioning between cold, fire, and lightning damage. Its raw power and flexibility make it a formidable force in the hands of both novices and seasoned Path of Exile veterans.

An Arsenal of Elemental Might

Elemental Hit draws its destructive force from the elements imbued within your weapons. As you equip weapons with different elemental properties, the skill automatically adjusts, unleashing a barrage of attacks that pierce through enemy defenses. This adaptability allows you to customize your combat style, catering to specific enemy vulnerabilities or exploiting environmental factors.

Multi-Elemental Mastery

One of Elemental Hit’s greatest assets lies in its multi-elemental nature. It simultaneously deals cold, fire, and lightning damage, allowing you to target and weaken a wide range of foes. This versatility ensures that you can overcome elemental resistances, making it a potent choice against bosses and challenging encounters.

Customizable with Supports

Elemental Hit empowers you with extensive customization options through support gems. By linking it with supports such as Added Cold Damage, Elemental Damage with Attacks, or Increased Critical Strikes, you can amplify its destructive potential or tailor it to specific combat situations. This flexibility allows you to fine-tune your build, adapting to different enemies and maximizing your efficiency.

Versatile Ascendancy Options

Choosing the right Ascendancy class can further enhance the prowess of Elemental Hit. Champions excel at delivering critical strikes with their Impale ascendancy, while Deadeyes amplify its projectile damage with the Endless Munitions ascendancy. Additionally, Ascendants can harness the power of multiple Ascendancy classes to create hybrid builds that maximize Elemental Hit’s versatility.

Equipment Synergies and Uniques

Equipping weapons with high elemental damage and critical strike chance can greatly enhance the effectiveness of Elemental Hit. Unique items such as Voidforge, The Tempestuous Steel, and Hrimburn provide additional bonuses that synergize well with the skill, boosting its damage or granting special effects.

Unique Item Bonus
Voidforge Increased elemental damage and attack speed
The Tempestuous Steel Converts lightning damage to cold damage and grants lightning penetration
Hrimburn Freezes enemies hit by Elemental Hit and grants increased cold damage

Lightning Tendrils: A Chain of Thunder

Lightning Tendrils is a channeled lightning skill that damages an enemy repeatedly over time, refunding mana with each cast. The skill has a base damage of 40% of weapon damage per 0.15 seconds and can be used with a variety of supports.

Skill Mechanics

To use Lightning Tendrils, players must hold down the skill key to channel a stream of electricity into a single enemy target. The tendrils will continue to strike the target as long as the skill key is held, draining mana with each cast. The maximum range of the tendrils is 120 units, and the skill can pierce enemies it kills, allowing players to hit multiple targets in a line.

Damage Scaling

The damage of Lightning Tendrils scales with various factors, including spell damage, lightning damage, and duration. Increasing these attributes will result in higher damage output. Additionally, the skill can benefit from increased mana regeneration to sustain the channeling cost.

Examples of Synergies

Lightning Tendrils synergizes well with supports that enhance channeling abilities or lightning damage. Some common synergies include:

| Support Gem | Effect |
|—|—|
| Controlled Destruction | Increases skill duration, allowing for more damage |
| Elemental Focus | Boosts lightning damage at the cost of elemental ailments |
| Power Charge on Critical | Grants power charges, enhancing critical strike chance and lightning damage |

Active Character Builds

Due to its channeled nature and high reliance on mana, Lightning Tendrils is commonly used in builds that focus on energy shield recovery and cast speed. Some popular builds include:

| Build | Playstyle |
|—|—|
| Archmage Storm Brand Hierophant | Uses Storm Brand to apply debuffs and power charges, allowing Lightning Tendrils to deal massive damage |
| Low Life Divine Ire Occultist | Sacrifices life total to gain an energy shield, sustaining the mana cost of Lightning Tendrils while dealing high burst damage |
| Elementalist | Converts Lightning Tendrils’ damage to chaos or cold, allowing it to bypass resistances and exploit elemental synergies |

Righteous Fire: The Avatar of Flame

Righteous Fire is a powerful fire damage aura skill that engulfs the user in righteous flames. It deals damage to nearby enemies over time and can be supported by a variety of support gems to enhance its damage, area of effect, and duration.

Damage

Righteous Fire deals initial fire damage to nearby enemies based on the user’s maximum life. The damage is increased by gem level, support gems, and the user’s modifiers to increased fire damage.

Area of Effect

Righteous Fire has a base area of effect of 24. This can be increased by support gems such as Increased Area of Effect and empower.

Duration

Righteous Fire has a base duration of 5 seconds. This can be increased by support gems such as Increased Duration and Duration.

Fire Penetration

Righteous Fire innately has 25% fire penetration, which allows it to bypass a portion of enemy fire resistance. This makes it effective against enemies with high fire resistance.

Life Cost

Righteous Fire costs a percentage of the user’s maximum life to cast. The percentage cost is determined by gem level.

Life Regeneration

While Righteous Fire is active, the user’s life regeneration is reduced by a percentage determined by gem level. This means that the user must rely on other sources of life regeneration or recovery to stay alive.

Burning Ground

Righteous Fire leaves a trail of burning ground behind the user. This ground deals fire damage to any enemy that walks over it.

Scorch Stacks

Righteous Fire applies scorch stacks to enemies that it damages. These stacks increase the fire damage taken by the target. A maximum of 10 scorch stacks can be applied to a single target.

Fire Conversion

Righteous Fire can be used in conjunction with support gems such as Elemental Equilibrium and Avatar of Fire to convert the user’s physical damage to fire damage. This allows for a hybrid fire build that utilizes both physical and fire damage skills.

Gem Level Life Cost % Life Regen Reduction %
1 0.5 20
10 1.25 40
20 2 60
Quality -0.05% per 1% quality -2% per 1% quality

Spark: A Storm of Electric Arcs

Spark is a channeling spell that unleashes an array of lightning bolts, each dealing electrical damage. When used with the Archmage Support, it gains the Arcanist Brand effect, allowing it to proliferate ignited status.

1. Scaling Potential

Spark scales exceptionally well with investment in critical strike and cast speed. Each critical hit triggers an additional set of lightning bolts, effectively doubling the damage output. Cast speed increases the frequency of bolts, further boosting damage.

2. Clear Speed

With its wide area of effect and piercing ability, Spark excels at clearing large groups of enemies. The lightning bolts can chain between targets, creating a cascading effect that decimates entire packs.

3. Boss Damage

Spark’s high base damage and ability to shock bosses make it a viable option for boss fights. However, its channeling nature can be a drawback against mobile or phase-changing enemies.

4. Support Synergies

Spark synergizes well with supports that enhance its damage, such as Elemental Focus, Increased Critical Strike Chance, and Empower. The Arcanist Brand effect also enables it to ignite enemies, which can be further amplified by supports like Combustion and Burning Damage.

5. Skill Variations

There are several skill variations that modify Spark’s behavior:

  • Storm Caller: Increases the area of effect and damage of the lightning bolts.
  • Swiftbrand: Grants a movement speed aura while channeling.
  • Thunderbolt: Replaces the lightning bolts with a single, concentrated projectile.
  • Energy Blade: Summons a sword imbued with lightning damage that attacks enemies.

6. Ascendancy Compatibility

Spark synergizes well with several Ascendancy classes, including the Elementalist (for critical strike bonuses) and the Inquisitor (for increased damage against ignited enemies).

7. Gems

The following gems are commonly used with Spark:

Gem Effect
Arcanist Brand Applies the Arcanist Brand effect to Spark
Elemental Focus Increases critical strike damage
Increased Critical Strike Chance Increases critical strike chance
Empower Increases damage
Echoing Thunder Creates multiple copies of Spark
Lightning Penetration Reduces lightning resistance of enemies

8. Passives

The following passive skills are recommended for Spark builds:

  • Elemental Overload
  • Divine Guidance
  • Lightning Mastery
  • Projectile Weakness
  • Critical Strike Multiplier
  • Cast Speed

9. Starting Point

Spark is a strong starting skill for new players and can be used effectively throughout the early and midgame. It does not require specific unique items or support gems to be effective, making it a versatile choice.

10. Late-Game Investment

With significant investment, Spark can become one of the most powerful clearing skills in the game. Key items include the Inquisitor’s Reign of Winter staff, the Lightning Coil chest, and the Storm Cloud quiver. By stacking additional critical strike chance, cast speed, and lightning damage, Spark can obliterate enemies in a matter of milliseconds.

Poe Best Attack Skills

In Path of Exile, choosing the right attack skill can make a significant difference in your gameplay experience. With a diverse range of skills to choose from, each with its unique mechanics and strengths, selecting the best attack skill for your build can be a daunting task.

Some of the most popular and effective attack skills in Path of Exile include:

  • Cyclone: A melee attack that creates a swirling vortex of blades around the character, dealing damage to nearby enemies.
  • Spectral Throw: A ranged attack that throws spectral swords that pierce through multiple enemies.
  • Barrage: A ranged attack that fires a rapid succession of arrows in a cone-shaped area.
  • Lightning Strike: A melee attack that strikes enemies with a bolt of lightning, chaining to nearby enemies.
  • Ground Slam: A melee attack that slams the ground, creating an area-of-effect explosion.

The best attack skill for you will depend on your character’s build, playstyle, and preferences. Factors to consider include the skill’s damage type, range, area-of-effect, and mana cost.

People Also Ask

What is the best attack skill for bosses?

Some of the best attack skills for bosses include Cyclone, Spectral Throw, and Lightning Strike. These skills have high single-target damage and can be used to focus down on bosses quickly.

What is the best attack skill for clearing?

Some of the best attack skills for clearing include Barrage, Ground Slam, and Blade Vortex. These skills have a wide area-of-effect and can be used to quickly clear packs of enemies.

What is the best attack skill for all-around use?

Cyclone is a versatile attack skill that can be used for both clearing and bossing. It has a good balance of single-target and area-of-effect damage, and it can be scaled to high levels of damage.