PoE Hoarfrost – Path of Exile

Hoarfrost – Oath of Winter

Enemies you Freeze remain Frozen for at least 2 seconds
Hits that fail to Freeze due to insufficient Freeze Duration inflict Hoarfrost
(Freeze lowers Enemy Action Speed to zero, preventing them from acting. Duration is based on the Cold Damage of the Hit)
(Freezes that would have a duration of 0.3 seconds or below are not inflicted)
(Hoarfrost lasts 10 seconds and can be inflicted multiple times, each refreshing the duration of existing Hoarfrost on the target. Each Hoarfost increases Freeze Duration on the target by 20%. All Hoarfrost is removed if the target is Frozen)

Hoarfrost

Is Hoarfrost an ailment?

No, Hoarfrost is a regular debuff.

Does Oath of Winter still require you to deal a certain amount of damage to inflict Hoarfrost?

Technically yes, but it just has to be enough to try and inflict a 1 millisecond freeze – about 1/6000th of a monster’s life.

AI Guides

In the ever-evolving world of Wraeclast, the Hoarfrost Warden emerges as a master of cold, wielding the formidable Oath of Winter ascendancy skill. This article delves into the mechanics and strategic implications of this chilling ability, which brings a unique twist to crowd control and damage dealing in Path of Exile (PoE).

Oath of Winter: A Deep Freeze

At the core of the Hoarfrost Warden’s power is the ability to Freeze enemies, rendering them immobile and unable to act. Freeze, a staple status ailment in PoE, reduces an enemy’s action speed to zero, effectively incapacitating them for a duration dependent on the Cold Damage of the hit. The Oath of Winter ensures that enemies you Freeze remain Frozen for at least 2 seconds, a significant duration in the fast-paced combat environment of PoE.

Freeze Mechanics

Understanding Freeze mechanics is crucial to maximizing the potential of Oath of Winter. Freeze duration scales with the amount of Cold Damage dealt in a single hit. Hits that would result in a Freeze duration of 0.3 seconds or less do not inflict Freeze. This threshold encourages players to invest in substantial Cold Damage to consistently achieve longer Freeze durations.

The Power of Hoarfrost

The Oath of Winter introduces a secondary effect called Hoarfrost, which activates when a hit fails to Freeze an enemy due to insufficient Freeze Duration. Hoarfrost is a debuff that lasts 10 seconds and can be inflicted multiple times, each instance refreshing the duration of existing Hoarfrost on the target. Each Hoarfrost instance increases the Freeze Duration on the target by 20%. This stacking effect can significantly enhance the likelihood and effectiveness of subsequent Freezes.

Strategic Applications of Hoarfrost

Stacking Hoarfrost: Consistently applying Hoarfrost ensures that targets become progressively more susceptible to Freezing. This is particularly useful against high-health enemies and bosses who might initially resist being Frozen due to their large health pools.
Timing and Positioning: Hoarfrost provides a window of opportunity to reposition and prepare for powerful hits that will capitalize on the increased Freeze Duration. This strategic element adds depth to gameplay, rewarding players who can time their attacks effectively.
Crowd Control: In encounters with multiple enemies, spreading Hoarfrost can create a domino effect of increased Freeze durations across the battlefield. This makes the Hoarfrost Warden an invaluable asset in group play, providing consistent crowd control and support.
Synergy with Cold Damage Builds: The Hoarfrost Warden synergizes exceptionally well with builds that focus on Cold Damage. Investing in skills, items, and passives that boost Cold Damage output will amplify the effectiveness of both Freeze and Hoarfrost.

Maximizing Oath of Winter

To fully harness the power of Oath of Winter, players should consider the following:

Cold Damage Scaling: Prioritize gear and passive skills that increase Cold Damage. This will ensure that your hits have a higher chance of inflicting Freeze and extending its duration.
Critical Strike Chance: Critical hits can significantly boost Cold Damage, making them more likely to Freeze targets. Incorporating critical strike chance and multiplier into your build can enhance the effectiveness of Oath of Winter.
Skill Synergy: Skills that deal large amounts of Cold Damage in single hits, such as Glacial Cascade or Ice Crash, can maximize the Freeze duration and apply consistent Hoarfrost stacks.

Conclusion

The Hoarfrost Warden, with the Oath of Winter ascendancy skill, offers a unique and strategic approach to crowd control and damage dealing in Path of Exile. By mastering the mechanics of Freeze and Hoarfrost, players can create a formidable build that excels in both solo and group play. Whether you are freezing hordes of enemies or strategically debuffing powerful bosses, the Hoarfrost Warden provides a chilling edge in the treacherous world of Wraeclast.