Support
Attack
Tier: 2
Cost Multiplier: 140%
Requires: Level 1
Support Reqirements: +5 Dex
Supports Attacks, causing them to deal more damage to enemies based on how close they are to you.
Supported Skills deal 25% more Attack Damage to enemies within 1 metre of you, scaling down to no bonus at 3.5 metres or further
Place into a Skill’s Support Gem socket in the Skills menu to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple copies of the same Support Gem socketed at the same time.
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The Close Combat Support Gem in Path of Exile 2 is designed for players who prefer close-range combat, offering a significant damage boost for attacks made against enemies within a tight proximity. This support gem is perfect for melee builds or those who like to stay close to the action, rewarding you for engaging enemies at close range. With its unique scaling damage mechanic based on distance, Close Combat empowers close-quarters attacks and enhances your damage potential, making it a powerful gem for those who enjoy getting up close and personal with their enemies.
Skill Gem Details
Category: Support
Type: Attack
Tier: 2
Cost Multiplier: 140%
Required Level: 1
Support Requirements: +5 Dexterity
Effect: Deals more damage to enemies based on proximity.
Bonus:
Supported Skills deal 25% more Attack Damage to enemies within 1 meter of you, scaling down to no bonus at 3.5 meters or further.
Skill Mechanics
The Close Combat Support Gem operates with a unique mechanic where the damage dealt by your supported attack skills is influenced by the distance between you and your target. When enemies are within a 1-meter range, your attacks will deal 25% more damage, making it especially effective for melee combat builds that thrive on getting up close to enemies.
Damage Bonus Based on Proximity:
Close Combat provides a 25% increased damage bonus when enemies are within 1 meter of you. As the enemy distance increases, the damage bonus gradually diminishes, with no additional bonus at 3.5 meters or beyond.
This scaling mechanic encourages you to stay close to your enemies, rewarding you for close-range attacks.
Scaling Down with Distance:
The closer the enemy is, the greater the bonus damage. If the enemy moves beyond 3.5 meters, the bonus scales down to zero, meaning that long-range attacks or attacks made at a greater distance will not benefit from this support gem.
Strategic Uses
Melee and Brawling Builds:
This gem is ideal for melee attack builds, such as Dual Wielders, Sword and Shield, or Unarmed combat setups, where the player is typically in close-range combat. By staying within 1 meter of enemies, you maximize your damage potential with the Close Combat support.
It’s especially useful for tankier builds that can afford to be in close proximity to enemies while also dealing high damage at close range.
Hit-and-Run Style:
In scenarios where you need to dart in and out of combat, the Close Combat gem can provide a significant boost to your damage when you briefly engage an enemy at point-blank range. It works well with skills that are used for quick engagements, such as whirlwind-type abilities or dash skills that allow you to get in close and deal powerful bursts of damage.
Boss Fights:
For boss fights, where you’ll typically want to stay as close as possible for high DPS, the Close Combat gem provides an excellent damage boost to melee builds. The proximity-based bonus damage is a natural fit for encounters where staying near the boss is essential for maximizing your damage output while avoiding other threats.
Fast Melee Characters:
Builds that focus on attack speed and fast strikes can benefit greatly from the Close Combat gem, as it rewards quick, close-range engagements. If you have the ability to quickly move in and out of range, you can deal sustained damage with the bonus from this gem.
Pros and Cons
Pros
High Close-Range Damage: Provides 25% more attack damage to enemies within 1 meter, making it an excellent choice for melee builds that thrive in close combat.
Synergy with Fast Attacks: Pairs well with builds that rely on fast strikes, hit-and-run tactics, or dash abilities.
Great for Tanky Builds: Works well for builds that can comfortably sustain close-range combat and want to maximize damage during those engagements.
Scale-Based Damage: The proximity-based damage scaling rewards players who prefer to stay close to enemies, enhancing their damage output without any additional resources.
Cons
Limited to Close Range: The damage bonus only applies when enemies are within 1 meter, so if you’re fighting at a distance or against enemies with high mobility, you lose out on the bonus.
Diminishing Returns: The damage bonus scales down with distance, so the effectiveness of this gem diminishes at greater ranges, meaning it’s not beneficial for ranged combat.
Requires Staying Close to the Enemy: Builds that rely on keeping a distance from enemies or kite style tactics will not find this gem useful, as you have to engage at close range to get the full benefit.
Gameplay Tips
Positioning is Key:
To maximize the benefit of Close Combat, always be mindful of your positioning in relation to enemies. Ensure you stay within the 1-meter range to gain the full damage boost.
Combine with Movement Skills:
Combining Close Combat with movement skills like Leap Slam, Whirlwind, or Shield Charge allows you to get in and out of range quickly, maximizing the damage boost without staying too long in danger.
Synergize with Other Melee Damage Mods:
The damage bonus from Close Combat can be amplified by other melee damage modifiers on your gear, passive tree, and other support gems. Try combining it with gems like Multistrike or Melee Damage on Full Life for even greater output.
Watch for Long-Ranged Enemies:
In encounters with ranged enemies or bosses that require distance management, the Close Combat gem may not be as effective. Consider combining it with other gems or mechanics to close the gap quickly and deal damage while staying safe.
Conclusion
The Close Combat Support Gem is a great option for melee builds or close-range attackers in Path of Exile 2. By rewarding players for staying close to their enemies, it encourages aggressive positioning and high-damage engagements. Whether you’re dealing with bosses or fast, close-quarters combat, this gem significantly boosts your potential to deal massive damage when you’re in close proximity to your enemies. However, it does require careful positioning and may not be ideal for builds that rely on ranged attacks or kite-style combat.
For those who enjoy the thrill of up-close-and-personal melee combat, Close Combat is an invaluable support gem that will elevate your ability to maximize damage in Path of Exile 2.