It is a Support Gem.
Support
Tier: 1
Cost Multiplier: 110%
Requires: Level 1
Support Reqirements: +5 Str
Supports any skill that Hits enemies, causing it to deal more damage against enemies on Low Life.
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.
The Execute Support Gem in Path of Exile 2 is a powerful tool for players looking to amplify their damage against enemies who are on Low Life. This gem specializes in boosting your damage output against enemies who are critically injured, making it especially effective in boss fights, endgame content, and PvP scenarios. If you want to maximize your damage during the final stages of a fight, Execute can be the perfect addition to your arsenal.
In this article, we’ll explore the mechanics of the Execute Support Gem, how it works, and the best ways to use it for devastating effects.
The Execute Support Gem grants an impressive 40% increased damage with Hits against enemies that are on Low Life. But what does this mean for your character and how does it impact gameplay?
Damage Boost Against Low-Life Enemies:
The key effect of the Execute gem is its ability to increase damage by 40% when targeting enemies who have Low Life. In Path of Exile 2, enemies on Low Life are generally considered to be at or below 50% of their maximum Health. This makes Execute incredibly useful during the final stages of a battle when enemies are weaker and closer to death.
Versatility with Many Skills:
Execute can support any skill that hits enemies, meaning it is compatible with a wide range of melee, ranged, and spellcasting skills. If you’re using a build that deals Hit-based damage (e.g., melee skills, bow attacks, or projectiles), Execute will provide a noticeable damage increase against enemies nearing the end of their life.
Optimal for Finishing Foes:
The Execute gem is perfect for finishing off enemies who have taken damage but aren’t yet dead. It provides a damage boost exactly when it’s needed most: in the last moments of combat. If you’re dealing with tough enemies or bosses, this gem ensures you can land a devastating blow when they’re at their most vulnerable.
Ideal for Boss Fights:
For players tackling high-health bosses, Execute shines by significantly improving damage output once the boss’s health dips below 50%. This can be particularly helpful in endgame encounters where every bit of extra damage counts. For boss-killer builds, using this gem can ensure you finish off bosses quickly and efficiently, before they have a chance to recover.
Melee Builds:
Execute is especially effective for melee builds, which tend to deal high hit-based damage. Whether you’re using sword attacks, axe attacks, or other melee strikes, Execute helps to land powerful finishing blows on enemies in the final stages of battle. Skills like Heavy Strike, Cleave, and Reckoning can benefit significantly from this gem.
Bow and Ranged Builds:
Ranged builds with skills that rely on hits, like Arctic Arrow, Tornado Shot, or Splitting Steel, can also make great use of Execute. With the gem’s 40% damage boost, ranged characters can effectively finish off Low Life enemies from a safe distance, ensuring they don’t have time to heal or retaliate.
Boss-Killer Builds:
The Execute gem is an excellent addition to any build designed for boss killing. Bosses and tough enemies tend to take a long time to kill, and Execute provides a boost to finish them off quickly. Combining Execute with other damage-boosting support gems or boss-specific scaling can allow you to decimate endgame bosses with ease.
Elemental or Physical Builds:
Whether your build focuses on Physical, Elemental, or Fire damage, Execute can complement any hit-based build. Combining Execute with other damage-dealing gems (such as Multistrike, Physical to Lightning, or Elemental Damage with Attacks) creates a devastating combination for quickly eliminating enemies when they are low on health.
High Damage Boost:
The 40% increased damage against Low Life enemies makes this gem an excellent choice for finishing off enemies that are close to death, especially in long fights where you need to deal that final blow. The gem significantly increases your damage output at a critical moment in combat.
Versatility:
Execute is compatible with a wide range of skills that hit enemies, making it usable in many different builds. Whether you’re a melee character, ranged attacker, or even a spellcaster who relies on direct hits, this gem is useful for all sorts of builds.
Boosts Damage Against Bosses:
In boss fights, where bosses tend to have high health pools, the Execute gem provides the extra damage needed when the boss is close to death. It ensures that you can deal maximum damage once the boss reaches Low Life, making the execution phase of the fight quicker and more efficient.
Synergy with Low-Life Mechanics:
Execute works particularly well when combined with Low-Life mechanics, such as those used by Doomsday or Blood Magic builds. When enemies are on Low Life, the damage increase from Execute works seamlessly to boost the overall effectiveness of these low-health strategies.
Limited Effectiveness Before Low Life:
Execute only boosts damage when enemies are on Low Life (under 50% health), meaning it won’t provide much of a boost during the majority of the fight when the enemy’s health is high. This makes it a more situational gem, ideal for the latter stages of combat rather than consistent damage throughout.
Not Ideal for Ailment Builds:
Execute is designed for hit-based damage and does not interact with damage over time mechanics (such as burning, bleeding, or poison). If your build relies on ailments or DoT effects, this gem is not a good fit.
Requires Strong Single Target Hits:
To make the most of Execute, you need high base damage skills that consistently land hits on enemies. Low damage or inconsistent hit-based skills may not benefit as much from the 40% damage increase. Thus, it’s best paired with high damage single-target attacks that deal significant damage when enemies are low on health.
Timing is Everything:
Execute excels when you can consistently land hits on enemies as they reach Low Life. Try to use high-damage single-target attacks when the enemy’s health is below 50% to maximize the effectiveness of the 40% damage boost.
Pair with High-Damage Skills:
Use Execute with skills that have high base damage and deal consistent hits. Melee builds with two-handed weapons or bows that deal heavy single-target damage will find Execute especially powerful.
Combine with Other Damage Boosts:
Maximize the value of Execute by pairing it with other damage-boosting gems and passives, such as Concentrated Effect or Fire/Elemental damage passives. This will ensure that your hits against Low Life enemies are as devastating as possible.
Synergize with Low-Life Builds:
If you’re using a Low-Life build (like one that uses Blood Magic or Mind over Matter), Execute can increase your damage output when enemies are in the Low Life range, making it a great fit for these types of builds.
The Execute Support Gem is a fantastic tool for players looking to increase their damage output against Low Life enemies. Whether you’re focusing on melee, ranged, or boss-killer builds, this gem provides a 40% damage boost at the critical moment when your enemies are vulnerable. While its effect is limited to Low Life targets, its ability to deal devastating finishing blows makes it an excellent gem for endgame content and boss encounters. If you’re looking to maximize your damage and execute your enemies with precision, the Execute Support Gem is a must-have in your toolkit.