Attack
AoE, Slam, Projectile, Lightning
Tier: 1 (Monk)
Level: 2
Cost: 6 Mana
Attack Speed: 60% of base
Attack Damage: 147%
Requires: Level 3
Requires: Quarterstaff
Infuse a staff with electrical energies, then slam the ground to deal damage in a large area in front of you. Consumes any Power Charges you have to fire lightning projectiles fowards from the impact.
Convers 60% of Physical Damage to Lightning Damage
25% more Damage per Power Charge Consumed
Cone Length is 4 metres
100% more Damage if a Power Charge was Consumed
Projectiles
Projectiles Pierce all Targets
Converts 100% of Physical Damage to Lightning Damage
10% chance to Shock enemies
100% more Damage if a Power Charge was Consumed
Fires 3 Projectiles per Power Charge
Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.
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Falling Thunder is a powerful Attack-based skill gem in Path of Exile 2, tailored for Monk players who wish to combine lightning damage, AoE slams, and projectile mechanics. This skill allows you to infuse your Quarterstaff with electrical energy, delivering a massive AoE slam and firing lightning projectiles in a cone-shaped area. The ability to consume Power Charges for additional damage and lightning effects makes Falling Thunder a potent choice for players focusing on physical-to-lightning damage conversion and projectile-based combat.
Effect: Infuse a staff with electrical energy and slam the ground, firing lightning projectiles in a cone, with bonus damage based on Power Charges.
How Falling Thunder Works
Falling Thunder is a versatile skill that allows you to combine AoE slam attacks with lightning-based projectiles that pierce through multiple enemies. Here’s a breakdown of how it operates:
1. AoE Slam with Lightning Infusion:
Falling Thunder starts by infusing your Quarterstaff with electrical energy, which is then released in a slam attack that deals damage in a large area in front of you. This makes the skill highly effective for dealing with groups of enemies.
The slam itself deals Physical Damage, and 60% of that damage is converted to Lightning damage. This ensures that the skill deals a significant amount of Lightning damage, making it ideal for Lightning-focused builds.
2. Power Charge Consumption:
One of the defining features of Falling Thunder is its synergy with Power Charges. For each Power Charge you have, the slam attack will consume it, and in return, it fires lightning projectiles that travel forward in a cone shape from the point of impact.
Each Power Charge consumed increases the damage of the attack by 25%, and the number of lightning projectiles fired is directly tied to the number of Power Charges consumed (with 3 projectiles per Power Charge). This creates a highly scalable damage mechanic that rewards players for managing their Power Charges effectively.
3. Projectile Mechanics:
The lightning projectiles fired from the slam are particularly powerful, as they pierce all targets, meaning they will continue through any enemies they hit, dealing damage to multiple enemies at once. This makes Falling Thunder especially effective against large packs of enemies.
The projectiles travel in a cone shape with a length of 4 meters, which gives you significant range to hit enemies even from a distance.
4. Damage Scaling with Power Charges:
The damage scaling of Falling Thunder is heavily tied to Power Charges. For each Power Charge consumed, you gain 25% more damage for the slam and the projectiles. Additionally, if a Power Charge is consumed, the skill gains a 100% more damage multiplier, greatly increasing the overall damage output.
5. Lightning Effects and Shock:
On top of the damage bonuses from Power Charges, Falling Thunder also has a 10% chance to Shock enemies. This adds another layer of utility, as Shocked enemies take increased Lightning damage. This effect synergizes well with Lightning-based builds that focus on maximizing Shock effects and Lightning damage multipliers.
Synergies with Other Skills and Builds
Falling Thunder is an incredibly versatile skill, and it works exceptionally well with Lightning-based builds and those that focus on Power Charge generation. Below are some potential synergies:
1. Power Charge Builds:
Since Falling Thunder relies heavily on Power Charges, it works excellently with builds that generate Power Charges quickly and efficiently. You can utilize Power Charge on Critical Strike, Power Charge on Kill, or other Power Charge generation mechanics to ensure that you have plenty of charges available when using Falling Thunder.
Power Charge scaling increases the damage potential of Falling Thunder, making it a key component in a Power Charge-based build. Maximize your Power Charge generation to significantly boost your damage output.
2. Lightning and Shock Synergies:
As Falling Thunder has a chance to Shock enemies, it works perfectly in Lightning builds that rely on the Shock mechanic to increase the damage taken by enemies. You can pair this skill with Shock effects and Lightning damage scaling for maximum efficiency.
Additionally, Shock Amplification or Lightning Penetration modifiers will further increase the Lightning damage applied to Shocking enemies, making Falling Thunder even more effective.
3. AoE and Pierce Synergy:
The fact that Falling Thunder’s projectiles pierce all targets makes it especially good for AoE damage and crowd control. If you’re facing groups of enemies, the piercing projectiles ensure that multiple enemies will be hit by each shot, maximizing the area damage.
AoE scaling from passive tree nodes or gear modifiers can further enhance the cone-shaped blast radius, making it even more effective for clearing large packs of enemies.
4. Quarterstaff and Slam Builds:
Since Falling Thunder requires a Quarterstaff, it synergizes well with other staff-based builds or Slam attacks. If you’re focusing on staff combat or melee builds, Falling Thunder can be a great way to deal lightning-based damage while leveraging the power of physical-to-lightning conversion.
Pros and Cons of Falling Thunder
Pros:
High AoE Damage: The skill’s slam attack covers a large area and fires lightning projectiles, making it effective against multiple enemies.
Synergy with Power Charges: The skill scales significantly with Power Charges, offering increased damage and more projectiles with each charge consumed.
Piercing Projectiles: The lightning projectiles pierce all targets, allowing you to hit multiple enemies with each shot.
Shock Chance: With a 10% chance to Shock, the skill provides additional Lightning damage amplification against affected enemies.
Wide Range of Damage Scaling: The damage scales with Power Charges, Projectile Piercing, and AoE modifiers, making it very flexible and effective in different types of builds.
Cons:
Power Charge Dependency: The skill’s damage is heavily dependent on Power Charges, which means you need to invest in Power Charge generation for optimal performance.
Limited Range: While the projectiles pierce all targets, their cone length is limited to 4 meters, which can make the skill less effective in situations where you need longer-range hits.
Mana Cost: At 6 Mana per use, the skill is relatively cheap, but the mana cost can add up over time if used frequently without mana regeneration.
Tips for Using Falling Thunder
Maximize Power Charge Generation: Ensure that you have Power Charge generation through your passive tree or gear, as the skill scales heavily with Power Charges.
Synergize with Lightning Builds: Pair Falling Thunder with Shock, Lightning damage, and Elemental penetration for maximum damage output.
Manage AoE and Projectile Scaling: Invest in AoE damage and projectile damage to enhance the effectiveness of the slam and projectiles, particularly when facing large packs of enemies.
Use with Melee Slam Builds: If you’re using a Quarterstaff, Falling Thunder is an excellent way to deal lightning damage in melee-focused staff builds.
Conclusion
Falling Thunder is a versatile and powerful skill gem that combines slam-based AoE damage with lightning projectiles that pierce through multiple enemies. With strong synergies with Power Charges and the ability to Shock enemies, it is an ideal choice for Lightning-based builds and those focused on quarterstaff combat. Its AoE scaling, projectile pierce, and damage from Power Charges make it highly effective for clearing crowds, while the Shock chance adds even more potential for devastating lightning damage. Whether you’re building a Power Charge-focused character or a staff-wielding monk, Falling Thunder offers exciting possibilities for lightning-based combat in Path of Exile 2.