Spell
Projectile, AoE, Fire
Tier: 9 (Sorceress)
Level: 6
Cost: 20 Mana
Cast Time: 1.00 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 7%
Requires: Level 21, 38 Int
Launches a large ball of Fire which explodes, firing a nova of smaller firebolts outwards on impact.
Deals 35 to 55 Fire Damage
Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.
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Fireball is a classic fire-based spell in Path of Exile 2, known for its ability to deal significant AoE damage and explode in a fiery burst that hits multiple enemies. Whether you’re seeking to clear packs of enemies or deliver powerful critical strikes to bosses, Fireball offers a versatile and explosive solution for Sorceress builds.
Key Details of Fireball
Gem Type: Skill Gem
Skill Type: Spell, Projectile, AoE, Fire
Tier: 9 (Sorceress)
Level Requirement: 6
Cost: 20 Mana
Cast Time: 1.00 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 7%
Required Attributes: Level 21, 38 Intelligence
Effect: Launches a large fireball that explodes, firing smaller firebolts in a nova upon impact.
How Fireball Works
Fireball is a projectile-based spell that allows the player to launch a large ball of fire that explodes upon contact with an enemy or the environment. This explosion has a wide-reaching effect, sending out a nova of smaller firebolts that can hit multiple enemies within the area. Here’s a deeper look into how Fireball functions:
1. Projectile Launch:
The spell fires a large fireball that travels through the air and impacts enemies or the ground. This initial projectile has the potential to deal 35 to 55 Fire Damage, depending on the player’s spell damage modifiers.
Upon impact, the fireball explodes, making it ideal for hitting clusters of enemies in both PvE and PvP encounters.
2. Explosion and Nova:
Upon hitting its target, Fireball detonates, releasing a nova of smaller firebolts that fan out in a circular area. This explosion can hit multiple enemies and deals Fire Damage to each enemy caught in the radius.
The explosion effect helps Fireball stand out as an AoE skill, making it excellent for clearing groups of weaker enemies, especially those clustered together.
3. Critical Strike Potential:
With a 7% Critical Strike Chance, Fireball has the potential to critically strike for higher damage, especially when combined with critical strike multipliers or Fire Damage scaling in your gear and passive skill tree.
The critical hits from Fireball can be devastating, especially when you stack bonuses for Fire Damage or Critical Strike Chance.
4. Mana Cost and Cast Speed:
Fireball costs 20 Mana per cast, making it a relatively mana-efficient skill for Sorceress builds. However, it is important to balance mana regeneration or mana leech to ensure that you can sustain consistent casting of Fireball during fights.
The 1.00 second cast time is standard for most projectile spells, giving you a good balance between damage output and casting speed. This makes it easy to hit enemies with precise, hard-hitting shots.
Synergies with Other Skills and Builds
Fireball works exceptionally well with various fire-based and projectile skills. Here are some key synergies and builds that benefit from this explosive spell:
1. Fire Damage Builds:
As a fire-based spell, Fireball naturally fits into any fire damage scaling build. It synergizes with other fire skills like Flameblast, Firestorm, or Flame Wave for consistent damage output.
Combining Fireball with fire damage or burning damage modifiers can significantly amplify its overall damage, especially when enemies are affected by fire debuffs.
2. Projectile Builds:
Fireball is a projectile skill, making it ideal for builds that specialize in projectile damage. It can be combined with Projectile Speed, Projectile Damage, and Piercing modifiers to increase the range and impact of the fireball.
Additionally, skills that increase the number of projectiles fired, such as Fork or Chain, can increase the coverage and spread of Fireball’s explosive nova, potentially hitting even more enemies.
3. Critical Strike Builds:
Fireball benefits from Critical Strike Chance, and pairing it with critical strike chance or critical damage scaling can significantly enhance its damage. Building for crit-based damage makes Fireball even more dangerous, as it can unleash massive burst damage.
Consider pairing Fireball with Elemental Crit or Fire Crit nodes on the passive tree to further boost its critical strike potential.
4. Area of Effect (AoE) Builds:
With its explosive nova on impact, Fireball is an excellent choice for AoE-based builds. The ability to hit multiple enemies at once in a large area allows you to clear out groups of enemies quickly, especially when coupled with AoE damage scaling or Area of Effect nodes on the passive tree.
Support gems such as Increased Area of Effect or Concentrated Effect can further enhance Fireball’s AoE to increase the overall size of its explosions, making it a powerful tool for crowd control.
5. Mana Management:
Since Fireball is a relatively low-cost skill at 20 Mana, it’s an efficient option for builds that focus on sustained casting. For mana-hungry builds, combining Fireball with mana regeneration or mana leech can ensure that you can keep firing Fireball without running out of resources.
Additionally, mana on hit or mana on kill can be useful for replenishing your mana pool as you clear enemies.
Pros and Cons of Fireball
Pros:
AoE Damage: The explosive nova on impact allows Fireball to deal with large groups of enemies, making it an excellent crowd control spell.
Fire Damage: As a fire spell, Fireball benefits from fire damage scaling, allowing it to hit hard when combined with fire-specific gear and passive skill nodes.
Critical Strike Chance: With a 7% critical strike chance, Fireball has the potential for high critical strike damage, especially when synergized with crit-based builds.
Mana Efficiency: At only 20 Mana per cast, Fireball is a relatively mana-efficient option for Sorceress builds that need a powerful projectile spell.
Projectile Range: The Fireball has a decent range, allowing you to hit enemies at a distance, making it versatile for both boss fights and regular mob clearing.
Cons:
Casting Time: With a 1.00 sec cast time, Fireball can feel slow in high-speed combat situations. Faster cast speed builds can mitigate this downside, but it may be less effective for fast-paced combat.
Requires Scaling: While Fireball can deal good damage on its own, it scales best when combined with fire damage or crit chance modifiers. It may not be as effective without significant investment into fire-based scaling.
Area of Effect: Though Fireball does have an AoE explosion, it is not as wide as some other AoE spells, requiring AoE scaling to maximize its potential.
Tips for Using Fireball
Combine with AoE Scaling: To maximize Fireball’s potential, focus on increasing its Area of Effect and fire damage. Use Area of Effect support gems and fire damage passive nodes to increase the number of enemies you can hit.
Crit-Based Builds: If you’re using Fireball in a critical strike build, look for ways to increase your critical strike chance and fire crit multipliers to maximize your damage output.
Projectile Support: Use support gems like Greater Multiple Projectiles or Pierce to allow Fireball to hit more enemies or travel further across the screen, ensuring that you hit multiple targets with the nova explosion.
Efficient Mana Use: Make sure you have mana regeneration or mana leech to sustain Fireball’s use in longer fights, especially in boss encounters where you’ll be casting continuously.