It is a Support Gem.
Support
Tier: 1
Requires: Level 1
Support Reqirements: +5 Int
Supports skills that create walls in a line, causing them to be created in a circle instead.
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 Fortress Support Gem in Path of Exile 2 offers an exciting new mechanic for players who utilize wall-creating skills. Unlike typical wall skills that create walls in a straight line, the Fortress gem transforms the effect, causing the walls to be generated in a circular formation instead. This change significantly alters the way players approach defensive strategies, area control, and combat tactics in general.
In this article, we’ll explore the mechanics of the Fortress Support Gem, its potential uses, and how it can enhance your builds.
Category: Support
Type: Wall Creation
Tier: 1
Required Level: 1
Support Requirements: +5 Intelligence
Effect:
Place into a Skill’s Support Gem socket in the Skills menu to apply its effects to that Skill.
The Fortress Support Gem is designed to modify the way wall-creating skills work, specifically by altering the shape of the walls. Here’s a breakdown of the gem’s effect:
Creating Walls in a Circle:
Normally, wall-creating skills such as Spikes, Barrier, or Cloak of Stone create barriers or walls in a straight line or along a path. However, when you use the Fortress gem, these walls will instead form a circle around the point of cast. This mechanic can drastically alter how you use wall-based skills in combat.
Strategic Benefits of a Circular Formation:
The circle formation allows you to block off entire areas or create defensive perimeters more effectively, especially in fights where positioning and area control are critical. Instead of placing walls to block a single direction or narrow path, you can now encircle enemies or objectives, controlling access from all sides.
Defensive Utility:
Fortress gives you the ability to defend multiple angles at once, providing better protection during fights with enemies that are scattered or that come from multiple directions. It’s an excellent choice for build strategies that prioritize defense and positioning, such as Summoner builds, Elementalists, or Defensive Caster builds.
Here are the key advantages of using the Fortress Support Gem:
Improved Area Control:
The circular wall formation gives you a unique advantage in controlling space. By surrounding a target, an enemy, or an area with walls, you can prevent enemies from advancing, blocking projectiles, or restricting their movement entirely. This is especially useful for defending objectives, controlling choke points, or keeping enemies at bay.
Strategic Flexibility:
The circle formed by the Fortress Support Gem allows for a more dynamic approach to defense. Whether you’re surrounding an ally, a specific target, or just using the walls to block off entire areas, this new shape offers flexibility in tactical positioning.
Synergy with Other Wall-Based Skills:
The Fortress gem works well with other skills that rely on wall mechanics. For example, skills like Decoy Totem, Cloak of Stone, or Ice Wall will all benefit from the new circular formation, adding layers of complexity and new ways to engage with enemies. These walls become harder for enemies to bypass, forcing them into specific areas where they may be vulnerable to other attacks.
Enhanced Crowd Control:
By encircling groups of enemies, the Fortress gem can significantly enhance your crowd control. You can use it to create a barrier that traps enemies in a designated area, preventing them from escaping and making them vulnerable to your area-of-effect (AoE) spells, projectiles, or other forms of damage.
While Fortress provides a range of advantages, there are some considerations you should keep in mind:
Wall Size and Placement:
The walls created by the Fortress gem may be less effective in some cases if not properly positioned. Since the circle is created around the caster, it may not provide full coverage in certain scenarios, especially if you’re looking to cover a wide area or block a long corridor. Proper placement and timing are key.
No Direct Damage:
Unlike some other wall skills that deal damage to enemies that pass through them, Fortress simply creates a barrier and provides no additional offensive effects. If you’re looking for damage output alongside defense, you may need to combine Fortress with other offensive skills or gems.
Mana Cost:
The Fortress gem has a cost multiplier of 120%, which means it can increase the mana cost of the supported skill. This is an important consideration, especially if your build relies on frequent use of wall skills or other defensive skills that may already be mana-hungry.
Limited Synergies with Non-Wall Builds:
Fortress only affects wall-creating skills. If your build doesn’t rely on walls, this gem may not offer much benefit. It is most effective in Defensive or Control-based builds that prioritize blocking enemies and creating barriers. However, it may not be as useful for purely offensive or movement-focused builds.
To make the most of the Fortress gem, consider combining it with the following skills and mechanics:
Damage-Dealer Wall Skills:
While Fortress doesn’t directly enhance damage, it works well with wall-based skills that can damage enemies, such as Flame Wall, Spikes, or Firestorm. These skills can benefit from the increased control over enemy movement and positioning that the circular walls provide.
Buffing and Defensive Synergies:
If your build focuses on defensive buffs or minions, the Fortress gem is a perfect way to create a safe zone for you or your allies. Pairing this with Fortification, Aura of Protection, or Minion Buffs can create a strong defensive perimeter that enhances your build’s survivability.
Aura-Based Builds:
For builds that rely on Auras or Aura skills, using Fortress can create a buffer around your character, ensuring that enemies can’t easily break through to disrupt your positioning or attack your party members.
Summoner Builds:
Fortress is particularly useful for Summoner builds that require control over enemies. You can position the walls to give your minions space to operate and control the battlefield, while simultaneously restricting enemy movement.
The Fortress Support Gem offers a fresh and dynamic approach to wall creation, enabling you to place walls in a circular formation instead of a traditional line. This unique mechanic enhances area control, improves defensive strategies, and provides new opportunities for tactical positioning.
While it may not offer direct offensive effects, its value lies in its ability to block off areas, trap enemies, and control space on the battlefield. It synergizes well with builds that focus on defense, crowd control, and area denial, as well as with skills that create walls or barriers.
If you’re looking for a way to enhance your ability to defend strategic points or create safe zones for your allies, the Fortress gem could be a game-changer for your build. Just remember to factor in its mana cost and proper placement to fully maximize its potential.