It is a Support Gem.
Support
AoE, Cold
Tier: 1
Cost Multiplier: 120%
Requires: Level 1
Support Reqirements: +5 Int
Supports any skill that Hits enemies, causing it to create patches of Chilled Ground around Frozen enemies.
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 Frost Nexus Support Gem introduces a unique mechanic for Cold-based skills in Path of Exile 2, amplifying the utility of freezing enemies by creating Chilled Ground around them. This adds a layer of area control, slowing down nearby enemies and increasing the effectiveness of Cold damage over time. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the Frost Nexus Support Gem, explaining its mechanics, synergies, and best-use scenarios.
Category: Support
Type: AoE, Cold
Required Level: 1
Support Requirements: +5 Intelligence
Cost Multiplier: 120%
Effect:
Place into a Skill’s Support Gem socket in the Skills menu to apply its effects to that Skill.
The Frost Nexus Support Gem introduces a new layer of crowd control and damage scaling for Cold-based skills by interacting with the Freeze mechanic. Here’s how it functions:
Creating Chilled Ground:
When a Supported Skill freezes an enemy, the Frost Nexus Support Gem triggers the creation of Chilled Ground around the frozen enemy. This Chilled Ground lasts for 4 seconds and applies the Chill debuff to any enemies standing in it, reducing their movement and action speed.
AoE Chilled Ground:
The Chilled Ground generated by the Frost Nexus is not just a single target effect but applies to all enemies in the area around the frozen target. This allows you to control large groups of enemies by slowing them down, giving you more time to deal damage while preventing their escape or retaliation.
Duration and Chill Effects:
The Chilled Ground lasts for 4 seconds and creates a significant slowdown effect. Enemies standing on this ground are Chilled, which further amplifies Cold damage against them. The longer enemies remain in the Chilled area, the more vulnerable they become to your Cold-based attacks.
Synergy with Freeze and Chill Builds:
This gem works best with Freeze-centric builds, where the primary goal is to freeze enemies and then take advantage of the subsequent Chill debuff to deal more damage. By slowing down enemies in the area with Chilled Ground, the Frost Nexus gem provides more opportunities to land hits on frozen foes, making it a perfect addition for Cold Damage over Time or Cold-based projectile builds.
Here are some of the key advantages of using the Frost Nexus gem:
Improved Crowd Control:
The Chilled Ground effect adds an additional layer of crowd control for Cold-based builds. By slowing down groups of enemies, it creates a safer environment for dealing with multiple foes at once. This is especially useful in situations where you need to control mobs or prevent enemies from overwhelming you.
Increased Damage Potential:
Enemies standing on Chilled Ground are more susceptible to Cold damage and Chill, meaning that your Cold-based attacks will deal more damage over time. The Chill debuff significantly amplifies Cold damage, making the Frost Nexus gem an excellent choice for increasing overall damage output.
Area of Effect Control:
Frost Nexus also provides area control in addition to slowing enemies down. In high-density combat situations, this gem gives you the ability to manage enemy positioning by preventing them from closing the gap, giving you ample opportunity to hit them with your Cold-based skills.
Synergy with Freeze-Based Builds:
If your build focuses on Freezing enemies, then Frost Nexus enhances this strategy by applying Chilled Ground and further slowing enemies after they are frozen. This creates a combo of Freeze + Chill, which is incredibly effective for both dealing damage and controlling crowds.
While Frost Nexus offers many advantages, it does come with a few limitations and considerations:
Reliant on Freeze:
Frost Nexus only triggers its effect when an enemy is frozen. If your build does not focus on freezing enemies or you encounter enemies with high Freeze resistance, the gem will not function as intended. It’s essential to incorporate Freeze mechanics into your build, such as Cold spells or Cold attack-based skills.
Limited Duration:
The Chilled Ground effect lasts for only 4 seconds, which is a relatively short window. Although this is usually enough to significantly slow down enemies, it might not always be sufficient for longer battles or scenarios where you need persistent control over enemies. You may need to supplement it with other forms of crowd control or damage over time.
Less Effective Against Bosses:
While Chilled Ground can slow down large groups of enemies, bosses and higher-tier enemies that are resistant to Chill or Freeze will not be as affected. This limits the gem’s effectiveness in boss fights or against enemies that are immune to Freeze.
No Direct Damage Scaling:
Unlike some other support gems that enhance direct damage output, Frost Nexus is more about control and damage amplification via Chill rather than raw damage scaling. It’s an excellent support gem for adding utility, but if you are looking for raw damage boosts, you may want to consider other options in combination with Frost Nexus.
To maximize the effectiveness of the Frost Nexus gem, consider pairing it with the following skills and mechanics:
Freeze-Based Skills:
Since Frost Nexus relies on freezing enemies to trigger Chilled Ground, it pairs well with Cold-based freeze skills such as Frostbolt, Ice Nova, Glacial Hammer, and Freezing Pulse. These skills will allow you to quickly freeze enemies and activate the Chilled Ground effect.
Chill Amplification:
To further boost the effectiveness of Frost Nexus, use Chill-amplifying gems or passive skills that increase Chill duration or effectiveness, such as Cold Penetration, Hypothermia, or Frostbite. These synergize well with the Chilled Ground to increase overall damage output on frozen and chilled enemies.
Cold Damage over Time Builds:
Cold DoT (Damage over Time) builds can benefit from the Chilled Ground effect of Frost Nexus, as it amplifies Cold damage over time to affected enemies. This synergy makes it an excellent gem for Cold DoT skills like Vortex, Ice Spear, or Icicle Spear, where enemies are constantly being slowed and bombarded with Cold damage.
Projectile and AoE Builds:
If you are using Cold projectile skills or AoE spells that hit multiple enemies at once, Frost Nexus will help you control the battlefield by slowing large groups of enemies in the vicinity of a frozen target. This is useful in AoE-focused builds such as Frostbolt or Ice Nova, where you want to ensure that enemies don’t escape your area of effect.
The Frost Nexus Support Gem provides a unique and powerful tool for Cold-based and Freeze-centric builds in Path of Exile 2. By creating Chilled Ground around frozen enemies, it offers both crowd control and damage amplification, enhancing the effectiveness of Cold damage and Freeze mechanics. While it works best in Cold-based builds, it’s a valuable support gem for anyone looking to control enemies and maximize damage in high-density or multi-target combat scenarios.
For players who rely on Freezing enemies and want to further increase their control over the battlefield, Frost Nexus is an excellent choice that will significantly boost both their survivability and damage output. Just remember to balance it with other forms of crowd control or damage scaling to get the most out of this support gem.