It is a Support Gem.
Support
Cold
Tier: 1
Cost Multiplier: 120%
Requires: Level 1
Support Reqirements: +5 Int
Supports any skill that Hits enemies, making it more effective at Freezing 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 Glaciation Support Gem in Path of Exile 2 introduces an impactful mechanic for Cold-based builds focused on Freezing enemies. This gem boosts the Freeze buildup of any supported skill, allowing you to freeze enemies more quickly and efficiently, making it a fantastic option for players who want to enhance their crowd control and damage output through the Freeze mechanic.
In this article, we will delve into the Glaciation Support Gem’s functionality, its synergies with other skills, and the benefits it brings to your Cold-based builds.
The Glaciation Support Gem offers a significant boost to the Freeze effects of your skills by increasing the Freeze buildup. Let’s break down the key features of the gem:
Increased Freeze Buildup:
The Glaciation gem increases the Freeze buildup of supported skills by 50%. This means that when you hit an enemy with a skill that has this support gem, it will take 50% more Freeze buildup compared to a skill without it. Freeze buildup refers to the accumulation of cold damage that an enemy takes until they reach the Freeze threshold. With this gem, you will be able to Freeze enemies more quickly, allowing you to control them more effectively during combat.
Freeze Effectiveness:
With the Glaciation Support Gem, your Cold skills become much more effective at applying the Freeze status. This can be especially useful in situations where you need to lock down multiple enemies or disable high-priority targets quickly, such as boss fights or dense packs of enemies. The increased Freeze buildup allows you to Freeze tougher or higher-level enemies with greater efficiency.
The Glaciation Support Gem is primarily designed for builds that focus on Cold damage and Freeze mechanics. Here are some examples of how the gem can synergize with various Cold-based skills:
Freeze-Focused Skills:
Glaciation works best with skills that already have a high potential for Freezing enemies. Cold Snap, Frostbolt, Vortex, and Ice Nova are all excellent examples of skills that can benefit greatly from this gem. These skills are already designed to Freeze enemies, and the increased Freeze buildup will allow you to achieve this effect much more quickly, particularly when facing larger groups of enemies or tougher bosses.
Freeze and Shatter Builds:
If your build relies on Freeze effects to Shatter enemies for additional damage (for example, using Shatter as a mechanic for triggering other abilities or applying Cold DoT), Glaciation becomes a powerful tool. The faster you can freeze enemies, the quicker you can Shatter them for extra AoE Cold damage or effects tied to Shattering.
Cold Elemental Damage:
If your character is focusing on increasing Cold damage, Glaciation enhances your ability to control enemies by freezing them faster. The increased Freeze buildup helps you lock down enemies with Cold elemental damage that is already high enough to freeze or chill enemies.
Chill and Freeze Synergy:
Many Cold-based builds rely on the synergy between Chill and Freeze. As Chill reduces enemy movement speed and their action speed, you can make use of Freeze to incapacitate enemies entirely. With Glaciation, your Freeze buildup is faster, which allows you to potentially Freeze enemies even before they can react, giving you more control over the battlefield.
The Glaciation Support Gem offers several advantages for Cold-based builds:
Faster Freeze Application:
The most immediate benefit of Glaciation is that it allows you to Freeze enemies faster by increasing the Freeze buildup. This is essential for builds that focus on crowd control and disabling enemies during combat. Whether you’re fighting mobs or bosses, the faster you can Freeze enemies, the more effective your control becomes.
Better Crowd Control:
By increasing the Freeze buildup, you can incapacitate more enemies in a shorter amount of time. This is invaluable in crowd control situations, where you need to freeze and manage large numbers of enemies. It’s especially helpful in map clearing and boss fights, where a well-timed Freeze can shut down a dangerous foe or slow down a swarm of enemies.
Synergy with Freeze Builds:
Glaciation is a natural fit for builds that rely heavily on Freeze mechanics. For example, builds that use Freeze and Shatter as core mechanics (like Cold Snap builds) will see a direct improvement in how quickly they can lock down enemies and trigger their Shatter effects.
Increased Damage Potential:
Freezing enemies faster means you have more time to deal damage to them while they are incapacitated. This gives you more time to use Cold-based skills to ramp up damage while the enemies are frozen, especially if your build focuses on Cold DoTs or burst damage after a Freeze.
While Glaciation is a powerful tool for Cold-based builds, there are a few factors to consider:
Reliant on Freeze Mechanics:
The gem requires you to have a reliable means of Freezing enemies. If your build doesn’t focus on Cold damage or Freeze effects, Glaciation may not be as effective. It’s essential that you have the necessary Cold damage scaling or support from other sources to ensure that you’re able to Freeze enemies consistently.
Not Ideal for Non-Cold Builds:
While Glaciation is perfect for Cold-focused builds, it may not be the best choice for other elemental builds that don’t emphasize Freeze mechanics. For non-Cold builds, you’ll likely need to seek other support gems that suit your elemental focus, such as Increased Critical Damage or Elemental Focus.
Freeze Buildup May Not Be Immediate:
While 50% more Freeze buildup is a substantial boost, it may still take time to reach the Freeze threshold against certain enemies. This gem excels when combined with high-damage Cold skills, but in some cases, you may still need to manage your Freeze application over time.
The Glaciation Support Gem is an excellent choice for Cold-based builds looking to maximize their Freeze potential and crowd control abilities. By increasing the Freeze buildup of supported skills by 50%, this gem makes your Cold attacks much more effective at Freezing enemies, providing better control over the battlefield and enhancing the damage you can deal while enemies are Frozen.
If you’re running a Cold build with a focus on Freeze and Shatter mechanics, Glaciation will improve the speed at which you can incapacitate enemies, making it an indispensable tool for crowd control and damage optimization. However, it’s best used in builds that already rely on Freeze mechanics, so be sure that your skill set and damage output can capitalize on this gem’s effects for maximum benefit.