PoE 2 Ice Nova – Path of Exile 2

PoE 2 Ice Nova

It is a Skill Gem.

Spell
AoE, Cold, Nova
Tier: 1 (Sorceress)
Level: 1
Cost: 11 Mana
Cast Time: 1.00 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 12.00%
Requires: Level 1

A nova of ice expands from you, Knocking Back enemies based on how close they are to you. Casting Ice Nova targeting near a Frostbolt Projectile will cause it to originate from the Frostbolt instead of you, and cause more Freeze buildup.

  • Deals 4 to 6 Cold Damage
  • Knocks Enemies Back on Hit
  • 100% more Effect of Chill
  • Base radius is 3.2 metres

Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.

Buy PoE 2 Currency Fast

  • Buy PoE 2 Currency Cheap (6% off coupon: z123). Path of Exile 2 currency items. Payment: PayPal, Skrill, Cryptocurrencies.

Ice Nova is a Cold-based Spell skill in Path of Exile 2 that creates a burst of frost expanding out from the caster, dealing Cold damage and applying Chill to enemies in a wide area. This AoE Nova skill is great for controlling crowds, dealing with multiple enemies at once, and stacking Freeze buildup when combined with other Cold effects. It is an ideal choice for Sorceress players looking for a quick and powerful Cold spell.

Key Details of Ice Nova

  • Gem Type: Skill Gem
  • Skill Type: Spell, AoE, Cold, Nova
  • Tier: 1 (Sorceress)
  • Level Requirement: 1
  • Mana Cost: 11 Mana
  • Cast Time: 1.00 sec
  • Critical Strike Chance: 12.00%
  • Requires: Level 1
  • Effect: Expands a nova of ice from the caster, knocking back enemies based on their proximity. If cast near a Frostbolt Projectile, the nova will originate from the Frostbolt instead, dealing more Freeze buildup.

How Ice Nova Works

Ice Nova is a burst-like spell that is highly effective in crowd control and Chill application. When cast, the spell releases a shockwave of ice that knocks back enemies and deals Cold damage.

1. Cold Damage & Knockback Effect

  • Ice Nova deals Cold damage in an AoE around the caster, impacting enemies within its radius. The damage is relatively low initially, dealing 4 to 6 Cold Damage, but it is the secondary effects that make this skill shine.
  • The Knockback effect pushes enemies away from the caster based on their proximity, which means the closer the enemies are, the more they are knocked back. This mechanic helps create space between you and enemies, providing extra crowd control, especially in tight situations.

2. 100% More Effect of Chill

  • A notable feature of Ice Nova is the 100% more Effect of Chill. This modifier increases the potency of the Chill you apply to enemies, slowing them down significantly. The more effective the Chill, the less movement and action enemies can take, making them easier to control and kill. This effect can be compounded with Freeze mechanics, making Ice Nova a formidable tool for slowing or freezing enemies.

3. Frostbolt Synergy

  • One of the unique interactions with Ice Nova is its synergy with Frostbolt projectiles. When Ice Nova is cast near a Frostbolt, the Nova will originate from the Frostbolt rather than from you, and it will have increased Freeze buildup.
  • This interaction makes Ice Nova a fantastic choice for Cold-based builds that focus on projectile spells like Frostbolt. You can aim your Frostbolt to place it in the ideal spot and then cast Ice Nova to amplify your Freeze potential and control enemies even further.

4. AoE Radius and Range

  • Ice Nova has a base radius of 3.2 metres, which gives it decent coverage in a crowd control situation. It is not the largest AoE in the game, but it provides enough area to hit a good number of enemies in a tight cluster, especially when used in combination with Frostbolt or other AoE skills.

Synergies with Other Skills and Builds

Ice Nova can work well in several Cold-focused builds, especially in synergy with projectile-based Cold skills or Chill/Freeze-oriented strategies. Here are some of the best synergies to consider:

1. Frostbolt Synergy

  • As mentioned, Ice Nova works exceptionally well when cast near a Frostbolt. The ability for Ice Nova to originate from the Frostbolt makes it easier to aim and position your Ice Nova, while also ensuring that the Freeze buildup is significantly increased. This is especially useful in projectile-based builds that aim to maximize Freeze or Chill.

2. Freeze and Chill Builds

  • If you’re focusing on a Freeze or Chill strategy, Ice Nova is a great skill to stack Freeze buildup quickly. Freeze effects can be increased by using Cold damage, and Ice Nova benefits from the 100% more Effect of Chill, which makes it even more effective in slowing enemies and freezing them faster.
  • To maximize your Freeze and Chill potential, you can combine Ice Nova with Cold-related passives or support gems like Cold Penetration or Hypothermia, which increase Cold damage and enhance the Chill/Freeze effects of your attacks.

3. AoE Cold Builds

  • Ice Nova is a great fit for AoE Cold builds. The Knockback and Chill effects provide crowd control while also enabling you to deal Cold damage to multiple enemies in one cast. If you’re using AoE scaling with Cold damage, Ice Nova fits perfectly as a crowd control and damage skill.

4. Cast on Critical Strike

  • Given Ice Nova’s decent Critical Strike Chance (12%), it can benefit from Cast on Critical Strike setups. If your build includes high critical strike chance, this synergy will allow Ice Nova to be cast frequently, applying Chill and Freeze while also dealing significant damage.

Pros and Cons of Ice Nova

Pros:

  • AoE Cold damage with Knockback provides crowd control and space management.
  • 100% more Effect of Chill allows for increased Chill potency, making enemies easier to freeze or slow down.
  • Synergizes well with Frostbolt, allowing you to direct the Nova and increase Freeze buildup.
  • The Knockback effect helps manage enemies’ positioning, giving you more control over the battlefield.

Cons:

  • Mana cost of 11 Mana can add up in prolonged fights, so you may need to manage your mana regeneration or use items to reduce mana costs.
  • Cold damage is somewhat low at the base level (4 to 6 Cold damage), which means it might not be effective as a primary damage source without investing in Cold damage scaling.
  • The radius is somewhat limited compared to other AoE skills, meaning you’ll need to focus on positioning to maximize the skill’s effectiveness.

Tips for Using Ice Nova

  1. Positioning Matters: To take full advantage of Ice Nova, positioning is key. Try to cast it near a Frostbolt to have the Nova originate from the projectile for more effective Freeze buildup. This tactic is particularly useful for projectile builds.
  2. Use with Freeze Builds: Focus on maximizing Freeze buildup by combining Ice Nova with Cold damage scaling and Freeze-related passives. This will allow you to freeze enemies faster, especially when paired with Frostbolt.
  3. Control the Battlefield: The Knockback effect of Ice Nova can help push enemies out of your way or create space between you and stronger foes. Use this to your advantage when dealing with melee enemies or large groups.
  4. Maximize Chill: Use support gems or passives that increase the Effect of Chill to make Ice Nova even more effective. You can stack Chill to slow enemies drastically, giving you more time to deal with them.

Conclusion

Ice Nova is an excellent Cold AoE skill in Path of Exile 2, providing a powerful combination of damage, crowd control, and Freeze buildup. With its Knockback effect and synergy with Frostbolt, Ice Nova is a fantastic tool for players who want to freeze and control large groups of enemies while dealing Cold damage. Whether you’re building for Freeze, Chill, or crowd control, Ice Nova offers versatile options for Sorceress players seeking to master Cold magic.

Similar Posts