PoE 2 Ice Shot
It is a Skill Gem.
Attack
AoE, Projectile, Cold
Tier: 9 (Ranger)
Level: 9
Cost: 15 Mana
Attack Speed: 90% of base
Attack Damage: 137%
Requires: Level 31, Dex 72, Bow
Fire an icy arrow that sprays a cone of ice shards when it hits a target. Hitting a Frozen enemy will Consume the Freeze to deal significantly more damage and break off larger shards that fly further.
- Converts 40% of Physical Damage to Cold Damage
- 200% more Effect of Chill
- Consumes Freeze on enemies to deal 350% more Damage
- Cannot inflict Freeze
Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.
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Ice Shot is a powerful Cold-based Attack skill gem in Path of Exile 2, designed for Ranger players who want to deal devastating Cold damage with the Bow. This skill turns your projectile attacks into a chilling force, capable of freezing enemies and then consuming that Freeze for explosive bursts of additional damage. The AoE effect, cone-shaped ice shards, and synergy with Freeze effects make Ice Shot an excellent choice for dealing with both individual targets and groups of enemies.
Key Details of Ice Shot
- Gem Type: Skill Gem
- Skill Type: Attack, AoE, Projectile, Cold
- Tier: 9 (Ranger)
- Level Requirement: 9
- Mana Cost: 15
- Attack Speed: 90% of base
- Attack Damage: 137%
- Physical to Cold Conversion: Converts 40% of Physical Damage to Cold Damage
- Effect of Chill: 200% more Effect of Chill
- Requires: Level 31, 72 Dex, Bow
- Freeze Consumption: Consumes Freeze on enemies to deal 350% more Damage
- Freeze Infliction: Cannot inflict Freeze
How Ice Shot Works
Ice Shot is a unique projectile attack skill that creates a cone of ice shards upon impact. These shards deal Cold damage to all enemies in the area, providing AoE Cold damage for clearing groups of enemies. However, the skill truly shines when dealing with Frozen enemies. When you hit a Frozen target, Ice Shot consumes the Freeze effect and significantly increases the damage output of the ice shards, while also launching larger shards that fly further.
1. Cone of Ice Shards
- Upon impact, Ice Shot releases a cone of ice shards that deal Cold damage to all enemies in the vicinity of the target. This AoE effect makes it ideal for crowd control and group clearing, as multiple enemies can be hit with the Cold damage explosion.
2. Freeze Consumption for Extra Damage
- Ice Shot has a special interaction with Freeze effects. When you hit a Frozen enemy, the Freeze effect is consumed, and the damage output of the skill is boosted by 350%. This allows you to deal massive damage to Frozen enemies and capitalize on the Freeze status in a way that few other skills can. Additionally, larger shards fly further upon hitting a Frozen target, increasing the reach and potential damage of the attack.
3. Cold Damage Conversion and Scaling
- The skill converts 40% of Physical damage to Cold damage, meaning you can scale Cold damage more effectively by stacking Cold damage passives or support gems like Cold Penetration or Hypothermia. This conversion allows you to integrate Ice Shot into Cold builds with ease.
4. 200% More Effect of Chill
- Ice Shot also benefits from 200% more Effect of Chill, meaning that the Chill effect applied to enemies is significantly enhanced, slowing down their movement and attack speed even further. This can be especially useful for crowd control and for making it easier to hit and Freeze enemies with other skills.
Synergies with Other Skills and Builds
Ice Shot can be an effective skill for a variety of builds that focus on Cold damage, Freeze mechanics, and projectile-based attacks. Here are some synergies to consider when using Ice Shot:
1. Freeze and Chill Mechanics
- Since Ice Shot consumes Freeze to deal additional damage, pairing it with skills or support gems that Freeze enemies (like Frostbite, Elemental Focus, or Chilling Strike) will significantly increase your damage potential. Maximizing Freeze chance through Cold damage scaling will help ensure that enemies are Frozen when you need them to be.
- The 200% more Effect of Chill makes Chill incredibly potent, slowing enemies to give you more time to deal damage or escape from dangerous situations.
2. Cold Damage Scaling
- As Ice Shot converts Physical damage into Cold damage, the skill benefits from any Cold damage bonuses in your build. Cold Penetration, Hypothermia, and Elemental Damage with Attacks support gems can significantly boost the Cold damage output of the skill. Additionally, Cold DoT effects like Frostbite can increase the effectiveness of your Cold attacks.
3. Projectile Scaling
- Ice Shot fires projectiles, so it can benefit from Projectile-scaling modifiers. Support gems like Pierce, Greater Multiple Projectiles, and Lesser Multiple Projectiles can allow your ice shards to hit more enemies and increase AoE damage.
- Projectile Speed modifiers will also enhance the range and effectiveness of the ice shards, helping to clear larger areas.
4. Bow-based Builds
- Since Ice Shot requires a Bow, it synergizes perfectly with Bow-based builds. Focus on building around elemental Bow damage, projectile-based scaling, and Cold damage passives. The skill pairs well with Arrow-related skills like Mirage Archer and Chain, providing multiple avenues to scale both Cold and Projectile damage.
5. Cluster Jewel Builds
- Ice Shot can be integrated into Cluster Jewel builds, which often contain specialized passive trees for Cold damage, Freeze, and projectile scaling. This can significantly amplify the damage and utility of Ice Shot, making it a devastating tool for both single-target and AoE damage.
Pros and Cons of Ice Shot
Pros:
- High AoE Damage: The cone of ice shards provides excellent AoE Cold damage, making it effective for clearing groups of enemies.
- Freeze Consumption: When Freeze is consumed, Ice Shot deals 350% more damage, making it a devastating skill against Frozen enemies.
- Chill Scaling: The 200% increased Effect of Chill slows down enemies, making them easier to hit and freeze, and can make them more vulnerable to further attacks.
- Projectile-based: The skill works well with projectile scaling and synergizes with Bow-based builds.
Cons:
- Cannot Inflict Freeze: While Ice Shot interacts with Freeze by consuming it for increased damage, it does not inflict Freeze on its own. You’ll need other skills or support gems to Freeze enemies before using Ice Shot.
- Mana Cost: The 15 Mana cost per shot may require mana regeneration or mana cost reduction items to maintain a constant attack rhythm.
- Targeting Freeze-dependent: The Freeze consumption mechanic requires Frozen enemies for maximum damage, which means you need to ensure Freeze effects are applied.
Tips for Using Ice Shot
- Pair with Freeze Effects: To maximize the damage of Ice Shot, use other skills or support gems that Freeze enemies, like Frostbite, Frost Bomb, or Chilling Strike.
- Maximize AoE: The cone of ice shards is a great tool for clearing groups of enemies. Use AoE scaling items and support gems to make the most of this aspect.
- Leverage Chill Effects: Use the 200% increased Effect of Chill to slow enemies down, making it easier to hit and Freeze them. This also gives you more control over the battlefield.
- Bow and Projectile Scaling: Since Ice Shot uses projectiles, stack Projectile Speed, Pierce, and Multiple Projectiles to increase the AoE and hit more targets.
- Prepare for Freeze Consumption: Ensure you have reliable methods to Freeze enemies before triggering the Freeze consumption for maximum damage output.
Conclusion
Ice Shot is a powerful Cold skill gem in Path of Exile 2 for Ranger players looking to combine AoE Cold damage with Freeze mechanics. With its ability to consume Freeze for explosive damage and release a cone of ice shards, Ice Shot provides an excellent tool for crowd control and single-target burst. Whether you’re aiming to chill your enemies or capitalize on Freeze effects, Ice Shot offers high damage potential and versatility for Bow-based builds that focus on Cold damage.