Support
Projectile
Tier: 1
Requires: Level 1
Support Reqirements: +5 Dex
Supports Projectile skills, making their Projectiles Pierce an enemy but deal less damage after doing so.
Projectiles from Supported Skills Pierce an Enemy
Projectiles from Supported Skills deal 30% less Damage if they’ve Pierced an enemy
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.
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The Pierce Support Gem is a valuable tool in Path of Exile 2 for builds utilizing projectile skills. By allowing projectiles to pierce through enemies, this gem increases the effectiveness of area coverage and crowd control, especially in encounters with dense enemy groups. Though it comes with a trade-off in damage after piercing, its utility can significantly enhance your gameplay.
Gem Details
Category: Support
Tier: 1
Required Level: 1
Support Requirements: +5 Dexterity
Effects:
Projectiles from Supported Skills Pierce an Enemy
Projectiles from Supported Skills deal 30% less Damage if they’ve Pierced an enemy
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.
How Pierce Support Works
Piercing Effect:
Projectiles from supported skills gain the ability to pierce through one enemy, hitting additional targets along their path.
Damage Trade-Off:
After piercing, projectiles deal 30% less damage, balancing the utility of multi-target hits with reduced individual damage output.
Increased Coverage:
Enables projectile skills to affect more enemies in a single cast or attack, improving area damage potential.
Advantages of Pierce Support
Improved Clear Speed:
Particularly effective in dense enemy packs, allowing projectiles to strike multiple enemies in a line.
Versatility:
Can be used with a wide variety of projectile-based skills, both attack and spell, enhancing their effectiveness.
Synergy with AoE Mechanics:
Combines well with skills or modifiers that create secondary effects on hit, maximizing damage across multiple targets.
Ease of Use:
Automatically applies its effect without additional input, simplifying gameplay mechanics.
Challenges and Considerations
Damage Reduction:
The 30% less damage after piercing may limit its effectiveness in single-target scenarios.
Limited Piercing:
Projectiles only pierce one enemy, which might not be sufficient for extremely dense packs unless combined with additional pierce mechanics.
Socket Investment:
Takes up a support gem slot, potentially limiting other damage-boosting or utility support options.
Best Builds for Pierce Support
Bow Builds:
Ideal for skills like Split Arrow, Ice Shot, or Lightning Arrow, increasing their multi-target potential.
Spell Projectile Builds:
Effective with projectile spells such as Freezing Pulse or Fireball, improving their ability to hit multiple enemies in a line.
Hybrid Crowd Control Builds:
Combines well with skills that inflict status ailments, spreading effects like Chill, Ignite, or Shock across multiple enemies.
Synergies and Combinations
Additional Pierce:
Combine with passives or items that add more pierces to increase the number of enemies a projectile can hit.
Secondary Effects:
Use with skills that have secondary explosions or AoE effects, such as Explosive Arrow, to amplify multi-target damage.
Projectile Speed:
Pair with Faster Projectiles Support to increase the range and effectiveness of piercing projectiles.
Chain or Fork Mechanics:
Works well in conjunction with mechanics like Chain Support or Fork Support to enhance overall projectile coverage.
Example Playstyle
Equip Pierce Support with a skill like Ice Shot for effective crowd control in tightly packed enemy groups.
Use gear or passives to enhance projectile speed and range, ensuring your attacks hit as many enemies as possible.
Pair with status ailment mechanics to inflict widespread conditions like Chill or Ignite.
Conclusion
The Pierce Support Gem is a straightforward yet impactful addition to projectile-based builds in Path of Exile 2. By allowing projectiles to hit multiple enemies, it enhances your ability to clear dense packs and maintain strong area coverage. While it comes with a damage reduction after piercing, the increased effectiveness against groups of enemies often outweighs the drawback.
Whether you’re a bow-wielding ranger or a projectile-casting mage, Pierce Support is a powerful tool for improving your build’s crowd control and efficiency. With proper planning and synergies, this gem can significantly boost your gameplay experience in Path of Exile 2.