Requires: Level 31, 72 Str. Requires: Two Hand Mace, One Hand Mace.
Slams the ground, creating a roiling fissure that damages enemies in a sequence of areas in front of you. A number of enemies hit by the wave will release a shockwave, damaging other enemies.
+1.4 seconds to attck time
+0.2 metres to wave length for each wave in the sequence
100% increased critical damage bonus
While dual wielding, both weapons hit with 30% less damage
Consumes fully broken armour on enemies to guarantee a critical hit
Wave length is 0.9 metres
Wave causes shockwaves from up to 5 enemies in each area
Skills can be managed in the skill panel.
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The Sunder skill gem in Path of Exile 2 is a Tier 9 melee attack designed for Warrior builds wielding maces. With its unique wave-and-shockwave mechanics, Sunder combines powerful AoE damage with critical strike utility. The skill slams the ground, creating a churning wave of damage that spreads across multiple areas, triggering shockwaves from enemies hit by the wave. Sunder excels at dealing with dense enemy groups while also offering significant scaling for single-target damage through its critical strike and armor-breaking mechanics.
Sunder rewards precise positioning and offers unique interactions with broken armor, making it a versatile and devastating skill for AoE and single-target scenarios.
Skill Mechanics
Wave Mechanics:
Slams the ground, creating a wave of churning terrain that deals damage to enemies in its path.
The wave’s length increases by 0.2 metres for each subsequent wave in the sequence, extending its reach.
Shockwave Effect:
Enemies hit by the wave can release shockwaves, which deal damage to nearby foes within a 1.2-metre radius.
Each area of the wave triggers up to 5 shockwaves, creating a cascading effect in dense enemy groups.
Critical Strike Scaling:
Gains 100% increased Critical Damage Bonus, making it a strong choice for crit builds.
Consumes Fully Broken Armor on enemies to guarantee critical hits, rewarding players for strategically weakening enemies first.
Dual Wield Penalty:
While dual wielding, both weapons hit with 30% less damage, balancing its effectiveness with faster attack options.
Build Highlights
Sunder is an excellent choice for builds that prioritize AoE control, critical strikes, and synergy with armor-breaking mechanics. Here’s how to make the most of this skill:
Critical Strike Builds:
Leverage the 100% increased Critical Damage Bonus and guaranteed crits from broken armor to maximize burst damage.
AoE Scaling:
Increase Area of Effect to extend the reach of waves and shockwaves, amplifying the skill’s crowd control.
Armor-Breaking Synergy:
Pair with skills or items that easily break enemy armor to take advantage of guaranteed critical hits.
Mace Focus:
Use high-damage maces to scale the skill’s base attack damage and shockwave effectiveness.
Pros and Cons
Pros
High AoE Damage: Combines wave and shockwave mechanics for exceptional crowd control and group damage.
Critical Strike Scaling: Rewards crit builds with high damage multipliers and guaranteed crits.
Armor Synergy: Unique interaction with broken armor adds strategic depth.
Wave Reach: The wave’s expanding range ensures consistent damage across larger areas.
Cons
High Mana Cost: At 40 Mana, it requires proper resource management.
Slower Attack Speed: The +1.4 seconds to Attack Time can feel sluggish without investment in attack speed.
Dual Wield Penalty: Reduced damage while dual wielding limits flexibility for certain builds.
Requires Setup: Maximizing critical hit potential depends on breaking armor first.
Gameplay Tips
Position for Maximum Effect:
Aim the wave through groups of enemies to trigger multiple shockwaves, maximizing AoE damage.
Break Armor Strategically:
Use supporting skills or items that break armor to guarantee critical hits against priority targets.
Balance AoE and Attack Speed:
Invest in Area of Effect for better wave coverage and Attack Speed to offset the skill’s slower base.
Scale Critical Damage:
Focus on Critical Strike Multiplier and Critical Strike Chance to capitalize on the skill’s crit-scaling potential.
Support and Passive Recommendations
Support Gems:
Increased Area of Effect: Expands the wave and shockwave radius for better coverage.
Melee Physical Damage: Boosts the base damage of both the wave and shockwaves.
Critical Damage Support: Enhances the critical strike multiplier for devastating crits.
Faster Attacks: Reduces attack time, improving skill responsiveness.
Passive Tree:
Prioritize nodes that enhance Melee Damage, Critical Strike Chance, and Area of Effect.
Allocate passives that increase Armor-Breaking Effects or boost Critical Strike Multiplier.
Gear:
Equip maces with high base physical damage or crit modifiers to scale both the wave and shockwaves.
Look for gear that enhances Armor Penetration, Critical Strike Chance, or Area Damage.
How to Use
The Sunder skill can be assigned and managed in the Skills Panel, allowing players to configure it for their specific build. Its blend of high base damage, AoE scaling, and crit potential makes it a core skill for Warrior mace builds.
Conclusion
The Sunder skill gem is a powerful and versatile tool for Warrior builds in Path of Exile 2. Its unique wave-and-shockwave mechanics offer strong AoE damage, while its interactions with critical strikes and armor-breaking effects provide significant single-target burst potential. Whether used for clearing hordes of enemies or delivering devastating critical hits, Sunder is a reliable and impactful skill for dedicated melee players.