Attack
AoE, Melee, Strike
Level: 6
Cost: 7 Mana
Attack Speed: 70% of base
Attack Damage: 128%
Requires: Level 27, 64 Int
Requires: Spear
Perform a circular slash that kicks up a spinning storm of wind and dust around you, slowing enemies and blinding them in its area of effect. LEaving the area unleashes the swirling storm, causing it to deal damage.
Using this Attack again in the storm adds 1 Stage to the storm
Storm
Base Radius is 2.2 metres
80% reduced Blind Effect
Using this Attack again in the storm adds 1 Stage to the storm
Maximum 3 Stages
Damage from releading Storm has +4 to radius per Stage
Deals 30% less Damage when released
Deals 150% more Damage per Stage when released
Enemies iniside the storm have 30% reduced Movement Speed
Storm gains +3 to radius per Stage
Skills can be managed in the Skills Panel.
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Whirling Slash is a powerful melee attack skill in Path of Exile 2 that combines AoE damage, crowd control, and debuffs into a single circular slash. Available for Spear-focused builds, this skill creates a storm of wind and dust around the user, slowing and blinding enemies while dealing damage in its area of effect. The storm grows stronger as you use the skill multiple times, adding stages to the storm for increased damage and area radius. This makes Whirling Slash a versatile tool for controlling the battlefield while applying consistent damage.
Skill Gem Details
Category: Attack, AoE, Melee, Strike
Level: 6
Cost: 7 Mana
Attack Speed: 70% of base
Attack Damage: 128%
Required Level: 27
Required Attributes: 64 Int
Required Weapon: Spear
Effect: Perform a circular slash that generates a storm of wind and dust around you, dealing damage, slowing enemies, and applying blindness. The storm grows stronger with each subsequent use of the skill.
Skill Mechanics
Circular Slash and Storm Generation:
When you activate Whirling Slash, your character performs a circular slash, kicking up a wind and dust storm around you. This storm has two major effects: it slows enemies within its area of effect and blinds them, making it harder for enemies to target you effectively.
Whirling Slash also deals damage to any enemies in the area, making it a solid AoE attack skill. The storm has a base radius of 2.2 metres, allowing it to impact multiple enemies around you.
Storm Stages:
Each time you use Whirling Slash while inside the storm, you add 1 stage to the storm, increasing its damage output and radius.
The storm can reach a maximum of 3 stages, and with each stage, it gains +4 to radius and 150% more damage when released. This means that by chaining the skill effectively, you can significantly amplify the damage and area coverage of the storm.
Storm Release:
Once you leave the area of the storm, it will be released, dealing damage to enemies caught in its radius. However, the damage when released is 30% less compared to the storm’s full potential damage within its radius.
Despite the reduced damage, the storm becomes more potent with each stage added, ensuring that the longer you stay in the storm and chain attacks, the more devastating it becomes.
Blind and Slow Effects:
Enemies within the storm suffer a 30% reduction in movement speed, making it an effective tool for slowing down and controlling enemy movements.
The Blind effect is reduced by 80% for this skill, meaning that enemies are less likely to hit you when you’re performing Whirling Slash and when they are within the storm’s area of effect. This gives you extra survivability in combat while applying pressure on your enemies.
Strategic Uses
Crowd Control and Area Denial:
Whirling Slash excels in crowd control, as it applies a slow to enemies within the storm and blinds them, reducing their effectiveness in combat. This makes it a great choice for large groups of enemies or when you need to delay enemy advancement.
The AoE damage and slow effect also make it useful for area denial, preventing enemies from engaging you or your allies effectively.
Storm Stacking for High Damage:
The key to maximizing Whirling Slash’s damage output lies in stacking stages on the storm. By repeatedly using the skill while inside the storm, you can increase its radius and damage, which becomes especially useful when you are surrounded by enemies.
After reaching the maximum 3 stages, the storm will deal significant damage upon release, making it an ideal skill for finishing off large groups of enemies or boss encounters where you need to deliver high burst damage.
Synergy with Spear Builds:
Whirling Slash works exceptionally well with Spear-based builds, as it leverages the AoE capabilities and high mobility that Spears offer. The radius increase and mobility of the skill allow players to clear packs of enemies while staying in control of the battlefield. Spears also benefit from attack speed and area scaling, further amplifying the effectiveness of Whirling Slash.
Pros and Cons
Pros
AoE Damage: Whirling Slash allows you to hit multiple enemies in a large area, making it great for clearing packs or dealing with swarms of enemies.
Crowd Control: The slow and blind effects significantly reduce the effectiveness of enemies in the area, giving you control over the battlefield.
Storm Stages: The ability to stack stages in the storm increases its damage output and radius, making it a potent tool for high damage and area control.
Synergy with Spears: The skill works well with Spears, providing increased damage and mobility for melee builds.
Cons
Damage Reduction on Release: The damage released when leaving the storm is 30% less, which may feel underwhelming compared to the full potential of the storm when it is active.
Mana Cost: While Whirling Slash has a relatively low mana cost (7 Mana), using it repeatedly to stack stages can still be demanding on mana reserves, especially in prolonged fights. Players may need to manage mana regeneration or use mana leech to sustain the skill in longer encounters.
Relatively Slow Attack Speed: The attack speed of Whirling Slash is 70% of the base, meaning that you won’t be able to spam it as quickly as some other skills. However, the tradeoff is more strategic usage and a focus on area control and damage stacking.
Gameplay Tips
Maximize Storm Stages:
To get the most out of Whirling Slash, make sure to use the skill repeatedly inside the storm to stack its stages. The more stages you accumulate, the larger and more damaging the storm will become.
Use for Crowd Control:
Use Whirling Slash when dealing with large groups of enemies. The slow and blind effects will significantly disrupt their ability to fight back, giving you and your allies an advantage.
Timing Your Release:
Since Whirling Slash‘s damage is reduced when you leave the storm, it’s best to time your exits carefully. Consider using the skill in areas where you can maximize your damage output before the storm dissipates.
Pair with Spear Buffs:
Make sure to pair Whirling Slash with Spear-specific buffs, such as those that increase attack speed, damage, or AoE effects. This will help you stack damage faster and clear areas more efficiently.
Conclusion
Whirling Slash is a unique AoE melee attack skill that offers crowd control, damage, and strategic depth for Spear-based builds. Its ability to generate a storm of wind and dust that slows and blinds enemies, combined with the potential for stacking stages for massive damage, makes it a versatile and powerful tool for any player who enjoys area control and melee combat. If you’re looking for a skill that offers both offensive power and defensive utility, Whirling Slash will be an excellent addition to your arsenal.