Summary
It may feel like a long time forPath of Exile 2’s 0.2.0 update to be released, as the current time window is around the end of March, with no specific date set in stone. This will be one of the largest updates for the game overall before its full release, and the biggest since its early access launch, making big changes to core systems and adding new content.Path of Exile 2’s Towers will receive potentially controversial changesin 0.2.0, new Unique Items will be added, and GGG recently confirmed several new Support Gems will make their way into the game.
Path of Exile 2already has some very strong builds in its current state, though it remains to be seen if all of them will be equally strong after the upcoming patch. For example, it’s quite likely thatPath of Exile 2’s Herald of Ice and Herald of Thunder will be nerfed in terms of how they can chain off of one another, dramatically increasing clear speed at very little cost. Yet, there are some very powerful builds in the game now, and an existing archetype would greatly benefit from one of the 0.2.0 Support Gems - Derange.
Path of Exile 2’s 0.2.0 Derange Support Could Break The Game For Two Builds
Derange is aSupport Gem coming toPath of Exile 2alongside some others that GGG has already confirmed. These include:
In the case of Derange, it allows supported skills to deal 8% more non-ailment damage over time per 100 Intelligence with the drawback of consuming Energy Shield equal to the Mana cost of the associated ability. This may seem like a high cost to pay for the added damage, but builds focused on stacking Intelligence, like the popular and all-powerful Gemling Legionnaire with Pillar of the Caged God, could take Derange to the next level if built right.
It’s worth noting that the Staff weapon line is missing two Skill Gems at the moment, and one could very well be a Chaos skill that deals damage over time considering the Acolyte of Chayula’s themes.
This is because not only would this build archetype benefit the most from Derange’s damage multiplier based on Intelligence, but it could also reduce the impact of the added Energy Shield costs thanks to the innate focus on ES and added tools like Grim Feast. With Chaos Inoculation or even hybrid Life and ES builds, it becomes easy to stack Energy Shield, which is often seen when usingPath of Exile 2’s Hand of Wisdom and Actionor a spellcasting wand and a focus. As such, it makes sense for Intelligence-stacking builds to use Derange in a damage setup, preferably on bossing skills to avoid possible survivability issues when mapping.
ForChaos spellcasting builds inPath of Exile 2, it’s quite likely to get at the very least 200 Intelligence overall, and that’s a 16% more damage over time multiplier from Derange alone, making it quite strong for this type of build. As for stat-stacking builds, a Gemling Legionnaire withPath of Exile 2’s Astramentis could hypothetically have over 1,000 Intelligence, in which case Derange would offer a whopping 80% more damage over time increase on its own. Even at 16% more damage, which is just 200 Intelligence, Derange could be hard to beat for many damage over time builds, and anything above that would be even better.
Why Derange Could be an S-Tier Support Gem in Path of Exile 2
As such, Derange would naturally make a great support for Chaos damage over time builds, which are at times very popular inPath of Exile 1as well. The tried combo of Essence Drain and Contagion could potentially be incredibly strong with Derange if players can invest in Intelligence, which doesn’t even require stacking other stats. The extra Intelligence is also great for stacking Mana, which works wonders as an added defensive layer with Mind Over Matter.
There are other builds that could benefit from Derange, too, albeit arguably in less significant ways compared to stat-stacking. For example, a build revolving aroundPath of Exile 2’s Acolyte of Chayulacould easily make up for Derange’s drawback, as it allows players to leech Mana and Energy Shield simultaneously. Ultimately, it remains to be seen howPath of Exile 2’s 0.2.0 patch will shake up the meta, but Derange already seems a very solid Support Gem to use.
Path of Exile II
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Path of Exile 2 is a next generation free-to-play Action RPG created by Grinding Gear Games. Journey across the deadly continent of Wraeclast, meeting multiple immersive cultures while facing off against evil in many forms. Path of Exile 2 features twelve character classes, 240 Skill Gems, hundreds of equipment base types, a six-act campaign, more than a hundred unique boss fights, a deep endgame system and so much more. Play with your friends without losing any progress with couch co-op, cross-play and cross-progression.
