Bulwark Support: What Does It Mean in Path of Exile 2?
The Bulwark Support gem in Path of Exile 2 is a unique support gem that enhances melee skills, focusing on defense and retaliation mechanics. This support gem is designed to complement melee playstyles by bolstering both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Mechanics
When linked to a melee skill, the Bulwark Support gem provides additional benefits that synergize with defensive strategies. These include:
- Increased Block Chance: The gem boosts your character's chance to block attacks, providing a significant defensive advantage in combat.
- Reflect Damage: Upon a successful block, a portion of the blocked damage is reflected back to the attacker, allowing you to deal additional damage while mitigating incoming harm.
Usage Strategies
To maximize the effectiveness of Bulwark Support, consider the following strategies:
- Pair with High Block Skills: Use this support with skills that naturally have high block chances or can easily be modified to increase block potential.
- Combine with Defensive Gear: Equip items that further enhance block chance or provide additional damage reflection to complement the gem's effects.
- Engage in Close Combat: As a melee-focused support, it is most effective when you are in the thick of combat, allowing you to leverage both block and reflection mechanics efficiently.
Skill Synergies
Bulwark Support synergizes particularly well with certain skills and builds, including:
- Shield Charge: This skill benefits from increased block chance and damage reflection, making it an ideal candidate for Bulwark Support.
- Ground Slam: With its area of effect and melee nature, Ground Slam can effectively utilize the defensive and retaliatory boosts provided by Bulwark Support.
For more information on other support gems and skill builds in Path of Exile 2, visit the official Path of Exile website.