Phantasmal Contagion in Path of Exile 2: What Does It Mean?
Phantasmal Contagion is an intriguing skill gem introduced in Path of Exile 2. It combines the eerie aesthetics of phantoms with the potent power of contagion, creating a unique mechanic that players can utilize for both offense and crowd control.
Mechanics of Phantasmal Contagion
The Phantasmal Contagion skill revolves around spreading chaos damage over time to enemies. When cast, it releases a spectral wave that infects enemies, causing them to take chaos damage. If an infected enemy dies, the contagion spreads to nearby enemies, perpetuating the cycle of decay and destruction. This makes it particularly effective in areas with tightly packed enemy groups.
- Initial cast creates a spectral wave.
- Applies a chaos damage over time effect to enemies hit.
- Spreads to nearby enemies upon the death of the infected enemy.
Strategies for Using Phantasmal Contagion
To maximize the effectiveness of Phantasmal Contagion, players should consider the following strategies:
- Positioning: Ensure that you cast the skill in areas with dense enemy clusters to maximize the chain effect of contagion spread.
- Synergy with Other Skills: Pair with skills that can trigger additional effects on enemy death, such as Corpse Explosion, to amplify damage output.
- Chaos Damage Scaling: Invest in passives and gear that boost chaos damage and damage over time to enhance the impact of Phantasmal Contagion.
Phantasmal Contagion in Builds
Phantasmal Contagion is a versatile skill that can be integrated into various build types, particularly those focusing on chaos damage and crowd control. Popular build archetypes that utilize this skill include:
- Chaos Caster: A build that prioritizes chaos damage and can effectively clear large groups of enemies.
- Damage Over Time Specialist: This build focuses on stacking multiple damage over time effects, leveraging Phantasmal Contagion’s spreading mechanic to cover the battlefield in decay.
By understanding the mechanics and strategic applications of Phantasmal Contagion, players can effectively incorporate it into their arsenal to tackle the challenges of Path of Exile 2.