Shield Crush: What Does It Mean in Path of Exile 2?
Shield Crush is a powerful skill in Path of Exile 2 that allows players to leverage their shield as an offensive weapon. This skill is particularly effective for builds that focus on defense while still delivering substantial damage.
Skill Mechanics
Shield Crush utilizes the defensive properties of a shield to create a damaging wave that emanates from the player character. The skill's damage is primarily dependent on the defensive stats of the equipped shield, such as Armor or Evasion. This makes it an excellent choice for characters that prioritize defensive gear.
- Area of Effect: Shield Crush creates a cone-shaped wave that hits multiple enemies in its path.
- Damage Scaling: The damage scales with the shield's defenses, making higher-tier shields significantly increase the skill's potency.
- Physical Damage: The skill deals physical damage, which can be further enhanced by modifiers that increase physical damage or attack speed.
Build Strategies
When incorporating Shield Crush into a build, players should focus on maximizing both the defensive and offensive capabilities of their shield. Here are some tips for optimizing a Shield Crush build:
- Shield Selection: Choose shields with high Armor or Evasion to maximize damage output. Additionally, consider unique shields that offer special bonuses or modifiers.
- Support Gems: Link Shield Crush with support gems that enhance physical damage, area of effect, or attack speed to significantly boost its effectiveness.
- Defensive Synergy: Since Shield Crush relies on shield stats, pairing it with defensive passive skills can enhance survivability while maintaining high damage.
Advanced Tips
For players looking to master Shield Crush, consider these advanced strategies:
- Positioning: Adjust your positioning to maximize the number of enemies hit by the cone-shaped attack, which can significantly increase your clear speed.
- Skill Rotation: Combine Shield Crush with other skills that benefit from physical damage or shields to create a versatile and powerful build.
- Passive Tree Optimization: Focus on nodes that improve shield defenses and physical damage to further enhance the skill's performance.
For more detailed build guides and strategies, players can explore community resources and forums dedicated to Path of Exile 2 discussions and theorycrafting.