Swift Affliction Support: What Does It Mean?

The Swift Affliction Support is a skill gem in Path of Exile 2 that enhances the effectiveness of damage over time (DoT) skills. It is an integral part of many builds focused on dealing sustained damage without relying on direct hits.

Mechanics

Swift Affliction Support modifies the way your skills apply damage over time. It provides a significant increase in the damage over time multiplier, allowing your DoT effects to deal more damage in a shorter period. However, it also reduces the duration of these effects, meaning the damage is more concentrated.

• Increased Damage Over Time: The gem boosts the overall damage output of supported skills by increasing their damage over time.
• Reduced Duration: While the damage per second is higher, the effects do not last as long, which can be both an advantage and a disadvantage depending on the build and playstyle.

Strategies and Usage

When using Swift Affliction Support, it is important to consider the balance between damage output and duration:

1. Shorter Fights: The gem is ideal for builds that focus on quickly eliminating enemies, as the increased damage can dispatch foes before the reduced duration becomes a drawback.
2. Synergy with Other Gems: Pair Swift Affliction Support with other gems that enhance damage over time, such as Efficacy Support, to maximize its potential.
3. Gem Leveling: Ensure the gem is leveled up alongside your main skills to continuously benefit from the increased damage output.

Build Considerations

Swift Affliction Support is particularly effective in builds that prioritize:

• DoT Skills: Such as Chaos Damage or Bleed focused builds.
• High Mobility: Characters that can quickly move between targets benefit from the quick elimination capabilities of this support gem.
• Boss Fights: Builds that aim to melt bosses within a short timeframe may find this support gem invaluable.

Overall, Swift Affliction Support can be a powerful addition to any build focused on damage over time, but its effectiveness is contingent on the player's ability to adapt to the reduced duration of their skills.