How Does Armour Break Work in Path of Exile 2?

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As a seasoned gamer with countless hours poured into Action Role-Playing Games (ARPGs), I can confidently say that the Armour Break mechanic in Path of Exile 2 has quickly become one of my favorite aspects. With its intricate synergies and potential for massive AoE clear, it’s a feature that sets PoE 2 apart from other ARPGs.

In Path of Exile 2, there are numerous methods for constructing characters, and if you prefer a straightforward approach using raw Physical attacks, it’s essential to pay close attention to the Armour Break mechanism.

In numerous Action Role-Playing Games (ARPGs), the capability to shred resistances is quite prevalent, but it functions uniquely in this case. In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), Armour Break offers greater potential for harmonizing with passive skills and Support Gems. Some builds can transform a seemingly basic resistance debuff into a powerful instrument capable of annihilating hordes of monsters across the screen.

What Does Armour Break Do in PoE 2?

The debuff “Armor Break” lowers the defense of the targeted unit by a certain percentage. If a target is hit repeatedly with this debuff, their Armor can be completely depleted, placing them in a state known as “Completely Broken”. This status is crucial for various skill combinations. Additionally, units with reduced Armor are more susceptible to being stunned.

As a gamer, to shatter the enemy’s armor and leave them vulnerable, I’ve got to make sure I’ve got the right moves or passive abilities up my sleeve. For instance, the Warrior class boasts an excellent skill called the “Armour Breaker,” which pushes back enemies while chipping away at their armor. The Mercenary class has a counterpart known as “Armour-Piercing Rounds.” Additionally, support gems like “Devastate” and “Splinter” can provide an extra edge by allowing skills to crack through the armor of my foes.

In Path of Exile 2, all adversaries possess armor, yet those with above-average armor are signified by a shield symbol beneath their health meters. These adversaries present optimal targets for Armour Break abilities, particularly if your damage is solely physical in nature.

Here are some notable Skill and Support Gems that have synergies with the Armour Break effect:

  • Sunder (Skill): Guaranteed to crit against targets with Fully Broken Armour.
  • Leap Slam (Skill): Deals 500% more Stun Build-up against Fully Broken enemies.
  • Armour Breaker/Armour Piercing Rounds (Skill): Hits Break Armour.
  • High-Velocity Rounds (Skill): Consumes Fully Broken debuff to deal more damage.
  • Resonating Shield (Skill): Slam your shield with your weapon to emit Armour-breaking shockwaves.
  • Devastate (Support): Inflicting Heavy Stun also fully breaks Armour.
  • Armour Explosion (Support): Attacks trigger an explosion when they fully break Armour.

Fully Broken Status

When all armor of a target is destroyed, they are said to be Completely Vulnerable. The shield symbol below their health indicators will change to red, and a debuff symbol will also appear. In this fragile state, they absorb full damage from Physical attacks, making them ripe for effects that eliminate the Vulnerable status. For instance, the Sunder skill deals a critical hit if it strikes a Completely Vulnerable target. Effects like these remove the Vulnerable debuff, restoring the target’s armor values.

In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), Ascension classes could potentially feature passives that amplify the impact of Armor Break effects. For instance, the Warbringer class for Warriors has an Ascension node that allows them to shatter armor with each strike, and another that further decreases armor below zero, causing enemies to sustain more Physical damage. Both the Armor Break and Fully Broken statuses last 12 seconds initially, but this duration can be extended through passive skill nodes.

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2024-12-12 15:53