KapkanFrost’s latest video delves into the first batch of transfigure gems in Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction. These gems bring about significant changes to regular gems, offering new and situational gameplay options. With a visual chart to help visualize the changes and a summary of gem alterations by the poe Wei mod on Reddit, KapkanFrost breaks down the key takeaways.
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Key Takeaways:
- Absolution gem: Fewer minions, but skill damage increased
- Animate Guardian gem: Guardian uses Smite of divine judgment, easier to kill but can be built as a single minion
- Arc gem: Surge towards target instead of chain, more damage but no multiplier for more chains
- Barrage gem: Fires projectiles repeatedly with a small spread, first and final shots fire additional projectiles
Absolution Gem: Fewer Minions, Increased Skill Damage
The Absolution gem in Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction offers fewer maximum summon Sentinels of absolution, but increases and reductions to minion damage now apply to the skill’s damage at 200% of their value. This allows for hybrid builds that combine melee and summoner playstyles, maximizing damage output. The same applies to the Dominating Blow skill, which functions similarly to Absolution.
Animate Guardian Gem: A More Versatile Minion
The Animate Guardian gem now uses Smite of divine judgment, ignoring weapon restrictions and animating multiple items attached to the same Guardian. While the Guardian is easier to kill without extra life, players can focus on building a single minion with specific gear. This opens up new possibilities for minion-focused builds.
Arc Gem: Surge Towards Target
The Arc gem in Path of Exile 3.23 Affliction no longer chains to multiple targets. Instead, it surges towards a single target and then beams out to nearby targets. While it offers more damage in general, it lacks the multiplier for additional chains. This change encourages players to focus on single-target damage rather than widespread chaining.
Barrage Gem: Sequential Projectiles with a Spread
The Barrage gem now fires projectiles sequentially with a small spread. The first and final shots of the sequence fire 10 additional projectiles simultaneously, increasing overall damage output. This change adds a new layer of complexity to the skill, allowing players to strategically target enemies with a barrage of projectiles.
