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PoE 2 0.5 - Campaign Damage Guide for League Start

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Summary

  • Weapon Base Types: Upgrading to higher-level weapon bases is the single most important factor for martial damage scaling.
  • Modifier Scaling: Percentage-based modifiers multiply the base damage of the weapon; high base stats make these modifiers significantly more powerful.
  • Early Itemization: Seek out flat damage to attacks on rings (Iron Rings) and gloves early in the campaign.
  • Lightning Damage & Shock: Lightning is the premier elemental type due to the Shock debuff, which grants a 20% “more damage” multiplier.
  • Gem Progression: Regularly upgrade Uncut Skill Gems and support gems to their highest available tiers to keep pace with enemy health scaling.
  • Permanent Buffs & Ascendancy: Complete optional quests for passive points and unlock your Ascendancy by level 28 for massive damage multipliers.

Weapon Base Types and Scaling

For martial (attack-based) builds, your weapon is the foundation of your damage. Every few levels, a new weapon base type becomes available with higher base statistics.

  1. Base Jumps: A level 1 Hardwood Spear deals ~11.2 DPS, while a level 5 Iron Head Spear deals ~16.8 DPS. By level 10, a Hunting Spear reaches ~21 DPS.
  2. Multiplicative Power: Any “increased physical damage” modifiers apply to these base numbers. A Tier 8 physical modifier on an Iron Head Spear can push it to 25 DPS—more than double the damage of a basic starting weapon.
  3. Implicit Value: Higher bases not only have better raw damage but allow for higher-tier modifiers to roll, leading to exponential growth (e.g., a Hunting Spear with a Tier 7 mod reaching 40 DPS).

Early Gear and Modifier Priorities

In the Red Vale, look for “Refined Arms” weapon racks. These are guaranteed to drop level 5 martial weapons.

  • Priority Modifiers:
    • Percent Increased Physical Damage.
    • Flat added damage (Fire, Cold, or Lightning).
    • Increased Attack Speed.
    • +1 to Level of Gems.
  • Rings and Gloves: Flat damage on jewelry is incredibly impactful at low levels. An Iron Ring provides a physical damage implicit that adds a significant chunk to your total output.
  • Guaranteed Ring: Visit the Cemetery of the Eternals to find a sarcophagus containing a guaranteed Lapis or Iron Ring. Use an Orb of Transmutation and Augmentation here to hunt for additional flat damage mods.

Currency Management and Vendors

Currency is scarce during the campaign. Do not spend it “willy-nilly.”

  • Strategy: If your damage is sufficient to kill enemies comfortably, save your currency for the next base-type upgrade.
  • Transmutes/Augments: Use these when you reach a new level threshold (e.g., level 10 or 16) to boost a white base.
  • Regals: Save Orbs of Regal for your level 16 weapon upgrade in Act 2 unless you have an abundance of them.
  • Vendor Checking: Frequently check vendors for rare weapons, gloves, or rings with “Added Damage to Attacks.”

Sockets, Runes, and the Shock Mechanic

Sockets allow for Runes that provide flat damage boosts.

  • The Lightning Advantage: Lightning damage is highly recommended because it applies the Shock debuff. Shock increases the damage an enemy takes by 20%, effectively acting as a “20% More Damage” multiplier for all your hits.
  • Obtaining Runes: In Ognham Village, find Renly’s Tools or the Blacksmith Chest. This quest provides an Uncut Rune and an Artificer’s Orb (to add a socket).
  • Selection: Choose the Storm Rune from Renly to add lightning damage and enable Shocks on your attacks.

Caster and Minion Scaling

Casters do not scale from weapon base damage in the same way martial builds do, making them more dependent on gem levels and specific modifiers.

  • Caster Priorities:
    • +1 to Level of all [Element] or Spell Skill Gems.
    • Increased Spell Damage.
    • Gain [Element] Damage as Extra [Element] Damage.
  • Minion Priorities:
    • Spirit (to field more/stronger minions).
    • +1 to Level of all Minion Skill Gems.
  • Weapon Bases: While the raw physical damage of a wand or staff matters less, the inherent skill or base stats (like Mana or Spirit) associated with the base type are still vital.

Gem Levels and Support Tiers

Upgrading your gems is non-negotiable for maintaining damage.

  • Uncut Skill Gems: As you level, you will find higher-level Uncut Skill Gems. A level 3 Spark (1–17 damage, 5 projectiles) is vastly inferior to a level 9 Spark (3–53 damage, 6 projectiles).
  • Support Tiers: There are 5 tiers of support gems. Higher tiers provide higher “More Damage” multipliers (e.g., Tier 1 Elemental Armament gives 20% more damage, while Tier 2 gives 25%).
  • Verification: Regularly check if you are using the highest level gem your character’s level and attributes can support.

Permanent Buffs and Ascendancy

Optional content is often mandatory for optimal damage.

  • Permanent Buffs: Look for the “skull with a plus” icons on the map. These quests provide passive skill points, resistances, or rewards like Artificer’s Orbs and Uncut Skill Gems.
  • Lesser Jewel’s Orb: A guaranteed orb is available at the start of Act 3. Use this to add support sockets to your gear.
  • The Trial of Sekhema: Complete your first Ascendancy by level 28 at the latest.
    • Some Ascendancy nodes, such as Predatory Instinct, provide massive buffs like “50% More Damage” against certain enemies.
    • Obtain a Gin Baria in the Traitor’s Passage or the optional vulture area in The Deshar to enter the trial.

Key References