Projectile

"Projectile Damage" redirects here. For the passive skill, see Projectile Damage (passive skill).

This article needs cleanup to meet quality standards.

Please help improve this article if you can.

This page needs additional citations for verification.

Please help improve the page by adding citations to reliable sources.

Projectiles are entities which are produced by a spell or ranged attack which travel independently of their creator until they collide with an enemy or obstacle or reach their travel distance limit of 150 Units. Skills gems that create projectiles usually have the Projectile or Bow gem tag.

Speed and duration

All projectiles have a speed, which can be altered by Projectile Speed modifiers. All projectiles also have a duration (which can be infinite), although in most cases this duration is not mentioned anywhere and cannot be modified, unless explicitly stated such as with the skill .

The speed and duration combined determine the distance the projectile will travel, up to its maximum range. This is important when considering projectiles that have a limited lifetime.

For example, creates projectiles which deal full damage initially, but deal less and less damage the longer they are alive. Increasing the Projectile Speed of Freezing Pulse will cause the projectiles to arrive at the target sooner, and therefore they will deal more damage than a slower-moving Freezing Pulse that traveled the same distance.

Increasing the Projectile Speed of limited duration projectiles will allow them to travel a further distance before they expire.

However, there are effects that occur based on the projectile's total distance traveled since launched. For instance:

• will always arm (change into its second form) at a certain distance from its launching point, regardless of its speed
• The damage modifiers from Point Blank and Chin Sol are based the projectile's total distance traveled, not how long the projectile has been alive. Note that, in the case of , the total distance traveled may be greater than the current distance from the player.

Ground and airborne projectiles

Most projectiles fly through the air, however there are some that travel along the ground.

Airborne projectiles can be aimed up and down cliffs and other height transitions, and can impact with the ground or ceiling. This can sometimes make them difficult to aim when dealing with a steep vertical angle, as they might fly over the heads of enemies or harmlessly impact the ground at the enemy's feet. Airborne projectiles will pass through most low obstacles such as small chests and rocks.

Projectiles that travel along the ground are subject to the same restrictions as a walking player. This means they cannot be fired up or down height transitions, and will instead collide with the edge. They will never impact with the ground or ceiling, but they are much more likely to be obstructed by small obstacles around the environment. Skills that create earthbound projectiles include , Lightning Strike, and .

Death

When a projectile collides with an enemy or obstacle, it explodes and is destroyed. This happens even if the projectile is the result of an attack that is evaded or dodged. Intuitively a projectile that is evaded or dodged would continue along its trajectory, but that is not the case in Path of Exile.

Sources of additional projectiles

• Dying SunDying Sun
  Ruby FlaskLasts (3.20-4.80) Seconds
  Consumes (45-50) of 50 Charges on use
  +40% to Fire Resistance
  +5% to Maximum Fire ResistanceRequires Level 68(125-150)% increased Charges per use
  (60-40)% less Duration
  (10-20)% increased Area of Effect during Effect
  Skills fire 2 additional Projectiles during EffectAll things must die.
  Whether you burn out or explode is up to you.Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters.
• TwyzelTwyzel
  Sage WandWand
  Physical Damage: (50.4-68.2) to (99-129.8)
  Critical Strike Chance: (8.80-9.60)%
  Attacks per Second: (1.26-1.32)Requires Level 30, 119 Int(17-21)% increased Spell DamageSocketed Gems fire an additional Projectile
  (80-120)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (5-8) to (13-17) Physical Damage
  (5-10)% increased Attack Speed
  (10-20)% increased Critical Strike ChanceLife persisted,
  hardened, twisted.
• SnakepitSnakepit
  Sapphire RingRequires Level 68+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance(20-40)% increased Spell Damage
  (5-10)% increased Cast Speed
  Left ring slot: Projectiles from Spells cannot Chain
  Left ring slot: Projectiles from Spells Fork
  Right ring slot: Projectiles from Spells Chain +1 times
  Right ring slot: Projectiles from Spells cannot Fork
  Projectiles from Spells cannot PierceThey wrap around you until your blood turns as cold as theirs.
• Sire of ShardsSire of Shards
  Serpentine StaffWarstaff
  Physical Damage: 56-117
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.30%
  Attacks per Second: 1.25
  Weapon Range: 1.3 metresRequires Level 49, 85 Str, 85 Int+20% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a StaffSocketed Gems fire 4 additional Projectiles
  Socketed Gems fire Projectiles in a circle
  +(15-20) to all Attributes
  +(5-7)% to all Elemental Resistances
  (60-100)% increased Projectile Damage
  20% increased Light RadiusThat which was broken may yet break.
• Rain of SplintersRain of Splinters
  Crimson JewelLimited to: 1(50-30)% reduced Totem Damage
  Totems fire 2 additional ProjectilesCorrupted"If one is an annoyance
  then a hundred is a threat."
  - Ancient Karui ProverbPlace into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket.
• Greater Multiple Projectiles SupportGreater Multiple Projectiles SupportSupport, Projectile
  Icon: P
  Level: (1-20)
  Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 150%Requires Level 38Supports projectile skills.Supported Skills deal (35-26)% less Projectile Damage
  Supported Skills fire 4 additional Projectiles
  
  Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
  Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Projectile DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
• Lesser Multiple Projectiles SupportLesser Multiple Projectiles SupportSupport, Projectile
  Icon: l
  Level: (1-20)
  Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Requires Level 8Supports projectile skills.Supported Skills deal (15-6)% less Projectile Damage
  Supported Skills fire 2 additional Projectiles
  
  Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
  Supported Skills deal (0.5-10)% increased Projectile DamageThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.
• Death's HarpDeath's Harp
  Death BowBow
  Physical Damage: (53.2-57.4) to (138.7-149.65)
  Critical Strike Chance: (6.50-7.50)%
  Attacks per Second: 1.32Requires Level 32, 107 Dex(30-50)% increased Critical Strike Chance(90-105)% increased Physical Damage
  10% increased Attack Speed
  +50% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier
  Bow Attacks fire 2 additional ArrowsThe mournful music of the strings,
  The creaking arch, the arrow sings.
  A choking cry, a rattled breath,
  The Reaper's Song, the Harp of Death.
• Death's OpusDeath's Opus
  Death BowBow
  Physical Damage: (64.6-82) to (176.7-200.9)
  Critical Strike Chance: (6.50-7.50)%
  Attacks per Second: 1.32Requires Level 44, 107 Dex(30-50)% increased Critical Strike Chance(90-105)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (6-12) to (20-25) Physical Damage
  10% increased Attack Speed
  +50% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier
  Bow Attacks fire 3 additional ArrowsThe overture stretches thin,
  The chorus gathers to begin.
  Stacatto, drone, a rest drawn long,
  Another hears Death's final song.
• Reach of the CouncilReach of the Council
  Spine BowBow
  Physical Damage: (72-94.5) to (240-306.25)
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.50%
  Attacks per Second: (1.51-1.57)Requires Level 64, 212 DexSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 20 Greater Volley
  (50-75)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (10-16) to (45-60) Physical Damage
  (8-12)% increased Attack Speed
  20% reduced Projectile Speed
  Arrows fired from the first firing points always Pierce
  Arrows fired from the second firing points Fork
  Arrows fired from the third firing points Return to you
  Arrows fired from the fourth firing points Chain +2 timesWe stand together. We strike together.

Subprojectiles

Normally a projectile attempts to hit the first enemy it encounters, explodes if the projectile has an explosion effect, and disappears. However, some effects change the projectile hit behavior.

Effect types

At most one effect may be applied per hit. The effects are listed in order of priority.

Pierce

"Pierce" redirects here. For the support gem, see Pierce Support.

The projectile passes through the enemy and continues along its previous trajectory. Pierce chance is rolled independently for every hit. If a projectile fails to pierce, one of the other effects listed in this section may apply. Pierce chance cannot exceed 100%.

Sources of pierce chance include:

• Greatwolf TalismanGreatwolf TalismanTalisman Tier: 4<Two random talisman implicit modifiers>CorruptedThe wolf greeted the king,
  In the light of the harvest moon.
  The wolf offered the strength of the wild,
  And the king paid for it in blood., including the unique Eyes of the GreatwolfEyes of the Greatwolf
  Greatwolf TalismanTalisman Tier: 4
  Requires Level 52<Two random talisman implicit modifiers>Implicit Modifier magnitudes are doubledCorruptedI am but a vessel for a greater force.
  It acts through me. Speaks through me.
  Decides what lives and dies through me.
  And will change the world through me.
• Horned TalismanHorned TalismanTalisman Tier: 2Projectiles Pierce 2 additional TargetsCorruptedThe Empire hides lies and falsehoods
  Behind a mask of politeness and civility.
  The First Ones teach us to look through the lies,
  And that no beast can truly cover their tracks.
  - The Wolven King
• Lioneye's VisionLioneye's Vision
  Crusader PlateArmour: (1803-2418)
  Movement Speed: -5%Requires Level 59, 160 Str, 160 DexSocketed Gems are Supported by Level 15 Pierce
  (200-250)% increased Armour
  +(60-100) to maximum Life
  0.4% of Physical Attack Damage Leeched as Mana
  +160 Dexterity Requirement
  Enemy Projectiles Pierce you"The Virtue Gems are a gift from the land,
  our land, and we will not let our gifts
  be destroyed by savages."
  - Marceus Lioneye
• Penetrating Arrow QuiverPenetrating Arrow QuiverRequires Level 25Arrows Pierce an additional Target, including the unique DrillneckDrillneck
  Penetrating Arrow QuiverRequires Level 36Arrows Pierce an additional Target(8-12)% increased Attack Speed
  +350 to Evasion Rating
  +(40-50) to maximum Life
  (10-14) to (19-24) Added Physical Damage with Bow Attacks
  Arrows deal 50% increased Damage with Hits and Ailments to Targets they Pierce"Why waste such a fine arrow on just one man?"
  - Kiravi, Vaal Archer
• Poacher's AimPoacher's Aim
  Viridian JewelLimited to: 1Projectiles Pierce an additional Target
  10% increased Projectile DamageA sharp eye can be more deadly than a sharp blade.Place into an allocated Jewel Socket on the Passive Skill Tree. Right click to remove from the Socket.
• Passive skills
• Possible implicit from corrupting a bow or wand using a Vaal OrbVaal OrbStack Size: 20Corrupts an item, modifying it unpredictablyRight click this item then left click an item to corrupt it. Corrupted items cannot be modified again..

Additionally, some sources always pierce, including:

• InfractemInfractem
  Decimation BowBow
  Physical Damage: (117.3-142.2) to (258.4-289.8)
  Critical Strike Chance: (6.50-7.50)%
  Attacks per Second: 1.20Requires Level 53, 170 Dex(30-50)% increased Critical Strike Chance+(20-30) to Dexterity
  (70-80)% increased Physical Damage
  Adds (25-35) to (36-45) Physical Damage
  10% increased Movement Speed
  +(350-400) to Accuracy Rating
  Cannot Leech Life
  Arrows Pierce all TargetsMark us with mercy, then press on with care,
  Execute us steadily, notch away at our despair.
• (initial arrow)
• (first form)
• Incinerate

Fork

The projectile splits into two identical projectiles which each travel at a 60 degree angle from the projectile's original path. A projectile can only fork once.

Sources of fork include:

• Rigwald's QuillsRigwald's Quills
  Two-Point Arrow QuiverRequires Level 56(20-30)% increased Global Accuracy Rating-10% to Fire Resistance
  +(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance
  Gain 7 Life per Enemy Hit with Attacks
  20% reduced Projectile Speed
  (30-50)% increased Projectile Damage
  Arrows ForkThe fortunate inscribe their legacy
  in the pages of history books.
  The rest of us must leave our mark with our blood
  or the blood of others.

Chain

The projectile chooses a target within a certain radius, and travels in the direction of that target. A target cannot be hit twice in a row, but can be hit again if the chain proceeds back and forth between two targets. If there are no valid targets in range of the original enemy, it will not chain. Chain has a specified number of iterations.

Sources of chain include:

• MjölnerMjölner
  GavelOne Handed Mace
  Physical Damage: (97.2-118.8) to (181.8-222.2)
  Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
  Attacks per Second: 1.15
  Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 60, 412 Str, 300 Int15% reduced Enemy Stun ThresholdTrigger a Socketed Lightning Spell on Hit, with a 0.25 second Cooldown
  Socketed Lightning Spells have no Cost if Triggered
  +300 Intelligence Requirement
  +200 Strength Requirement
  (80-120)% increased Physical Damage
  Skills Chain +1 times
  (80-100)% increased Lightning DamageLook the storm in the eye and you will have its respect.
• Roth's ReachRoth's Reach
  Recurve BowBow
  Physical Damage: (24-27) to (72-81)
  Critical Strike Chance: 6.70%
  Attacks per Second: 1.25Requires Level 18, 65 Dex+(15-25)% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier(60-80)% increased Physical Damage
  Skills Chain +2 times
  30% increased Projectile Speed
  (60-80)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills"Exiled to the sea; what a joke.
  I'm more free than I've ever been."
  - Captain Weylam "Rot-tooth" Roth of the Black Crest
• Touch of AnguishTouch of Anguish
  Imperial ClawClaw
  Physical Damage: (65-75) to (195-215)
  Critical Strike Chance: (7.80-8.40)%
  Attacks per Second: 1.60
  Weapon Range: 1.1 metresRequires Level 68, 131 Dex, 95 IntGrants 46 Life per Enemy HitAdds (40-50) to (130-150) Physical Damage
  30% increased Cold Damage
  (30-40)% increased Critical Strike Chance
  20% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Killing a Frozen Enemy
  Skills Chain an additional time while at maximum Frenzy Charges
  10% chance to Freeze
  Critical Strikes do not inherently FreezeGrip the frozen steel, feel it numb you.
  Wield the cold touch of death like
  a splinter of your own shattered heart. (While at maximum frenzy charges)
• Ricochet passive for the Deadeye ascendancy.

Also, , Vaal Arc, Orb of Storms, and Tempest Shield can chain despite not being projectile skills.

Return

The projectile returns to the original firer. The same target cannot be hit again by the returning projectile. Its priority is after pierce/fork/chain.

This can be crafted onto bows and wands through Tora, Master of the Hunt's workbench. The crafted mod does not allow your spells to return, as it only applies to attacks.

• Lodestone prefix for bows and wands (Tora-crafted)
• Powerful Precision notable passive skill (Deadeye ascendancy)
• Relic of the CycleRelic of the Cycle
  Crude BowBow
  Physical Damage: 10-26
  Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
  Attacks per Second: 1.54100% increased Physical Damage
  10% increased Attack Speed
  +30 to Accuracy Rating
  Projectiles Return to youInto darkness, horror, madness...
  So goes the descent. (Descent: Champions-exclusive)

Explosions

Some projectiles explode on every hit, while other projectiles only explode when they disappear, dealing only normal, non-area damage on non-exploding hits.

The following skills explode on every hit:

• Ice Shot

Furthermore, all single-target on-hit effects apply on every hit.

The following skills only explode when the projectile is destroyed:

Example projectile ▾ [Expand] ▾

Imagine a that has 50% Chance to Pierce, Projectiles Fork, and Chain +2 Times, and has been launched towards a pack of enemies:

1. It hits the first enemy and succeeds its piercing check. The enemy is damaged and the projectile continues on its course.
2. It hits a second enemy and this times fails to pierce. It forks, and there are now two projectiles which fly in different directions.
   • The first projectile

   1. The first projectile hits an enemy, and succeeds its piercing check, and continues on.
   2. There are no more enemies in its flight path, and it flies into a wall and explodes.

   • The second projectile

   1. The second projectile hits an enemy but fails its piercing check. Since it is the descendant of a projectile that forked, it cannot fork. The projectile and none of its ancestors have chained yet, so it can still chain two times. It chains and flies backwards towards the previous enemy.
   2. It hits the enemy, succeeds its piercing check, and continues on.
   3. It hits another enemy and fails to pierce, but can still chain one more time. It chains towards a nearby enemy.
   4. It hits the enemy and again fails to pierce. It cannot fork, and has run out of chains, so it finally explodes, dealing Fireball's area of effect damage.

Skill gems

{{#ask:

Concept:Skill gems
|Bow
Has item class::Active Skill Gems
|?Has name
|?Has infobox HTML
|?Has support gem letter HTML
|?Has level requirement
|?Has strength percentage
|?Has intelligence percentage
|?Has dexterity percentage
|intro=A list of active skill gems with the gem tag: Projectile or Bow
|limit=1000
|link=none
|format=template
|introtemplate=SMW item table/skill gem/intro
|template=SMW item table/skill gem
|outrotemplate=SMW item table/skill gem/outro
|named args=yes
|userparam=level=yes, int=yes, dex=yes, str=yes
|sort=Has primary attribute, Has name

}}

{{#ask:

Concept:Skill gems
|Bow
Has item class::Support Skill Gems
|?Has name
|?Has infobox HTML
|?Has support gem letter HTML
|?Has level requirement
|?Has strength percentage
|?Has intelligence percentage
|?Has dexterity percentage
|intro=A list of support gems with the gem tag: Projectile or Bow
|limit=1000
|link=none
|format=template
|introtemplate=SMW item table/skill gem/intro
|template=SMW item table/skill gem
|outrotemplate=SMW item table/skill gem/outro
|named args=yes
|userparam=level=yes, int=yes, dex=yes, str=yes
|sort=Has primary attribute, Has name

}}

Passive skills

There are passive skills that grant projectile bonuses.

Projectile damage

These passive skills grant increased projectile damage.

Projectile speed

These passive skills grant increased projectile speed.

Chance for projectiles to pierce

These passive skills grant additional chance for projectiles to pierce.

Miscellany

These passive skills are related to projectiles, but do not fit into any other category.

Version history

Version	Changes
2.2.2	Fixed a bug where 100% pierce chance would not grant increased damage for appropriate skills. Fixing an issue where projectiles did not appear to pierce on the client.