Molten Shell

From Path of Exile Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Molten ShellVaal Molten Shell
Molten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (8-12) Mana
Cooldown Time: 4.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
AoE Radius: 15
Requires Level 16Applies a buff that adds to your armour, and can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. When the buff expires or is depleted, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken from the buff. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 3.00 seconds
This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect
Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
75% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take Damage equal to 10% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 5000
Reflects (100-3000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage when Buff expires or is depleted

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
Acquisition
Drop level: 16
Metadata
Item class: Skill Gem
Metadata ID: Metadata/Items/Gems/SkillGemMoltenShell

Molten Shell is a guard spell that buffs the user with a shell that grants bonus armour and absorbs incoming hits. When the shell expires or absorbs enough damage, it explodes to deal fire damage around it, based on how much damage it absorbed. The amount of damage the shell can absorb increases with your armour value.

Base duration is 3 seconds at all gem levels, followed by a 4 second cooldown.

Skill functions and interactions

  • Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff: In the order of mitigation, the Molten Shell buff takes damage after mitigation and aegises, but before the player's main resources like ward and life.
  • Buff Effect: Modifiers to Molten Shell's buff effect (currently limited to IchimonjiIchimonji
    Corsair Sword
    One Handed Sword
    Physical Damage: (45-58.5) to (167.4-195)
    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
    Attacks per Second: (1.86-1.94)
    Weapon Range: 1.1 metres
    Requires Level 58, 81 Str, 117 Dex40% increased Global Accuracy Rating(80-95)% increased Physical Damage
    Adds (5-10) to (13-20) Physical Damage
    (20-25)% increased Attack Speed
    10% increased Effect of Buffs on you
    10% increased Mana Reservation Efficiency of Skills
    Allies' Aura Buffs do not affect you
    Your Aura Buffs do not affect allies
    Master yourself before you seek to master others.
    ) will only affect the armour granted by the skill, not the damage, duration, or absorbed damage required.[1]
  • Buff can take Damage equal to #% of your Armour: The damage limit is calculated after the armour bonus is applied.
  • Reflected damage: Because Molten Shell deals reflected damage, it is unaffected by damage modifiers, cannot crit, penetrate resistances, or apply ailments or other on-hit effects. Its damage cannot be reflected again.
  • Guard: Molten Shell shares a cooldown with other Guard skills (e.g. SteelskinSteelskinSpell, Duration, Guard
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost: (4-16) Mana
    Cooldown Time: 3.00 sec
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Cast Time: Instant
    Requires Level 4Applies a buff which can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 1.50 seconds
    This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect
    Buff grants Immunity to Bleeding
    70% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before Life or Energy Shield
    Buff can take (54-2209) Damage

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    (0.5-10)% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    , Immortal CallImmortal CallSpell, Duration, Guard
    Level: (1-20)
    Cost: (21-36) Mana
    Cooldown Time: 3.00 sec
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Cast Time: Instant
    Requires Level 34Take less Physical and Elemental Damage for a short time. Consumes up to 5 Endurance Charges to lengthen the buff and further lessen Physical Damage taken. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 1.00 seconds
    20% increased Buff Duration per Endurance Charge removed
    This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect
    (25-34)% less Elemental Damage taken
    (25-35)% less Physical Damage taken
    15% less Physical Damage taken per Endurance Charge removed

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    (1-20)% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
    Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    ).
    • Vaal Molten Shell: Molten Shell and Vaal Molten ShellVaal Molten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Vaal, Guard
      Level: (1-20)
      Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec
      Can Store 1 Use(s)
      Souls Per Use: 50
      Can Store 1 Use(s)
      Soul Gain Prevention: 14 sec
      Cast Time: Instant
      Requires Level 16Applies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Base duration is 9.00 seconds
      Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention
      Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
      (35-39)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
      Buff can take Damage equal to 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000
      Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second,
      or when Buff expires or is depleted

      Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
      (1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
      CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
      do not share a cooldown. Using one while the other is active replaces the older buff.

All Guard skills

Below are the 5 skill gems with the Guard gem tag:

GemRequired character level at gem level 1Gem requires strengthGem requires dexterityGem requires intelligence
Arcane CloakArcane CloakSpell, Duration, Guard, Lightning, Arcane
Level: (1-20)
Cooldown Time: 4.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
Requires Level 16Spends a portion of your mana to grant a buff that takes some of the damage from hits for you until depleted. The buff grants added lightning damage based on the amount of mana spent by this skill. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 3.00 seconds
Spends (45-64)% of current Mana
75% of Damage from Hits is taken from Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take Damage equal to Mana Spent by this Skill's effect
Buff grants Added Lightning Damage equal to (10-14)% of Mana Spent by this Skill's effect
This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(1-20)% increased Buff Effect
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
16NoNoYes
Immortal CallImmortal CallSpell, Duration, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (21-36) Mana
Cooldown Time: 3.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
Requires Level 34Take less Physical and Elemental Damage for a short time. Consumes up to 5 Endurance Charges to lengthen the buff and further lessen Physical Damage taken. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 1.00 seconds
20% increased Buff Duration per Endurance Charge removed
This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect
(25-34)% less Elemental Damage taken
(25-35)% less Physical Damage taken
15% less Physical Damage taken per Endurance Charge removed

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(1-20)% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
34YesNoNo
Molten ShellMolten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (8-12) Mana
Cooldown Time: 4.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
AoE Radius: 15
Requires Level 16Applies a buff that adds to your armour, and can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. When the buff expires or is depleted, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken from the buff. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 3.00 seconds
This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect
Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
75% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take Damage equal to 10% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 5000
Reflects (100-3000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage when Buff expires or is depleted

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
16YesNoNo
SteelskinSteelskinSpell, Duration, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (4-16) Mana
Cooldown Time: 3.00 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Cast Time: Instant
Requires Level 4Applies a buff which can take some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Shares a cooldown with other Guard skills.Base duration is 1.50 seconds
This Skill's Cooldown does not recover during its effect
Buff grants Immunity to Bleeding
70% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take (54-2209) Damage

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(0.5-10)% increased Cooldown Recovery Rate
Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
4YesNoNo
Vaal Molten ShellVaal Molten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Vaal, Guard
Level: (1-20)
Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Souls Per Use: 50
Can Store 1 Use(s)
Soul Gain Prevention: 14 sec
Cast Time: Instant
Requires Level 16Applies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Base duration is 9.00 seconds
Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention
Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
(35-39)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
Buff can take Damage equal to 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000
Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second,
or when Buff expires or is depleted

Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
(1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
16YesNoNo

Gem level progression

LevelRequired LevelRequired StrengthMana
Cost
ArmourDamage ReflectionExp.Total Exp.
116418115100%00
220508141130%4972549725
324588171180%95714145439
428678204250%169595315034
531739232330%199345514379
634799261420%285815800194
737859293530%4013441201538
840929328650%5543791755917
9439810365780%7550492510966
104610410405920%10165333527499
1149111104481080%18986025426101
1252117104951250%19640197390120
1355123115451430%25737319963851
1458130115991620%467643914640290
1560134116371820%301732717657617
1662138116772040%782300125480618
1764142127192260%1526420840744826
1866146127632500%2627284567017671
1968151128092740%62872274129889945
2070155128583000%212023122341913067
2172159139093270%
2274139623550%
23761310183830%
24781310764130%
25801411374440%
26821412014760%
27841412685090%
28861413385430%
29881514125770%
30901514886130%
31911515286500%
32921515696880%
33931616107260%
34941616537660%
35951616968060%
36961617418480%
37971717868900%
38981718339340%
39991718809780%
4010017192910230%

Item acquisition

Molten Shell can drop anywhere.

Recipes

Molten Shell can be created from the following recipes:

AmountPartDescriptionMeta
13The CataclysmThe Cataclysm13Level 21 Spell Gem
Corrupted
The mighty warriors traded in blows, the nimble archers in arrows, yet it was the brazen thaumaturgists who would bring catastrophe to all.
Random corrupted level 21 Spell gemA
6The FoxThe Fox6Level 20 Gem"Masters of wit, strength and cunning. To survive the harsh winters, you must be like the fox."
- Ezomyte Proverb
Random level 20 gemA
3Gemcutter's PromiseGemcutter's Promise3Gem
Quality: +20%
"I swore to use my position to help the people. What good is power when it just accumulates on the already-powerful?" - Erasmus, Imperial Gemcutter
Random gem with 20% qualityA
1Gemcutter's IncubatorGemcutter's IncubatorStack Size: 10Adds an incubated Quality Gem item to an equippable item
Item drops after killing {0} monsters
Right click this item then left click an item to apply it. The Incubated item drops after killing a specific number of monsters.
Random gem with 1–20% qualityA
1The VoidThe Void1Reach into the Void and claim your prize.Random divination card set exchangeA

Quest reward

This item is given as a quest reward for the following quests:

Class →WitchShadowRangerDuelistMarauderTemplarScion
Quest ↓
Intruders in Black
Act 2
NoNoNoNoYesNoNo

Vendor reward

This item can be bought at the listed NPC vendors, after completing the following quests:

Class →WitchShadowRangerDuelistMarauderTemplarScion
Quest ↓
Intruders in Black
Act 2
Yeena
NoNoNoYesYesYesYes
A Fixture of Fate
Act 3
Siosa
Yes
Fallen from Grace
Act 6
Lilly Roth
Yes

Related helmet enchantments

The following helmet enchantments affect Molten Shell.

Note that helmet enchantments are no longer obtainable since version 3.23.0 and can only be obtained in permanent leagues as already enchanted items from before this patch.

NameFor generated item/monster modifiers the minimum item/monster level respectively. Some generation types may not require this condition to be met, however item level restrictions may be raised to 80% of this value.LabyrinthStatsSpawn Weighting
Enchantment Molten Shell Armour 166Merciless Labyrinth100% increased Molten Shell Buff Effecthelmet 0
Enchantment Molten Shell Armour 275Eternal Labyrinth150% increased Molten Shell Buff Effecthelmet 0
Enchantment Molten Shell Duration 166Merciless LabyrinthMolten Shell has 25% increased Skill Effect Durationhelmet 100
Enchantment Molten Shell Duration 275Eternal LabyrinthMolten Shell has 40% increased Skill Effect Durationhelmet 100

Alternate skill effects

Molten Shell has the following alternate skill effects:

ItemDescription
Divine Molten Shell EffectDivine Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes a Divine Effect.Your Molten Shell becomes a Divine Effect.
Encasing Molten Shell EffectFile:Encasing Molten Shell Effect inventory icon.pngEncasing Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes an Encasing Effect.File:Encasing Molten Shell Effect inventory icon.pngYour Molten Shell becomes an Encasing Effect.
Invisible Buff EffectInvisible Buff EffectSkill Gem EffectRemoves the visual effects on the player from arctic armour, tempest shield, blood rage, molten shell, plague bearer, phase run, petrified blood, withering step, any aura, any blasphemied curse, or any herald gem.Removes the visual effects on the player from arctic armour, tempest shield, blood rage, molten shell, plague bearer, phase run, petrified blood, withering step, any aura, any blasphemied curse, or any herald gem.
Magmatic Molten Shell EffectMagmatic Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes a Magmatic Effect.Your Molten Shell becomes a Magmatic Effect.
Stygian Molten Shell EffectStygian Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes a Stygian Effect.Your Molten Shell becomes a Stygian Effect.
Viper Molten Shell EffectViper Molten Shell EffectSkill Gem EffectYour Molten Shell becomes a Viper Effect.Your Molten Shell becomes a Viper Effect.

Monster versions

Monsters may use Molten Shell (with alternative skill effects) if the monster has the mod of the Barrier, or the legacy archnemesis modifier Magma Barrier which grants the monster multiple skills and effects. Goatman Shaman also uses Molten Shell and different skill visuals to the player version. Other example is General Gravicius and his map boss variants.

Gallery

Version history

Version Changes
3.25.0
  • Now has a level requirement of 16 (previously 4), and a Strength requirement of 41 (previously 16) at gem level 1, and is unchanged at gem level 20.
  • As a result of this level requirement change, the Buff now grants +115 to Armour at gem level 1 (previously +50), and is unchanged at gem level 20.
  • Molten Shell is now offered to the Marauder for completing Intruders in Black, and can be purchased from Yeena by the Duelist, Templar, and Scion.
3.21.0
  • Molten Shell now has "Buff can take Damage equal to 10% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 5000" at all gem levels (previously 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000).
  • Vaal Molten Shell now has "Buff can take Damage equal to 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000" at all gem levels (previously 30% of your Armour, up to 30000).
3.19.0
  • The Labyrinth Helmet Enchantments that grant increased Molten Shell Buff Effect can no longer be obtained, though existing versions are unaffected.
3.15.3
3.11.0
  • Fixed a bug where Molten Shell's effect would linger indefinitely if the skill gem were replaced by a Vaal Molten ShellVaal Molten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Vaal, Guard
    Level: (1-20)
    Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Souls Per Use: 50
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Soul Gain Prevention: 14 sec
    Cast Time: Instant
    Requires Level 16Applies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Base duration is 9.00 seconds
    Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention
    Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
    (35-39)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
    Buff can take Damage equal to 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000
    Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second,
    or when Buff expires or is depleted

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    (1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
    CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    gem during the original gem's duration.
3.7.0
  • Now has a base duration of 3 seconds at all gem levels (from 10).
  • Now grants 50 additional armour at gem level 1 (from 17), up to 858 at gem level 20 (from 943)
  • Now creates a buff that can take damage equal to 20% of your armour.
  • Now causes 75% of damage from hits to be taken from the buff before your life or energy shield.
  • Updated: Now reflects 100% of damage taken from the buff as fire damage when the buff expires or is depleted at gem level 1, up to 3000% at gem level 20 (previously stated 1050% at gem level 20).
  • Now has a 4 second cooldown (from 1).
  • No longer has an added damage effectiveness multiplier or critical strike chance, as reflected damage cannot benefit from added damage, nor can it critically strike.
  • Shares its cooldown with other guard skills (Steelskin and Immortal Call).
3.6.0
  • Mana Cost at gem level 1 is now 7 (was 12).
  • Mana Cost at gem level 20 is now 26 (was 28).
3.4.0
  • Mana cost increased to 12 at gem level 1 (up from 8) up to 28 at gem level 20 (same as previously)
  • Now instant by default and can therefore be used while moving.
  • All instant skills now have cooldown 1 second or less.
  • Instant skills cannot be supported by Spell Echo and will not be cast a second time by similar effects (such as from the Echoing Shrine).
2.6.0
  • Changed the explosion effect. The new one has better performance.
2.3.2
  • When switching between regular and Vaal Molten ShellVaal Molten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Vaal, Guard
    Level: (1-20)
    Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Souls Per Use: 50
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Soul Gain Prevention: 14 sec
    Cast Time: Instant
    Requires Level 16Applies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Base duration is 9.00 seconds
    Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention
    Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
    (35-39)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
    Buff can take Damage equal to 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000
    Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second,
    or when Buff expires or is depleted

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    (1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
    CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    , the shield will now visually destroy and recreate itself.
  • Fixed a bug where Molten Shell buff effect bonuses did not apply to Vaal Molten ShellVaal Molten ShellSpell, AoE, Duration, Fire, Physical, Vaal, Guard
    Level: (1-20)
    Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Souls Per Use: 50
    Can Store 1 Use(s)
    Soul Gain Prevention: 14 sec
    Cast Time: Instant
    Requires Level 16Applies a buff that raises your armour, and takes some of the damage from hits for you before being depleted. Each second, the skill deals reflected damage to surrounding enemies based on the damage taken by the buff in that second. When the buff is removed, the skill deals reflected damage to enemies around you based on the total damage that was taken by the buff. You cannot have the buff at the same time as any other Guard skill.Base duration is 9.00 seconds
    Modifiers to Skill Effect Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention
    Buff grants +(115-858) to Armour
    (35-39)% of Damage from Hits is taken from the Buff before your Life or Energy Shield
    Buff can take Damage equal to 20% of your Armour, up to a maximum of 10000
    Reflects (300-9000)% of Damage taken from Buff as Fire Damage each second,
    or when Buff expires or is depleted

    Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
    (1-20)% increased Skill Effect Duration
    CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
    .
2.2.0
  • Cast time reduced from 1 sec to 500 ms.
2.1.0
  • Fixed a bug where Molten Shell could be applied multiple times via Spell Echo.
2.0.0
  • Greatly reduced the mana cost.
  • Now grants 1% chance to ignite per 1% quality (was 1.5% per 1% quality).
1.2.0
  • Fixed a bug with Molten Shell and mitigated physical damage reflection.
1.0.3c
  • Fixed a bug where Molten Shell sometimes did no damage.
1.0.3
  • Fixed an instance crash with Molten Shell when linked with Cast when Damage Taken.
0.11.0
  • Armour and threshold values have been adjusted for new monster damage scaling.
  • Fixed a bug where Spell Totems casting Molten Shell would keep recasting the skill.
0.10.0
  • Now provides more armour and has had its detonation thresholds changed.
  • The Molten Shell used by Goatmen has been given new art.
0.9.11
  • Reduced the damage required to set it off in the first four levels.
0.9.7c
  • Fixed a bug with level 19 and 20 had the wrong values.
0.9.6
  • Molten Shell has been added to the game.

References

  1. Mark_GGG (April 9, 2012). "Molten Shell". Official Path of Exile Forums. Retrieved November 7, 2016.