Return
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Return is a behavior of projectiles that causes them to attempt to return to the entity that fired them after they collide with a target, or when they reach their maximum travel distance.
Mechanics
Only one projectile behavior can be applied each time a projectile collides with a target. Return has fifth priority for projectile behaviors, preceded by split, pierce, fork and chain.
When a projectile returns, it bounces off the target it collided with and continues in the direction of the entity that fired it. If the entity that fired the projectile no longer exists, the projectile will attempt to return to the last known location of the firing entity. A projectile can only return once.
Returning projectiles can collide with a previously hit target (as long as the projectile did not return directly from that target). If a set of multiple simultaneously-created projectiles returns, only one projectile in that set can collide with the same target. Projectiles after the first will pass through without dealing damage.[1][2]
Returning does not reset travel distance or projectile duration, thus skills with limited duration/distance, such as 
Ball LightningBall LightningSpell, Projectile, AoE, Lightning
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (12-23) Mana
Cast Time: 0.70 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 60%
Projectile Speed: 400
AoE Radius: 22Requires Level 28Fires a slow-moving projectile that damages each enemy in an area around it repeatedly with bolts of lightning.Deals (2-32) to (47-617) Lightning Damage
Base radius is 1.8 metres
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Base radius is (0.01-0.2) metresPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
or 
SparkSparkSpell, Projectile, Duration, Lightning
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (5-21) Mana
Cast Time: 0.65 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 190%
Projectile Speed: 420Launches unpredictable sparks that move randomly until they hit an enemy or expire.Deals (1-104) to (28-1983) Lightning Damage
Base duration is 2.00 seconds
Fires (4-8) Projectiles
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Fires +(0.1-2) ProjectilesPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
may expire before reaching their maximum distance, leaving them unable to return unless their projectile speed or duration is increased.
Return has a bug when used with 
Ethereal KnivesEthereal KnivesSpell, Projectile, Physical
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (5-20) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 220%
Projectile Speed: 1300Fires an arc of knives outwards in front of the caster which deal physical damage.Deals (7-949) to (10-1423) Physical Damage
Fires (10-13) Projectiles
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Fires +(0.1-2) ProjectilesPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
or 
Ethereal Knives of the MassacreEthereal Knives of the MassacreSpell, Projectile, Physical
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (6-25) Mana
Cast Time: 0.75 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 220%Fires a circle of knives outwards around the caster which deal physical damage.Deals (7-949) to (10-1423) Physical Damage
Fires (12-16) Projectiles
Fires Projectiles in a circle
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Fires +(0.15-3) ProjectilesPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
where projectiles will rarely if ever return unless they collide with an object. 
Ethereal Knives of Lingering BladesEthereal Knives of Lingering BladesSpell, Projectile, Physical, Duration
Level: (1-20)
Cost: (5-20) Mana
Cast Time: 0.60 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Effectiveness of Added Damage: 220%Fires an arc of knives down into the ground in front of the caster which deal physical damage. Cannot be supported by Volley.Deals (7-949) to (10-1423) Physical Damage
Base duration is 6.00 seconds
Fires (6-8) Projectiles
Each Projectile fired remains in the ground as a Lingering Blade
Maximum 40 Lingering Blades can be left in the ground at a time
Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality:
Fires +(0.1-2) ProjectilesPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.
projectiles will fully return, but fail to leave behind any Lingering Blades upon returning. This bug has existed since at least December 9th, 2023. [3]
Related items
Skill gems
| Gem |  |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Spectral ThrowSpectral ThrowAttack, ProjectileLevel: (1-20) Cost: (5-8) Mana Attack Speed: 110% of base Attack Damage: (80-125)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (80-125)% Projectile Speed: 1000Throws a spectral copy of your melee weapon. It flies out and then returns to you, in a spinning attack that damages enemies in its path. Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality: Projectiles that have Pierced deal (0.5-10)% more DamagePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.   | 1 |  | | N/A |
 Spectral Throw of MaterialisingSpectral Throw of MaterialisingAttack, ProjectileLevel: (1-20) Cost: (5-8) Mana Attack Speed: 110% of base Attack Damage: (200-280)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (200-280)%Throws an intangible spectral copy of your melee weapon. It flies out and then becomes tangible as it returns to you, in a spinning attack that only hits and damages enemies while returning.30% reduced Projectile Deceleration Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality: Projectiles that have Pierced deal (0.5-10)% more DamagePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.  | 1 | | | N/A |
 Vaal Spectral ThrowVaal Spectral ThrowAttack, Projectile, VaalLevel: (1-20) Souls Per Use: 15 Can Store 1 Use(s) Soul Gain Prevention: 4 sec Attack Speed: 110% of base Attack Damage: (70-110)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (70-110)%Throws several spectral copies of your melee weapon. They fly out and then return to you, in a spinning attack that damages enemies in their path.Fires 8 Projectiles in each of two mirrored spirals Can't be Evaded Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality: Projectiles that have Pierced deal (0.5-10)% more DamageCorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.   | 1 | | | N/A |
 Venom GyreVenom GyreAttack, Projectile, Chaos, DurationLevel: (1-20) Cost: (5-7) Mana Attack Speed: 120% of base Attack Damage: (125-165)% of base Effectiveness of Added Damage: (125-165)%Requires Level 12Fires a returning projectile that can be caught. Caught projectiles spiral outwards when you use Whirling Blades and do not return. Requires a Dagger or Claw.Base duration is 12.00 seconds 60% of Physical Damage Converted to Chaos Damage Projectiles Return to you 40% chance to Poison on Hit Returning Projectiles deal 75% less Damage with Hits and Ailments Returning Projectiles Pierce all Targets Maximum 30 caught Projectiles 40% chance to keep each caught Projectile fired with Whirling Blades Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality: Maximum +(0.5-10) caught ProjectilesPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.   | 12 | N/A | | |
Support gems
| Gem | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Returning Projectiles SupportReturning Projectiles SupportSupport, ProjectileIcon: R Level: (1-20) Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 150%Requires Level 38Supports projectile skills.Projectiles from Supported Skills Return to you Projectiles from Supported Skills deal (70-61)% less Damage with Hits and Ailments while Returning Projectiles from Supported Skills Pierce all Targets while Returning Additional Effects From 1-20% Quality: Supported Skills have (0.5-10)% increased Projectile SpeedThis 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.  | 38 | N/A | | N/A |
Unique items
| Item | | Stats | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Nimis NimisTopaz RingRequires Level 48+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance+(30-50) to Dexterity (25-35)% increased Projectile Damage Projectiles Return to you Projectiles are fired in random directionsToo much of something is bad enough; too much of nothing is just as tough.  | 48 | +(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance+(30-50) to Dexterity (25-35)% increased Projectile Damage Projectiles Return to you Projectiles are fired in random directions | ||
Reach of the Council Reach of the CouncilSpine 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.  | 64 | Socketed 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 times | ||
The Hungry Loop The Hungry LoopUnset RingRequires Level 70Has 1 SocketConsumes Socketed Uncorrupted Support Gems when they reach Maximum Level Can Consume 4 Uncorrupted Support Gems Has not Consumed any Gems <Consumed support gem modifier>Be careful where you put your finger.  | 70 | Has 1 SocketConsumes Socketed Uncorrupted Support Gems when they reach Maximum Level Can Consume 4 Uncorrupted Support Gems Has not Consumed any Gems
|
Passive skills
Anointment-only passive skills
The following Anointment-only passive skills are related to return:
| Name | Stats |
|---|---|
Vengeant Cascade | Returning Projectiles have 150% increased Speed [1] |
Version history
| Version | Changes |
|---|---|
| 3.21.0 |
|
References
- ↑ https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3284453
- ↑ Yohsene (January 16, 2024). "Split projectiles are simultaneous and limited to one collision after returning (tf Ice Spear)". Youtube. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
- ↑ hellix (December 9, 2023). "Ethereal Knives projectiles not returning". Grinding Gear Games. Retrieved April 14, 2024.