Path of Exile 2's attribute system revolves around three primary stats: Strength, Dexterity, and Intelligence. Each attribute provides inherent bonuses and serves as the foundation for different character archetypes.
Understanding how attributes scale and interact with various mechanics is crucial for optimizing your build. Each point invested has both direct benefits and enables access to powerful gear and skill gems.
Attribute requirements become increasingly important as you progress, with high-tier equipment and skill gems often requiring substantial investment in specific attributes.
Strength provides life and physical damage bonuses. Each point grants +0.5 life and +1% melee physical damage, making it crucial for melee-focused builds and overall survivability.
Dexterity increases accuracy and evasion. Each point provides +2 accuracy and +0.5% evasion, essential for attack-based builds and defensive layering.
Intelligence grants mana and energy shield. Each point gives +0.5 mana and +1% energy shield, forming the foundation of caster and energy shield-based builds.
Hybrid builds need to carefully balance multiple attributes to meet gear requirements while maximizing synergistic benefits.
Life is your primary defense against damage. Base life increases with level, and can be further scaled through strength and passive tree nodes.
Mana powers your skills and can be reserved for auras and other permanent effects. Effective mana management is crucial for all builds.
Energy Shield acts as a secondary life pool that regenerates automatically. It can be scaled to extremely high values through intelligence and specialized gear.
Accuracy determines your chance to hit enemies with attacks. Spells automatically hit but can be evaded by certain enemies.
POE2's defense system is built around multiple layers working together. Understanding how different defensive mechanics interact is crucial for survival.
Each defensive layer has strengths and weaknesses against different types of damage. Building multiple complementary layers is key to creating a robust character.
Defensive stats can be obtained from gear, passive skills, and various temporary buffs. Planning your defensive strategy early is crucial for successful progression.
Armour reduces physical damage from hits based on a percentage calculation. It's most effective against many small hits rather than single large hits.
Evasion provides a chance to completely avoid attacks. It works on an entropy system to prevent streaks of bad luck.
Energy Shield absorbs damage before your life pool. It can be specialized into with various mechanics like Chaos Inoculation.
Block and Dodge provide chances to completely avoid damage from hits. They can be obtained from shields, dual wielding, and passive skills.
Life Recovery comes from flasks, regeneration, and leech. Each has its own mechanics and can be scaled through various means.
Mana Recovery is crucial for sustaining skill usage. Understanding mana costs and recovery options is essential for build planning.
Energy Shield Recovery has unique mechanics like recharge delay and rate. Various modifiers can improve its recovery speed.
Recovery Rate affects all forms of recovery and can be modified by various sources. Understanding recovery mechanics is crucial for survival.