Path of Exile 2: How Does Rage Work

Posted on by Team-PLS
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Here’s everything you need to know about Rage in Path of Exile 2 and how to incorporate it effectively into your builds.

What is Rage?

Rage is a stacking buff primarily used to enhance melee builds. Here’s how it works:

  • Effect: Each stack of Rage increases your attack damage by 1%.
  • Maximum Stacks: You can stack Rage up to 30 times, providing a total potential boost of 30% increased attack damage.
  • Decay:
    • If you don’t hit enemies with melee attacks for 2 seconds, your Rage stacks start to decay.
    • Stacks decay one at a time after this window, so consistent attacks are key to maintaining Rage.

How to Generate Rage

Rage is typically generated through melee attacks, but there are other methods to accumulate stacks. Here’s how:

  1. Support Gems:
    • Gems that grant Rage will add stacks when using the linked skill.
    • For example, a support gem might generate Rage per enemy hit or per attack.
  2. Gear Bonuses:
    • Some magical and rare items have modifiers that generate Rage on hit or grant bonuses to Rage accumulation.
  3. Passive Skills:
    • Later in the passive skill tree, particularly on the left side, there are nodes that:
      • Increase Rage generation per hit.
      • Boost the maximum Rage cap.
      • Allow Rage generation when you take damage.

How to Maximize Rage Efficiency

To make the most out of Rage in your build, follow these tips:

  1. Boost Rage Generation:
    • Equip items and passives that increase how much Rage is earned per hit.
    • Use skills that hit multiple enemies or hit frequently to build Rage faster.
  2. Increase Maximum Rage:
    • Increasing your maximum Rage stacks (e.g., from 30 to 50) also increases the damage bonus you can achieve.
  3. Delay Rage Decay:
    • Items and passives can slow down the decay rate, allowing you to maintain high stacks even during brief lulls in combat.
  4. Combine with Defensive Mechanics:
    • Some passives allow Rage generation when you take damage, making it ideal for tankier builds that can sustain hits while staying in the fight.
  5. Synergize with Fast-Hitting Skills:
    • Skills like Cyclone, Dual Strike, or Flicker Strike are excellent for Rage builds, as they hit frequently and help you maintain high stacks.

Best Weapons for Rage Builds

Rage builds benefit from weapons that emphasize attack speed and melee effectiveness. Consider the following weapon types:

  1. Axes:
    • Excellent for high base damage.
    • Great synergy with many melee skill gems.
  2. Claws or Daggers:
    • High attack speed makes them ideal for quickly stacking Rage.
    • Useful for builds focused on critical strikes.
  3. Swords:
    • A balanced option with good attack speed and damage potential.
    • Two-handed swords are great for massive single hits, while one-handed swords are excellent for speed.
  4. Maces or Staves:
    • Slower attack speed but heavy hits may still work with skills that generate multiple Rage stacks per hit.

Additional Build Synergies

  • Berserker Ascendancy (Marauder):
    • Berserkers gain additional bonuses from Rage, including passive Rage generation and boosted damage while at max Rage.
  • Skills to Pair with Rage:
    • Berserk: Consumes Rage to grant a burst of damage, speed, and survivability.
    • Ancestral Warchief: Boosts melee damage while benefiting from Rage.
    • Leap Slam: Keeps you mobile while maintaining your stacks.

Conclusion

Rage is an excellent mechanic for melee-focused builds in Path of Exile 2, providing significant damage boosts with proper setup. To maximize its potential:

  • Prioritize frequent hits and high attack speed.
  • Use passives and gear to enhance Rage generation and retention.
  • Choose weapons and skills that align with your build’s goals.

With careful planning, Rage can turn your character into a melee powerhouse capable of overwhelming even the toughest enemies.