In Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), the Thorns or damage reflection mechanic is getting a significant overhaul compared to Path of Exile 1. Historically, this mechanic has been underused and often weak in action RPGs, but PoE2 might change that by offering more viable ways to integrate it into your builds. In this article, we'll explore the Thorns mechanic in PoE2, the new damage reflection passive tree nodes, and how you can make the most of this system in your build.Your Path of Exile 2 adventure deserves the best start, and MMOJUGG is here to make that happen. Whether you need in-game currency or specific items to power up your character, we provide top-notch customer service and reliable delivery to keep you moving forward. From your first step into the game, we'll ensure you have everything you need to succeed.Boss or Trail Too Difficult? - PoE2 Boss Carry Run | PoE2 Trial Carry RunNeed Currency To Trade? - Buy PoE2 CurrencyHow We Works? - PoE2 Currency Buying Process | Fast, Secure, and Hassle-Free Delivery

What is the Thorns Mechanic?

The Thorns mechanic is a classic RPG feature that allows characters to reflect a portion of the damage taken back to enemies who attack them. However, in most RPGs, especially in PoE1, this mechanic has often been either too weak to be practical or too overpowered when it becomes a dominant strategy.

In PoE1, damage reflection was not particularly effective, mainly due to the game's design, which revolves around dodging damage, using mobility, and actively defending rather than tanking hits. Thorns builds that focused on just standing still and letting enemies hit them were usually ineffective, as players would die quickly even with decent defense investments.

PoE2 aims to address this issue by making damage reflection more practical and rewarding without relying solely on specialized unique items. Reflecting damage in PoE2 now appears to be more viable, especially with the introduction of reflect modifiers directly on the passive skill tree, offering the potential for a more solid build based on Thorns mechanics.

Thorns and Damage Reflection: How it Works in PoE2

In Path of Exile 2, damage reflection is percentage-based rather than flat damage, which is a game-changing tweak. This allows the mechanic to scale naturally with your character's stats, making it more versatile across all levels of content. The more damage you take, the more damage you can reflect back at enemies, which is also tied to your survivability.
Key Changes in PoE2Reflect Modifiers on the Passive Tree: Reflective damage is no longer limited to specific unique items. Now, you can find reflect modifiers in the Strength area of the passive skill tree.Reflective Damage Scaling: Since the modifiers are percentage-based, the damage you reflect will scale with your overall defense and health pool. This makes the mechanic effective across various levels of gameplay.Reflective Damage Modifiers in PoE2 Passive Tree
In PoE2, damage reflection nodes appear in different areas of the passive skill tree. Two significant modifiers in the Strength section that focus on melee attackers and damage reflection are:
Vengeance:Provides a 60% damage taken reflected to melee attackers.This node is designed for players who want to create a more defensive character that punishes enemies for attacking them.
Retaliation:Provides higher percentage-based reflected damage than Vengeance.It’s likely to appeal to players who want to specialize further in reflecting more damage.
These nodes offer an interesting shift in how you can build a character in PoE2, as they provide direct access to reflective damage without needing to rely on external factors like unique items.

How Does Damage Reflection Work?

💰 Grab your PoE2 Currency for trading now and stay competitive in Game!The big question that arises with these new nodes is: How exactly does the damage reflection work?There are two possible interpretations of the reflection mechanic:
Scenario A - Reflecting Melee Damage:The most likely scenario is that only incoming melee hits from enemies will reflect a percentage of the damage back to the enemies. This means that if you're attacked by melee monsters, a portion of the damage you take is sent back to the attacker. This version of Thorns would make it easier to use damage reflection in conjunction with a solid defense setup, encouraging more tanky, defensive builds.
Scenario B - Reflecting All Damage:Another possible scenario is that a percentage of all damage taken (from all sources, including projectiles and spells) would be reflected around you in melee range. This option seems less likely but could open up interesting build options where you take damage from a variety of sources and reflect that damage in all directions, dealing damage to surrounding enemies.

Potential for Future Support for Thorns Builds

Since the passive tree now includes reflect modifiers, it is likely that PoE2 will continue to expand support for Thorns-based builds. Future updates might introduce ascendancy options or more unique items that provide additional damage reflection or further synergies with the mechanic. The Vengeance and Retaliation nodes are just the beginning, and we can expect more options to emerge as the game continues to develop.

Thorns Builds in PoE2: Synergies with Defense and Recovery

The changes in PoE2 will likely allow for more viable Thorns builds. With a more defensive approach to the game, players can invest heavily in defenses such as armor, evasion, and life regeneration, creating a character that can withstand attacks while reflecting damage to enemies.

Defensive Investment in Thorns Builds:

High Defense and Recovery:Since PoE2 limits how much recovery a character can achieve, it creates a balance between surviving a hit and reflecting damage. This makes it essential for players to properly manage their health, especially in high-damage scenarios.Vulnerability After Taking Big Hits:PoE2 limits immediate recovery after taking a significant hit. This design may encourage players to invest in defensive layers to survive incoming damage while still reflecting some of it back to the enemy.

Will Thorns Be a Viable Playstyle in PoE2?

PoE2's changes to the Thorns mechanic are exciting for players who love defensive playstyles. The ability to invest in damage reflection without relying on unique items opens up new opportunities for character builds. Reflecting damage through the Vengeance and Retaliation nodes can make tanky, damage-reflecting characters viable in high-level content. While there are still uncertainties about how exactly this will function in practice, it’s clear that Thorns builds will have more opportunities in PoE2 than they ever did in PoE1.
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