In Path of Exile 2, there’s a build that turns entire screens into a mess of chain reactions – the Explosion-Focused Physical Damage over Time Elementalist, nicknamed the “Boom Squad.” It’s not about hitting every enemy one by one. You hit one, and the rest go down in a wave of destruction. The idea is simple: apply a strong physical DoT to a target, then let the Elementalist’s spread mechanics do the rest. It’s a style that fits perfectly with the game’s faster combat pace. You’ll quickly see why players who love chaos and big visual payoffs gravitate towards it. If you’re looking to farm efficiently, having enough PoE 2 Currency helps you get the gear that makes this strategy shine.
The Core Concept – Physical DoT Meets Explosions
This build works because the initial hit is only part of the damage. The main engine is a physical DoT skill – think of something like an updated Exsanguinate or a spear throw that causes bleeding. Once the DoT is on, enemies that die trigger an explosion, dealing a chunk of their max HP as physical damage to nearby targets. That’s where the fun starts. One kill sets off another, and before you know it, an entire pack is gone. You don’t have to stand still and spam attacks – just tag enemies and keep moving.
Pushing the Explosion Damage
Getting those explosions to really hit hard takes a layered approach. The ascendancy gives the main trigger, but gear and maybe a unique support gem will push it further. Area of effect boosts make sure the blast radius is big enough to catch other packs, and scaling physical damage pushes the chain reaction’s punch. Rare monsters become less of a problem because their deaths hit hard enough to take out nearby mobs, keeping the pace fast and fluid.
Elementalist – An Unexpected Fit
Most people think Elementalist is all about elemental damage. In PoE 2, there’s room to break that mould. If the reworked ascendancy offers strong proliferation and exposure tools that aren’t locked to elemental types, it opens the door for physical builds like this one. It’s about using the class’s utility to spread your DoT and trigger explosions, not just stack elemental crits.
Possible Key Nodes
One likely node could be a new take on Beacon of Ruin – instead of just spreading elemental effects, it might spread physical DoTs or cause enemies under your DoT to explode on death. Another, Shaper of Malevolence, could boost the impact of non-damaging ailments like Vulnerability, or simply give a big “more DoT” multiplier. Then there’s Heart of Destruction, which would help with boss fights by giving a big single-target damage boost, covering one of the weak spots of explosion-heavy builds.
How It Plays
In action, this build feels fast. You’re moving constantly, weaving through mobs, tagging one or two enemies, then watching the chain reaction clear the rest. You’re not locked into channels or long wind-ups – it’s hit and move. In boss fights, the focus shifts to stacking your DoT efficiently while staying alive. The explosions won’t carry you there, but your ascendancy bonuses and skill tree will make sure the damage ramps up quickly. It’s a satisfying loop: set the fuse, dodge, and watch the screen erupt. For players who enjoy that mix of mobility and spectacle, it’s hard to beat. And if you want to push it to its full potential, picking up the right gear with u4gm PoE 2 Currency can make all the difference.
