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Do Spells Count as Wand Attacks in Poe?

Yes, in Path of Exile (PoE), spells do generally count as wand attacks under specific circumstances. The key factor determining whether a spell qualifies as a wand attack is whether it is cast directly using the wand, often through the “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell” mechanic, such as that found on the “Wand” item base type. This functionality bridges the gap between basic attacks and spellcasting, allowing spells to benefit from modifiers that affect wand attacks. However, it’s crucial to understand the nuances and limitations to optimize your build.

Understanding Wand Attacks vs. Spells

To fully grasp the concept, we need to differentiate between typical spells and wand attacks, and then explore how they can intersect.

Traditional Spells

Traditional spells in Path of Exile are activated using mana or life (via support gems) and are not inherently tied to your weapon. They rely on spell damage, cast speed, and critical strike chance specific to spells. These spells don’t benefit from attack-specific modifiers unless explicitly stated (through unique items, passive skills, or specific gems). For example, Fireball, Lightning Bolt, and Ice Nova are standard spells that function independently of your wand, except for any generic spell damage modifiers it provides.

Wand Attacks

Wand attacks, on the other hand, are weapon-based. They use your attack speed and deal damage based on the wand’s inherent properties and any added damage. These attacks are modified by attack-specific nodes on the passive skill tree, such as those that increase attack damage, attack speed, or critical strike chance for attacks. Power Siphon and Kinetic Bolt are examples of wand attacks that directly use the wand to deal damage.

The Overlap: “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell”

The crucial mechanic that creates the overlap lies in items or skills that state “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell.” This is most commonly seen on wands themselves. When a wand attack is performed (like using Power Siphon or Kinetic Bolt), it simultaneously triggers a spell socketed within the wand. In this context, the triggered spell is considered a consequence of the wand attack and can therefore benefit from certain attack-related modifiers. This interaction opens up interesting build possibilities by combining the strengths of both attack and spell mechanics.

Implications for Build Crafting

The understanding that triggered spells can be considered wand attacks has significant implications for build crafting:

Support Gem Synergies: Certain support gems that traditionally only affect attacks might now indirectly enhance your spells if they are triggered by wand attacks. This opens up new avenues for damage scaling.
Passive Skill Tree Nodes: Attack-specific nodes on the passive tree, which would normally not affect spells, can now contribute to the effectiveness of spells triggered by wand attacks.
Item Affixes: Affixes on items that boost attack damage, attack speed, or critical strike chance for attacks can also apply to the triggered spells, leading to increased damage output.
Unique Interactions: Some unique items are designed to specifically interact with wand attacks and triggered spells, providing further opportunities for build customization.

Important Considerations

While triggered spells can be considered wand attacks in certain respects, there are crucial limitations to keep in mind:

Not All Modifiers Apply: Not all modifiers that affect wand attacks will apply to triggered spells. For example, modifiers that specifically affect the base attack damage of the wand itself will not affect the spell damage. Instead, modifiers related to attack speed, critical strike chance, or added damage are more likely to be effective.
Triggering Requirements: The spell must be triggered by the wand attack. Simply having a spell socketed in your wand does not automatically make it count as a wand attack. The “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell” modifier is essential.
Gem Levels and Support Gems: The level of the triggered spell and the support gems linked to it are still crucial for determining its overall effectiveness. The attack mechanic primarily provides the triggering mechanism and some scaling opportunities.
Spell Damage Scaling Still Matters: While attack modifiers can contribute, scaling the spell’s damage through spell-specific means (such as increased spell damage, gem levels, and spell-related support gems) remains essential for optimizing its performance.

FAQs: Wand Attacks and Spells in Path of Exile

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the interactions between wand attacks and spells:

1. Does “increased attack speed” affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

Yes, increased attack speed will generally affect the rate at which spells are triggered by wand attacks. A faster attack speed means more frequent triggering, leading to more spell casts per second.

2. Do critical strike modifiers for attacks affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

Yes, critical strike chance and critical strike multiplier for attacks can affect spells triggered by wand attacks. If the wand attack crits, the triggered spell will also benefit from the critical strike.

3. Does “added damage” to attacks affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

Yes, added damage to attacks can affect spells triggered by wand attacks if it’s a generic “added damage” modifier. However, damage that is explicitly added to the wand’s base attack damage usually doesn’t.

4. If a spell triggered by a wand attack crits, does it also apply ailments like ignite or freeze?

Yes, if the spell crits, it can apply ailments like ignite, freeze, or shock, provided the spell itself has a chance to inflict those ailments and you have sufficient ailment effectiveness.

5. Does “projectile speed” for wand attacks affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

Usually no. Projectile Speed modifier is generally applied to the projectile that is triggered, which already has a predefined speed.

6. Can I use spell echo support gem with spells triggered by wand attacks?

No, you cannot use Spell Echo with spells triggered by wand attacks. Spell Echo only supports spells that are directly cast.

7. Does cast speed affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

No, cast speed does not directly affect spells triggered by wand attacks. The triggering frequency is determined by attack speed.

8. If I have “gain mana on hit” with wand attacks, will I gain mana when the triggered spell hits?

Yes, you will gain mana when the triggered spell hits if you have “gain mana on hit” with wand attacks.

9. Can I use multiple trigger gems (like Cast When Damage Taken) with “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell”?

No, you cannot use multiple trigger gems with “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell” to trigger even more spells. The “Wand Attacks trigger a Socketed Spell” mechanic is considered a trigger itself, and trigger gems do not stack.

10. Does “increased spell damage” on my wand affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

Yes, increased spell damage on your wand will affect the damage of spells triggered by wand attacks.

11. Does “increased attack damage” on my wand affect spells triggered by wand attacks?

Generally no, unless it specifically states “increased global damage” or similar. “Increased attack damage” typically only affects the damage of the wand attack itself, not the triggered spell.

12. Do support gems linked to the wand attack also support the triggered spell?

No, support gems linked only to the wand attack do not support the triggered spell, unless the support gems affect global damage, damage with wands, or other broad effects. The triggered spell needs its own set of support gems in the socket.

13. What’s better, scaling spell damage or attack damage for wand attack trigger builds?

The answer depends on the build and the specific spells being triggered, but often a balance is best. Focus on scaling the spell’s damage through gem levels, spell damage modifiers, and spell-specific support gems, while also leveraging attack modifiers (attack speed, crit chance, crit multi) to increase the frequency and potency of the triggers.

14. Does the level of my wand affect the damage of spells triggered by wand attacks?

Not directly. The wand’s level determines the affixes it can roll, which indirectly affects the spell damage (e.g., by allowing for higher spell damage rolls). The wand level itself does not directly scale the triggered spell’s damage.

15. Can “increased cast speed” implicit mods on jewels affect the trigger rate of my wand attack? No, because it triggers from your attack speed, not cast speed.

Do spells count as wand attacks Poe?