Mastering Mark of Submission in Path of Exile: A Comprehensive Guide
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Mark of Submission is a unique item in Path of Exile (PoE) that falls into a special category known as league-specific items. It’s not your average unique; it carries with it unique properties and acquisition methods that differ from typical items. This article delves deep into how Mark of Submission functions, exploring its nuances, and answering frequently asked questions about its usage and interactions with other game mechanics.
How Mark of Submission Works in Path of Exile
At its core, Mark of Submission is a unique item that primarily functions as an enabler for certain builds. Unlike common unique items that directly grant stats or skills, Mark of Submission is unique in that it is related to a Mark skill. More specifically, it is a league-specific item and therefore has specific avenues of acquisition. It can drop anywhere, it can be chanced (using Orb of Chance), and it can be obtained through divination cards. This unique drop method is one of its defining characteristics.
Mark of Submission is not tied to a specific Mark skill, which means that it does not grant a player a Mark skill. Rather, it is intended to support one of the Mark skill and its main use case is through the Mark on Hit Support gem. This support gem allows players to automatically apply a Mark skill whenever they hit a Rare or Unique enemy with an attack, without having to manually cast it. When a player is using the Mark of Submission along with Mark on Hit support, there is a specific interaction in that the support gem will cast the Mark skill that is linked to it.
Key Properties and Acquisition
- League-Specific Item: Mark of Submission belongs to a group of unique items that are not always available in the core game. These items often have unique properties and acquisition methods.
- Drop Anywhere: The item can drop from any monster and can be found in any area of the game.
- Chancable: It is possible to obtain Mark of Submission by using an Orb of Chance on a normal base item.
- Divination Cards: Certain divination cards can grant the item when turned in to a vendor.
- Mark on Hit Support: Mark of Submission is often used with the Mark on Hit Support gem to automate Mark application.
- No Granting of Mark Skills: It does not grant a Mark skill on its own. It requires a Mark skill gem.
- Limited Availability: Because of its status as a league-specific item, it’s not always easily obtainable, which can affect its market price and availability.
Interaction with Game Mechanics
Understanding how Mark of Submission interacts with various game mechanics is crucial for effectively utilizing it:
- Marks as Curses: Marks are considered a curse, sharing the curse limit with Hex curses. If your curse limit is 1, applying a Hex curse will remove any active mark and vice versa. You cannot have two marks on the same target.
- Curse Limit: Your curse limit can be increased with passives like Whispers of Doom, or Ascendency nodes like Occultist’s Unholy Authority. However, even with an increased curse limit, you cannot have more than one mark on a single target.
- Totems and Marks: Totems, traps, and mines cannot apply the socketed curse if they are not linked to the curse skill. This means that a totem cannot apply a Mark unless the Mark skill is linked directly to the totem.
- Hexes and Marks: While you can have multiple Hex curses on one enemy with an increased curse limit, you are still restricted to only one Mark at a time. You can have both a Hex and a Mark on the same target only if you have an increased curse limit.
- Mark Overwriting: If you apply a mark on an enemy, and then apply another mark skill, the previous Mark will be removed. Only one mark at a time is allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions about Mark of Submission and Mark mechanics in PoE.
1. Can I have multiple marks on a single enemy?
No, you can have only one Mark on a single enemy at any given time, regardless of your curse limit or the source of the Mark. If you try to apply a second Mark, the first one will be overwritten.
2. Does Mark of Submission grant a Mark skill?
No, Mark of Submission does not grant a Mark skill. It works in conjunction with Mark skill gems.
3. Can totems apply Marks?
Totems cannot apply socketed curse skills without a direct link. This means a Totem will be unable to apply a Mark if the Mark skill is not directly linked to the Totem.
4. Does my curse limit affect my ability to apply Marks?
Your curse limit does not affect the number of enemies you can Mark, which is always one. However, if you want to use both Hexes and a Mark, you will need an increased curse limit.
5. Does Mark of Submission work with the Mark on Hit Support gem?
Yes, Mark of Submission is frequently used with Mark on Hit Support. This gem triggers the supported Mark skill when you hit a Rare or Unique enemy with an Attack.
6. How do I obtain Mark of Submission?
Mark of Submission can drop anywhere, it can be chanced, and it can be obtained through divination cards that specifically grant league-specific items.
7. Are Marks considered curses?
Yes, Marks are considered a curse and share the curse limit with Hexes.
8. If I apply a Hex to a Marked enemy, will the Mark be removed?
Yes, if your curse limit is one, applying a Hex will remove the Mark. If your curse limit is two or more, you can have both a Hex and a Mark on the same enemy.
9. Can I stack multiple Hexes on a Marked enemy?
Yes, provided that you have an increased curse limit. However, your mark limit remains at one enemy at a time.
10. Does Mark of Submission work with all Mark skills?
Mark of Submission is agnostic with regards to Mark skills, and does not alter them.
11. What is the difference between Hexes and Marks?
Hexes are spells that apply a curse in an area of effect, while Marks are applied on single targets. Both are considered curses and share the curse limit, but you can only have one Mark on a single target.
12. Can I use multiple Mark skills at the same time?
You can use multiple Mark skills, but only one can be active at any given time. Applying a new Mark skill will remove the old one.
13. Can I increase my curse limit with items or passives?
Yes, you can increase your curse limit with passives like Whispers of Doom, or Ascendency nodes like Occultist’s Unholy Authority.
14. Does “Marked for Death” mean the enemy has a Mark?
Yes, when an enemy is Marked, it is considered to be “Marked for Death,” which is the language the game uses to indicate an active Mark.
15. Do other types of curses, such as Temporal Chains, interact with Marks?
Yes, you can have other types of curses active along with your Mark as long as your curse limit allows it. However, note that if you have one active mark and you apply another curse, it might expire the mark on the target because they share the same curse limit. You could avoid that interaction by raising the curse limit.
Conclusion
Mark of Submission, while not a game-changing item on its own, unlocks various strategic options through its synergistic relationship with Mark on Hit Support and Mark skills. Understanding how it interacts with game mechanics like curse limits, totems, and other curses is crucial to optimizing builds. Its league-specific nature adds an element of scarcity and unique value. This comprehensive guide should serve as a solid foundation for those seeking to master the intricacies of Marks in Path of Exile.