How Many Times Can Spark Hit in Path of Exile?
Spark, a seemingly simple lightning spell in Path of Exile (PoE), often raises questions about its potential to hit enemies multiple times. The answer, while straightforward, relies on understanding a few core mechanics of the game. A single cast of Spark can hit an enemy multiple times due to its projectile duration, specifically three times with its base duration of 2 seconds. This is not per projectile, but per cast. Let’s break down why.
Spark’s Hit Mechanics: Understanding the Basics
Projectile Duration and Hit Frequency
The key to understanding Spark’s hit potential lies in its projectile duration and hit frequency. Post-patch 2.3, a single Spark projectile can hit an enemy once every 0.66 seconds. This means that if a projectile exists for a sufficient amount of time, it can indeed hit multiple times. Spark projectiles, by default, last for a duration of 2 seconds. Given this timing, a spark can hit an enemy three times during its duration. It’s crucial to note that this is per cast. When you cast Spark, multiple projectiles are released, each adhering to this hit frequency and duration rule.
The Importance of Per Cast, Not Per Projectile
The distinction between “per cast” and “per projectile” is crucial. If Spark’s hitting frequency were per projectile, each of the projectiles from the same cast would hit the enemy at the same time, leading to only 1 hit per enemy per cast. Instead, each spark projectile from a single cast can hit at different intervals over its lifespan. This explains why one cast can hit an enemy multiple times during the duration of the projectiles created. Therefore, you will get three hits per enemy per cast.
Projectile Speed and Its Limitations
While increasing projectile speed may seem like a way to increase hit frequency, it doesn’t work that way for Spark. Projectile speed affects how quickly the projectiles move across the map, not how fast they hit enemies. Importantly, while reduced projectile speed has a cap at 99%, there is no limit to increased projectile speed. The duration of the projectile is affected by its speed. The less speed the projectile has, the more time it spends on the ground, which increases the overall damage of a cast.
The Impact of Duration Modifiers
While base duration for spark is 2 seconds, this can be changed by gear and passives, leading to more than 3 hits per cast. The base duration is a key factor in how much damage it can inflict to enemies with a single cast.
How Vaal Spark Differs
Vaal Spark, a Vaal-themed variant of the spell, operates differently. It launches 100 lightning spark projectiles in all directions for a specified duration, rather than a set number of projectiles. These projectiles also adhere to the 0.66 second hit frequency, meaning each can hit an enemy three times during the standard 2-second duration. Vaal Spark generates a massive amount of projectiles to overwhelm the enemies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What exactly is a “hit” in Path of Exile?
In PoE, a hit refers to an instance where a specific amount of damage is instantaneously applied to a target. The damage can be mitigated down to zero, but it can never be negative. This damage source can be an attack, spell, or secondary effect, but not damage over time (DoT). This also includes things such as ailments.
2. Can Spark projectiles hit flying enemies?
No, Spark projectiles travel on the ground. They cannot hit flying enemies, including those such as Summon Raging Spirits (commonly found in the Shore Map) and Animate Weapons.
3. What is the maximum chance to hit in PoE?
The maximum chance to hit is 100%. While the minimum hit chance is 5%, this can be achieved via bonuses from things such as Resolute Technique, Worthy Foe, and The Effigon, each ignoring the need for accuracy by raising the chance to hit to 100%.
4. How do Vaal Skills work in general?
Vaal skills require the collection of souls to be activated. Souls are obtained by killing enemies (1 per kill), or by damaging Rare/Unique enemies (1 soul per 2% life lost, with a 1-second cooldown for Rare enemies and 6 souls per 2% life lost for Unique enemies). Once charged, the Vaal skill can be used.
5. Can multiple instances of Bleed stack?
No, separate applications of bleed do not stack cumulatively. Only the single bleed effect with the highest damage per second will cause damage. However, the exception to this is the Crimson Dance keystone, which allows for 8 stacks of bleed to exist on an enemy.
6. Is Spark considered a “projectile”?
Yes, Spark launches projectiles that move unpredictably across the ground until they hit an enemy. This means that it is impacted by any passive nodes and gear that affect projectiles.
7. How does the Vaal Grace Skill work?
Vaal Grace is a Vaal aura that provides temporary flat evasion chance to the player and their allies. Additionally, it causes the damage values of suppressed spells to be unlucky.
8. What is the maximum limit of mines I can have at once?
By default, the maximum number of mines you can have active is 15. Throwing another mine will destroy the oldest. However, certain passives can increase this limit.
9. How does Vaal Flicker Strike function?
Vaal Flicker Strike is a Vaal melee skill that teleports the player to nearby enemies, inflicting wounds but dealing no direct damage. It is more about applying debuffs rather than raw damage.
10. How can I corrupt a gem?
Gems are corrupted using Vaal Orbs. These orbs are found by slaying monsters or looting containers and strongboxes. When you use a Vaal Orb on a gem, it transforms into a corrupted version, adding modifiers. There are various potential outcomes, including altering the quality, adding modifiers, or turning it into a different gem entirely.
11. What are some new Vaal skill gems recently introduced to PoE?
Recent additions to Vaal skills include Vaal Reap, Vaal Arctic Armour, Vaal Absolution, Vaal Lightning Arrow, Vaal Animate Weapon, Vaal Domination, Vaal Ice Shot, Vaal Rejuvenation Totem, and Vaal Firestorm.
12. How does Vaal Cold Snap work?
Vaal Cold Snap is a Vaal spell that creates an ice burst that freezes enemies. Following the burst, it releases an area of damage over time, chilling enemies and granting Frenzy charges for each second an enemy is in its range.
13. Is Spark a good skill for bossing?
Yes, Spark can be highly effective for bossing, especially with the Inquisitor ascendancy class. With the right gear and passive choices, it can tackle even the most difficult bosses like Uber Maven and Sirus.
14. Which class is the best to use Spark?
Inquisitor is generally regarded as the best ascendancy class for Spark. Inquisitor has access to several notable passives that can enhance Spark in various ways, including increased damage and critical strike.
15. Can Spark apply bleed?
No. Only physical damage hits can inflict bleed. Furthermore, there is no source of global chance to bleed or chance to bleed with spells. Therefore, bleed is limited to attacks only. Spark is a lightning spell, and thus, it cannot cause bleeding.