Path of Exile 2: How Do Endurance Charges Work?

Path of Exile 2 brings with it a wealth of gameplay enhancements and additions, allowing players to further refine their characters with new mechanics and more complex systems. One of the cornerstone mechanics of PoE that continues to play a central role in character optimization is the Endurance Charge system. Endurance Charges have been a vital feature in Path of Exile, particularly for defensive builds, and they continue to be important in PoE 2.

In this article, we'll dive deep into the Endurance Charge mechanic in Path of Exile 2, explaining how they work, how to generate and use them effectively, and what role they play in character builds. Whether you're building a tanky Juggernaut, a damage-dealing Berserker, or any other Ascendancy that benefits from Endurance Charges, this guide will give you everything you need to know to master their use in Poe 2 trade.

What Are Endurance Charges?

Endurance Charges are a unique resource in Path of Exile that are typically associated with physical damage mitigation, damage output boosts, and survivability. These charges are most often used by defensive-focused characters, especially those who rely on taking and surviving heavy damage in combat. The mechanic ties into a variety of PoE systems, including energy shields, life leech, and armor.

In Path of Exile 2, Endurance Charges continue to serve their classic function, but with some tweaks and enhancements to make them even more relevant and powerful for both offense and defense.

How Endurance Charges Work in Path of Exile 2

Endurance Charges are temporary buffs that players can gain and expend during combat. They provide a variety of benefits, but the core function of Endurance Charges is tied to reducing physical damage taken by the player and increasing the damage dealt under certain conditions. In PoE 2, Endurance Charges are still a resource that needs to be managed carefully to maximize their effectiveness.

Key Attributes of Endurance Charges:

Physical Damage Reduction: For every Endurance Charge you have, you gain a percentage of reduced physical damage taken. This is the primary defensive benefit of Endurance Charges, and it can greatly increase your survivability against hard-hitting enemies. This makes Endurance Charges a core part of any tanky or high-durability build.

Increased Damage Output: Endurance Charges can also increase your damage output, particularly when you have a passive that interacts with Endurance Charges to boost damage. For example, certain Ascendancy classes, such as Juggernaut or Chieftain, provide increased physical damage per Endurance Charge or use the charges to power specific skills. This gives Endurance Charges a dual function, not only helping you survive but also enhancing your offensive capabilities.

Maximum Number of Endurance Charges: Players can hold a maximum of three Endurance Charges by default. However, this can be increased with certain passive skills, items, and Ascendancy choices. For example, Ascendancy classes like the Juggernaut can increase their maximum number of Endurance Charges, providing even more defense and damage potential.

Duration and Expiry: Endurance Charges are temporary, and they typically expire if not consumed after a set period of time or after taking a hit. However, there are mechanics in the game that can extend the duration of Endurance Charges, allowing you to keep them up for longer. Managing the uptime of Endurance Charges is a key component of maximizing their effectiveness.

How to Generate Endurance Charges

The generation of Endurance Charges is a central part of any build that intends to use them effectively. There are several ways to generate Endurance Charges, and understanding the most efficient methods is crucial for maximizing your build's potential.

1. Passive Skill Tree:

There are specific nodes in the Passive Skill Tree that grant Endurance Charge generation or increase the maximum number of Endurance Charges you can hold. These are typically found in the Strength section of the tree and are highly valuable for any character looking to focus on survivability.

Common nodes on the passive tree include "Endurance Charge on Hit" and "Increased Endurance Charges," as well as Ascendancy-specific nodes that increase your maximum charges.

2. Ascendancy Classes:

Each Ascendancy class has the potential to generate Endurance Charges in different ways. Some ascendancies, like the Juggernaut, have passive bonuses or keystone abilities that greatly enhance Endurance Charge generation. For example:

Juggernaut: The Juggernaut can generate Endurance Charges through Endurance Charge on Melee Stun or Unflinching which increases both the maximum Endurance Charges and how easily you gain them.

Chieftain: The Chieftain Ascendancy grants a powerful mechanic known as Tāngaroa's Blessing, which allows Endurance Charges to stack with Fire Damage and improve both offense and defense.

3. Items and Gear:

Several pieces of gear, such as rings, ammunition, and belts, can increase your maximum number of Endurance Charges or generate them on specific actions. Common item-based mechanics include:

Endurance Charge on Hit: Some unique items or skill gems grant Endurance Charges on hit, meaning every time you land a hit with a certain skill, you generate an Endurance Charge. This is especially useful for melee builds or those who frequently strike enemies.

Endurance Charge on Kill: Certain items may grant Endurance Charges for every enemy you kill. This is particularly effective in mob-heavy encounters, like mapping or clearing large packs of enemies.

4. Skill Gems:

Some support skill gems and active skill gems also provide ways to generate Endurance Charges. For example:

Endurance Charge on Melee Stun Support: This support gem allows you to generate an Endurance Charge whenever you successfully stun an enemy with a melee attack. It works best for tanky or stun-focused melee builds.

Generosity: Certain builds that use specific skills, such as Generosity, can apply auras that improve the uptime of Endurance Charges or help generate them more quickly.

Using Endurance Charges Effectively

Now that we know how to generate Endurance Charges, it's time to dive into how to use them effectively. Endurance Charges are primarily defensive, but they can also enhance your offensive capabilities when used correctly.

1. Physical Damage Mitigation:

The most important use of Endurance Charges is their ability to reduce physical damage taken. This is particularly useful in combat situations where you're up against enemies that deal heavy physical hits, such as boss fights, rare monsters, or endgame content like Shaper or Elder.

By having a full stack of Endurance Charges (maximum of 3), you can significantly reduce the amount of physical damage you take from attacks, making it far easier to survive difficult encounters. This is especially effective when combined with other damage-reduction mechanics such as armor, evasion, or fortify.

2. Increased Damage:

Endurance Charges can also increase your overall damage output, particularly for physical damage-based builds. Some Ascendancy classes, such as the Berserker or Juggernaut, have passives that boost their physical damage for each Endurance Charge you hold. This dual-functionality—boosting both offense and defense—makes Endurance Charges incredibly valuable for certain types of builds.

For example, Berserkers can gain a damage boost when they have Endurance Charges active, as their Ascendancy provides bonuses for each charge they hold. This mechanic ties into their overall theme of sacrificing health for increased damage.

3. Keeping Charges Active:

Because Endurance Charges are temporary, keeping them active is key to maintaining their benefits. The longer you can keep your charges up, the more consistently you'll be able to rely on their defensive and offensive perks. Certain mechanics can help you keep your Endurance Charges active, such as:

Fortify Buff: Some Ascendancies, like Juggernaut, provide a Fortify buff that can help you keep Endurance Charges longer.

Charge Duration: Certain passive skills and items can extend the duration of Endurance Charges, allowing you to keep them up for longer periods.

Best Builds for Endurance Charges

Endurance Charges are particularly useful for certain builds that focus on tankiness or physical damage, and are best used in the following types of builds:

1. Juggernaut:

The Juggernaut is perhaps the most iconic and powerful class for maximizing Endurance Charges. With Ascendancy abilities like Unflinching and Unyielding, Juggernauts can generate and sustain high amounts of Endurance Charges, leading to unparalleled survivability and physical damage reduction.

2. Berserker:

Berserkers use Endurance Charges as a means to boost both their damage and survivability. Their Ascendancy grants damage bonuses per Endurance Charge, making it ideal for players who want to balance offense with defense.

3. Chieftain:

The Chieftain is another excellent Ascendancy for Endurance Charges, as it allows them to integrate fire damage scaling with their charges, adding synergy between offense and defense. 

Conclusion

Endurance Charges are a crucial mechanic in cheap POE 2 Currency that offer players a way to significantly enhance both their defensive and offensive capabilities. Whether you're looking to build a tanky character that can survive even the toughest encounters or a damage-dealing powerhouse that thrives on Endurance Charge generation, the system is versatile and highly impactful.

By understanding how Endurance Charges work, how to generate them, and how to use them effectively, you'll be well on your way to mastering some of the most powerful builds in PoE 2. With the right combination of Ascendancy, gear, and playstyle, you can harness the full potential of Endurance Charges to dominate the challenges that await in Path of Exile 2.