Resistances affect the amount of damage taken of specific damage types when all avoidance forms have failed. Enemies can also have resistances, which are indicated beneath their life bar.
Each damage type except Physical has its own resistance value which is viewable on the Defence tab in the Character pane (default hotkey C). Physical damage is reduced by Armour.
Resistances can be modified in a variety of ways:
- Auras:
Purity of Elements, 
Purity of Fire, 
Purity of Ice, 
Purity of Lightning - Curses: Elemental Weakness, Conductivity, Flammability, Frostbite
- Certain unique items
- Equipment modifers
- Passive skills
- Elemental resistance flasks
{{#ask:
-Has subobject::Character Has stat id::resist_all_elements_%_per_endurance_charge |?Has stat text= |format=ul |sort=Has stat text |mainlabel=-
}}
- Changing difficulty
Chaos damage is not Elemental, thus "+% to all Elemental Resistances" does not affect Chaos, but "+% to all maximum Resistances" does. Chaos resistance can be modified by items and passive skills. The Keystone passive skill Chaos Inoculation grants total immunity to Chaos damage.
Resistance penalties
A penalty to all resistances is applied to player characters in Cruel and Merciless difficulties.
- Normal: No penalty
- Cruel: -20% to all resistances
- Merciless: -60% to all resistances
Resistance caps
Each resistance has the following cap: {{#ask:
-Has subobject::Character Has stat id::~*resistance* Has stat id::~*max* |?Has stat text= |format=ul |sort=Has stat text |mainlabel=-
}}
There are various ways to alter the maximum resistances:
- Uniques: Aegis AuroraAegis Aurora
Champion Kite ShieldQuality: +20%
Chance to Block: 32%
Armour: (903-1118)
Energy Shield: (176-218)
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 62, 85 Str, 85 Int(300-400)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
+10% to all Elemental Resistances
+5% to maximum Cold Resistance
+6% Chance to Block
Replenishes Energy Shield by 2% of Armour when you Block
(10-20)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack SkillsBorn from the marriage of ice and sky,
the aurora evokes both awe and power., Agnerod SouthAgnerod South
Imperial StaffStaff
Quality: +20%
Physical Damage: 68.4-205.2
Critical Strike Chance: 7.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.15
Weapon Range: 13Requires Level 66, 158 Str, 113 Int+18% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff40% increased Strength Requirement
+(80-120) to Intelligence
(30-50)% increased Lightning Damage
+2 to Level of all Lightning Spell Skill Gems
+5% to maximum Lightning Resistance
Damage Penetrates 20% Lightning ResistanceOne for each corner of the great Vinktar Square., Divination DistillateDivination Distillate
Large Hybrid FlaskRecovers 140 Mana over 5.00 seconds
Recovers 510 Life over 5.00 seconds
Consumes 20 of 40 Charges on useRequires Level 30(40-60)% increased Rarity of Items found during Flask effect
(12-18)% increased Quantity of Items found during Flask effect
25% increased Light Radius during Flask effect
+50% to Elemental Resistances during Flask EffectKnowledge is fermented in pain and loss
Distilled with reflection
To quench the thirst of those
who dream of enlightenmentRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters., Immortal FleshImmortal Flesh
Leather BeltRequires Level 50+(25-40) to maximum Life+(75-100) to maximum Life
Regenerate (66.7-75) Life per second
Regenerate (8-10) Mana per second
-(25-15)% to all Elemental Resistances
-(50-40) Physical Damage taken from Attack Hits
40% increased Armour while not Ignited, Frozen or Shocked"She begged the Earth to spare her Son;
Out of love the Earth agreed.
To the other Elements she did not speak
And out of spite They plotted."
- Berek and the Untamed, KaltenhaltKaltenhalt
Painted BucklerQuality: +20%
Chance to Block: 29%
Evasion: (196-239)
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 16, 44 Dex6% increased Movement Speed(60-100)% increased Evasion Rating
+5% to maximum Cold Resistance
+50% to Cold Resistance
Gain (10-15)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage
Reflects (25-50) Cold Damage to Melee Attackers
+5% Chance to BlockCold, miserable and alone... but alive., The Rat CageThe Rat Cage
Sharkskin TunicQuality: +20%
Evasion: (1229-1341)
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 56, 152 Dex(100-120)% increased Evasion Rating
+(160-200) to maximum Life
-50% to Fire Resistance
15% increased Movement Speed
20% increased Fire Damage taken
10% of Fire Damage from Hits taken as Physical DamageThe truth lies inside every man, if you dig around.
Many a confession was found in the bowels of Axiom., Rise of the PhoenixRise of the Phoenix
Mosaic Kite ShieldQuality: +20%
Chance to Block: 24%
Armour: (294-323)
Energy Shield: (56-61)
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 65, 85 Str, 85 Int+8% to all Elemental Resistances(80-100)% increased Armour and Energy Shield
+(40-60) to maximum Life
Regenerate (15-20) Life per second
+5% to maximum Fire Resistance
+(20-25)% to Fire Resistance
+25% to Fire Resistance while on Low Life
10% increased Movement Speed when on Low Life
Cannot be Ignited while on Low LifeMy bearer shall be guarded by flame,
for I am the phoenix, forever radiant in glory., Saffell's FrameSaffell's Frame
Branded Kite ShieldQuality: +20%
Chance to Block: 24%
Armour: 223
Energy Shield: 43
Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 59, 76 Str, 76 Int+4% to all Elemental Resistances(15-20)% Chance to Block Spell Damage
(20-30)% increased Spell Damage
+10% to all Elemental Resistances
+4% to all maximum Resistances
Cannot Block AttacksA swift mind solves problems before they occur. - Auras: Purity of Fire, Purity of Ice, Purity of Lightning
- Flasks: Ruby FlaskRuby FlaskLasts 5.00 Seconds
Consumes 20 of 50 Charges on use
+50% to Fire Resistance
20% less Fire Damage takenRequires Level 18Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters., Sapphire FlaskSapphire FlaskLasts 5.00 Seconds
Consumes 20 of 50 Charges on use
+50% to Cold Resistance
20% less Cold Damage takenRequires Level 18Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters., Topaz FlaskTopaz FlaskLasts 5.00 Seconds
Consumes 20 of 50 Charges on use
+50% to Lightning Resistance
20% less Lightning Damage takenRequires Level 18Right click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters. - Certain passive skills
- The "of Exposure" affix on maps
Damage reduction
Resistances reduces the incoming damage according to
- dred = (1 - Res) * d
where dred is the damage after reduction, Res is the character's resistance and d is the initial damage.
The damage ratio between a character with -60% resistance and a character with 75% resistance that are hit with same amount of damage is
- (1 - (-0.6)) / (1 - 0.75) = 6.4
Resistance penetration
- Main article: Penetration
Penetration is applied as damage is dealt, after other resistance calculations. This means that Penetration will affect damage dealt even if the target's raw resistance value is far above its resistance cap.[1]
Both reduction (as from curses), and penetration (as from Penetration gems), can reduce a target's resistance below 0%. There is no minimum resistance floor.
Theoretical maximum
 | This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect newly available information. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. |
| Fire | Cold | Lightning | Chaos | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Default | 75% | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| Fire/Lightning/Cold Resistance | 1% | 1% | 1% | |
| Chaos Inoculation 7 | 100% | |||
| Corrupted Armor | 1% | 1% | 1% | |
| Corrupted Amulet | 1% | 1% | 1% | |
| Purity of Fire 9 |
(5 to 8)% | |||
| Purity of Ice 9 |
(5 to 8)% | |||
 Purity of Lightning 9 |
(5 to 8)% | |||
| Ruby/Topaz/Sapphire Flask1 | 10% | 10% | 10% | |
 Rise of the PhoenixRise of the PhoenixMosaic Kite ShieldQuality: +20% Chance to Block: 24% Armour: (294-323) Energy Shield: (56-61) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 65, 85 Str, 85 Int+8% to all Elemental Resistances(80-100)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +(40-60) to maximum Life Regenerate (15-20) Life per second +5% to maximum Fire Resistance +(20-25)% to Fire Resistance +25% to Fire Resistance while on Low Life 10% increased Movement Speed when on Low Life Cannot be Ignited while on Low LifeMy bearer shall be guarded by flame, for I am the phoenix, forever radiant in glory.  2 |
8% | |||
 Aegis AuroraAegis AuroraChampion Kite ShieldQuality: +20% Chance to Block: 32% Armour: (903-1118) Energy Shield: (176-218) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 62, 85 Str, 85 Int(300-400)% increased Armour and Energy Shield +10% to all Elemental Resistances +5% to maximum Cold Resistance +6% Chance to Block Replenishes Energy Shield by 2% of Armour when you Block (10-20)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack SkillsBorn from the marriage of ice and sky, the aurora evokes both awe and power.  2 |
5% | |||
 KaltenhaltKaltenhaltPainted BucklerQuality: +20% Chance to Block: 29% Evasion: (196-239) Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 16, 44 Dex6% increased Movement Speed(60-100)% increased Evasion Rating +5% to maximum Cold Resistance +50% to Cold Resistance Gain (10-15)% of Physical Damage as Extra Cold Damage Reflects (25-50) Cold Damage to Melee Attackers +5% Chance to BlockCold, miserable and alone... but alive.  2 |
5% | |||
 Saffell's FrameSaffell's FrameBranded Kite ShieldQuality: +20% Chance to Block: 24% Armour: 223 Energy Shield: 43 Movement Speed: -3%Requires Level 59, 76 Str, 76 Int+4% to all Elemental Resistances(15-20)% Chance to Block Spell Damage (20-30)% increased Spell Damage +10% to all Elemental Resistances +4% to all maximum Resistances Cannot Block AttacksA swift mind solves problems before they occur.  2,6 |
4% | 4% | 4% | 4% |
 Agnerod SouthAgnerod SouthImperial StaffStaff Quality: +20% Physical Damage: 68.4-205.2 Critical Strike Chance: 7.00% Attacks per Second: 1.15 Weapon Range: 13Requires Level 66, 158 Str, 113 Int+18% Chance to Block Attack Damage while wielding a Staff40% increased Strength Requirement +(80-120) to Intelligence (30-50)% increased Lightning Damage +2 to Level of all Lightning Spell Skill Gems +5% to maximum Lightning Resistance Damage Penetrates 20% Lightning ResistanceOne for each corner of the great Vinktar Square.  |
5% | |||
 Divination DistillateDivination DistillateLarge Hybrid FlaskRecovers 140 Mana over 5.00 seconds Recovers 510 Life over 5.00 seconds Consumes 20 of 40 Charges on useRequires Level 30(40-60)% increased Rarity of Items found during Flask effect (12-18)% increased Quantity of Items found during Flask effect 25% increased Light Radius during Flask effect +50% to Elemental Resistances during Flask EffectKnowledge is fermented in pain and loss Distilled with reflection To quench the thirst of those who dream of enlightenmentRight click to drink. Can only hold charges while in belt. Refills as you kill monsters.  3 |
6% | 6% | 6% | |
| Flask Effect applied to resistance flasks4 | +3% | +3% | +3% | |
| Flask Effect applied to Divination Distillate4 | +1.8% | +1.8% | +1.8% | |
| Aura Effect applied to aura 5 | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.3% | |
| Buff Effect applied to aura 5 | 1.3% | 1.3% | 1.3% | |
| Total 8 | (116.4 to 119.4)% | (113.4 to 116.4)% | (112.4 to 115.4)% | 79% (or 100%) |
1 Flasks last between 3.5 and 4.2 seconds.
2 Only one shield can be equipped.
3 Lasts 5 seconds.
4 Inner Force does not apply to flask effects while Flask Effect does.[2] Inner Force (increased buff effect) and increased Aura Effect stack together additively.
5 All passives added up including notables with the same effect.
6 Current Drops have +4% to all maximum Resistance. Legacy items have +5% to all maximum Resistance.
7 With this Keystone Passive total chaos resistance is 100%.
8 Can't be higher than 100%.
9 From any passives to all passives 'increased effects of Auras you cast'.
Passive skills
| This article needs to be updated. Please update this article to reflect newly available information. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. |
All Elemental
Basic Passives for all Elemental Resistance include:
- 2 x Evasion and Elemental Resistances (3%)
- 2 x Accuracy and Elemental Resistances (3%)
- 2 x Life and Elemental Resistances (3%)
- 1 x Elemental Resistances (6%)
- 2 x Elemental Resistance with Shields (8%)
Notable Passives for all Elemental Resistance include: Template:Passive table
Additionally, choosing to help Kraityn during the Act 2 quest Deal with the Bandits in Normal difficulty grants a permanent +10% to all elemental resistances.
Fire, Cold, Lightning
Each of the three elements has the same set of passives:
- 6 x Fire Resistance (15%)
- Fire Resistance (18%)
- 6 x Cold Resistance (15%)
- Cold Resistance (18%)
- 6 x Lightning Resistance (15%)
- Lightning Resistance (18%)
Template:Passive table This gives a total of +123% to each elemental resistance.
Chaos
Template:Passive table This gives a total of +33% to chaos resistance. Template:Passive table Gives 100% chaos resistance and does not stack with the above.
Maximum resistance
Template:Passive table
Achievements
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
Elemental Aegis 
|
Have at least 75% resistances to Fire, Cold and Lightning. |
Raise the Bar 
|
Have at least 90% resistance to any Element. |
References
- ↑ Mark_GGG (December 11, 2012). "Penetration gems mess up balance between ele/physical". Path of Exile Forum.
- ↑ Mark_GGG (November 6, 2013). "Flask Effect, Inner Force, and Buff Effect passive nodes questions.". Path of Exile Forum. Retrieved November 28, 2013.