Chain

This page is a stub. You can help Path of Exile Wiki by expanding it.

This page is about the projectile behavior. For the support gem, see Chain Support.

Chain is a behavior of projectiles and chaining skills that causes them to bounce off targets they hit seeking out other nearby targets.

Mechanics

Only one projectile behavior can be applied each time a projectile hits a target. Chain has third priority for projectile behaviors, preceded by pierce and fork, and followed by return. This means that if you had pierce, chain, and fork supporting the same skill, it would first pierce to it's maximum number of pierces, then chain to its maximum number of chains, and only then would it be able to fork.

When a projectile chains, it bounces off the target it hits and continues in the direction of another nearby target. A chaining skill like ArcArcSpell, Chaining, Lightning
Mana Cost: (8-23)
Cast Time: 0.70 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Damage Effectiveness: 80%Requires Level 12An arc of lightning stretches from the caster to a targeted enemy and chains on to other nearby enemies. Each time the main beam chains it will also chain to a second enemy, but that secondary arc cannot chain further.Per 1% Quality:
0.5% chance to Shock enemiesDeals (6-133) to (33-754) Lightning Damage
10% chance to Shock enemies
Chains +(4-7) Times
(10-29)% increased Effect of Shock
15% more Damage for each remaining ChainPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. functions similarly, except it cannot miss like a projectile; it simply hits the new target it chains to. A projectile or chaining skill can chain between multiple targets repeatedly, but it can never hit the same target twice in a row. A projectile or chaining skill will not chain if there is no other target close enough to the one hit.

Each projectile or chaining skill can chain a certain number of times. The number of times a projectile or chaining skill can chain is equal to the sum of all Skills Chain +x times modifiers and other similarly-worded modifiers.

Projectiles apply their on-hit effects to each target they chain on or otherwise hit. For example, Essence DrainEssence DrainSpell, Projectile, Duration, Chaos, AoE
Mana Cost: (8-23)
Cast Time: 0.70 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Damage Effectiveness: 60%Requires Level 12Fires a projectile that applies a damage over time debuff when it hits. You are healed for a portion of the debuff damage. The debuff is spread by Contagion. This skill cannot be used by Traps or Mines.Per 1% Quality:
1% increased Chaos DamageDeals (31.2-1503.2) Base Chaos Damage per second
Regenerate 0.5% of Debuff Damage as Life
Base duration is 3.8 seconds
Deals (9-433) to (14-649) Chaos Damage
Modifiers to Spell Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. will apply its debuff to each target a projectile hits. Skills such as Ice ShotIce ShotAttack, Projectile, AoE, Duration, Cold, Bow
Radius: 23 / 10
Mana Cost: (6-10)
Cast Time: 1.00 sec
Damage Effectiveness: (120%-147%)
Projectile Speed: 3260Fires an arrow that converts some physical damage to cold on its target and converts all physical damage to cold in a cone behind that target. Creates a patch of ground ice under the target.Per 1% Quality:
1% increased Cold DamageDeals (120-146.6)% of Base Damage
60% of Physical Damage Converted to Cold Damage
Base duration is 1.5 secondsPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. and Kinetic BlastKinetic BlastAttack, Projectile, AoE
Radius: 14
Mana Cost: (15-16)
Cast Time: 1.00 sec
Damage Effectiveness: (120%-147%)Requires Level 28Fires a projectile from a Wand that causes a series of small explosions surrounding its point of impact, each damaging enemies caught in the area.Per 1% Quality:
0.5% increased Area of EffectDeals (120-146.6)% of Base Damage
Creates 4 explosions
35% less Area Damage
(0-19)% increased Area of EffectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. apply their on-hit area damage effects each time a projectile hits a target. The explosion behavior of some projectiles, such as FireballFireballProjectile, Spell, AoE, Fire
Radius: 9
Mana Cost: (6-25)
Cast Time: 0.75 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Damage Effectiveness: 180%
Projectile Speed: 1040Unleashes a ball of fire towards a target which explodes, damaging nearby foes.Per 1% Quality:
0.5% chance to Ignite enemiesDeals (9-1095) to (14-1643) Fire Damage
(20-39)% chance to Ignite enemies
(50-88)% more Damage with Ignite
+(0-4) to radiusPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket. and Arctic BreathArctic BreathSpell, Projectile, Duration, AoE, Cold
Radius: 12
Mana Cost: (8-23)
Cast Time: 0.70 sec
Critical Strike Chance: 6.00%
Damage Effectiveness: 80%
Projectile Speed: 844Requires Level 12Fire an icy projectile that bursts on impact or when reaching the targeted area, dealing area damage and creating a chilling area that deals cold damage over time. This area will creep across the ground towards nearby enemies until its duration expires.Per 1% Quality:
0.5% increased Area of EffectDeals (13-350) to (19-524) Cold Damage
Base duration is 5 seconds
Can have up to 10 Chilling Areas
Deals (16.7-1383.5) Base Cold Damage per second
Modifiers to Spell Damage apply to this Skill's Damage Over Time effectPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket., is not an on-hit effect and occurs only when a projectile ceases to exist.

Related items

Active skill gems

Skill gem
Wild StrikeWild StrikeAttack, Melee, Lightning, Cold, Fire, Projectile, AoE, Chaining Mana Cost: 6 Cast Time: 1.00 sec Damage Effectiveness: (130%-176%) Projectile Speed: 1800Requires Level 28Your melee weapon strikes an enemy, converting physical damage to a random element. Then, depending on the element chosen, it releases a fiery explosion, an arcing bolt of lightning, or an icy wave.Per 1% Quality: 1% increased Elemental DamageDeals (130-175.6)% of Base Damage 100% of Physical Damage Converted to Fire, Cold or Lightning Damage Chains +(4-7) Times Fires 2 additional Projectiles Projectiles Pierce all Targets (0-19)% increased Area of Effect +(0-2) to Melee rangePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.			N/A	28
ArcArcSpell, Chaining, Lightning Mana Cost: (8-23) Cast Time: 0.70 sec Critical Strike Chance: 5.00% Damage Effectiveness: 80%Requires Level 12An arc of lightning stretches from the caster to a targeted enemy and chains on to other nearby enemies. Each time the main beam chains it will also chain to a second enemy, but that secondary arc cannot chain further.Per 1% Quality: 0.5% chance to Shock enemiesDeals (6-133) to (33-754) Lightning Damage 10% chance to Shock enemies Chains +(4-7) Times (10-29)% increased Effect of Shock 15% more Damage for each remaining ChainPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A	N/A		12
Dark PactDark PactMinion, Spell, AoE, Chaining, Chaos Mana Cost: (7-13) Cast Time: 0.50 sec Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%Requires Level 28This spell removes some life from one of your Skeleton minions near you or the targeted location to deal chaos damage in an area around it. This effect will chain to your other nearby skeletons. If you have no skeletons near you or the targeted location, it will sacrifice your own life to deal damage instead.Per 1% Quality: 0.5% increased Area of EffectSacrifices 6% of Skeleton's Life to deal that much Chaos Damage Deals (24-241) to (36-362) Chaos Damage Chains +2 Times Uses your Life if no Skeletons in range (0-76)% more Damage with Hits and Ailments if using your LifePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A	N/A		28
Magma OrbMagma OrbSpell, AoE, Fire, Projectile, Chaining Mana Cost: (6-23) Cast Time: 0.70 sec Critical Strike Chance: 5.00% Damage Effectiveness: 140%Lob a fiery orb that explodes as it strikes the ground. The skill chains, releasing another fiery orb that repeats this effect.Per 1% Quality: 1% increased DamageDeals (9-716) to (12-1073) Fire Damage Chains +(1-2) TimesPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A	N/A		1
Orb of StormsOrb of StormsLightning, Spell, Duration, AoE, Chaining Mana Cost: (4-16) Can Store 1 Use(s) Cooldown Time: 0.50 sec Cast Time: 0.50 sec Critical Strike Chance: 5.00% Damage Effectiveness: 70%Requires Level 4Creates a stationary electrical orb that frequently unleashes a splitting bolt of lightning at a nearby enemy. Modifiers to cast speed will increase how frequently it does this. Using a lightning skill while inside the orb's cloud unleashes additional bolts. Casting this skill again will replace the previous orb.Per 1% Quality: 1% increased Lightning DamageDeals (3-195) to (9-584) Lightning Damage Base duration is 6 seconds Beams Split to hit (2-4) extra targets Strikes every 1 secondPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A	N/A		4
Storm BrandStorm BrandLightning, Spell, AoE, Chaining, Duration, Brand Mana Cost: (8-21) Cast Time: 0.65 sec Critical Strike Chance: 5.50% Damage Effectiveness: 30%Requires Level 12Creates a magical brand which can attach to a nearby enemy. It periodically activates while attached, firing beams which deal damage to nearby enemies and those around them. The brand will detach if the enemy dies.Per 1% Quality: 0.5% increased Cast SpeedYou can have an additional Brand Attached to an Enemy Activates every 0.5 seconds while Attached Can be Detached for a total Duration of 10 seconds Deals (2-75) to (7-225) Lightning Damage Sends beams to 3 Enemies, including the Branded Enemy Deals 50% more Damage to Branded Enemy Increases and Reductions to Cast Speed also apply to this Skill's Activation frequencyPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A	N/A		12
Tempest ShieldTempest ShieldSpell, Lightning, Chaining, Duration Mana Cost: (7-16) Cast Time: 0.25 sec Critical Strike Chance: 6.00% Damage Effectiveness: 60%Requires Level 16Enchants your shield with the power of storms, which lashes out to deal arcing lightning damage to attackers when you block them. Blocking refreshes the duration of Tempest Shield.Per 1% Quality: 1% increased Lightning DamageDeals (24-284) to (36-426) Lightning Damage +3% Chance to Block Attack Damage while holding a Shield Chains +1 Times Base duration is 12 seconds +3% Chance to Block Spell Damage while holding a ShieldPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.		N/A		16
Vaal ArcVaal ArcVaal, Spell, Chaining, Lightning, Duration Souls Per Use: 25 (N) / Can Store 1 Use(s) Soul Gain Prevention: 6.000 sec Cast Time: 0.80 sec Critical Strike Chance: 5.00% Damage Effectiveness: 180%Requires Level 12A shocking arc of lightning stretches from the caster to a targeted enemy and chains to other nearby enemies. Each time the beam chains it will also chain simultaneously to a second enemy, but no enemy can be hit twice by the beams. Also grants a buff making you lucky when damaging enemies with Arc for a short duration.Per 1% Quality: 1.5% increased Shock Duration on enemiesDeals (38-924) to (64-1539) Lightning Damage 100% chance to Shock enemies Chains +(5-9) Times 100% increased Effect of Shock 100% increased Shock Duration on enemies 15% more Damage for each remaining Chain Modifiers to Buff Duration also apply to this Skill's Soul Gain Prevention CorruptedPlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A	N/A		12
Static StrikeStatic StrikeAttack, Melee, AoE, Duration, Lightning, Chaining Radius: 19 Mana Cost: 6 Cast Time: 1.00 secRequires Level 12Attack with a melee weapon, gaining a buff if you hit your target. While you have this buff, you'll frequently hit a number of nearby enemies with beams, dealing attack damage, which will be higher if the beams strike while you're moving. You can stack the buff up to three times, each increasing the frequency with which the beams strike.Per 1% Quality: 1% chance to Shock enemiesDeals (100-145.6)% of Base Damage 60% of Physical Damage Converted to Lightning Damage Base duration is 4 seconds Beams Hit Enemies every 0.4 seconds 10% increased Beam frequency per Buff stack (4-6) maximum Beam Targets Beams deal (60-54)% less Damage while Stationary Beams deal (40-31)% less Damage while Moving +(0-2) to Melee rangePlace into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.		N/A		12

Support skill gems

Skill gem
Chain SupportChain SupportSupport, Chaining, Projectile Icon: c Mana Multiplier: 150%Requires Level 38Supports projectile skills, and any other skills that chain.Per 1% Quality: Supported Skills have 1% increased Projectile SpeedSupported Skills Chain +2 times Supported Skills deal (30-11)% less Damage with HitsThis is a Support Gem. It does not grant a bonus to your character, but to skills in sockets connected to it. Place into an item socket connected to a socket containing the Active Skill Gem you wish to augment. Right click to remove from a socket.	N/A		N/A	38

Unique items

Item		Stats
Roth's ReachRoth's Reach Recurve BowBow Quality: +20% Physical Damage: (19.8-22)–(61.2-68) Critical Strike Chance: 6.50% Attacks per Second: (1.30-1.35) Weapon Range: 120Requires Level 18, 65 Dex(60-80)% increased Physical Damage (20-40)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills (4-8)% increased Attack Speed Skills Chain +1 times 30% increased Projectile Speed"Exiled to the sea; what a joke. I'm more free than I've ever been." - Captain Weylam "Rot-tooth" Roth of the Black Crest	18	(60-80)% increased Physical Damage (20-40)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills (4-8)% increased Attack Speed Skills Chain +1 times 30% increased Projectile Speed
Ewar's MirageEwar's Mirage Antique RapierOne Handed Sword Quality: +20% Physical Damage: 14.4–55.2 Elemental Damage: 1–(45-55) Critical Strike Chance: 6.50% Attacks per Second: (1.51-1.59) Weapon Range: 12Requires Level 26, 89 Dex+25% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier(40-55)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills Adds 1 to (45-55) Lightning Damage (16-22)% increased Attack Speed Attacks Chain an additional time when in Main Hand Attacks fire an additional Projectile when in Off HandA single breeze blows A hundred blades dance	26	+25% to Global Critical Strike Multiplier(40-55)% increased Elemental Damage with Attack Skills Adds 1 to (45-55) Lightning Damage (16-22)% increased Attack Speed Attacks Chain an additional time when in Main Hand Attacks fire an additional Projectile when in Off Hand
MjölnerMjölner GavelOne Handed Mace Quality: +20% Physical Damage: (108-129.6)–(202-242.4) Critical Strike Chance: 5.00% Attacks per Second: 1.15 Weapon Range: 9Requires Level 60, 412 Str, 300 Int15% reduced Enemy Stun Threshold(80-120)% increased Physical Damage Skills Chain +1 times (30-40)% increased Lightning Damage with Attack Skills +200 Strength Requirement +300 Intelligence Requirement Trigger a Socketed Lightning Spell on Hit Socketed Lightning Spells deal 100% increased Spell Damage if TriggeredLook the storm in the eye and you will have its respect.	60	15% reduced Enemy Stun Threshold(80-120)% increased Physical Damage Skills Chain +1 times (30-40)% increased Lightning Damage with Attack Skills +200 Strength Requirement +300 Intelligence Requirement Trigger a Socketed Lightning Spell on Hit Socketed Lightning Spells deal 100% increased Spell Damage if Triggered
SnakepitSnakepit Sapphire RingRequires Level 68+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance(20-40)% increased Spell Damage (5-10)% increased Cast Speed Left ring slot: Projectiles from Spells cannot Chain Left ring slot: Projectiles from Spells Fork Right ring slot: Projectiles from Spells Chain +1 times Right ring slot: Projectiles from Spells cannot Fork Projectiles from Spells cannot PierceThey wrap around you until your blood turns as cold as theirs.	68	+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance(20-40)% increased Spell Damage (5-10)% increased Cast Speed Left ring slot: Projectiles from Spells cannot Chain Left ring slot: Projectiles from Spells Fork Right ring slot: Projectiles from Spells Chain +1 times Right ring slot: Projectiles from Spells cannot Fork Projectiles from Spells cannot Pierce
Touch of AnguishTouch of Anguish Imperial ClawClaw Quality: +20% Physical Damage: (78-90)–(234-258) Critical Strike Chance: (7.80%-8.40%) Attacks per Second: 1.60 Weapon Range: 9Requires Level 68, 131 Dex, 95 Int+46 Life gained for each Enemy hit by AttacksAdds (40-50) to (130-150) Physical Damage 30% increased Cold Damage (30-40)% increased Critical Strike Chance 20% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Killing a Frozen Enemy Skills Chain an additional time while at maximum Frenzy Charges 10% chance to Freeze Critical Strikes do not always FreezeGrip the frozen steel, feel it numb you. Wield the cold touch of death like a splinter of your own shattered heart.	68	+46 Life gained for each Enemy hit by AttacksAdds (40-50) to (130-150) Physical Damage 30% increased Cold Damage (30-40)% increased Critical Strike Chance 20% chance to gain a Frenzy Charge on Killing a Frozen Enemy Skills Chain an additional time while at maximum Frenzy Charges 10% chance to Freeze Critical Strikes do not always Freeze
GloomfangGloomfang Blue Pearl AmuletRequires Level 77(48-56)% increased Mana Regeneration Rate0.5% of Chaos Damage Leeched as Life Lose (15-10) Life for each Enemy hit by your Spells Lose (25-20) Life for each Enemy hit by your Attacks Skills Chain +1 times Projectiles gain (15-20)% of Non-Chaos Damage as extra Chaos Damage per ChainDarkness never stops feeding.	77	(48-56)% increased Mana Regeneration Rate0.5% of Chaos Damage Leeched as Life Lose (15-10) Life for each Enemy hit by your Spells Lose (25-20) Life for each Enemy hit by your Attacks Skills Chain +1 times Projectiles gain (15-20)% of Non-Chaos Damage as extra Chaos Damage per Chain

Mods

Name	Generation Type		Stats	Spawn Weighting
of Shaping	Suffix	85	Socketed Gems Chain 1 additional times	bow_shaper 200 default 0
V2AdditionalChainCorrupted	Corrupted	80	Skills Chain +1 times	quiver 200 default 0
V2IncreasedProjectileDamageForEachChainCorrupted	Corrupted	40	Projectiles deal (20-25)% increased Damage for each time they have Chained	quiver 1000 default 0

Passive skills

Ascendancy Class	Name	Stats
Deadeye	Ricochet	Skills Chain +1 times Projectiles deal 10% more Damage for each remaining Chain [1]