In POE2 Currency, fine-tuning your build often comes down to unlocking the right passive skills and customizing your gear for maximum synergy. One of the most effective passives for elemental builds is Storm Charge—a simple yet powerful node that provides a significant boost to both elemental damage and critical hit potential. Whether you're working on a crit-heavy fire build or a lightning-based spellcaster, Storm Charge can be a game-changer for your overall damage output.
In this guide, we’ll explain exactly how Storm Charge works, why it’s such a valuable asset to many builds, and how you can obtain and apply it through the unique crafting mechanics in PoE 2.
What is Storm Charge?
Storm Charge is a passive skill that can be obtained in two ways:
Through the passive skill tree, by allocating skill points as you level up.
By applying it to an amulet, using specific in-game crafting components.
The passive offers two core benefits:
+40% increased elemental damage if you’ve dealt a critical hit recently
+20% increased critical chance
This passive is ideal for hybrid builds that balance between dealing critical hits and maximizing elemental damage. It also serves as a valuable bridge for players whose main skills may not rely on critical hits, but who can still trigger crits through secondary effects.
How Storm Charge Works in Combat
The way Storm Charge functions is relatively straightforward, but its effectiveness is tied to your playstyle and build structure. The passive’s main mechanic hinges on dealing a critical hit. Once a cheap POE 2 Currency critical strike is registered, it activates the Storm Charge effect, boosting all elemental damage by 40% for the next 4 seconds.
Once complete, the Storm Charge passive is bound to the amulet. Whenever the amulet is equipped, the passive’s effects will be active on your character—just as if you had allocated it through the skill tree.
Storm Charge is a standout passive in Path of Exile 2, especially for elemental damage dealers who occasionally or regularly land critical hits. Its flexible activation, synergy with both crit-based and non-crit builds, and ability to be infused into gear make it a highly sought-after node in the game’s complex customization system.
Whether you're running a fast-hitting lightning caster or a burning DoT-focused flame mage, Storm Charge gives you that extra edge—both in power and reliability. And thanks to infusion mechanics, you can access it no matter your path on the passive tree.