Path of Exile Maimed: A Comprehensive Guide to Dominating Melee Combat

Path of Exile (POE) offers a vast array of gameplay options, and its melee combat system is no exception. Among the various melee builds, the Maimed ascendancy class for the Marauder stands out as a potent choice capable of delivering devastating damage in close quarters. This guide delves into the intricate details of the Maimed ascendancy, providing an extensive analysis of its strengths, gameplay mechanics, and strategies for optimizing its offensive prowess.

The Maimed Ascendancy: Unleashing Melee Mayhem

The Maimed ascendancy, exclusive to the Marauder class, empowers melee combatants with unparalleled damage output and resilience. By mastering the abilities granted by this ascendancy, players can transform their Marauder into an unstoppable force on the battlefield.

Notable Passive Skills:

• Maim: This keystone passive skill grants a substantial 30% increased physical damage while wielding a two-handed weapon.
• Deep Cuts: Increases the physical damage of bleeding inflicted by 20%, enhancing the effectiveness of damaging ailments.
• Headsman: Provides a significant 20% increased area of effect for melee attacks, allowing players to strike multiple enemies with devastating blows.
• Crave the Slaughter: Increases the duration of maim by 20%, prolonging the window of increased damage output.

Gameplay Mechanics: Embracing the Brawler's Style

The Maimed ascendancy excels in close-range combat, relying on two-handed weapons to unleash brutal attacks. Its gameplay mechanics revolve around maximizing physical damage output and inflicting debilitating ailments on foes.

Physical Damage Dominance:

The Maim passive skill grants a substantial 30% increased physical damage while wielding a two-handed weapon. This bonus synergizes exceptionally well with the base physical damage provided by the Marauder class, making the Maimed ascendancy a natural choice for dealing immense physical damage.

Bleeding Infliction:

The Deep Cuts passive skill enhances the effectiveness of bleeding inflicted by the Maimed's melee attacks. Each successful hit inflicts lingering physical damage over time, bleeding opponents and weakening their defenses over time.

Area of Effect Expansion:

The Headsman passive skill grants a remarkable 20% increased area of effect for melee attacks. This increased splash radius enables Maimed characters to strike multiple enemies simultaneously, making them highly effective in clearing densely packed mobs.

Maximizing Buff Duration:

The Crave the Slaughter passive skill extends the duration of the maim buff by 20%. This extended buff duration allows players to maintain the increased physical damage boost for a longer period, maximizing their damage output.

Strategy and Optimization: Enhancing Damage Potential

To fully unlock the Maimed ascendancy's potential, players must employ strategic choices in their character build and gameplay approach.

Weapon Selection and Gemming:

• Utilizing two-handed weapons is paramount to benefiting from the Maim keystone passive skill's damage bonus.
• Prioritizing physical damage-based gems is essential for maximizing the Maimed's offensive capabilities.
• Linking gems such as "Melee Physical Damage" and "Added Physical Damage" to melee attacks further enhances damage output.

Skill Synergy and Linkages:

• Combining melee attacks with bleed-inducing skills, such as "Lacerate" and "Reave," maximizes the benefits of the Deep Cuts passive skill.
• Linking support gems like "Ruthless" and "Brutality" to melee skills further boosts physical damage output.

Ascendancy Point Allocation:

• Allocating ascendancy points into the "Master of Metal" passive further enhances physical damage by 15%, providing additional offensive power.
• Investing points into the "Rite of Ruin" passive grants an additional 10% increased area of effect for melee attacks, further expanding the splash radius.

Tips and Tricks: Unlocking Melee Mastery

• Optimizing physical damage output is crucial; focus on acquiring gear with increased physical damage modifiers.
• Utilizing warcries, such as "Berserk" and "Blood Rage," can amplify damage and enhance survivability during combat.
• Positioning is vital; strive to place yourself in optimal positions to maximize the impact of your area of effect melee attacks.

Common Mistakes to Avoid: Pitfalls to Overcome

• Neglecting the importance of defense; while the Maimed ascendancy focuses on offense, investing in defensive capabilities is equally important for sustained survival.
• Spreading skill points too thinly; focus on developing a select few melee attacks and supporting skills to maximize damage output.
• Overemphasizing bleeding damage without balanced physical damage output; while bleeding can be potent, physical damage remains the Maimed's primary source of damage.

Step-by-Step Approach to Dominance:

1. Choose the Marauder class and select the Maimed ascendancy.
2. Equip two-handed weapons and prioritize physical damage-based gems.
3. Combine melee attacks with bleed-inducing skills to maximize damage potential.
4. Allocate ascendancy points strategically to enhance physical damage, area of effect, and survivability.
5. Utilize warcries and position yourself effectively to unleash devastating close-range attacks.

Conclusion: The Maimed's Unbridled Might

The Maimed ascendancy for the Marauder class in Path of Exile stands as a formidable choice for players seeking unparalleled melee combat prowess. By mastering its gameplay mechanics, optimizing skill synergies, and employing strategic choices, players can unlock the devastating potential of the Maimed and conquer the battlefield with relentless physical force. Embrace the path of the Maimed and become an unstoppable force of melee mayhem.