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Overview
Path of Exile 3.27 "Keepers of the Flame" introduces a collection of powerful new skill gems that open up exciting build possibilities. From devastating fire spells to innovative defensive skills, these new gems represent some of the most creative and powerful abilities ever added to Path of Exile.
Core New Skill Gems
Conflagration
Conflagration is a spell that creates a massive area of flame that deals fire damage over time to enemies within. The skill scales exceptionally well with area of effect modifiers and fire damage bonuses.
- Best Support Gems: Elemental Focus, Controlled Destruction, Concentrated Effect, Increased Area of Effect
- Ideal Builds: Elementalist, Hierophant, Inquisitor
- Playstyle: Excellent for clearing large groups and boss encounters with stationary targets
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Thunderstorm
Thunderstorm calls down lightning strikes in a targeted area, dealing high lightning damage with a chance to shock enemies. This skill excels at both single-target and area damage.
- Best Support Gems: Lightning Penetration, Spell Echo, Increased Critical Strikes, Elemental Damage with Attacks
- Ideal Builds: Inquisitor, Elementalist, Assassin
- Playstyle: Perfect for builds that want both clear speed and boss damage
Somatic Shell
Somatic Shell is a unique defensive skill that creates a protective barrier around the caster, absorbing damage and converting it into temporary energy shield. This innovative skill provides new defensive options for many builds.
- Best Support Gems: Increased Duration, Energy Shield Leech Support, Enhanced Duration
- Ideal Builds: Trickster, Occultist, Hierophant
- Playstyle: Excellent for Energy Shield builds that need additional defensive layers
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Support Gem Combinations
Elemental Build Synergies
Many of the new skill gems are elemental in nature, making them perfect for pairing with elemental-focused support gems:
- Elemental Focus: Increases elemental damage but prevents ailments - great for pure damage builds
- Elemental Proliferation: Spreads elemental ailments to nearby enemies - excellent for clearing
- Hypothermia: More damage to chilled enemies - pairs well with cold-based skills
- Immolate: Bonus damage to ignited enemies - perfect for fire builds
Utility Support Gems
Don't overlook utility support gems that can enhance your new skills:
- Spell Cascade: Creates overlapping areas of effect
- Awakened Gems: Higher level versions with additional bonuses
- Unleash: Stores charges for massive bursts of damage
Skill Leveling and Quality
Leveling Strategy
When leveling new skill gems:
- Prioritize getting your main skill gem to level 20 as quickly as possible
- Use GCPs (Gemcutter's Prisms) to increase quality for significant damage boosts
- Consider vaaling gems for level 21 variants, but be aware of corruption risks
- Support gems should be leveled alongside your main skill for optimal synergy
Quality Modifications
Each gem gains unique bonuses from quality improvements:
- Most damage gems: +1% increased damage per 1% quality
- Some gems gain unique modifiers like increased area of effect or reduced mana cost
- Plan your quality investments based on your build's priorities
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Build Applications
Conflagration Build Example
Class: Elementalist
Core Strategy: Stack fire damage, area of effect, and ignite chance to create massive burning areas that clear entire screens.
Key Uniques: Pyre, Combustion support gem, and fire damage cluster jewels.
Thunderstorm Build Example
Class: Inquisitor
Core Strategy: Scale critical strike chance and lightning penetration to maximize single-target damage while maintaining clear speed.
Key Uniques: Thunderfist, Call of the Brotherhood, and lightning damage uniques.
Advanced Tips
Experimenting with Combinations
The new skill gems work exceptionally well with:
- Bloodline Ascendancies for dual-class synergies
- Graft items that modify skill behavior
- New unique items introduced in PoE 3.27
- Updated passive tree nodes and cluster jewels
Conclusion
The new skill gems in PoE 3.27 "Keepers of the Flame" offer exciting build diversity and powerful new playstyles. Whether you prefer devastating area-of-effect spells like Conflagration, versatile skills like Thunderstorm, or innovative defensive options like Somatic Shell, there's a new skill gem for every type of player. Experiment with different support gem combinations and find the perfect setup for your playstyle!