Path of Exile 2: Harnessing Tempest Strike and Defeating the Thunderbound Colossus
What Is Tempest Strike?
Tempest Strike is a Dexterity/Intelligence-based elemental skill that channels the wrath of the sky. It functions as a melee-ranged hybrid, delivering a charged strike that releases a chain lightning arc on hit, chaining between multiple enemies. With a critical emphasis on shock scaling, Tempest Strike also increases the chance to inflict ailments based on lightning damage dealt.
Core Mechanics:
Primary Strike: Deals weapon-based lightning damage with added shock scaling.
Chain Lightning Effect: On hit, releases a bolt that chains up to 5 enemies within a radius.
Shock Empowerment: Each enemy shocked by Tempest Strike increases your lightning damage by 3% for 4 seconds (stacking up to 10 times).
Storm Pulse (level 20+): Grants a 10% chance on hit to unleash a delayed area-of-effect lightning pulse around the target, useful for AoE situations.
How to Obtain Tempest Strike
Tempest Strike can be acquired through one of the following methods:
Act 4 – The Stormcaller's Path: Completing the side quest "Echoes in the Wind" unlocks Tempest Strike for Ranger, Witch, and Druid characters.
Divine Tome of the Hunt (Act 6) – Found in the Hallowed Hollows, this tome offers one of three random elemental skill gems. Tempest Strike has a moderate chance to roll.
Trade: After reaching level 45, Tempest Strike may appear on trade boards. Expect high demand early in a league, so act fast.
Tip: If you're starting fresh, pick the Stormcaller Ranger or Runeblade Druid, as both ascendancy paths naturally scale Tempest Strike’s damage and shock effectiveness.
Building Around Tempest Strike
Tempest Strike scales best with attack speed, critical strikes, and lightning/elemental damage. Here's a quick breakdown of key components to build synergy:
Passive Tree Highlights
Shock Artisan (top-right wheel): Grants 40% increased shock effect and 25% lightning penetration.
Static Barrage: Boosts lightning damage per enemy shocked recently (up to 10).
Storm’s Precision: Converts global accuracy into critical strike chance, great for attack builds.
Energy Echo: Chance to repeat lightning attacks with 40% less damage—synergizes well with on-hit effects.
Gear Recommendations
Weapon: Use a Stormforged Blade (rare 1H sword) with high lightning base damage and shock effect mods.
Helmet: Look for +1 to lightning skill gems and increased chain radius.
Body Armour: Conductive Carapace (unique) grants “Shock enemies as though dealing 100% more damage” – key for boss fights.
Rings and Amulets: Prioritize increased lightning damage, shock chance, attack speed, and critical multiplier.
Support Gems
Link Tempest Strike with:
Chain Support
Elemental Damage with Attacks
Critical Strikes Support
Shockwave Support
Lightning Penetration Support
Thunderbound Colossus – Boss Overview
The Thunderbound Colossus resides in the Eye of the Stormspire, unlocked in Act 8 after completing the main Huntline. As a hunt boss, he tests lightning resistance, reaction timing, and AoE positioning.
Key Abilities
Titanic Thunderclap: Slams the ground, sending out a shockwave in all directions. Unblockable and deals 70% lightning damage.
Voltaic Fields: Summons electrical zones that pulse every 2 seconds. Standing inside causes stacking shock debuffs.
Ball Lightning Burst: Fires a spread of orbs that track players and explode on contact.
Thunderstorm Form (Phase 2): At 50% health, the Colossus gains a shield and becomes mobile, casting storm projectiles while phasing through terrain.
Recommended Defenses
Lightning Resistance Cap: Minimum 75%, with overcap ideal for mitigation.
Shock Immunity: Bring Flasks of Insulation or invest in “Unaffected by Shock” mods on gear.
Movement Speed: Essential for dodging telegraphed AoEs. Use Lightning Warp or Dash linked with Second Wind for double escape options.
Strategy for Defeating the Colossus
Pre-Fight Prep:
Pop a Lightning Flask with Shock Immunity.
Place traps or totems around the arena if using hybrid builds.
Phase 1 (100%-50% HP):
Circle strafe around the boss while weaving Tempest Strike.
Focus on stacking Shock Empowerment via chained hits to increase damage.
Clear Voltaic Fields quickly or lure the boss away from them.
Phase 2 (Thunderstorm Form):
Use chain lightning from Tempest Strike to maintain damage while keeping mobile.
Stay mid-range to bait ball lightning, then dodge roll or teleport out.
Unleash burst damage when the shield is down; use Storm Pulse procs for AoE damage during mobility phases.
Final Tips
Level Tempest Strike to 20+ and quality it with Charged Catalysts for bonus shock effect.
Keep a topaz flask with “gain charges on critical” to maintain uptime.
If soloing, consider using Herald of Thunder for bonus AoE and buy POE2 Currency passive clearing between boss phases.
Conclusion
Harnessing the power of Tempest Strike and defeating the Thunderbound Colossus is a rewarding challenge that demonstrates the thunderous potential of elemental melee builds. With the right preparation, passive synergy, and nimble combat tactics, you can turn this living storm into a spark of victory.
Now go forth, Exile, and channel the storm.