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Path of Exile 2 Arcane Surge buff explained

Arcane Surge in Path of Exile 2 is a skill that is unlocked by equipping a support gem that can significantly improve your spell-casting efficiency. This gem is extremely important for spellcasters, as it offers increased cast speed, mana regeneration, and spell damage when its activation conditions are met.

In this guide, we have shared everything will need to know about Arcane Surge in Path of Exile 2.


What is Arcane Surge in Path of Exile 2?

When the skill is active the blue orb will circle around you (Image via Grinding Gear Games)
When the skill is active the blue orb will circle around you (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Arcane Surge grants spellcasters the Arcane Surge Buff upon meeting specific mana-spending thresholds. It enhances several key aspects of spellcasting, making it a must-have for mana-dependent builds. The buff provides the following bonuses:

  • 10% Increased Cast Speed
  • 20% Increased Mana Regeneration Rate
  • Improved Spell Damage

This buff lasts eight seconds, providing ample time to maximize its benefits before a reactivation is required.

Read more: How to get more Movement Speed in Path of Exile 2


How Arcane Surge works in Path of Exile 2?

Arcane Surge tracks the mana spent by the skill it is linked to and activates once the required mana threshold is reached. To activate Arcane Surge, you must spend mana equivalent to 100% of your maximum mana on the linked skill. For example, if your maximum mana is 100, you must spend 100 mana on the skill for Arcane Surge to trigger.

Keep in mind that natural mana recovery does not reset this condition — it is purely based on the mana spent by the skill. When Arcane Surge is activated, a small blue orb circles your character, and an Arcane Surge icon with a timer appears in the top-left corner of your Hotbar, showing how long the buff will stay active.

Also read: Path of Exile 2's pre-holiday patch is set to make sweeping changes for Trials, Skill Gems, characters, and the endgame


How to get Arcane Surge in Path of Exile 2

Equip the support gem on your skills to activate the skill (Image via Grinding Gear Games)
Equip the support gem on your skills to activate the skill (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

You can find Arcane Surge in the top line of intelligence skills. Once you carve the skill onto a gem, you can equip it on any of your active skills.

Arcane Surge is best paired with high-mana-cost skills to ensure consistent activation. Some suitable ones include:

  • Fireball
  • Tendrils of Lightning
  • Cold Snap

Avoid linking Arcane Surge to low-mana-cost skills, as this will delay or prevent the buff from triggering.

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