The maximum chill effect in Path of Exile is 30% reduced action speed.
Understanding Chill in Path of Exile
Chill is a non-damaging ailment in Path of Exile that slows down affected enemies. It is primarily applied by Cold damage, with the magnitude of the chill effect determined by the amount of Cold damage dealt relative to the target's maximum life. However, regardless of how much damage is dealt or how potent the source, there's a strict upper limit to its effectiveness.
The Chill Cap Explained
The strongest possible chill effect you can apply to an enemy is 30% reduced action speed. This means that even if you deal an immense amount of Cold damage, or if your character has numerous modifiers that increase chill effect or the effect of non-damaging ailments, the maximum reduction to the target's action speed will never exceed this 30% cap. Modifiers that state "increased Chill Effect" or "increased effect of Non-Damaging Ailments" will not allow you to surpass this 30% threshold.
Impact of Chill on Gameplay
A 30% chill significantly hampers an enemy's performance by reducing various aspects of their speed. This reduction applies to:
- Attack Speed: Enemies attack slower.
- Cast Speed: Enemies cast spells slower.
- Movement Speed: Enemies move slower across the battlefield.
- Action Speed: This is a comprehensive term that encompasses all character actions, including animations, skill execution, and recovery.
This consistent maximum slow makes chill a reliable crowd-control tool, allowing players more time to react, dodge, and deal damage. While you can't increase the magnitude of the chill beyond 30%, you can still focus on applying chill consistently or to multiple targets to maintain this powerful slowdown.
