Path of Exile 2 is all about player creativity when it comes to building characters, and if you favor brute-force physical damage, then Armour Break is a mechanic that deserves your attention. This debuff isn’t just a straightforward resistance shred, it's a key part of several highly synergistic builds that can obliterate even the tankiest of foes.

Here’s everything you need to know about how Armour Break works, its interactions, and how to use it effectively.

What is Armour Break?

Armour Break is a debuff that reduces an enemy’s Armour, and when reduced to zero, they enter a state called Fully Broken. This status isn’t just a milestone it’s a game-changer for many physical damage builds. Fully Broken enemies are more vulnerable to physical attacks, take increased damage from certain skills, and even become easier to stun.

Key details about Armour Break include:

• Breaking Armour: Skills and passives can inflict Armour Break, reducing the enemy’s Armour incrementally.
• Fully Broken State: When Armour reaches zero, enemies are Fully Broken, indicated by a red shield icon below their health bar.
• Duration: Armour Break and Fully Broken states last for 12 seconds, but passive skill nodes can extend this duration.

The fully broken mechanic doesn’t just debuff the enemy, it opens up unique opportunities for skills to deal devastating damage.

How to Inflict Armour Break

To apply Armour Break, you’ll need specific skills, passives, or Support Gems. While many classes can incorporate this mechanic, it shines brightest in physical-focused builds like Warriors and Mercenaries.

Here are some of the best tools for breaking Armour:

Warrior Skills:

• Armour Breaker: Reduces Armour and knocks enemies back. Great for crowd control and setting up combos.

Mercenary Skills:

• Armour-Piercing Rounds: A ranged option for reducing Armour on tough targets.

Support Gems:

• Devastate: Adds Armour Break to skills while also boosting stun potential.
• Armour Explosion: Triggers explosions when Armour is fully broken, dealing AoE damage.

Skill Synergies:

• Leap Slam: Deals 500% more Stun build-up against Fully Broken targets.
• Sunder: Guaranteed to critically strike Fully Broken enemies.

Enemies with high Armour often have a shield icon under their health bar, making them prime targets for Armour Break effects. The mechanic is particularly useful against tougher elites or bosses where physical damage builds might otherwise struggle.

Fully Broken State: The Key to Physical Dominance

Once an enemy’s Armour is fully depleted, they enter the Fully Broken state. This is where Armour Break mechanics truly shine. While in this state:

• Physical attacks deal their full potential damage.
• Certain skills trigger bonus effects, such as guaranteed critical hits (Sunder) or massive AoE damage (High-Velocity Rounds).
• The Fully Broken status can be consumed by some abilities to deal even more damage, though this restores the enemy’s Armour.

This balance between debuffing and consuming the Fully Broken state adds a layer of strategy to Armour Break builds. Knowing when to let an enemy stay Fully Broken versus when to trigger effects is essential.

Ascension Classes & Passive Synergies

Ascension classes in Path of Exile 2 can take Armour Break builds to the next level. For example:

• Warbringer (Warrior): Features passives that break Armour with every hit or reduce it below zero, increasing the enemy's vulnerability to physical damage.
• High Synergy Nodes: Increase the duration of Armour Break and enhance its damage-dealing capabilities.

These passives not only make Armour Break more consistent but also add offensive layers to an already potent mechanic

Why Use Armour Break?

If your build relies heavily on physical damage, Armour Break is almost mandatory. It’s a versatile mechanic that works well with both melee and ranged playstyles, and its potential for synergies makes it an essential tool for scaling your damage. Whether you’re tearing through hordes of monsters or focusing down bosses, mastering Armour Break will give you a massive advantage.

In Path of Exile 2, success often hinges on making the most of every mechanic the game offers, and Armour Break is no exception. With the right combination of skills, Support Gems, and passives, this debuff can turn even the most challenging encounters into a cakewalk. Experiment with different synergies and watch your enemies crumble under the weight of your physical onslaught.