In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), Storm Charge is a POE2 Currency powerful passive skill that enhances your character’s elemental damage output when triggered by critical hits. If you’re looking to deal substantial damage in elemental builds, understanding how Storm Charge works and how to properly activate it can significantly improve your performance in the game. Let’s dive into the mechanics of Storm Charge and how you can take advantage of it.

What is Storm Charge?
Storm Charge is a passive skill that can be found in Path of Exile 2’s passive skill tree or can be applied to an amulet using specific crafting methods. The skill grants two key benefits:

40% increased elemental damage if you've dealt a critical hit recently.

20% increased critical chance.

The key to maximizing this skill is timing, as it’s tied to your critical hits. Let’s break down how it functions in more detail.

How Storm Charge Works
To trigger Storm Charge, you need to land a critical hit on an enemy. After doing so, you’ll gain a 40% increase in elemental damage for the next 4 seconds. The term “recently” refers to the last 4 seconds of combat, which is important because the bonus applies to any elemental damage you deal during that window, not just the elemental damage from the critical hit itself.

This means that if your primary source of damage is elemental—whether it's from spells, attacks, or other abilities—you'll benefit from the increased damage, even if the attack itself isn't a critical hit. For example, if you rely on elemental attacks that don't have a high chance to critically strike, but you consistently land critical hits with another part of your skill set, you can still enjoy the benefits of Storm Charge.

The 20% increased critical chance that comes with Storm Charge can also boost your overall damage potential by making it easier to land critical hits. This dual benefit (increased critical chance + increased elemental damage) makes Storm Charge a valuable asset for many elemental damage builds in PoE 2.

How to Apply Storm Charge to an Amulet
While Storm Charge can be obtained directly through the passive skill tree, players can also apply it to an amulet through the process of infusing. Here’s how you can do it:

Infusion Process
Collect Distilled Emotions: These are special items required to infuse your amulet with Storm Charge. Distilled Emotions can be acquired as random drops from Delirium enemies in the Ultimate Delirium map. Alternatively, you can purchase them from the Currency Exchange by speaking to Alva in the Hideout.

Understand the Different Types: There are three distinct Distilled Emotions you will need:

Distilled Fear

Distilled Terror

Distilled Envy

These items are essential in the crafting process, so make sure to collect them carefully.

Infuse Your Amulet: Once you have gathered the necessary Distilled Emotions, head to your inventory. Right-click any Distilled Mood (which is made from a combination of the Distilled Emotions) to open the Infuse window. Place the Amulet in the top slot and the Distilled Mood in the row below. Follow the required order: Distilled Fear → Distilled Terror → Distilled Envy.

Finalizing the Infusion: If everything is done correctly, you’ll see a notification at the bottom of the window stating “Storm Charge.” Now, click Infuse to complete the process. Once the infusion is successful, you’ll have an amulet that grants the Storm Charge effect every time it’s equipped.

Important Considerations:
Monsters in maps accessed with an Infused Waystone will not drop Distilled Mood, so make sure you’re obtaining the right items from the appropriate enemies.

The infused amulet will trigger the Storm Charge effect, meaning your character will benefit from the increased elemental damage and critical chance whenever equipped.

Final Thoughts
Storm Charge is an incredibly valuable skill in Path of Exile 2, particularly for players focusing on elemental builds and critical hit mechanics. By understanding how it works—particularly the timing window and the way it interacts with your damage output—you can make the most out of this skill and amplify your damage in intense battles.

Whether you’re enhancing your build through the passive skill tree or applying it to an amulet, Storm Charge can be a game-changer when properly utilized. Just remember, critical hits are the key to triggering its effects, so ensure your build is optimized for them to reap the full benefits of Path of Exile 2 Orbs this powerful passive skill.