Path of Exile 2 continues the series’ tradition of deep character customization, with support gems that fundamentally change the way active skills function. Among these, Chain Support combined with Lightning Arc is one of the most efficient ways to obliterate packs of trash mobs while leveling and POE2 Currency mapping. The synergy between chaining lightning projectiles and arc-based shock mechanics makes for both visually satisfying and highly effective crowd control.

This guide will explain how Chain Support interacts with Lightning Arc, how to scale the combo properly, and how to play around its strengths to become a pack-clearing machine.

1. Understanding the Core Skills

Lightning Arc

Type: Lightning spell, AoE + chaining.

Base Effect: Fires an arc of lightning that jumps between multiple enemies.

Damage Profile: Heavy focus on lightning damage, with the added benefit of applying shock (increasing enemy damage taken).

Targeting: Prioritizes jumping to enemies in range, but can also strike the same enemy multiple times if there aren’t enough targets.

Chain Support

Function: Grants linked skills the ability to chain additional times between enemies.

Penalty: Reduced base damage (to balance out the extra chaining potential).

Best With: Projectile or chaining spells that naturally want to spread across groups, like Lightning Arc.

2. Why Chain Support + Lightning Arc Works

The combination is so effective because it takes two already “bouncy” mechanics and stacks them:

Lightning Arc already leaps between enemies.

Chain Support increases the number of leaps, ensuring no enemy is left untouched.

Result: Every cast clears entire screens of trash mobs, often before they can even approach you.

This synergy turns Lightning Arc into one of the best map-clearing skills in Path of Exile 2, especially for players who prefer safe, ranged playstyles.

3. Setting Up the Combo

Early Game (Levels 1–30)

Lightning Arc becomes available fairly early (around Act 2).

Before Chain Support, link Lightning Arc with Added Lightning Damage or Elemental Proliferation for more reliable shocks.

Focus on casting speed and mana sustain to keep zapping packs.

Mid Game (Levels 31–50)

Obtain Chain Support.

Link it directly with Lightning Arc (2-link minimum, ideally 4-link with Added Lightning + Faster Casting).

Your goal here is to balance damage reduction from Chain Support with scaling lightning damage nodes on the passive tree.

Endgame (Level 50+)

Aim for a 5- or 6-link setup:

Lightning Arc

Chain Support

Added Lightning Damage / Controlled Destruction

Lightning Penetration

Faster Casting

Increased Area of Effect (optional for pack spread)

This setup melts trash mobs in maps while maintaining respectable single-target damage.

4. Scaling Damage and Clear Speed

To dominate packs, you’ll need to amplify both your damage output and chain coverage.

Key Damage Stats

Lightning Damage: Scales both initial hit and shocks.

Cast Speed: More arcs per second = faster clearing.

Shock Effect: Increases total damage dealt to enemies.

Elemental Penetration: Essential for high-tier maps with resistant enemies.

Defensive/Utility Stats

Mana Sustain: Lightning Arc + Chain is mana-hungry.

Energy Shield/Evasion: You’ll want survivability since your playstyle relies on standing at range while casting.

5. Best Ascendancies for the Combo

Two ascendancies stand out in Path of Exile 2 for Lightning Arc + Chain Support:

Elementalist (Witch):

High elemental damage scaling.

Increased shock effect and penetration.

Great for pure glass-cannon clearing builds.

Hierophant (Templar):

Strong mana sustain via Arcane Blessing.

Access to totems if you want support-casting style.

Safer and more defensive than Elementalist.

6. Mapping Strategy

Trash Mob Clearing

Cast Lightning Arc into the center of packs.

Let the chains do the work: one or two casts are usually enough to wipe a screen.

Move aggressively from pack to pack; don’t overcast on already dying enemies.

Dealing with Rare Enemies

Chain Support still helps bounce arcs between the rare and nearby mobs, softening everything at once.

Once trash is dead, focus casts directly on the rare until it’s shocked and melted.

Bosses

Lightning Arc isn’t the strongest single-target skill with Chain Support attached. Consider swapping Chain Support for Controlled Destruction or Spell Echo for bosses.

Alternatively, keep Chain Support and supplement single-target damage with a secondary skill (e.g., Storm Burst or Orb of Storms).

7. Common Mistakes to Avoid

Over-reliance on Chain for Bosses: While amazing for clearing, Chain Support actually lowers boss DPS. Always swap gems or run a second setup for serious bossing.

Ignoring Mana Costs: Lightning Arc + Chain Support can be expensive. Invest in mana nodes, regen gear, or Clarity aura.

Standing Still Too Long: Trash mobs die quickly, but rares and bosses can punish immobile casters. Keep moving between casts.

8. Advanced Tips for Mastery

Use Elemental Proliferation Early: When linked, your shocks spread to all enemies, further multiplying the effectiveness of Chain.

Projectile Speed Matters: Faster projectiles = smoother chaining behavior, reducing “lost” arcs that fizzle out.

Pack Positioning: Cast into dense clusters first. Chain Support shines brightest when there are many viable targets nearby.

Shock Management: Aim to consistently shock enemies. The higher your shock effect, the more total damage your chains output.

9. Why This Combo Excels in PoE 2

Efficient Pack Clearing: Lightning Arc’s chaining paired with Chain Support makes entire rooms explode with minimal casts.

Safety: Ranged casting lets you kill mobs before they touch you.

Scaling: Both skill and support scale well into endgame with access to lightning damage, cast speed, and shock effect nodes.

Flexibility: Can swap Chain for higher DPS supports when needed, adapting to different encounters.

10. Conclusion

In Path of Exile 2, Lightning Arc linked with Chain Support is one of the most satisfying and effective combos for clearing trash mobs. The interaction guarantees that your lightning arcs bounce across entire packs, shocking and deleting enemies before they pose a threat. While it requires attention to mana sustain and boss-damage supplements, the combo is unmatched for fast mapping and progression.

By prioritizing cast speed, lightning scaling, and buy POE2 Currency smart gem links, you’ll turn Lightning Arc into a devastating screen-wide storm of chaining bolts. When used properly, this synergy will carry you smoothly through campaign content and deep into endgame maps with unrivaled clearing power.