The Grim Pillars is a highly effective skill for the Blood Mage in Path of Exile 2. Based on our latest ladder analysis of 32 top players in the 90-plus bracket, this build frequently maximizes damage by utilizing support gems such as Urgent Totems III, Vorana's Siege, Efficiency II. To optimize survivability and DPS, players commonly allocate key passives like Sanguimancy, Sunder the Flesh, Grasping Wounds on the skill tree.

Grim Pillars
(Blood Mage) Builds
Sample size: 32 characters analyzed.
Last updated: 2026-07-28 19:43:54 UTC
Below data represents gem links within this cohort. Selected main skills are strictly isolated.
★ Selected Main Skills
Other Active Skills & Auras
Flasks Distribution
Main Hand (Set I)
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Cold] Damage
40.6%
# to Level of all [Cold|Cold] [Spell|Spell] Skills
34.4%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
31.2%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Fire] Damage
31.2%
# to maximum Mana
21.9%
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
18.8%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Lightning] Damage
18.8%
#% increased [Cold] Damage
12.5%
#% increased [Critical|Critical Hit Chance] for [Spell|Spells]
12.5%
#% increased Cast Speed
6.2%
Offhand (Set I)
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
# to maximum Mana
50%
#% increased Mana Regeneration Rate
31.2%
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
28.1%
#% increased [Spirit|Spirit]
28.1%
# to maximum Life
15.6%
Non-[Channelling] [Spell|Spells] deal #% increased Damage per # maximum Life
15.6%
Non-[Channelling] [Spell|Spells] have #% increased [Critical|Critical Hit Chance] per # maximum Life
15.6%
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
12.5%
Non-[Channelling] [Spell|Spells] cost an additional #% of your maximum Life
12.5%
[Minion|Minions] have #% increased maximum Life
12.5%
Helmet
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
62.5%
# to maximum Mana
59.4%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
50%
# to maximum Life
34.4%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
28.1%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
28.1%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
25%
# to [Spirit|Spirit]
21.9%
#% increased [Evasion|Evasion] Rating
21.9%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
21.9%
Body Armour
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
56.2%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
43.8%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
31.2%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
28.1%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances]
25%
# to [Spirit|Spirit]
21.9%
# to Level of all [Corrupted] Skill Gems
18.8%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
18.8%
Only [SoulCore|Soul Cores] can be Socketed in this item
18.8%
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
15.6%
Gloves
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
# to maximum Mana
59.4%
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
53.1%
# to maximum Life
34.4%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
25%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
21.9%
#% increased [Projectile] Speed
21.9%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
21.9%
#% increased [Critical|Critical Hit] Chance
18.8%
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
15.6%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
15.6%
Boots
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased Movement Speed
68.8%
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
59.4%
# to maximum Mana
53.1%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
37.5%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
34.4%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
31.2%
# to maximum Life
18.8%
#% to [Resistances|Chaos Resistance]
18.8%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
15.6%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
15.6%
Amulet
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
68.8%
# to [Spirit|Spirit]
56.2%
# Prefix Modifier allowed
53.1%
# Suffix Modifier allowed
50%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
34.4%
# to maximum Mana
28.1%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
25%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
21.9%
#% increased Cast Speed
15.6%
# Life Regeneration per second
12.5%
Ring 1
Top Explicit Mods
# to maximum Mana
50%
#% increased Cast Speed
46.9%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
43.8%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances]
40.6%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
31.2%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
25%
#% increased maximum Mana
25%
#% to [Resistances|Chaos Resistance]
25%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
21.9%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
21.9%
Ring 2
Top Explicit Mods
# to maximum Mana
37.5%
#% increased Cast Speed
37.5%
Reflects opposite Ring
34.4%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
31.2%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances]
28.1%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
21.9%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
21.9%
#% increased [Cold] Damage
18.8%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
18.8%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
15.6%
Belt
Top Explicit Mods
Has # [Charm] Slots
96.9%
#% of [Flask|Flask] Recovery applied Instantly
59.4%
All [MagesLegacy|Mage's Legacies] have #% increased effect per duplicate [MagesLegacy|Mage's Legacy] you have
50%
# to maximum Life
40.6%
Legacy of [LegacyOfDiamond|Diamond]
40.6%
Legacy of [LegacyOfQuicksilver|Quicksilver]
34.4%
Legacy of [LegacyOfSilver|Silver]
31.2%
# to [Strength|Strength]
28.1%
#% increased [StunThreshold|Stun Threshold]
25%
Legacy of [LegacyOfBismuth|Bismuth]
25%
Main Hand (Set II)
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
# to maximum Mana
37.5%
#% increased Cast Speed
21.9%
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
18.8%
# to Maximum [Charges|Power Charges]
12.5%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
12.5%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances] per [Charges|Power Charge]
12.5%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Cold] Damage
12.5%
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
9.4%
#% increased [Critical|Critical Hit Chance] for [Spell|Spells]
9.4%
#% reduced [Attributes|Attribute] Requirements
9.4%
Offhand (Set II)
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
# to maximum Mana
18.8%
#% increased [Spirit|Spirit]
9.4%
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
6.2%
#% increased [Armour|Armour]
6.2%
#% increased [LightRadius|Light Radius]
6.2%
[Allies|Allies] in your [Presence|Presence] Regenerate # Life per second
6.2%
[Allies|Allies] in your [Presence|Presence] deal # to # added [Attack|Attack] [Fire|Fire] Damage
6.2%
[Allies|Allies] in your [Presence|Presence] deal #% increased Damage
6.2%
Interactive Meta Heatmap
No Node Selected
Key Notables & Keystones
Sanguimancy
(32)100%✕ Remove
Sunder the Flesh
(32)100%✕ Remove
Grasping Wounds
(29)90.6%✕ Remove
Critical Overload
(27)84.4%✕ Remove
Heartbreaking
(27)84.4%✕ Remove
For the Jugular
(27)84.4%✕ Remove
Throatseeker
(27)84.4%✕ Remove
Crimson Power
(26)81.2%✕ Remove
Eldritch Battery
(26)81.2%✕ Remove
Heartstopping
(25)78.1%✕ Remove
Careful Assassin
(25)78.1%✕ Remove
True Strike
(25)78.1%✕ Remove
Controlling Magic
(24)75%✕ Remove
Arcane Intensity
(24)75%✕ Remove
Mind Over Matter
(24)75%✕ Remove
Raw Mana
(23)71.9%✕ Remove
Endless Blizzard
(23)71.9%✕ Remove
Vitality Siphon
(22)68.8%✕ Remove
Ancestral Bond
(20)62.5%✕ Remove
Raw Power
(20)62.5%✕ Remove
Sudden Escalation
(19)59.4%✕ Remove
Turn the Clock Forward
(18)56.2%✕ Remove
Practiced Signs
(17)53.1%✕ Remove
Deadly Force
(15)46.9%✕ Remove
Potent Incantation
(14)43.8%✕ Remove
Glaciation
(14)43.8%✕ Remove
Thin Ice
(13)40.6%✕ Remove
Desensitisation
(13)40.6%✕ Remove
Heavy Frost
(12)37.5%✕ Remove
Arcane Remnants
(12)37.5%✕ Remove
Vigorous Remnants
(12)37.5%✕ Remove
Inescapable Cold
(11)34.4%✕ Remove
Gore Spike
(11)34.4%✕ Remove
All Natural
(11)34.4%✕ Remove
Cooked
(10)31.2%✕ Remove
Evocational Practitioner
(9)28.1%✕ Remove
Invocated Efficiency
(9)28.1%✕ Remove
Remnant Attraction
(8)25%✕ Remove
Climate Change
(8)25%✕ Remove
Brain Freeze
(8)25%✕ Remove
Empowering Remnants
(8)25%✕ Remove
Brain Storm
(8)25%✕ Remove
Spirit Bond
(8)25%✕ Remove
Tempered Mind
(7)21.9%✕ Remove
Mental Alacrity
(7)21.9%✕ Remove
Preservation
(7)21.9%✕ Remove
Barbaric Strength
(7)21.9%✕ Remove
Efficient Inscriptions
(6)18.8%✕ Remove
Critical Exploit
(6)18.8%✕ Remove
Turn the Clock Back
(5)15.6%✕ Remove
Invigorating Archon
(5)15.6%✕ Remove
Blood Transfusion
(5)15.6%✕ Remove
Roil
(5)15.6%✕ Remove
Dreamcatcher
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Ether Flow
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Lingering Whispers
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Stupefy
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Ingenuity
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Master of Hexes
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Energise
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Ancestral Reach
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Energising Archon
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Enhanced Barrier
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Elemental Equilibrium
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Dizzying Hits
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Lucidity
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Infusion of Power
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Chakra of Elements
(4)12.5%✕ Remove
Pure Energy
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Efficient Casting
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Touch the Arcane
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Chakra of Life
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Struck Through
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Whispers of Doom
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Invigorating Grandeur
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Overflowing Power
(3)9.4%✕ Remove
Efficient Killing
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Lust for Power
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Ancestral Alacrity
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Melding
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Reverberation
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Dampening Shield
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Temporal Mastery
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Sacrificial Blood
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Cruel Fate
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Supportive Ancestors
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
The Power Within
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Archon of the Storm
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Whispers of the Flesh
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Controlled Chaos
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Warding Fetish
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Stripped Defences
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Conservative Casting
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Goring
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Blessing of the Moon
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Zone of Control
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Frozen Limit
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Ancestral Conduits
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Pain Attunement
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Exposed to the Cosmos
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Fated End
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Patient Barrier
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Sanguine Tides
(2)6.2%✕ Remove
Draiocht Cleansing
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Eldritch Will
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Sanguine Tolerance
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Shredding Force
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Crystallised Immunities
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Shimmering Mirage
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Core of the Guardian
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Relentless Vindicator
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Abasement
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Rupturing Pins
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Ruin
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Multitasking
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Overzealous
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Emboldening Casts
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Strong Chin
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Puppet Master chance
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Pyromancer
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Arcane Nature
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Blade Catcher
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Escape Velocity
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Tempered Defences
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Erraticism
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Explosive Impact
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Impending Doom
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Alternating Current
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Ice Storm
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Everlasting Infusions
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Invocated Echoes
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Dominion
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Blood Barbs
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Refocus
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Bone Chains
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Vulgar Methods
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Aspiring Genius
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Iron Reflexes
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Chakra of Thought
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Shocking Limit
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Cut to the Bone
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Gem Enthusiast
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Flurry
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Mystic Avalanche
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Investing Energies
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Thickened Arteries
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Heart Tissue
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Explosive Empowerment
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Vile Mending
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Thirst for Power
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Stormcharged
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Chronomancy
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Harmonic Generator
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Blackflame Covenant
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Stormbreaker
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Distracting Presence
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Wide Barrier
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Shattering
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Wildsurge Incantation
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Leather Bound Gauntlets
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Overexposure
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Protraction
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Pure Chaos
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Forthcoming
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Ice Walls
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Lingering Horror
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Extinguishing Exhalation
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Lasting Incantations
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Sanguimantic Rituals
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Thirst for Endurance
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Against the Elements
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Lightning Storm
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Infernal Limit
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Wasting Casts
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Prism Guard
(1)3.1%✕ Remove
Principal Infusion
(1)3.1%✕ Remove