The Living Bomb is a highly effective skill for the Blood Mage in Path of Exile 2. Based on our latest ladder analysis of 57 top players in the 90-plus bracket, this build frequently maximizes damage by utilizing support gems such as Efficiency II, Boundless Energy II, Arbiter's Ignition. To optimize survivability and DPS, players commonly allocate key passives like Sanguimancy, Sunder the Flesh, Grasping Wounds on the skill tree.

Living Bomb
(Blood Mage) Builds
Sample size: 57 characters analyzed.
Last updated: 2026-07-29 19:45:52 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 Explicit Mods
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Lightning] Damage
42.1%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Fire] Damage
38.6%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Cold] Damage
31.6%
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
24.6%
#% increased [Critical|Critical Hit Chance] for [Spell|Spells]
24.6%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
12.3%
#% increased effect of Socketed [Rune|Runes]
12.3%
Only [Rune|Runes] can be Socketed in this item
12.3%
# to Level of all [Lightning|Lightning] [Spell|Spell] Skills
10.5%
# to maximum Mana
7%
Offhand (Set I)
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
49.1%
# to maximum Life
40.4%
Non-[Channelling] [Spell|Spells] have #% increased [Critical|Critical Hit Chance] per # maximum Life
40.4%
Non-[Channelling] [Spell|Spells] deal #% increased Damage per # maximum Life
36.8%
Non-[Channelling] [Spell|Spells] cost an additional #% of your maximum Life
22.8%
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
10.5%
# to Level of all [Cold] Skills
8.8%
# to Level of all [Fire] Skills
8.8%
# to Level of all [Lightning] Skills
8.8%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
8.8%
Helmet
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
52.6%
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
45.6%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
42.1%
# to maximum Life
33.3%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
28.1%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
26.3%
#% increased [Critical|Critical Hit] Chance
24.6%
# to maximum Mana
21.1%
# to [Spirit|Spirit]
17.5%
#% increased [Evasion|Evasion] Rating
17.5%
Body Armour
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
54.4%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
38.6%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
31.6%
# to Level of all [Corrupted] Skill Gems
26.3%
Only [SoulCore|Soul Cores] can be Socketed in this item
24.6%
Skills from [Corrupted] Gems have #% of Mana Costs [StatConversion|Converted] to Life Costs
24.6%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances]
22.8%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
21.1%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
21.1%
# to [Spirit|Spirit]
17.5%
Gloves
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
45.6%
# to Level of all [Projectile] Skills
43.9%
# to maximum Life
43.9%
# to maximum Mana
29.8%
#% increased [Projectile] Damage
24.6%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
19.3%
#% increased [Projectile] Speed
15.8%
#% increased [CriticalDamageBonus|Critical Damage Bonus]
14%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
12.3%
#% increased Effect of your [Mark] Skills
8.8%
Boots
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased Movement Speed
61.4%
#% increased [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
54.4%
#% to [Resistances|Fire Resistance]
50.9%
#% to [Resistances|Cold Resistance]
42.1%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
40.4%
# to maximum Life
29.8%
# to maximum Mana
28.1%
# to maximum [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
26.3%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
17.5%
# to [StunThreshold|Stun Threshold]
12.3%
Amulet
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
64.9%
# Prefix Modifier allowed
59.6%
# Suffix Modifier allowed
59.6%
# to [Spirit|Spirit]
43.9%
#% increased Cast Speed
24.6%
# to maximum Life
14%
# to maximum Mana
14%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
14%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
14%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
12.3%
Ring 1
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased Cast Speed
66.7%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
47.4%
# to maximum Mana
38.6%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances]
35.1%
#% increased maximum Mana
22.8%
# to maximum Life
21.1%
#% increased [Lightning] Damage
17.5%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
17.5%
#% increased [CriticalDamageBonus|Critical Spell Damage Bonus]
14%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
14%
Ring 2
Top Explicit Mods
Reflects opposite Ring
49.1%
#% increased Cast Speed
38.6%
#% increased [ItemRarity|Rarity of Items] found
22.8%
# to maximum Mana
19.3%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances]
19.3%
#% to [Resistances|Lightning Resistance]
15.8%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
14%
#% increased maximum Mana
12.3%
#% increased [Lightning] Damage
10.5%
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
8.8%
Belt
Top Explicit Mods
Has # [Charm] Slots
96.5%
# to maximum Life
50.9%
# to [Strength|Strength]
49.1%
#% of [Flask|Flask] Recovery applied Instantly
45.6%
All [MagesLegacy|Mage's Legacies] have #% increased effect per duplicate [MagesLegacy|Mage's Legacy] you have
42.1%
# to [Dexterity|Dexterity]
40.4%
#% increased [StunThreshold|Stun Threshold]
40.4%
Legacy of [LegacyOfQuicksilver|Quicksilver]
40.4%
When you kill a [Rarity|Rare] monster, you gain its [MonsterModifiers|Modifiers] for # seconds
40.4%
Legacy of [LegacyOfDiamond|Diamond]
28.1%
Main Hand (Set II)
Top Bases / Uniques
Top Explicit Mods
#% increased Cast Speed
38.6%
# to maximum Mana
36.8%
# to Level of all [Spell|Spell] Skills
28.1%
#% increased [Spell] Damage
24.6%
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
14%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Cold] Damage
14%
#% to all [ElementalDamage|Elemental] [Resistances] per [Charges|Power Charge]
12.3%
[Gain] #% of Damage as Extra [Fire] Damage
12.3%
#% increased Mana Regeneration Rate
10.5%
Gain # Mana per enemy killed
10.5%
Offhand (Set II)
Top Explicit Mods
# to [Intelligence|Intelligence]
10.5%
#% increased Mana Regeneration Rate
10.5%
#% increased [Armour|Armour] and [EnergyShield|Energy Shield]
8.8%
#% increased [CooldownRecovery|Cooldown Recovery Rate]
8.8%
# to all [Attributes|Attributes]
7%
#% increased [Spirit|Spirit]
7%
You can have any number of [Companion|Companions] of different types
5.3%
[Allies|Allies] in your [Presence|Presence] Regenerate # Life per second
5.3%
[Companion|Companions] deal #% increased damage to your [Mark|Marked] targets
5.3%
Interactive Meta Heatmap
No Node Selected
Key Notables & Keystones
Sanguimancy
(56)98.2%✕ Remove
Sunder the Flesh
(56)98.2%✕ Remove
Grasping Wounds
(56)98.2%✕ Remove
Vitality Siphon
(49)86%✕ Remove
Throatseeker
(49)86%✕ Remove
Turn the Clock Forward
(43)75.4%✕ Remove
Crimson Power
(43)75.4%✕ Remove
Careful Assassin
(43)75.4%✕ Remove
Critical Overload
(42)73.7%✕ Remove
Heartbreaking
(41)71.9%✕ Remove
Controlling Magic
(39)68.4%✕ Remove
Mind Over Matter
(39)68.4%✕ Remove
Arcane Intensity
(38)66.7%✕ Remove
Raw Mana
(37)64.9%✕ Remove
For the Jugular
(36)63.2%✕ Remove
Eldritch Battery
(36)63.2%✕ Remove
Invocated Efficiency
(35)61.4%✕ Remove
Sudden Escalation
(34)59.6%✕ Remove
Heartstopping
(33)57.9%✕ Remove
True Strike
(30)52.6%✕ Remove
Raw Power
(29)50.9%✕ Remove
Deadly Force
(27)47.4%✕ Remove
Mental Alacrity
(27)47.4%✕ Remove
Remnant Attraction
(26)45.6%✕ Remove
Practiced Signs
(26)45.6%✕ Remove
Vigorous Remnants
(26)45.6%✕ Remove
Cooked
(25)43.9%✕ Remove
Invigorating Archon
(24)42.1%✕ Remove
Turn the Clock Back
(23)40.4%✕ Remove
Arcane Remnants
(23)40.4%✕ Remove
Brain Storm
(23)40.4%✕ Remove
Tempered Mind
(22)38.6%✕ Remove
Brain Freeze
(21)36.8%✕ Remove
Evocational Practitioner
(21)36.8%✕ Remove
Elemental Equilibrium
(21)36.8%✕ Remove
Chakra of Elements
(20)35.1%✕ Remove
Preservation
(18)31.6%✕ Remove
Energising Archon
(18)31.6%✕ Remove
Blood Transfusion
(18)31.6%✕ Remove
Gore Spike
(18)31.6%✕ Remove
Roil
(18)31.6%✕ Remove
Dreamcatcher
(17)29.8%✕ Remove
Empowering Remnants
(14)24.6%✕ Remove
Desensitisation
(13)22.8%✕ Remove
Barbaric Strength
(13)22.8%✕ Remove
Pure Energy
(12)21.1%✕ Remove
Energise
(12)21.1%✕ Remove
Sanguine Tolerance
(11)19.3%✕ Remove
Rupturing Pins
(11)19.3%✕ Remove
Bone Chains
(11)19.3%✕ Remove
Temporal Mastery
(10)17.5%✕ Remove
Dominion
(10)17.5%✕ Remove
Critical Exploit
(10)17.5%✕ Remove
All Natural
(10)17.5%✕ Remove
Patient Barrier
(10)17.5%✕ Remove
Overzealous
(9)15.8%✕ Remove
Gem Enthusiast
(9)15.8%✕ Remove
Goring
(9)15.8%✕ Remove
Zone of Control
(9)15.8%✕ Remove
Heavy Frost
(8)14%✕ Remove
Endless Blizzard
(8)14%✕ Remove
Impending Doom
(8)14%✕ Remove
Blood Magic
(8)14%✕ Remove
Forthcoming
(8)14%✕ Remove
Infusion of Power
(8)14%✕ Remove
Reverberation
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Potent Incantation
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Thin Ice
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Kite Runner
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Chakra of Life
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Stupefy
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Ingenuity
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Glaciation
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Dizzying Hits
(7)12.3%✕ Remove
Crystallised Immunities
(6)10.5%✕ Remove
Dampening Shield
(6)10.5%✕ Remove
Sacrificial Blood
(6)10.5%✕ Remove
Lingering Whispers
(6)10.5%✕ Remove
Fated End
(6)10.5%✕ Remove
Dynamism
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Abasement
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Multitasking
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Vulgar Methods
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Pure Power
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Spaghettification
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Drenched
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Efficient Inscriptions
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Distracting Presence
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Invigorating Grandeur
(5)8.8%✕ Remove
Lightning Quick
(4)7%✕ Remove
Near at Hand
(4)7%✕ Remove
Master of Hexes
(4)7%✕ Remove
Tides of Change
(4)7%✕ Remove
Acceleration
(4)7%✕ Remove
Overflowing Power
(4)7%✕ Remove
Fast Metabolism
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Efficient Casting
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Cruel Fate
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Harsh Winter
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
The Power Within
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Controlled Chaos
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Stripped Defences
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Blood Rush
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Chronomancy
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Harmonic Generator
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Enhanced Barrier
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Lightning Rod
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Whispers of Doom
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Event Horizon
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Overexposure
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Nature's Bite
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Lightning Storm
(3)5.3%✕ Remove
Zealot's Oath
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Lust for Power
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Final Barrage
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Shimmering Mirage
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Decrepifying Curse
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Breaking Point
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Wild Storm
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Embodiment of Frost
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Arsonist
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Ice Storm
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Immortal Infamy
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Touch the Arcane
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Conservative Casting
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Burnout
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Branching Bolts
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Stormcharged
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Psychic Fragmentation
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Deep Trance
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Blackflame Covenant
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Mind Eraser
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Secrets of the Orb
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Pain Attunement
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Lingering Horror
(2)3.5%✕ Remove
Sanguimantic Rituals
(2)3.5%✕ Remove