Question about Ice Spear of Splitting

Hi,

In desc of the gem there is this info:

"Modifires to number of projectiles instead apply to the number of targets projectiles split towards"

Does it mean that if there is only 1 target projectiles in 2nd phase won't split at all or they will split to the maximum possible number (e.g. 7 base) and hit that one enemy x7?

From what I understand, the stage 1 projectile is as normal. If the stage 1 projectile hits terrain, an object, an enemy, it then splits. Those split projectiles then move towards I assume the closest enemy near it, but only 1 unique enemy per projectile.

So if for example you shoot at a wall, the projectile splits, and you are next to a boss, only 1 projectile will go towards the boss.

I am not sure how projectile modifiers will work here.

The order of operations is Split -> Pierce -> Fork -> Chain

So if you used chain You could hit anything -> it splits -> it chains. If you then add in returning projectiles when the projectile chains but doesn't hit anything it will then return, and if the projectiles hit a target again then it can chain again from that target, ect ect.

This might be a good candidate for Hydrosphere.

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niepkowski wrote:

"Modifires to number of projectiles instead apply to the number of targets projectiles split towards"

Does it mean that if there is only 1 target projectiles in 2nd phase won't split at all or they will split to the maximum possible number (e.g. 7 base) and hit that one enemy x7?

It means that instead of additional projectiles it gets additional splits.
If there's only one target, first form will hit it and split into 7 second form spears which continue to fly. They won't hit the target (without returning).

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Jgizle wrote:

The order of operations is Split -> Pierce -> Fork -> Chain

So if you used chain You could hit anything -> it splits -> it chains. If you then add in returning projectiles when the projectile chains but doesn't hit anything it will then return, and if the projectiles hit a target again then it can chain again from that target, ect ect.

Second form always pierce, so it can't normally chain. Probably misunderstood you though.

Thx for answers. Thats my bad with explaining what I meant. As MonaHuna wrote I had in mind returning projectiles after they split. I have hope that it works like that - it splits on target and than with returning projectiles enemy gets shotgunned with all the splits of 2nd form.

I also had the same hope for Returning projectiles interaction.
Will try Ice Spear of Splitting Totem Hierophant. If it doesn't work for bosses, will fall back to Storm Burst or regular Ice spear that shotguns the boss.

ice spear of splitting is basicaly going to act like spectral shield throw if you have ever played that

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MonaHuna wrote:

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niepkowski wrote:

"Modifires to number of projectiles instead apply to the number of targets projectiles split towards"

Does it mean that if there is only 1 target projectiles in 2nd phase won't split at all or they will split to the maximum possible number (e.g. 7 base) and hit that one enemy x7?

It means that instead of additional projectiles it gets additional splits.
If there's only one target, first form will hit it and split into 7 second form spears which continue to fly. They won't hit the target (without returning).

"

Jgizle wrote:

The order of operations is Split -> Pierce -> Fork -> Chain

So if you used chain You could hit anything -> it splits -> it chains. If you then add in returning projectiles when the projectile chains but doesn't hit anything it will then return, and if the projectiles hit a target again then it can chain again from that target, ect ect.

Second form always pierce, so it can't normally chain. Probably misunderstood you though.

The piercing should be fine, any projectile that pierces can still fork, then chain, and with returning projectile it will go through the same order of operations on the way back when possible, ie split -> pierce -> fork -> chain.

It is possible that if you placed hydrosphere and attacked the hydrosphere, the projectile would split upon hitting the hydrosphere, then they would pierce through a boss or something, then the projectile will return, and if it hits the boss, it will fork or chain. If it chains, it could chain to the hydrosphere, then chain to the boss. After that no future projectiles, or that same projectile can ever hit the boss again.

The skill is not meant for single target. However Hydrosphere will at least give you a small boost on single target dps, unless ice spear of splitting has intentionally been made to not work when hitting hydrosphere, which is unlikely.

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Jgizle wrote:

The piercing should be fine, any projectile that pierces can still fork, then chain,

Not something that has infinite pierces, as other effect only happen after a projectile doesn't have any pierces left.

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Torguemada wrote:

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Jgizle wrote:

The piercing should be fine, any projectile that pierces can still fork, then chain,

Not something that has infinite pierces, as other effect only happen after a projectile doesn't have any pierces left.

Ah I didn't realize that. At the very least you can use returning projectiles and hopefully it should apply to the secondary projectiles. Even if the secondary projectiles have infinite pierce, they do not have infinite travel distance, as far as I am aware, so eventually they will be forced to return when they hit that travel distance, which is less than 1 full screen away from what you are seeing on screen.

Realistically all this means is that you can hit a single target 2 or 3 times, per skill use, but I'm only half thinking atm. I did read that apparently split projectiles count as the original projectile, and therefore can not hit the same target. I do not know if return over rides that behavior. Normally a returning projectile does not damage the same target that triggered return, however since the 2nd form projectiles always pierce, they can hit the same target on the way back. Ill have to test if any of these interactions can be manipulated with a hydrosphere, but if the 2nd form pierces it and does nothing, then it would be pretty useless.