Chaos damage in abyss maps is outrageous? Seeking help.

In Path of Exile 2, does chaos resistance help against what kind of damage? Are those purple self-destructing balls in some abyss maps considered chaos damage?

I just reached abyss maps over the weekend, and T1-T4 aren’t too difficult. My ice damage is enough, but I keep getting instantly killed by something, probably chaos damage. It’s impossible to spend money on chaos resistance gear right now, and the abyss only gives one life. Getting randomly blown up and losing the map and loot is really negative feedback!!! If I had a group of enemies gradually draining my health, I could react with movement and potions, making it challenging and fun. But getting randomly blown up with full health and shield is not fun at all. This also goes for Diablo IV, which loves to use floor damage to kill players!

Now I’m considering investing in "Ethereal Bond" to become immune to chaos damage. Normally, only necrotic and floor damage instantly kill me, everything else is manageable. Please advise.

I suggest that GGG seriously consider removing the one-life setting in abyss maps. Instead of having six lives like in the first game, you could change it to three lives. The difficulty should not come just for the sake of being hard. I prefer being killed by monsters rather than by unclear floor damage or monster death effects.

Chaos Resistance is more mandatory than ever for endgame in PoE2 unless you want to get one shot by white mobs with chaos damage.

I don't have much PoE experience but it felt like the game was balanced around having 20 - 30% chaos res.

PoE2 and having 50% still is not enough at times.

To answer your question; Yes, get chaos res and you'll have a better time.