How To Fix PSA You Can No Longer Convert “Extra As … Damage”

In games like Path of Exile (PoE), adapting to changes brought by patches or updates is a constant part of the player experience. One common adjustment players face involves the inability to convert “Extra as … Damage,” a mechanic that many builds rely on for optimization. If you’re encountering this issue, it likely stems from recent updates that have altered game mechanics, skill interactions, passive tree nodes, item mods, or damage conversion systems.

Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you adapt and thrive in this new landscape.

How To Fix PSA You Can No Longer Convert “Extra As … Damage”

1. Understand the Patch Notes

The first step is to understand why this change happened. Developers usually provide detailed patch notes that outline updates to game mechanics. Here’s how you can dive in:

• Read Patch Notes Thoroughly: Focus on sections that mention skill interactions, damage conversion, and passive tree adjustments.
• Search for Relevant Keywords: Look for terms like “damage conversion,” “damage scaling,” or “Extra as … Damage.” These keywords will help you zero in on the most relevant updates.
• Visit Forums: Community discussions on the official forums or Reddit often break down complex patch notes into digestible insights, saving you time and confusion.

Understanding the reasoning behind the change helps you anticipate the impact on your build and identify new opportunities.

2. Adjust Your Build

If your build relied heavily on “Extra as … Damage,” it’s time to rethink your setup. This may involve tweaking your passive tree, skill gems, items, or even your Ascendancy class.

Passive Tree Adjustments

• Look for Alternatives: Scan the passive tree for nodes that grant direct bonuses to your preferred damage type. Nodes that scale elemental, chaos, or physical damage might serve as viable replacements.
• Re-specialize If Necessary: If damage conversion mechanics are no longer effective, consider a full re-spec to align with new mechanics or meta trends.

Skill Gems and Supports

• Experiment with Skill Gems: Explore skill gems or support gems that provide alternative damage boosts. Some notable examples include:
  • Added Cold Damage
  • Elemental Damage with Attacks
• Align with Your New Damage Focus: Adjust your gem setup to maximize the scaling of a specific damage type rather than relying on conversion.

Items and Gear

• Equip Damage-Boosting Gear: Seek out items that naturally enhance the damage type you’re targeting, removing the need for conversion. Items with high elemental, physical, or chaos damage modifiers can be particularly useful.
• Unique Items: Unique items often provide unconventional ways to increase or modify damage. Research unique gear options that align with your new build direction.

Ascendancy Classes

• Review Your Ascendancy: Some Ascendancy classes excel at alternative damage scaling methods. For example, the Elementalist or Inquisitor offers strong elemental damage bonuses, while the Berserker or Slayer can scale physical or chaos damage effectively.
• Consider Switching Classes: If your current class no longer supports your build strategy, consider changing Ascendancy paths during your next Labyrinth run.

3. Utilize Alternate Mechanics

When “Extra as … Damage” is no longer an option, you’ll need to explore new ways to optimize your damage output. Here are some effective alternatives:

Pure Scaling

Focus on scaling a single damage type with high bonuses. For example, if your build deals elemental damage, stack as much elemental damage and critical strike multiplier as possible.

Penetration and Reduction

Use mechanics that reduce enemy resistances, such as:

• Elemental Penetration: Gems or passive tree nodes that reduce elemental resistances.
• Armor/Chaos Reduction: Gear or skills that weaken enemy defenses.

Elemental Equilibrium and Ailments

• Elemental Equilibrium: Manipulate elemental resistances to amplify your damage output. This works well with hybrid damage builds.
• Ailments: Inflict ailments like shock, chill, or ignite to debuff enemies and increase overall damage efficiency.

4. Engage with the Community

One of the best resources for adapting to changes in Path of Exile is the player community. Here’s how to tap into their collective knowledge:

• Join Discussions: Participate in forums or Reddit threads to see how other players are adapting their builds.
• Use Path of Building (PoB): This third-party tool allows you to simulate build changes and calculate damage output before committing in-game.
• Watch Content Creators: YouTube and Twitch are excellent sources of build guides, patch reviews, and gameplay tips.

The community often discovers creative solutions to new challenges, so stay connected to benefit from their expertise.

5. Experiment and Test

The final step in adapting your build is hands-on experimentation. Here’s how to approach this phase:

• Test in Low-Risk Areas: Begin by testing new setups in low-risk environments, such as early maps or low-tier Heists. This minimizes losses while you refine your build.
• Iterate Gradually: Make incremental changes to your gear, skills, and passive tree, observing how each adjustment impacts your performance.
• Refine Based on Results: Use your findings to optimize your build further. Over time, you’ll arrive at a setup that feels natural and powerful.

Conclusion

The loss of “Extra as … Damage” mechanics in Path of Exile can feel like a setback, but it’s also an opportunity to grow as a player. By understanding the patch notes, adjusting your build, exploring alternative mechanics, and engaging with the community, you can overcome these challenges and emerge with an even stronger build.

Remember, adaptability is key in games like Path of Exile. Stay flexible, experiment freely, and don’t hesitate to seek advice from fellow players. With a little effort, you’ll find new ways to optimize your build and enjoy everything the game has to offer.

Let me know if you need help crafting a specific build or analyzing patch notes further. Happy hunting, Exile!