Builds & Skills

Debuff

Debuffs are negative effects that deal damage or penalise an entity's stats, either for a set duration or when a condition is met. Unless otherwise stated, de

3 min read·Updated 2026-07-10·Editor score 88/100
Gem requires strength
Editor's TakeMedium88/100

Everything you need on Debuff in one scan: core mechanics, priority actions, and common mistakes to skip.

Best for: Builders optimizing damage, defense, or clear speed

⚡ Pro Tips

  • Link your main damage skill first — a 2-link beats two unlinked 1-links.
  • Spirit costs gate your aura count; check the spirit bar before adding buffs.

✓ Quick Checklist

  • Review the core debuff mechanics in this guide
  • Check requirements for your current character level
  • Apply one upgrade before your next boss or map push
  • Explore related guides in the same category

Debuffs are negative effects that deal damage or penalise an entity's stats, either for a set duration or when a condition is met. Unless otherwise stated, debuffs of the same type do not stack - only the copy with the strongest effect applies.

Unaffected

If you are unaffected by a debuff, it can still be applied to you but does not apply its effect to you. This can be useful in combination with Unique items which give a benefit for having a specific debuff on you.

Related skills

GemTier
Chaos BoltChaos BoltSpell, Projectile, Chaos, RepeatableLevel: (1-20)Cast Time: 0.75 secCritical Strike Chance: 7.00%Fire a burst of Chaos energy at the target.Deals (5-200) to (9-371) Chaos DamageInf0
His Vile IntrusionHis Vile IntrusionSpell, AoE, Physical, Duration, RepeatableLevel: (1-20)Cast Time: 0.50 secCritical Strike Chance: 15.00%Target an enemy to either teleport inside the target's body 0
Inevitable AgonyInevitable AgonySpell, AoE, Duration, RepeatableLevel: (1-20)Cost: (41-178) ManaCooldown Time: 2.00 secCan Store 1 Use(s)Cast Time: 0.70 secDebuff all targets in an area, causing a por0
ParryParryAttack, Melee, Physical, Duration, ChannellingLevel: 1Attack Time: 0.75 secCritical Strike Chance: 5.00%Attack Damage: 65% of baseRequires: BucklerReady your Buckler to parry the next Hit yo0
RefutationRefutationBuff, Spell, Duration, RepeatableLevel: (1-20)Cost: (3-13) WardCooldown Time: (11.90 sec-10.00 sec)Can Store 1 Use(s)Cast Time: 0.65 secSpends all your Ward to gain a short-duratio0
DisengageDisengageAttack, AoE, Melee, Strike, TravelTier: 1Level: (1-20)Cost: (5-36) ManaCooldown Time: 1.50 secCan Store 1 Use(s)Attack Damage: (85-308)% of baseRequires: SpearJump back as you ruptur1
ContagionContagionSpell, AoE, Chaos, Duration, RepeatableTier: 1Level: (1-20)Cost: (8-83) ManaCast Time: 1.00 secAfflict a single enemy with a Debuff that deals Chaos damage over time. If the enemy di1
Fangs of FrostFangs of FrostAttack, AoE, Melee, Strike, ColdTier: 3Level: (1-20)Cost: (4-32) ManaAttack Speed: 85% of baseAttack Damage: (95-296)% of baseRequires: SpearPerform an icy stab that exploi3
Essence DrainEssence DrainSpell, Projectile, Chaos, DurationTier: 3Level: (1-20)Cost: (5-57) ManaCast Time: 0.80 secCritical Strike Chance: 7.00%Fire a Projectile that applies a powerful Chaos damage 3
Profane RitualProfane RitualSpell, AoE, Chaos, Duration, RepeatableTier: 7Level: (1-20)Cost: (6-65) ManaCast Time: 1.00 secMark a Corpse with a profane rune, dealing Chaos damage over time to nearby e7
Voltaic GrenadeVoltaic GrenadeAttack, AoE, Projectile, Grenade, Lightning, DurationTier: 7Level: (1-20)Cost: (10-73) ManaCooldown Time: 4.00 secCan Store 3 Use(s)Attack Speed: 75% of baseAttack Damage7

Persistent skills

Related support gems

GemTier
Paquate's PactPaquate's PactSupport, Lineage, Warcry, Trigger, Physical, DurationCategory: Corrupting CryRequires Level 65Support Requirements: +5 StrSupports Warcries, Triggering Twisted Pact to infl0
Slow PotencySlow PotencySupport, SpellCategory: EncumbranceTier: 1Support Requirements: +5 DexSupports any skill, causing inflicted Slows to be more powerful.Debuffs inflicted with Supported Skills ha1
Frenzied RiposteFrenzied RiposteSupport, AttackCategory: RetortTier: 2Support Requirements: +5 DexSupports Attacks you use or Trigger yourself, causing them to Consume the Parried Debuff on Hit to gra2
AcrimonyAcrimonySupportCategory: AcrimonyTier: 2Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 110%Support Requirements: +5 IntSupports Skills which can Damage Enemies. Enemies affected by Damage over time from Suppo2
Intense AgonyIntense AgonySupport, Spell, DurationCategory: Intense AgonyTier: 2Support Requirements: +5 IntSupports Spells that deal non-Ailment damage over time, causing them to have a shorter durat2
Chaotic FreezeChaotic FreezeSupport, Spell, ChaosCategory: Chaotic FreezeTier: 3Support Requirements: +5 IntSupports Spells that deal non-Ailment Chaos damage over time. Enemies taking damage over tim3
Decaying HexDecaying HexSupport, Trigger, Chaos, Duration, CurseCategory: Decaying HexTier: 3Cost & Reservation Multiplier: 130%Support Requirements: +5 IntSupports Curse skills. Supported skill Trigg3
Drain AilmentsDrain AilmentsSupport, SpellCategory: Drain AilmentsTier: 3Support Requirements: +5 IntSupports Spells that deal non-Ailment damage over time, causing them to consume Ailments on enemies3
Refraction IIIRefraction IIISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: RefractionTier: 5Additional Reservation: 10 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Banner Skills, causing Enemies within their area t5

Related unique items

The table below lists unique items that are related to debuffs in general:

Related passive skills

The following passive skills are related to debuffs:

NameStats
Ailment Threshold and Slow Effect on You10% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold5% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on You
Armour and Slow Effect on You5% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on You10% increased Armour
Attack Damage and Slow Effect8% increased Attack DamageDebuffs you inflict have 4% increased Slow Magnitude
Debuff ExpiryDebuffs on you expire 10% faster
Debuff Expiry RateDebuffs on you expire 10% faster
Exposure Effect and Slow Effect7% increased Exposure EffectDebuffs you inflict have 7% increased Slow Magnitude
Movement Speed and Slow Effect on You1% increased Movement Speed4% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on You
Slow EffectDebuffs you inflict have 5% increased Slow Magnitude
Slow Effect and Hinder DurationDebuffs you inflict have 4% increased Slow Magnitude20% increased Hinder Duration
Slow Effect on You8% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on You
Slow Effect on You and Attack Speed4% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on You2% increased Attack Speed

Ascendancy passive skills

The following Ascendancy passive skills are related to debuffs:

AscendancyClassNameStats
ChronomancerSlow EffectDebuffs you inflict have 6% increased Slow Magnitude

Version history

VersionChanges
0.1.0Introduced to the game.

See also

Gem requires strength
Gem requires strength
Gem requires dexterity
Gem requires dexterity
Gem requires intelligence
Gem requires intelligence
No
No

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