Twister builds in Path of Exile 2 have discovered an unlikely but incredibly powerful anointment choice that dramatically improves their performance. While many players focus on more obvious damage or defense options, the Anticipation notable provides a unique benefit that synergizes perfectly with the Twister playstyle. This revelation comes from extensive testing and analysis of how Twister interacts with various support gems and passive tree options.
The Unexpected Synergy Between Anticipation and Twister
At first glance, Anticipation appears completely unrelated to Twister builds. The notable states: "Skills supported by Unleash have 25% increased seal gain frequency." Since Twister is an attack skill that typically uses Salvo Support rather than Unleash Support, most players would overlook this passive. However, the mechanics behind these supports reveal an important connection.
Unleash Support (for spells) and Salvo Support (for attacks) share similar functionality. Both mechanics involve accumulating seals over time that can be unleashed for additional casts. The crucial difference is that Unleash has an explicit damage penalty for repeated casts, while Salvo has a targeting limitation instead.
When using Twister with Salvo Support, you'll notice a number indicating accumulated seals. Testing shows that with the Anticipation notable, this seal accumulation occurs approximately 25% faster, allowing you to unleash more Twister attacks in the same timeframe.
| Support Gem | Primary Function | Damage Penalty | Seal Mechanics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unleash Support | For spells | 50% less damage when reoccurring | Gains seal every 200% of cast time |
| Salvo Support | For attacks | No damage penalty | Targeting limitations instead |
Practical Impact on Twister Gameplay
Implementing the Anticipation notable creates noticeable improvements in actual gameplay. The faster seal generation means you spend less time waiting between full-powered Twister attacks, particularly important during boss encounters where damage windows can be limited.
Seals accumulate at base rate (approximately 1 second to return to full capacity). This creates noticeable downtime in your rotation where you're either using weaker filler skills or simply waiting.
Seals accumulate 25% faster, reducing wait time between full-powered attacks. This results in more Twisters being unleashed overall, particularly valuable in mapping scenarios where constant movement is required.
In practical testing, the difference becomes obvious when watching the seal counter. With Anticipation, the number climbs back to maximum noticeably quicker, allowing for more frequent high-powered attacks. This is especially apparent when combined with Barrage support, as the two mechanics complement each other well.
The Tornado Shot Alternative Setup
An intriguing alternative setup involves incorporating Tornado Shot into the Twister build. When using a bow (requiring weapon swap mechanics), Tornado Shot can force additional Twisters to spawn, potentially increasing overall output. However, this approach comes with several complexities and tradeoffs.
The weapon swap mechanics required for this setup add significant complexity to gameplay. While theoretically this could produce higher damage potential, especially for bossing scenarios, the practical implementation proves clunky in actual mapping situations. The delay in weapon swapping and the need to carefully time attacks makes this more of a niche option for players willing to master the technical execution.
Implementing Anticipation in Your Build
The Anticipation notable is relatively accessible to anoint, requiring Fear, Envy, and Despair oils. At current market prices, this represents an investment of approximately 30-40 of each oil type, making it a reasonably affordable upgrade for most players.
While other anointment options exist (such as those focusing on critical chance or skill effect duration), Anticipation provides unique value for Twister builds that's difficult to replicate through other means. For players who primarily focus on mapping efficiency, the faster seal generation significantly improves fluidity and damage output during fast-paced clearing.
Ultimately, the discovery of Anticipation's effectiveness with Twister builds demonstrates how creative thinking about mechanics can uncover powerful synergies that aren't immediately obvious. This revelation continues Path of Exile's tradition of deep, interconnected systems where unexpected combinations can produce remarkable results.