, a Unique weapon with an incredibly powerful modifier that elevates it to one of the most sought-after items in the game. While its base damage may seem unremarkable, its
mechanic makes it a game-changer for critical strike-based builds.
makes it a rare find. However, there are three main ways to acquire it:
| Modifier | Effect |
|---|
| Grants Skill: Spear Throw | Adds a unique spear-throwing skill |
| Adds (14–18) to (30–36) Physical Damage | Decent base damage, but not exceptional |
| +(10–20)% to Critical Hit Chance | Boosts critical strike chance |
| +(15–25) to Intelligence | Useful for INT-based builds |
| Forks Critical Hits | The key modifier—explained below |
| 10% of Skill Mana Costs Converted to Life Costs | A minor downside for some builds |
While most of these stats are straightforward, the
"Forks Critical Hits" mechanic is what makes Tangletongue
overpowered.
How "Forked Critical Hits" Works
This modifier changes how critical strikes are calculated, making them far more powerful. Here’s how it functions:
Instead of rolling once for a critical hit, the game rolls twice.Possible outcomes:- One roll succeeds, the other fails → Normal Critical Hit (standard crit damage).
- Both rolls fail → No critical hit.
- Both rolls succeed → Double Critical Hit (crit damage is applied twice).
This means:
- Higher chance to crit (since only one successful roll is needed).
- Potential for double crits, which massively increases damage output.
Synergy with Maligaro’s Virtuosity (300% Crit Multiplier)
- If you’re using Maligaro’s Virtuosity (a glove with +300% Critical Strike Multiplier), a Double Critical Hit will apply this bonus twice, leading to insane damage scaling.
Interaction with Lucky Hits
- Lucky Hits (a mechanic that rolls attack calculations twice and takes the better result) can further enhance Tangletongue’s power.
- If a Forked Critical Hit is also Lucky, the damage calculation is run twice, and the higher value is chosen.
- Note: Only Lucky Critical Hits benefit—regular Lucky Attacks don’t interact with this mechanic.
Optimizing a Tangletongue Build
Since Tangletongue’s base damage is mediocre, its true power comes from scaling critical hits. Here’s how to maximize its potential:
1. Stack Critical Strike Chance
- Since Forked Critical Hits effectively double your crit chance, investing in additional crit chance ensures more Double Crits.
- Recommended sources:
- Assassin’s Mark (curse)
- Critical Strike Chance support gems
- Passive tree nodes (e.g., Twin Terrors)
2. Increase Base Damage
- Because critical multipliers multiply base damage, boosting your physical or elemental damage is crucial.
- Methods:
- Flat damage rings/amulets (e.g., Steel Rings)
- Auras like Hatred (adds cold damage based on physical)
- Support gems like Added Fire Damage
3. Maximize Critical Multiplier
- Double Critical Hits apply your crit multiplier twice, so stacking Maligaro’s Virtuosity or other crit multi gear is essential.
4. Mitigate the Life Cost Drawback
- The 10% Mana-to-Life conversion can be dangerous for low-life builds.
- Solutions:
- Life Leech (via passives or gear)
- Life Gain on Hit (if using fast-hitting skills)
- Eldritch Battery (if using energy shield for mana)
Final Verdict: Is Tangletongue Worth It?
Absolutely. While its base damage is unimpressive, the Forked Critical Hits modifier makes it one of the most broken Unique weapons in Path of Exile 2.
- Best for:
- Assassin / Raider builds
- High-crit melee or projectile builds
- Players who can scale base damage effectively
- Not ideal for:
- Non-crit builds
- Low-budget players (due to high trade cost)
If you manage to get your hands on Tangletongue, build around it correctly, and you’ll dominate endgame content with ease.
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