Path of Exile 2: Are Totems Considered Minions?
Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games, Path of Exile 2 (POE2)
In Path of Exile 2, totems and minions are two distinct mechanics, despite having some similarities. Many players wonder if totems count as minions due to their ability to attack or cast spells on their own. The short answer is no, totems are not minions. While both are entities that assist the player in combat, they function differently in key ways.
How Are Totems Different from Minions?
Totems are structures, while minions are independent creatures. Understanding these differences is crucial when choosing skills, passives, and gear.
1. Totems Are an Extension of the Player
Totems cast spells or attack using the player's stats.
They do not have their own AI, unlike minions, which act independently.
Any damage, crit chance, or modifiers affecting a totem come from the player, not the totem itself.
If the player has increased spell damage, the totem benefits from it, because the totem is essentially using the player’s skills.
2. Minions Are Independent
Minions have their own base stats, separate from the player.
They use their own AI to choose targets and move independently.
Minions benefit from minion-related modifiers, while totems do not.
For example, modifiers like "Increased Minion Damage" will not apply to totems, but they will apply to things like zombies, skeletons, and spectres.
Do Totems Get Minion Buffs?
No, totems do not benefit from any minion-related passives, gear, or skills. Here’s a breakdown of what works with totems and what does not:
✅ What Buffs Totems?
Totem-specific passives and gear (e.g., Idol of Uldurn for increased totem count).
Player stats such as spell damage, attack speed, and critical strike chance.
Totem support gems, like Overabundance (adds +1 totem).
Certain ascendancies, like Warbringer, which can buff friendly totems.
❌ What Does NOT Buff Totems?
Minion-specific support gems (e.g., Minion Damage Support).
Minion keystones and passives (e.g., Minion Instability).
Equipment that boosts minions (e.g., gear with “Increases Minion Damage”).
How Many Totems Can You Have?
By default, you can have only one totem active at a time, but this limit can be increased through passives, gems, and unique items.
Ways to Increase Totem Limit:
Idol of Uldurn (Amulet): +1 Totem
Overabundance (Support Gem): +1 Totem
Ancestral Artifice (Notable Passive): +1 to attack totems
Watchtowers (Notable Passive): +1 to attack totems
This gives a maximum of 5 attack totems in a normal build.
Alternatively, the Ancestral Bond keystone removes the totem limit, but causes each totem to reserve spirit instead.
Conclusion: Are Totems Minions?
No, totems are not minions. They are structures that cast spells or attack using the player's stats, while minions are separate entities with their own AI and stats.
If you’re building around totems, focus on totem passives, gear, and support gems instead of minion-related bonuses. Understanding this distinction will help you create an efficient totem-based character in Path of Exile 2.
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