Bane of the Powerful

A Reward for Every Slain Elite

Bane of the Powerful is a legendary gem that grants you a strong, multi-second damage bonus after you wipe out an elite pack. Since elites show up everywhere, you can keep this buff almost permanently active in crowded areas, sending your overall power noticeably upward.

The gem suits any class and shines especially when plowing through Greater Rifts, where elite packs cluster tightly together. Because of its simple, unconditional strength it is a classic early-game pick. Tip: Run it while you still lack the materials for the truly specialized gems. Make a point of clearing elites quickly and back to back so the bonus never lapses. In later builds it usually gives way to stronger, permanently scaling gems.

What happens after the last elite falls

According to the power text, your damage rises by 20% for 30.0 seconds after you kill an elite pack. Two things follow directly:

• The bonus only triggers once the pack is dead - a wounded elite group you leave standing gives you nothing.
• The increase applies to all of your damage, not just against elites. Regular monsters between two elite packs also fall faster during that window.

Planning around the window

Because the buff ends after 30.0 seconds, it pays to head straight for the next elite pack rather than taking long detours through empty areas. Clear elite packs in quick succession and you carry the bonus from fight to fight. The first fight of any chain, on the other hand, always starts without it - so the gem shows its strength mainly where elites are dense.

A gem cutter's words

The flavor text comes from Andomiel Chu, Master Gem Cutter of Xiansai: few things embolden the spirit like a powerful enemy lying dead at your feet. That is exactly the moment this gem rewards with extra damage.

by eRnstl