Example Scenario

Let’s say you’re hit for Path of Exile 2 Currency 5,000 Physical Damage.

You block the hit (0 damage) → done.

You fail to block, but evade → done.

You fail both → proceed.

20% of phys is converted to Fire

4000 Physical, 1000 Fire

Your Armour reduces the Physical portion by 40% → 2400 damage

Your Fire Resistance is 75% → Fire damage is 250

You have 10% less damage taken (e.g. from Fortify) → 2400 + 250 = 2650 → 2385 damage

You have Ward = 500 → absorbs 500, now broken → 1885 left

You have Energy Shield = 1000 → absorbs 1000 → 885 left

885 damage hits your Life

Final Thoughts

Path of Exile 2’s defense system is layered and complex, but mastering the order of operations is essential to build characters that can stand up to the hardest content. Once you understand how damage is calculated and reduced, you can design hybrid defenses that handle all threats—burst, DOTs, elemental spikes, and poe 2 trade more.