PoE Chain Hook of Trarthus - Path of Exile

Chain Hook of Trarthus is a melee attack skill that strikes enemies in a cone-shaped area in front of the user, latching onto them with a chain. While enemies are tethered, hitting them generates Rage. When the chain eventually snaps, it explodes, dealing area damage around the affected target. This skill requires a one-handed axe, mace, sceptre, or sword to use.

It is the Trarthan variant of the original Chain Hook skill.

Tags: Attack, AoE, Melee. Level: (1–20). Cost: (5–8) Mana. Attack Speed: 120% of base. Attack Damage: (171–393)% of base. Effectiveness of Added Damage: (171–393)%. AoE Radius: 24.

Requires Level (12–70), (33–155) Str. Requires One Hand Swords, Thrusting One Hand Swords, One Hand Axes, One Hand Maces, Sceptres.

Throws chains ahead of you, attaching them to targets hit. Enemies chained to you will grant rage when hit. When chains are broken, they snap and deal attack damage in an area around the target they were attached to. Requires a One Handed Mace, Sceptre, Sword or Axe.

• +0.1 metres to Radius per 5 Rage
• Throws Chains at up to 6 targets in range
• Chained targets grant 1 Rage when Hit
• Maximum chain length is 6 metres
• Maximum 12 chains
• Additional Effects From Quality: Throws Chains at up to (0–3) targets in range

Place into an item socket of the right colour to gain this skill. Right click to remove from a socket.

How to get it?

Chain Hook of Trarthus has restrictions on where or how it can drop. This item is a Trarthan gem. It can be obtained by taking this item from a Mercenary with this item offered as a reward after winning a duel.

Changes from Chain Hook

Unlike the original, this Trarthan variant is not a movement skill. It can strike multiple enemies at once, attaching a chain to each target it hits. Instead of generating Rage on attack, Rage is gained when the user hits enemies already chained. If a chained enemy moves far enough away, the chain snaps, triggering an area attack that deals damage around the target.

Skill Mechanics and Interactions

• Initial Chain Attachment: Hitting enemies with the skill attaches a chain but does not deal damage on the initial hit.
• Rage Generation: Each successful hit on a chained enemy grants 1 Rage, fueling the skill’s secondary mechanics and boosting AoE range.
• Chain Break Damage: When an enemy moves more than 6 metres away, the chain breaks, triggering AoE damage at the enemy’s location.
• Scalability: The area of effect increases with Rage, making it crucial to stay aggressive to keep Rage levels high.

This skill thrives in situations with multiple enemies, offering excellent crowd control, area damage, and consistent Rage generation—ideal for Berserker or Rage-based mechanics.

Recommended Builds for Ascendancy: Berserker (Marauder)

The Berserker ascendancy synergizes beautifully with Chain Hook of Trarthus due to its Rage focus:

• Crave the Slaughter: Faster Rage generation.
• Aspect of Carnage: Huge more damage boost.
• Rite of Ruin: Bonus movement and attack speed based on Rage.
• War Bringer (Optional): Use Warcries for instant Rage refill.

Core Skill Gems Setup

Main Skill – Chain Hook of Trarthus (6-Link):

Chain Hook of Trarthus – Melee Physical Damage – Rage Support – Brutality – Pulverise – Multistrike
        

Other viable support gems:

• Increased AoE (for more chain break radius)
• Close Combat Support (more damage to nearby enemies)
• Endurance Charge on Melee Stun (if going defensive)

Gear Recommendations

Weapon:

• Rare One-Handed Axe or Sword with high Physical DPS, Attack Speed, and Adds X to Y Physical Damage.
• Optional: Unique weapon like Prismatic Eclipse (for speed) or Redblade (for Rage synergy).

Armor:

• Chest: Kaom’s Heart (massive life and no sockets, so balance accordingly) or a rare 6-link with life and resistances.
• Helmet, Gloves, Boots: Focus on life, resistances, and attack speed or Rage modifiers if available.

Rings and Amulet:

• Look for Physical Damage to Attacks, Rage on Hit, Life, and Elemental Resistances.

Flasks:

• Lion’s Roar (Armor and melee damage)
• Blood of the Karui (Massive life recovery)
• Quartz Flask (Phasing for safety while chaining)
• Diamond Flask (If crit-based variant)
• Mana Flask (optional for sustain)

Passive Tree Focus

• Two-Handed Nodes are not needed — focus on One-Handed Melee, Axe/Sword Clusters, and Physical Damage.

Path toward:

• Rage generation nodes (e.g., Slaughter cluster)
• Area of Effect
• Attack Speed
• Life + Armor
• Consider investing in Warcry nodes if using War Bringer ascendancy.

Playstyle Tips

1. Engage groups directly – maximize your chain count by hitting as many targets as possible.
2. Stay mobile – repositioning allows you to control chain break distance.
3. Keep Rage high – attack speed and AoE scale heavily with Rage, so don’t let it drop.
4. Use movement skills – Leap Slam or Dash can help reposition quickly and keep enemies at a distance for triggering chain breaks.
5. Watch the chain break timing – it’s key to bursting packs of enemies quickly.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strong AoE and clear speed
• Excellent synergy with Rage-based mechanics
• Can scale into endgame with proper setup
• Unique playstyle combining control and burst

Cons:

• No movement built into the skill (unlike original Chain Hook)
• Requires good positioning for optimal chain break damage
• Relies heavily on Rage generation to stay effective

Chain Hook of Trarthus is a fresh take on melee combat in Path of Exile. With its clever use of chains, strategic positioning, and high Rage scaling, it offers a dynamic and explosive playstyle for players who enjoy building momentum through combat. Whether you're cleaving through maps or tackling bosses, this build can keep up—just keep those chains snapping.