PoE Sunder of Trarthus - Path of Exile

Sunder of Trarthus is a melee slam attack that unleashes a slow-moving shockwave in front of the user. When this wave hits enemies, it causes them to emit circular shockwaves that deal additional damage to nearby foes. The primary wave continues traveling forward and can redirect toward a new enemy mid-path. This skill requires an axe, mace, sceptre, staff, or can be used unarmed.

It is a Trarthan variant of Sunder.

Tags: Attack, AoE, Slam, Melee. Level: (1–20). Cost: (8–13) Mana. Attack Speed: 75% of base. Attack Damage: (205–471)% of base. Effectiveness of Added Damage: (205–471)%. AoE Radius: 12.

Requires Level (12–70), (33–155) Str. Requires One Hand Maces, Sceptres, Staves, Two Hand Maces, One Hand Axes, Two Hand Axes, Unarmed, Warstaves.

Slams the ground, creating a slow wave of churning terrain that damages enemies in a sequence of areas in front of you. A number of enemies hit by the wave will release a shockwave, damaging other enemies around them. Using the skill again will stop the previous wave. When the wave reaches a target or terrain, it can restart aiming towards an enemy, if one is in range. Requires a Mace, Sceptre, Axe, Staff or Unarmed.

• (0–19)% more Area of Effect
• Shockwaves deal 40% less Damage
• Wave causes Shockwaves from up to 5 Enemies in each Area
• Wave has (0–25)% reduced delay between Areas
• Wave Damages 4 Areas
• Wave cannot stop before Damaging 2 Areas
• Wave gains +0.1 metres to radius with each Area in the Sequence
• Wave can restart up to 2 times
• Wave Areas gain metres to radius for each previous Area
• Additional Effects From Quality: Wave has (0–10)% reduced delay between Areas

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

Changes from Sunder

Unlike the original skill, the Trarthan version deals less base damage and has lower damage effectiveness. Its wave affects fewer areas and gains a smaller radius bonus from each previous impact. However, it compensates with a shorter delay between each area hit and the ability to re-target up to two times, allowing the wave to change direction toward nearby enemies.

How to get it?

Sunder 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.

Mechanics and Interactions

Wave Targeting

One of the defining features of Sunder of Trarthus is its targeting flexibility. The wave will travel in a straight line, but if it reaches a valid target or terrain, it may re-aim up to twice toward a new enemy within range. This makes positioning and awareness essential for maximizing damage.

Shockwave Generation

Shockwaves are created when the wave hits enemies—up to five per wave area. These shockwaves deal 40% less damage but are great for clearing clustered packs.

Area of Effect Scaling

Increased Area of Effect improves both:

• The width of the wave
• The size of emitted shockwaves

However, it does not significantly affect wave length. AoE also contributes to improved reach through the increasing radius per hit area mechanic.

Accuracy Mechanics

Unlike typical melee attacks, only the wave's initial hit requires an accuracy check. Shockwaves ignore evasion, reliably damaging any enemies within range, regardless of their dodge capabilities.

Recommended Build Ideas

1. Staff Slam Crit Build

• Weapon: High-crit staff (e.g., Marohi Erqi or rare crit-crafted staff)
• Ascendancy: Inquisitor (ignore enemy resists + AoE scaling)
• Keystone: Resolute Technique or use Precision + Crit support

Support Gems:

• Pulverise
• Melee Physical Damage
• Brutality
• Fist of War
• Increased AoE / Concentrated Effect (bossing)

2. Unarmed Berserker Build

• Weapon: None (Unarmed, supported by Hollow Palm or Facebreaker)
• Ascendancy: Berserker for rage synergy
• Synergies: Aspect of Carnage for more damage, Warcry setup to generate rage

Support Gems:

• Melee Physical Damage
• Ruthless
• Rage
• Endurance Charge on Melee Stun
• Faster Attacks

3. Axe Bleed Gladiator

• Weapon: Two-handed axe with high phys and bleed chance
• Ascendancy: Gladiator for bleeding synergy and block
• Strategy: Use Sunder’s shockwave to apply bleed across packs

Support Gems:

• Chance to Bleed
• Brutality
• Vicious Projectiles
• Deadly Ailments
• Swift Affliction

Tips for Optimization

1. Positioning is key. Use the wave’s ability to re-target for mid-range combat rather than front-line brawling.
2. Pair with Warcries. Generating rage or exerting the slam attack synergizes well with Trarthan mechanics.
3. Use Helm Enchants. Look for lab enchants that increase the number of areas hit or boost shockwave radius.
4. Speed matters. Faster attack speed shortens the delay between casts, especially since reactivating the skill cancels the wave.
5. Avoid low-density maps. Sunder of Trarthus shines in packs where multiple enemies can trigger shockwaves.

Sunder of Trarthus introduces a tactical twist on the traditional Sunder skill, trading raw damage for area control and retargeting flexibility. Whether you build for critical staff slams, unarmed rage generation, or bleeding waves of destruction, this skill rewards players who understand wave timing and enemy placement. If you’re looking for a visually impressive and mechanically layered melee skill in PoE, this Trarthan gem is well worth exploring.