In this Path of Exile guide, we'll dive into the intricacies of Kaom's Binding, a unique belt that's specific to the Trial of the Ancestors League. While it can be a rare reward for defeating Cam, there's some uncertainty about whether this must be achieved in the final tournament match. This belt boasts a combination of strength, armor, and two unique modifiers: immunity to burning damage after recently taking such damage and nearby enemies converting 25% of their physical damage to fire. Let's dissect these modifiers and explore how they can benefit your character.

 

• Immunity to Burning Damage
• Conversion of Enemy Physical Damage to Fire
• Damage Conversion Clarification
• Stacking Damage Conversion and Damage Taken As
• Special Enemy Abilities
• Conclusion

 

↖ Immunity to Burning Damage

The first modifier on Kaom's Bindinggrants immunity to burning damage after recently taking such damage. While this might seem like an opportunity for abuse, it's more practically a useful defense against burning effects like ignite, righteous fire, or burning ground. When you step off burning ground or cease taking burning damage from any source, you become immune to all burning damage for the next 4 seconds. This is particularly valuable for characters lacking recovery options and when facing maps with widespread burning ground.

 

↖ Conversion of Enemy Physical Damage to Fire

The second modifier is equally intriguing. Nearby enemies within a 60-unit radius have 25% of their physical damage converted to fire damage. This effect can be expanded with the generic area of effect modifiers. To visualize this radius, tools like Path of Building come in handy, allowing you to see the sizable area affected.

 

↖ Damage Conversion Clarification

It's crucial to distinguish between damage conversion and damage taken as modifiers. Kaom's Bindingmodifies the damage the enemy deals by converting part of their physical damage into fire damage, which affects damaging ailments inflicted by that hit. For instance, an enemy's bleed or poison will deal less damage due to the conversion, potentially mitigating harm.

 

However, the 25% physical damage now dealt as fire damage can ignite your character if the enemy has a generic ignite chance or if it's a critical strike. This distinction is vital, as damage conversion modifies the base hit damage, whereas damage taken as modifiers do not.

 

↖ Stacking Damage Conversion and Damage Taken As

A point of interest is how Kaom's Binding interacts with other gear modifiers like damage taken as. Unlike damage taken as modifiers on items like Lightning Coil, which applies to the character, Kaom's Binding specifically converts damage on the enemy's side of the calculation. These modifiers do not stack additively.

 

As an example, if you were using both Lightning Coil and Kaom's Binding and an enemy within the belt's radius hit you for 2,000 physical damage, first, 25% of that physical damage is converted to fire damage by Cam's Binding. Then, the Lightning Coil's "damage taken as" modifier kicks in, converting 50% of the physical damage to lightning damage. The end result is 750 physical damage, 750 lightning damage, and 500 fire damage.

 

↖ Special Enemy Abilities

Kaom's Binding can shine in specific situations. For instance, against the Searing Exarch boss, whose attacks have substantial physical damage converted to fire. With the belt's conversion, these attacks become pure fire damage, a boon for mitigating the damage. This belt can optimize defenses against foes with similar abilities.

 

↖ Conclusion

Kaom's Binding is a powerful belt with unique modifiers that can bolster your character's survivability and adapt to various situations. While it competes with other strong belt options, it excels in scenarios where you need to counter burning damage or convert enemy physical damage to fire. Consider this unique belt when crafting your Path of Exile build, and explore its potential synergies with your character's abilities and gear choices.