PoE 2 Guide: Overflow Explained

Overflow is a new mechanic in Path of Exile 2 that can increase the current amount of a resource such as Life or Energy Shield. When a resource is overflowed, it's increased above its maximum, up to twice that much.

Current vs Maximum

Overflow only increases the current resource, not its maximum. For example in the video to the right, an Invoker is using the Meditate ability to overflow Energy Shield.

Meditate

Notice that their current Energy Shield is doubled, but their maximum Energy Shield remains the same. This is important for any mechanics that scale based on a maximum resource.

Life Remnants

Life Remnants

A Blood Mage can use the Life Remnants ability to Overflow Life. This ability causes slain monsters to drop Life Remnants. Additionally, any monsters you critically hit will also drop Life Remnants, with a short cooldown.

Picking up Life Remnants will recover your Life and any recovery gained in this way can overflow Life up to double its maximum.

Couture of Crimson

There's also a unique body armour, Couture of Crimson, which has the special modifier 'Life Leech can Overflow Maximum Life'. Any recovery gained from life leech while using this body armour can Overflow your Life.