Path of Exile 3.27 adds a new experimental bow gem called Conflagration, and it changes how fire DoT feels in play. This gem is a Dexterity skill that asks the player to move and aim with care, not just spam shots. Players who learn it can get strong results without buying mirror-tier items, and a good build can cut how much PoE 1 Currency you need to invest early on.
Conflagration asks the player to take part in fights in a new way. The skill wants precise positioning and timing, and it rewards players who set up chain reactions. It is less about raw burst and more about making packs of enemies line up and burn together. That shift makes player action matter more than pure item power.
How Conflagration works is simple to see in action. The skill fires arrows into the air that land and stick in the ground for a time. Each stuck arrow becomes a patch of Conflagration Ground that deals damage over time. When multiple stuck arrows are near burning enemies, those arrows can explode and make nearby arrows explode too, so the fire chains outward in waves. This behavior makes the gem great at clearing grouped monsters.
The combat loop for Conflagration is direct: apply, position, then trigger. First, apply the ground by firing into dense packs. Next, move or use tools to get enemies into the burning zone. Then, when enough enemies are burning, the chain reaction triggers and spreads damage far beyond the first impact. Players who learn this loop will plan where to shoot and how to force monsters into the right place.
Conflagration fits well with classic bow archetypes, and two rise to the top. Deadeye is a natural fit because it boosts projectile behavior and attack speed, which helps lay down more stuck arrows across a map. Elementalist also pairs well because it can multiply ignite and DoT effects, giving the ground and the initial hits more damage over time. Both playstyles want different stats, so you can tune a build toward faster ground application or toward stronger lingering damage.
To make Conflagration a true endgame force you must invest in certain areas. Damage over time multipliers matter the most, so jewels and influenced gear that raise DoT are key. Higher gem levels help the base numbers, and bigger area radius makes it easier to hit the enemy count for the chain. Early on, a good bow and a few starter uniques let you run maps cheaply, but scaling for T16 and bosses will usually need focused cluster jewels and high-tier items that often cost significant Poe 1 Divine Orb.
Conflagration brings a new tactical feel to bow play. The skill asks you to think about space and timing, to move with purpose, and to make packs overlap. Try it in a few mapping runs, tune your gear to DoT and area, and you will see how the chain explosions change the flow of fights.