How do I know if impale is being applied?

I'm building a Bow/Impale Champion. Feel free to comment on the build's efficacy AFTER the problem has been addressed.

here is my build using barrage with the impale support.
https://pobb.in/0aJat2bww__E


Summary:
I have a bow.
I have a 6 link chestpiece with the following gem setup:
----------------Barrage -> faster attacks
----------------------------v
inc crit strike support <- cruelty support
v
pierce support -> impale support



I'm seeing some evidence that I'm not getting any impale from my attacks:

* first, the build in PoB calculates my Impale DPS at 0.
* second, after allocating Master of Metal I never see any change in my armor value even though my chance to impale is 90%.
* third, if i remove impale support from the gem group barrage dps does not change at all.

does anyone have any insight into this? how can i know that impale is being applied by my hits? I did try switching to a shattered steel/sword skill for a bit and didn't see any changes to my armor.

thanks and hope i was clear.

Impale only works for physical damage hits. You have Hrimsorrow equipped which has '100% of physical damage converted to cold damage'. Therefore you don't deal any physical damage for an Impale to occur.

As to your question: I believe that an impaled monster has a bunch of 'spikes' coming out of its model.

Yeah as above, POB says no physical damage.

For the indication, i'm in another thread where the guy says you can notice like a spike effect on the mob. My eyes are not good enough to see this. I think it could use a more visual representation, but they are probably limited with what they can do with so many effect in the game not becoming over whelming. I'm starting to notice the stun effect, but only now that I am playing a stun build. Don't think ive ever noticed it on my own character even though i'm sure i've encountered stuns that were long enough. You can see impale on yourself at least, with the debuff icon.

Oh my god how did I not see that!

thanks so much. I'm encouraged at least I was ready to swap the gloves out for something more level appropriate. but anyway. thanks for answering the question.

I can notice little spikes/arrows poking out of enemies but I agree with you belegur, they're not easy to see. I had to stop shooting to look for them.


AND now I get too see how little damage they actually do. :/