Path of Exile 2 Warbringer Guide - The Third Edict's Most Powerful Ascendancy Returns
Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve with The Third Edict (Patch 0.3), and Path of Exile 2 Currency one Ascendancy that's made a major comeback is the Warbringer. Once considered a niche pick, this powerhouse archetype has risen to prominence thanks to sweeping balance adjustments and the addition of new Skill Gems that synergize perfectly with its signature Warcry mechanics. If you've ever wanted to feel unkillable while turning the battlefield into a molten warzone, Warbringer is your calling.
With its balance of offense, defense, and utility, Warbringer offers some of the most resilient and satisfying builds in Path of Exile 2. Even better - it doesn't demand a fortune in investment. You can comfortably clear Tier 15 maps with around 20 Divines' worth of gear, making it one of the most cost-efficient endgame Ascendancies available.
Pros and Cons of Playing Warbringer in Path of Exile 2
Before exploring specific builds, it's important to understand what makes Warbringer so powerful - and where it has its limits. This Ascendancy thrives on sustain, synergy, and scaling. With immense armor, layered defenses, and natural affinity for Warcries and Totems, Warbringer builds can withstand hits that would obliterate most classes.
However, all that durability comes with a few trade-offs.
Pros:
Up to 80% Physical and Elemental mitigation
Cheap to build and easy to scale into endgame
Excellent synergy with minions, totems, and rage mechanics
Capable of defeating pinnacle bosses like Kitava or the Pale Court with ease
Cons:
Slower movement speed than other Ascendancies
Heavy particle effects may cause lag on lower-end PCs
1. Forge Hammer Warbringer - The Volcanic Slayer
The Forge Hammer Warbringer is one of the standout builds introduced with The Third Edict. It revolves around the new Forge Hammer Skill Gem, which acts like a ranged-melee hybrid: you throw a hammer that detonates with volcanic fury when triggered by a Warcry. Combined with slam-based mechanics and Fire Attunement scaling, it becomes a devastating screen-clearing setup.
Main Skills Used:
Forge Hammer: Rageforged - Fist of War - Fire Attunement - Elemental Armament
Shockwave Totem: Overabundance - Urgent Totems - Rapid Attacks - Magnified Area - Font of Blood
Ancestral Cry: Prolonged Duration - Close Combat - Fire Penetration - Immolate - Elemental Armament
War Banner: Cannibalism - Magnified Area - Daresso's Passion - Prolonged Duration
Recommended Unique:
Chernobog's Pillar (optional)
Gameplay Loop:
Throw your Forge Hammer, Warcry to detonate it into Volcanic Fissures, and let your Shockwave Totems multiply the explosions. Your War Banner builds Glory stacks, fueling Ancestral Cry for stronger melee hits and Fire Damage bursts.
Even without Uniques, this build performs incredibly well. Chernobog's Pillar adds Fire Conversion and POE 2 Orbs for sale Resistances, improving your survivability in higher maps. If you enjoy fast-paced melee combat filled with fiery detonations, this is the quintessential Warbringer experience.