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 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 Resistances, improving your survivability in higher maps. If you enjoy fast-paced melee combat filled with fiery detonations, this is the quintessential Warbringer experience.
2. Ancestral Totem Warbringer - The Army of Fire
If you've ever wanted to play a summoner without rolling a Witch or Sorceress, the Ancestral Totem Warbringer is perfect for you. It commands an army of spectral warriors that respond to your Warcries, blending minion summoning and Warcry synergy spectacularly.
Main Skills Used:
·Ancestral Warrior Totem: Earthshatter - Branching Fissures - Fire Attunement - Urgent Totems - Rage
·Infernal Cry: Raging Cry - Swift Affliction - Second Wind - Brutality - Corrupting Cry
·Seismic Cry: Execute - Elemental Focus - Astral Projection - Magnified Area
·Fortifying Cry: Raging Cry - Second Wind - Astral Projection
Recommended Uniques:
·Hateforge (with "three random charge" gain)
·Constricting Command (optional)
How It Works:
Every Warcry fuels your Rage and triggers Hateforge, converting charges into explosive summons. Your Ancestral Totems spawn spirit warriors that benefit from the Ancestral Spirit passive, effectively doubling your minion output.
When combined with Earthshatter, these spectral fighters generate spikes that can be detonated with another Warcry for burst AOE. The result? A chaotic, fiery battlefield filled with exploding totems and spectral warriors, while you remain safely behind your summoned frontline.
3. Thorns Warbringer - The Reflective Juggernaut
If you love unorthodox playstyles, the Thorns Warbringer flips traditional combat on its head. Instead of avoiding damage, this build thrives on taking hits and reflecting them at enemies. It's one of the most satisfying and off-meta builds in Path of Exile 2.
Main Skills Used:
·Rapid Assault: Barbs - Quill Burst - Rapid Attacks - Ancestral Call
·Fortifying Cry: Raging Cry - Cooldown Recovery - Physical Mastery
·Time of Need: Thornskin
·Scavenged Plating: Thornskin - Prolonged Duration - Physical Mastery
Recommended Uniques:
·Crown of the Pale King
·The Brass Dome
Playstyle:
The idea is to absorb hits and let Crown of the Pale King reflect damage through Thornstrike. The Brass Dome further increases armor and mitigation, allowing you to wade into enemies unharmed. Pair your POE2 Items with the Anvil's Weight Ascendancy, and your Rapid Assault skill will shred armor while counter-attacks annihilate foes.
It's slower and tankier than other Warbringer setups, but incredibly fun to play once you get rolling - especially in group content or high-tier maps.
Final Thoughts - The Rise of the Warcry Meta
Patch 0.3 redefined the Warbringer Ascendancy, transforming it from a niche tank into a full-fledged juggernaut capable of melting bosses and clearing maps with style. Whether you prefer explosive slams, totem armies, or reflect-based defense, there's a Warbringer build that fits your playstyle.
If you're diving into Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict and want to maximize your time without spending hundreds of Divines, Warbringer is one of the best choices available. For faster progression, remember you can buy Path of Exile 2 Currency safely.