Rigwald's Hunt: Unleash Boss-Killing Fury!

Hey guys! Are you ready to dive into a build that absolutely slaughters bosses in Path of Exile? We're talking about a powerhouse that combines the raw damage of Rigwald's Hunt with the tactical brilliance of Banners and the sustained assault of Reapers. This build isn't just strong; it's a strategic masterpiece that'll have you melting even the toughest endgame encounters. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty and explore why this combination is a boss-killing force to be reckoned with. Trust me; this is a build you'll want to try if you're looking for something that is both fun and devastating.

The Core: Rigwald's Hunt – The Beast Unleashed

First off, we need to talk about Rigwald's Hunt. This unique claw isn't just a weapon; it's the heart and soul of this build's insane damage output. The key lies in its inherent mechanics, which directly contribute to the overall effectiveness when targeting a boss. It offers a unique blend of damage and utility that makes it perfect for melting high-health targets. It's all about maximizing the claw's potential and making sure it sings. The claw grants a significant boost to attack speed and critical strike chance while also providing a flat increase to physical damage. This inherent scaling, combined with the right support gems and gear, allows for an extremely high damage-per-second (DPS) output. When optimized properly, you'll see bosses crumble before your might.

• Attack Speed and Critical Strikes: The increased attack speed is critical, because it allows you to get more hits in. More hits equal more chances to crit and apply any on-hit effects. The critical strike chance is obviously essential for scaling damage; the more critical strikes you land, the more damage you deal.
• Physical Damage Boost: The flat physical damage boost amplifies the base damage of the claw, making it a very strong option in endgame. It is very effective for building around physical damage.

This build leans heavily into the physical damage archetype, and the benefits from Rigwald's Hunt set the stage for success. This isn't just about raw damage, it's about smart choices and making the most of what this amazing claw has to offer. Building around Rigwald's Hunt forces you to make smart choices about support gems, your passive skill tree, and the gear you equip. This makes for a more interesting and engaging build process.

Banner Brilliance: Strategic Buffs for Maximum Impact

Now, let's talk about Banners. These aren't just for show; they're integral to the build's success. We're primarily focused on using them to buff our damage and survivability. Proper banner management is a key aspect of playing this build effectively. Deciding when to place them and when to reposition them can make all the difference in a fight, so we need to know what we are doing. The banners we use are generally picked for what they provide to the build.

• Defiance Banner: Provides a buff to armour, increasing physical damage mitigation. It’s also very effective in increasing your chance to block. This helps in surviving the boss encounters and taking less damage overall. It’s a great option when playing in hardcore mode.
• War Banner: Increases the accuracy of the character and provides a boost to physical damage. This enhances your damage output against bosses. It will become your main banner. When in a tight spot, drop the banner and let it give you the accuracy boost needed to finish off the boss.

Banners can make or break the boss fight, because proper placement and usage will increase damage and survival rate. We use them intelligently to boost our damage output and help us survive. It's a key aspect of the build, and mastering banner placement and timing is critical for success. You will need to think strategically when you are in a tight situation. This adds another layer of depth to the build that keeps things exciting.

Reaper's Embrace: Consistent Damage and Utility

Reapers are the ultimate support. A well-placed Reaper can provide consistent damage and utility throughout a boss fight. Reapers provide a constant source of damage and can help to deal with certain boss mechanics. They also provide buffs that increase your damage. They will really shine when battling the boss, dealing consistent damage alongside your main attacks. The synergy is obvious and contributes a lot to the build’s overall effectiveness. This is how they work:

• Damage over Time: Reapers can apply various damage-over-time effects to the boss, chipping away at their health over time. This sustained damage is especially effective against bosses with high health pools.
• Utility: They can also provide buffs that increase your damage. This sustained damage helps you while you are doing your main attack, making you the ultimate boss killer.

Reapers are the unsung heroes of this build. You won't always see them, but they're always there, making sure the boss fight goes smoothly. This is more of a strategic choice, but one that is very effective. They will provide the damage and buffs required to defeat the boss. They will allow you to focus on your attacks while still chipping away at the boss's health. The combined damage and utility of Reapers make them a crucial component of the build's boss-killing prowess.

Gear, Gems, and Skill Tree

Let's get into the nitty-gritty: gear, gems, and the all-important skill tree. This is where you really tailor the build to your preferences and maximize its potential. The choices you make here will define how effective your boss-killing capabilities are. The beauty of this build is its adaptability. There are many different ways to optimize gear, gems, and the skill tree.

Gear

• Rigwald's Hunt: Obviously, this is your primary weapon. Look for one with good rolls and a corruption if possible. The most important thing is the base stats and the inherent modifiers.
• Armor: Focus on gear that provides life, resistances, and attributes. Don't be afraid to use unique items if they fit your build and enhance your survivability.
• Jewellery: Rings, amulets, and belts should focus on resistances, life, and flat physical damage. Crit chance and attack speed on your gear are also essential.

Gems

• Main Skill: Cyclone is a great option for its mobility and ability to apply hits. Be sure to link it with support gems such as: Increased Critical Strikes, and other gems that work.
• Aura Setup: Use the most appropriate auras to boost damage and defenses. This could include Pride, Determination, and other defensive auras.
• Utility Gems: Include gems like Blood Rage for life leech and damage, and gems that increase mobility and utility.

Skill Tree

• Physical Damage: Invest heavily in physical damage nodes. This is the cornerstone of the build, so make sure you have it.
• Critical Strike: Pick up critical strike nodes and crit multi to maximize damage output.
• Life and Resistances: Don't neglect life and resistances. Make sure you can survive the toughest boss encounters.

Gameplay and Strategy

Now for the fun part: How to actually play the build! This build revolves around sustained DPS and a proactive playstyle. This is not a