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[PoE 2] - POEGuy’s Mortar Cannon Warbringer League Starter – Full Campaign Guide

By POEGuyWatch videoDuration: PT26M23S

Summary

  • Core Progression: The build uses Volcanic Fissure with Earthquake Totems for early leveling, transitioning to Mortar Cannon (Grenades) at level 52.
  • Act 1 Strategy: This is the most difficult stage for Warriors; utilize a shield and mace initially, switching to a two-handed mace for bosses to maximize damage via Rage Support.
  • Key Mechanics:
    • Bone Shatter: Only use when enemies are highlighted by the glowing orb effect.
    • Shockwave Totem: Used primarily for crowd distraction and to trigger damaging skills like Volcanic Fissure and Earthquake.
    • Rage: Essential for single-target damage; auto-attacks will fill the rage bar, increasing DPS.
  • Gear Upgrades: Regularly upgrade weapons every 7–10 levels. Prioritize physical damage on rings and gloves.
  • Transitioning: The swap to Mortar Cannon at level 52 requires respecting a small portion of the skill tree (dropping melee nodes for Ballista nodes) and equipping a crossbow.

Campaign Progression & Tips

  • General Navigation: Prioritize finding waypoints to access cave mini-bosses, which provide crucial support gems.
  • Act 1:
    • Expect a difficult start; avoid fighting ranged enemies in open areas as a melee character when possible.
    • Boss Strategy: Use a two-handed mace with Rage Support and Rapid Attacks.
    • Questing: Complete the Farmlands quest before reaching Frayton to gain two skill points (invest in Strength for life).
  • Act 2:
    • Ascendancy: Complete the first trial at level 22 to unlock the first Ascendancy node, providing an extra totem and beneficial spirits.
    • Single-Target: Combine Volcanic Fissure with Earthquake to create jagged ground, which deals significant damage when detonated by Shockwave Totems.
  • Act 3:
    • Secret: Look for a camp in the Sunswarth Marsh to find a Lesser Jeweler’s Orb, which is vital for early gem upgrades.
    • Ascendancy: Complete the second trial (Trial of Chaos) before fighting the Act 3 boss to gain damage-absorbing totems.
  • Act 4 & Interludes:
    • After the Act 4 boss, ensure all elemental resistances (Fire, Cold, Lightning) are at least 50% to prevent frequent deaths in the Interlude acts.

Transitioning to Mortar Cannon (Level 52+)

  1. Respec: Keep 80% of the skill tree. Drop top-side melee nodes and allocate bottom-side Ballista nodes for extra mortar capacity.
  2. Weapon: Acquire a crossbow. Best-in-slot is the Bombarding Crossbow (provides an additional grenade), but any high physical DPS crossbow (approx. 300 DPS) is sufficient.
  3. Gameplay: Drop one totem every second while moving to maintain consistent coverage and defensive mobility.
  4. Gem Leveling: Prioritize leveling Cluster Grenade and Mortar Cannon as soon as skill gems become available.

Gear & Trading Advice

  • Search Filters: When buying jewels on the trade site, set the count to 2 and select modifiers like Fire Damage, Elemental Damage, Attack Damage, and Totem Damage.
  • Weapon Buying:
    • If a specific level-requirement item is expensive, leveling up one additional time (e.g., to level 53) often makes the market cheaper.
    • Apply quality and Iron Runes to weapons to boost physical DPS.
  • Amulets: Seek an amulet with “+1 to Projectile Skills” early, as they are typically affordable and provide a significant damage boost.

Key References