Forge Guard Minion Build Tips for Last Epoch
In Last Epoch, the Forge Guard mastery of the Sentinel class is a standout for its tankiness, fire-based attacks, and strong battlefield presence. While many players focus on direct melee damage, combining the Forge Guard with minions creates a versatile hybrid playstyle that balances offense, defense, and crowd control. The Best Minion Forge Guard build allows players to summon minions that deal consistent damage while the Forge Guard draws enemy attention, absorbs hits, and unleashes devastating fire-based abilities. This combination works effectively in both solo play and group content, offering a resilient and dynamic approach to combat.
Why Minions and Forge Guard Work Together
The Forge Guard excels in frontline combat, naturally drawing the attention of enemies and using fire abilities to control space. Adding minions to the build provides extra damage and tactical distractions. Summoned allies can absorb hits, deal sustained damage, and handle weaker enemies, allowing the Forge Guard to focus on high-priority targets or bosses.
Minions also enhance the Forge Guard's overall effectiveness by creating opportunities for area-of-effect attacks and buffs. While minions engage and distract enemies, the player can use positioning, buffs, and fire-based skills to maximize damage. This synergy ensures that the build is both durable and capable of dealing consistent damage, making it highly effective in high-level dungeons and arena content.
Core Skills for the Build
The foundation of the Minion Forge Guard build lies in selecting the right skills:
Fire Golem:The Fire Golem serves as the cornerstone of this build. It's a durable and high-damage minion that scales with the Forge Guard's stats. Upgrading the Fire Golem enhances its attack speed, survivability, and damage output, making it invaluable in prolonged fights and high-corruption zones.
Summon Skeletons or Skeleton Archers:These minions add consistent damage and serve as distractions for enemies. Investing in passives that improve their health and damage ensures they remain effective throughout combat, even in difficult encounters.
Smelter's Aura:Smelter's Aura increases fire damage for both the player and nearby minions. Proper positioning ensures that both the Forge Guard and minions benefit from the buff, maximizing overall damage output.
Flashfire:Flashfire provides area-of-effect fire damage and crowd control. When combined with minions, it softens enemies before the Forge Guard engages directly, allowing for efficient damage management.
Forge Strike:While minions handle sustained attacks, Forge Strike provides powerful single-target damage. It is particularly effective against bosses and elite enemies, ensuring that the player contributes meaningfully to the overall damage.
Passive Skill Priorities
Passive skill allocation is essential to optimize both the player and their minions. Important priorities include:
Minion Damage and Health:Enhances the durability and effectiveness of all summoned allies.
Fire Damage:Boosts Forge Guard abilities and scales minion attacks.
Minion Buff Duration:Extends the effect of any buffs or enhancements for summoned units.
Forge Guard Defenses:Increases armor, fire resistance, and health to survive prolonged combat.
Focusing on these passive nodes ensures that both the player and minions remain strong and effective throughout encounters.
Gear and Equipment
Gear selection is crucial for maximizing the synergy between the Forge Guard and minions.
Weapons:Look for items that increase fire damage, summon effectiveness, or attack speed. Two-handed weapons generally scale well with Forge Guard passives.
Armor:Prioritize health, armor, and resistances to ensure survival during difficult fights.
Accessories:Items that enhance minion attack speed, elemental damage, or durability can greatly improve overall build performance.
Unique Items:Certain unique items provide extra summons, increased minion power, or enhance Forge Guard abilities, offering a significant advantage in late-game content.
Combat Strategy
The key to success with this build lies in effective summoning, positioning, and timing. Deploy minions early in combat to absorb damage and provide continuous pressure on enemies. Position yourself and your minions strategically within Smelter's Aura or other buffs to maximize damage. Allow minions to handle weaker enemies while the Forge Guard focuses on elite targets or bosses. Even with high durability, the Forge Guard benefits from careful positioning to avoid unnecessary damage while ensuring minions remain active and effective.
Proper use of area-of-effect abilities, buffs, and debuffs ensures that enemies are softened before direct engagement, making the build both powerful and efficient. Rotating skills effectively and prioritizing targets are key components of high-level combat.
Endgame Viability
The Minion Forge Guard build shines in high-tier dungeons, arena fights, and boss encounters. Its combination of durability, fire-based abilities, and minion support allows for sustained offense without sacrificing survivability. Skilled players who master minion placement, ability rotation, and positioning can efficiently handle high-corruption zones and endgame content. The build remains effective throughout the game, build it with Last Epoch Gold and rare items, offering flexibility and reliability whether playing solo or in groups.
The Best Minion Forge Guard build in Last Epoch offers a dynamic, hybrid playstyle that blends frontline durability with consistent minion damage. By emphasizing fire-based abilities, careful summoning, and strategic use of passives, players can control enemies, deal sustained damage, and survive even the toughest encounters. This build excels in both mob-heavy dungeons and boss fights, providing a flexible and rewarding gameplay experience. For players seeking a resilient and powerful approach that combines defense and offense, the Minion Forge Guard is one of the most effective and enjoyable builds available in Last Epoch.
MMOexp Last Epoch Team