Path of Exile 2: How to Get Crumbling Maul

Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated ARPG releases in recent memory, with improved visuals, fluid combat mechanics, and a robust itemization system that offers players new and exciting ways to build their characters. Among the many powerful weapon bases you'll find in PoE 2, one that has caught the attention of melee enthusiasts is the Crumbling Maul, a devastating two-handed mace that delivers incredible area damage potential.

In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about the Crumbling Maul: its stats, where to find it, and how to leverage it for maximum efficiency, including smart usage of your POE 2 Currency to enhance its power.

Crumbling Maul Overview

The Crumbling Maul is a two-handed mace base item with the following stats:

    Physical Damage: 62–75

    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%

    Attacks per Second: 1.10

    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres

    Required Level: 38

    Required Strength: 88

    Special Effect: Causes enemies to explode on critical kill, dealing 10% of their life as Physical Damage.

This unique property turns the Crumbling Maul into a deadly AoE (area of effect) weapon. When you land a critical strike that kills an enemy, they explode, dealing a portion of their maximum life as physical damage to nearby foes. In dense packs, this creates chain reactions that can wipe entire rooms in seconds, making it an ideal choice for fast mapping or clearing early to mid-game zones.

Weapon DPS Breakdown

For those who like to optimize their builds, here's the calculated DPS for the Crumbling Maul:

    Physical DPS: 75.4

    Chaos DPS: 0 (none)

    Total DPS: 75.4

While these numbers aren't the highest in Path of Exile 2, the added utility from the explosion effect compensates by increasing your effective clear speed significantly.

Where to Find the Crumbling Maul

The Crumbling Maul drops naturally in the world starting at level 38 zones. It is not a unique weapon, but rather a base type, which means it can drop with random affixes depending on the loot table and your luck.

You can find it in:

    Act 4 zones and beyond

    Endgame mapping content

    Chests and weapon caches

    Vendors (occasionally)

If you're targeting this specific base for a build, farming zones around level 38–45 will increase your chances of finding a white or magic version you can craft.

Best Builds for Crumbling Maul

If you're planning to center your build around the Crumbling Maul, consider these approaches:

    Crit-based Earthquake or Ground Slam Build: These skills benefit from the large weapon range and hit radius of the maul.

    Cyclone Crit Build: Combine high attack speed with critical strikes to quickly wipe packs and trigger explosion chains.

    Bleed Explosion Hybrid: Use the crit explosion alongside bleed or poison mechanics to double dip on AoE effects.

With enough POE 2 Currency, you can create a devastating endgame build that combines brute force with high-clearing potential.

Tips for Farming the Maul

    Stack item rarity and quantity gear to increase drop chances.

    Use a loot filter to highlight two-handed mace bases at level 38+.

    Run content that spawns high-density monster packs (e.g., Breach, Delirium).

Remember: since the Crumbling Maul is not a unique item, its drop rate isn't fixed, it just requires some persistence and farming efficiency.

Final Thoughts

The Crumbling Maul is a powerful tool in the hands of the right build. Its built-in explosion effect adds flavor and functionality to critical strike-based melee characters. Combined with smart usage of POE 2 Currency, this weapon can be crafted into a force capable of dominating early-to-mid game content, and potentially beyond with the right upgrades.

Whether you're a new player trying to break into the deeper endgame or a veteran looking for a fresh melee approach, the Crumbling Maul offers both value and versatility. Just don't forget to stock up on crafting materials, because in Path of Exile 2, Path Of Exile 2 items and currency are power.

MMOexp POE 2 Team