Path of Exile 2: How to Get the Forge Maul

Path of Exile 2 is poised to bring a new level of depth to the ARPG genre, and as players begin exploring the revamped mechanics and loot systems, one of the early-game weapon bases that's catching attention is the Forge Maul. A solid choice for melee characters focused on strength and physical damage, this two-handed mace strikes a balance between raw power and strategic potential. In this guide, we'll break down how to obtain the Forge Maul, what makes it special, and how POE 2 Currency can help you upgrade it for devastating effects.

What Is the Forge Maul in POE 2

The Forge Maul is a two-handed mace base type designed for strength-based characters. While it's accessible fairly early in the game, don't be fooled by its modest level requirement, this weapon can be a reliable powerhouse when paired with the right skills and enhancements.

Here are the base stats of the Forge Maul:

    Physical Damage: 29–39

    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%

    Attacks per Second: 1.05

    Weapon Range: 1.3 metres

    Required Level: 11

    Required Strength: 27

    Drop Level: 11

    Weapon DPS (Physical, Phys+Chaos, Total): 35.7

These stats make it a great fit for builds that rely on slam skills, heavy critical strikes, or simply want to crush enemies with pure, overwhelming physical force. While its attack speed is moderate, the Forge Maul compensates with high base damage and solid reach.

How to Obtain the Forge Maul

The Forge Maul starts appearing in the loot pool once you reach level 11, which means it becomes available shortly after entering Act 2. You can acquire it through several different means:

    Random World Drops: Once you're at or above level 11, Forge Mauls can drop from monsters, chests, or destructible containers. Keep an eye out when exploring zones populated by strength-based enemies, they're more likely to drop heavy weaponry like mauls and maces.

    Vendors: Check weapon vendors in Act 2 and onward. While not guaranteed, vendors often refresh their stock based on your level, and you might find a Forge Maul available for sale. This is a great way to snag a base type if you haven't been lucky with drops.

    Crafting: If you have a preferred socket color or modifier in mind, crafting is the way to go. Even if you get a Forge Maul with underwhelming stats, POE 2 Currency allows you to reroll and upgrade the weapon to better suit your build.

Upgrading the Forge Maul with POE 2 Currency

Path of Exile 2 continues to evolve its complex and rewarding crafting system. POE 2 Currency isn't just about trade, it's about transforming your gear. When it comes to enhancing a Forge Maul, here are a few of the most valuable currency items you can use:

    Orb of Alchemy: Instantly upgrades a normal (white) Forge Maul into a rare (yellow) item. This is often your first step toward making the weapon viable for endgame content.

    Chaos Orbs: Reroll all modifiers on a rare Forge Maul. Perfect if you find a decent one with bad stats, you can gamble for new affixes to better match your character's needs.

    Essences: These currency items force a specific modifier onto the item. For example, Essence of Contempt guarantees added physical damage. Combining this with the Forge Maul's high base damage can lead to devastating results.

    Crafting Bench Mods: Once unlocked, the crafting bench in your hideout allows you to add or reroll specific modifiers. For example, adding increased attack speed or critical strike chance can dramatically boost the Forge Maul's performance.

    Exalted Orbs: If you're aiming for perfection, Exalted Orbs let you add a new modifier to a rare item. These are expensive and rare, but can make a good Forge Maul into an elite-tier weapon.

    Divine Orbs: Use these to reroll the numeric values of modifiers. Ideal when you already have great affixes but want to push the damage numbers even higher.

Using POE 2 Currency wisely means you can take a lowly dropped Forge Maul and transform it into a finely tuned tool of destruction. Whether you're clearing mobs or facing down bosses, the right combination of mods can make this early weapon base viable far into the mid-game and even the early stages of endgame mapping.

Best Builds for the Forge Maul

The Forge Maul shines when used with builds that focus on critical strikes, stuns, or area-of-effect melee skills. Some ideal pairings include:

    Earthshatter: Take advantage of the weapon's raw power and knockback potential.

    Sunder: Great for AoE clear speed when paired with high physical damage.

    Heavy Strike: For a more traditional melee playstyle focused on massive single-target hits.

With the right passive tree setup and weapon scaling, the Forge Maul can serve as a backbone for a variety of strength-based melee builds.

Final Thoughts

The Forge Maul may be a humble two-handed mace on the surface, but with the right use of POE 2 Currency, it becomes a versatile weapon that can shape your entire early-to-mid game experience. Whether you're smashing through foes in campaign zones or experimenting with new builds, it offers a compelling combination of accessibility and power.

As the Path of Exile 2 beta expands and new systems are revealed, weapons like the Forge Maul are a great reminder of how itemization and smart crafting continue to define the franchise's legacy. And with the evolving role of POE 2 Currency, even a level 11 base type can become legendary in the hands of the right exile.

MMOexp POE 2 Team