In Path of Exile, few weapons command respect quite like Starforge. This legendary two-handed sword embodies raw, unrelenting physical force. With its immense base damage, ability to shock enemies with physical hits, and POE orbs significant life bonus, Starforge transforms any Exile into a force of cosmic devastation.
“Rise of Starforge” explores how to build around this iconic weapon—what classes, skills, and gear choices maximize its potential—and how to carve through Wraeclast and the Atlas with power and style.
What Makes Starforge Special?
Starforge is more than just a high-damage sword. It fundamentally reshapes how you build your character.
Starforge (Infernal Sword):
+400–500% increased Physical Damage
Adds 90–100 flat Physical Damage
Cannot deal Elemental Damage
20% increased Attack Speed
+20% to Maximum Life
Your Physical Damage can Shock
Shocked enemies take increased damage
Key Strengths:
Insane raw physical DPS
Life boost adds durability
Shock from physical damage, normally impossible, adds burst potential
No reliance on elemental scaling
Drawbacks:
No elemental or conversion support
Limited synergy with many skill gems and auras
Requires careful support gem and ascendancy choices
Best Classes and Ascendancies
Slayer (Duelist) – Best All-Rounder
Slayer offers massive leech through Brutal Fervour, AoE via Headsman, and high uptime on life recovery. Excellent for both clearing and bosses.
Juggernaut (Marauder) – Peak Survivability
If tankiness is your priority, Juggernaut delivers unstoppable endurance. With high armor, resistances, and consistent uptime on buffs, it's a perfect Hardcore choice.
Champion (Duelist) – Balanced Tank & Damage
Fortify on-hit, taunt, impale scaling, and generalist defenses make Champion a powerful and reliable Starforge wielder.
Top Skill Choices
Because Starforge prevents elemental damage, focus on pure physical attack skills that scale off weapon damage and benefit from high hit values.
Cyclone
Great clear speed and mobility
High attack rate benefits from shock and leech
Smooth bossing with consistent uptime
Earthshatter
Combines AoE clear and Warcry burst
Best used with Warcries like Seismic Cry and Enduring Cry
Boneshatter
Scales extremely well with raw weapon damage
Hits also damage you—great with Juggernaut or high mitigation builds
Shock chance synergizes with frequent high-damage hits
Heavy Strike
Best used as a single-target boss killer
Knockback can be useful or annoying depending on setup
Passive Tree and Key Keystones
Your passive tree should heavily prioritize:
Two-Handed Damage Clusters
Melee Critical Strike Chance (if not using Resolute Technique)
Life and Armor Scaling
Attack Speed
Leech Nodes (especially for Slayer)
Recommended Keystones:
Resolute Technique – If you want consistent hits and aren’t crit-based
Iron Reflexes – Converts Evasion to Armor, great for armor stacking
Call to Arms – Instant Warcry use; key for Earthshatter and Boneshatter
Cluster jewels can also add physical damage scaling, increased area of effect, or better Warcry synergy.
Supporting Gear Choices
With Starforge locking out elemental builds, gear must reinforce physical damage, survivability, and attack speed.
Helmet:
Devoto’s Devotion – Speed and chaos resistance
Abyssus – Massive damage, but beware the increased damage taken
Rare with +life, resistances, and -% physical taken is a safer option
Chest:
Kaom’s Heart – Massive life and fire resist
Rare Astral Plate – Life, resistances, and % Physical Taken as Elemental
Gloves:
Spiked Gloves – Inherent melee damage bonus
Look for attack speed, life, and resistances
Boots:
Movement speed, life, resists
Optional: Tailwind, Onslaught, or Brittle Ground if crit-based
Rings & Amulet:
Physical Damage to Attacks
Life, resistances, critical multiplier
Use Catalysts to enhance attack or physical modifiers
Flasks:
Lion’s Roar – Extra melee damage and knockback
Basalt Flask – Physical mitigation
Quartz Flask – Phasing + dodge
Instant Life Flask with bleed removal (Staunching)
Bossing & Mapping Tips
Clearing Maps:
Use Cyclone or Earthshatter with AoE and attack speed scaling
Slayer's leech or Juggernaut’s regen will sustain life through density
Use Pride, War Banner, or Flesh and Stone for powerful aura support
Bossing:
Swap to Heavy Strike or Boneshatter for massive single-target output
Use Warcries for burst windows
Shock increases boss damage taken—stack it via high damage hits
Conclusion: Become a Living Supernova
Path of Exile: Rise of Starforge invites players to wield one of the game’s most iconic weapons and dominate through brute force and superior survivability. While it forgoes elemental trickery and conversion mechanics, the raw numbers speak for themselves: few weapons offer the crushing might and versatility of Starforge when paired with the right build.
Whether you’re cleaving through T16 maps or standing face-to-face with Maven, Starforge turns your Exile into a melee juggernaut capable of surviving—and buy Path of Exile Currency conquering—Wraeclast's deadliest challenges.
