In Path of Exile 2, most bosses are simply obstacles- test your build, claim your loot, and move on. But Mektul, the Forgemaster, breaks that mold entirely. He's not overly lethal by himself, but the environment and mechanics around him make this a build-breaking, time-sensitive encounter.

Where to Find Mektul

·Location: Molten Vault

·Zone: Drowned City (Act Three)

·Quest: Treasures of Utzaal

Find the Molten Vault at the outskirts of your map- hug the outer walls of the Drowned City until you uncover it. The vault radiates heat and is impossible to miss once discovered.

Why This Fight Is Unique

Mektul's core challenge lies in environmental pressure. From the moment the battle starts, lava begins creeping toward you, slowly consuming the arena. You must defeat him before you're pushed into a corner- or melted alive.

Mektul's Attacks and How to Avoid Them

·Hammer Slam: Charges and slams a hammer down. Low damage, Dodge to the side.

·Axe Slash: Sweeping slash with visual wind-up. It may come as a double hit, Dodge back or behind him.

·Leap Slam: Jumps toward ranged players and slams down, dodges sideways.

·Magma Slam: Long wind-up followed by a magma trail. Dodge perpendicular to the trail.

·Magma Slash: Slashes and spills magma across the ground. Sidestep quickly.

·Detonate: Roars, detonating nearby glowing stalagmites. Run far from the stalagmites immediately.

·Magma Circle: Creates an AoE circle around him that explodes after a delay. Exit the circle quickly.

·Magma Walk: Retreats into lava and slowly advances, emitting rolling magma waves. Stay mobile and avoid obstacles.

Best Builds and Gear for Mektul

The key to beating Mektul isn't durability- it's burst damage. You need to front-load DPS or risk being forced into lava. If your build lacks burst, consider these adjustments:

Universal Gem & Passive Tips:

1. Bleed Combo:

·Use Lacerate to apply Bleed.

·Follow up with a Bloodlust-supported skill for huge damage.

2. DPS Boosters:

·Martial Tempo: Great for general DPS output.

·Close Combat: For melee builds- ideal since you're always near Mektul.

·Life Thief: Sustain minor damage while maintaining pressure.

3. Execute Finisher:

·Equip Execute on your primary attack for 35% HP and below phase.

·Essential for burst-damage push at the end.

4. Respect Passives:

·Remove defense nodes and pick offensive ones.

·Speak to The Hooded One in town to respec easily.

Battle Tactics & Pro Tips

1. Move Mektul Away from the Lava

Pull him further up the lane early on. The more time you create between lava and your current position, the more chances you get to stop and burst.

2. Dodge Toward, Not Away

Most of Mektul's attacks are telegraphed. Dodging toward him, rather than away, keeps you in his melee range, minimizing downtime between dodging and attacking.

3. Save Mobility Cooldowns for Lava Waves

When he enters his Magma Walk phase, use your movement skills (Leap Slam, Dash, Whirling Blades) to bypass stalagmites and reposition. This is a DPS downtime phase- survival is key here.

Loot & Rewards

Mektul has a higher-than-average drop chance for Path of Exile 2 Currency, molten-themed uniques, and support POE 2 Orbs, including:

·Molten Mantle (Armor)

·Forgemaster's Wrath (Support Gem)

·Rare crafting materials tied to Fire and AoE interactions

Final Thoughts

Mektul, the Forgemaster, is a DPS check wrapped in environmental dread. It's a puzzle disguised as a fight. Bring damage, bring awareness, and above all, don't let the lava catch you.