Blackjaw the Remnant is recognized as one of the toughest bosses you’ll encounter in the Path of Exile 2 campaign. If you’re having difficulty overcoming him, we have outlined the most effective strategies to conquer this formidable foe.
How to Defeat Blackjaw the Remnant in Path of Exile 2: Effective Strategies
Before you dive into the battle, it’s essential to understand Blackjaw’s attack patterns and weaknesses.
Despite his formidable presence, Blackjaw moves slowly and has large attack telegraphs. Most of his attacks are area-of-effect (AoE), which means that even if you dodge an initial strike, you might still get hit by the surrounding AoE damage. His powerful strikes can deal heavy damage, making it vital to dodge effectively to take him down.
If you’re struggling against Blackjaw, it might be because you’re not exploiting his significant flaw: poor tracking. If you remain in melee range, Blackjaw finds it challenging to connect with his major attacks. In fact, you might not need to dodge his attacks at all if you’re positioned correctly. Staying behind him is ideal, as he cannot hit you with a majority of his wide attacks from that position.
However, be cautious of his ground-igniting fiery attack; while this area of flames can damage you, it signals a follow-up combo with firebolts aimed at your location. Evade this flame attack quickly and return to melee range post-combo. Neglecting this could result in being struck by one of Blackjaw’s devastating blows, which may end your fight prematurely.
Best Builds for Overcoming Blackjaw the Remnant in Path of Exile 2
While players can create a variety of builds to eventually defeat Blackjaw, choosing one that can swiftly end the encounter is prudent, as a single mistake might lead to defeat.
Blackjaw exhibits a notable weakness to cold damage, making cold-focused builds particularly effective at quickly draining his health.
Further complicating matters for Blackjaw is his slow speed; thus, any build centered on armor penetration can significantly boost your damage. Since his armor is minimal, physical attacks become more devastating, especially when employing armor shredding strategies. Enhancing your physical damage will yield better results against him.
For builds leveraging poison as their primary damage source, incorporating the Corrosion support gem is highly recommended. This gem enhances poison damage while simultaneously reducing armor, increasing your Poison Magnitude and total damage inflicted on Blackjaw.
Additionally, non-poison Chaos damage builds are effective due to the minimal resistance Blackjaw has against this damage type. To further strip resistance, consider using either the Despair curse skill or the Withering Presence aura. Remember that in Path of Exile 2, an enemy’s resistance cannot drop below zero; thus, using both together is unnecessary and inefficient.
In all scenarios, whether your build is melee or ranged, the execution of positioning—staying close to Blackjaw and behind him—plays a more critical role than the specific build type. Following this strategy can lead to surprisingly smooth victories over Blackjaw the Remnant.
FAQs About Defeating Blackjaw the Remnant
What is the best strategy to defeat Blackjaw the Remnant?
Stay in melee range and position yourself behind him to avoid most of his attacks. Be cautious of his ground fire attack, and return to melee quickly after his combos.
What type of damage is most effective against Blackjaw?
Cold damage is particularly effective due to Blackjaw’s armor weaknesses, while builds focusing on physical damage and armor shredding can significantly amplify your overall damage.
Are poison and chaos damage builds viable against Blackjaw?
Yes, poison builds using the Corrosion support gem can deal high damage, while chaos damage builds benefit from Blackjaw’s low resistance to this type of damage.
How important is agility in the Blackjaw fight?
Agility is crucial in avoiding Blackjaw’s heavy-hitting attacks; however, if you’re positioned correctly, you can significantly mitigate the need for dodging altogether.
What should I avoid doing while fighting Blackjaw?
Avoid staying at a distance where your damage output is minimized. Also, be wary of his fire-type attacks, as failing to dodge them may cost you the fight.