Bosser: What is a Bosser in Path of Exile 2?

In Path of Exile 2, a bosser refers to a character build specifically designed to excel at defeating powerful bosses and endgame encounters. These builds prioritize high single-target damage, survivability, and often the ability to avoid or mitigate complex boss mechanics. Bossers are critical for progressing through Path of Exile’s challenging content, including maps, endgame bosses, and special events like the Atlas of Worlds.

What Makes a Bosser Unique?

A bosser focuses on specific traits and mechanics to handle the unique challenges of boss fights:

1. High Single-Target Damage:
   Bossers maximize APS against single targets, allowing them to quickly dispatch tanky and challenging bosses.

2. Defensive Layering:
   Survivability is key for boss fights. Bossers often utilize multiple defensive mechanics, such as:

   • Energy Shield or Life Regen
   • Evasion, Block, or Dodge
   • Resistance Caps or Immunities

3. Mobility and Utility:
   Bossers prioritize mobility skills like Dash, Flame Dash, or Shield Charge to avoid dangerous mechanics. They may also include utility skills for temporary defenses, such as Molten Shell^[1] or Immortal Call^[2].

How Does a Bosser Differ from Other Builds?

Unlike clear-speed builds, which focus on quickly farming large packs of enemies, a bosser sacrifices area-of-effect (AoE) damage for single-target strength. Bossers may struggle in content with numerous enemies but shine in one-on-one encounters.

Example Bossers in Path of Exile 2

Popular bosser builds often include skills or mechanics tailored to maximize single-target performance:

• Cyclone Slayer: Combines consistent damage with mobility.
• Essence Drain/Contagion Trickster: Balances strong damage over time (DoT) with solid defense.
• Fire Trap Elementalist: Excels at burst damage in stationary encounters.

Conclusion

In Path of Exile 2, a bosser is an essential build for conquering challenging boss encounters. By focusing on single-target damage, survivability, and utility, bossers play a critical role in endgame progression and farming high-value rewards.

References

1. [1] "Molten Shell". pathofexile.fandom.com. Retrieved January 02, 2025
2. [2] "Immortal Call ". pathofexile.fandom.com. Retrieved January 02, 2025