Path of Exile 3.26 Build Guide: Boneshatter Slayer

Boneshatter Slayer is a prominent melee build in Path of Exile 3.26, renowned for its strong boss damage and solid area-of-effect capabilities PoE 1 Currency. This build leverages the Slayer ascendancy, which affords high survivability and damage output, making it a versatile choice for both mapping and endgame bosses. Boneshatter's mechanics center around stacking Trauma debuffs on enemies while delivering powerful, impaling blows with a two-handed weapon, often an axe or mace, to maximize damage scaling and crowd control.

The Slayer ascendancy nodes chosen for this build typically include Brutal Fervour, Endless Hunger, Bane of Legends, and Headsman. These nodes collectively increase damage, life leech, and impale effects. The build emphasizes high life nodes in the passive skill tree for durability, as Boneshatter inflicts self-damage through Trauma stacks but benefits from fortify effects and life regeneration to sustain itself. Mana reservation efficiency is also notable for sustaining auras without compromising survivability. Attack Masteries that allow Boneshatter to strike multiple enemies or splash damage enhance its AoE utility considerably.

The core skill, Boneshatter, scales immensely with attack speed. Players often rely on the transfigured variant of the skill gem to enhance multistrike effects, increasing the number of hits and thus stacking more Trauma rapidly. Damage is further amplified through increased impale chance and stacking endurance charges, which also bolster defenses. For sustain, the Slayer's innate life regen and leech nodes are crucial to offset self-inflicted damage, while additional flask management and leech wheels are used to maintain health in tougher encounters.

In practice, the build performs very well across different content types. It is particularly strong in boss fights due to its high single-target damage and ability to consistently apply impale and Trauma stacks. Mapping and delving are also efficient thanks to the splash damage and the ability to clear groups quickly. Though the playstyle requires the player to engage at melee range and manage some self-damage mechanics carefully, it offers a straightforward and rewarding melee experience.

For leveling into the build, players often start with more accessible melee skills like Ground Slam and then transition into Sunder before acquiring Boneshatter itself, typically at the first Labyrinth to grab the Slayer ascendancy points. Auras such as War Banner, Vitality, and Herald of Purity support the build's offensive and defensive needs, while mobility skills like Leap Slam aid in positioning during fights.

Overall, the Boneshatter Slayer build in Path of Exile 3.26 presents a well-rounded melee option that combines high boss damage, substantial survivability, and effective AoE clear. While it demands some attention to sustain and positioning, it remains a favorite due to its satisfying playstyle and performance in both casual and competitive endgame activities. Future patches may further tweak its potential, but as it stands Poe 1 Divine Orb, this build is a strong choice for players looking for a durable, powerful melee experience.