Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious action RPG sequels in years, with a complete visual overhaul, new campaign, and reworked combat systems that blend tactical pacing with devastating impact. One of the standout features in the sequel is the wide range of weapon base types available for different builds. Among the two-handed maces, the Snakewood Greathammer stands out as a heavy-hitting powerhouse that brings high stun potential and significant melee damage to the battlefield.
In this article, we'll break down everything you need to know about acquiring the Snakewood Greathammer in Path of Exile 2, why it's worth farming, or investing your POE 2 Currency for, and how it can elevate your melee or stun-based build.
What is the Snakewood Greathammer
The Snakewood Greathammer is a two-handed mace base type, available starting at level 45. It's known for its superior physical damage and excellent stun buildup potential, making it a perfect fit for strength-based characters who want to control enemies through brute force.
Base Stats:
Physical Damage: 59–109
Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%
Attacks per Second: 1.05
Weapon Range: 1.3 metres
Required Level: 45
Required Strength: 104
Implicit Modifier: (30–50)% increased Stun Buildup
This base weapon offers a great combination of raw damage and crowd control, with an above-average Weapon DPS of 88.2, making it ideal for builds that rely on slamming enemies into submission.
How to Get the Snakewood Greathammer
Acquiring the Snakewood Greathammer can be done in several ways, depending on your playstyle and how much effort, or POE 2 Currency, you're willing to spend.
1. Loot Drops
The most straightforward way to get this weapon base is as a random drop. It starts appearing at level 45 zones and higher, so grinding mid-game content, boss encounters, and high-difficulty areas can yield this item. Look for areas with increased mace drop rates or monsters known for melee loot.
2. Crafting Using POE 2 Currency
If you prefer a more reliable method, you can craft your own Snakewood Greathammer by using Path of Exile 2's robust crafting system. You'll need to obtain a white (normal) base of the hammer and then use crafting currencies to improve its quality and roll strong modifiers.
Commonly used POE 2 currencies for crafting include:
Orb of Transmutation: To upgrade a normal base item to magic.
Orb of Alchemy: Turns a normal item into a rare item with modifiers.
Chaos Orbs: Reforges a rare item with new random properties.
Exalted Orbs: Adds a new modifier to a rare item.
Essences and Fossils: For target crafting specific affixes like increased stun duration or physical damage boosts.
Investing your POE 2 Currency wisely during crafting can result in a Snakewood Greathammer that rivals even high-tier unique items in terms of damage and utility.
3. Trade Market
Another reliable method is to buy a Snakewood Greathammer from other players. The in-game trade market allows players to spend POE 2 Currency to acquire high-quality base weapons with strong rolls. Keep an eye out for those with high stun chance, attack speed, or increased physical damage prefixes.
Why the Snakewood Greathammer is a Strong Choice
The Snakewood Greathammer is more than just a strong melee weapon, it's a tool for crowd control and sustained pressure. The implicit stun buildup modifier allows players to stagger enemies more reliably, giving you breathing room in tight fights or against bosses with dangerous cast animations.
Pairing this hammer with support skills like:
Earthquake
Ground Slam
Shockwave Totem
…can lead to devastating combos that keep enemies locked in place or outright stunned.
Additionally, for players pursuing Stun-based Ascendancy classes, such as Juggernaut or Chieftain, the Snakewood Greathammer synergizes extremely well with nodes that reward stun duration and damage against stunned enemies.
Tips When Building with This Weapon
If you're committing to a Snakewood Greathammer build, here are a few POE 2 currency strategies to maximize your investment:
Use Currency on Gear First: Ensure you have high-strength armor and accessories that enhance melee physical damage and stun duration.
Upgrade Flasks: Use currency to craft utility flasks that help with leeching life, mitigating stun lock, or increasing movement speed to reposition quickly after slams.
Targeted Enchants: Save up currency for helmet or weapon enchants that add flat physical damage to attacks or increase melee area of effect.
Don't Overspend on Early Gear: Since the Snakewood Greathammer is mid-level, it's best to spend moderately. Save high-tier POE 2 currency for endgame weapons or uniques unless you find a particularly well-rolled hammer.
Final Thoughts
The Snakewood Greathammer is an underrated yet highly effective base weapon in Path of Exile 2, especially for strength-based builds that want to dominate enemies through raw power and crowd control. Whether you loot it from a dungeon boss, craft it using your accumulated POE2 Currency, or purchase a top-tier version on the trade market, this weapon is a reliable and versatile option.
In the evolving world of Path of Exile 2, understanding weapon bases like the Snakewood Greathammer, and the best ways to acquire and enhance them, is key to staying ahead in Wraeclast. So swing big, stun often, and make every hit count.
MMOtg POE 2 Team
