PoE 2 Boss Guide: Rattlecage The Earthbreaker Strategy & Drops

Rattlecage, The Earthbreaker is the formidable final boss of the Trial of the Sekhemas in Act 2 of Path of Exile 2. This massive construct of molten rock and ancient stone serves as the gatekeeper to your character's Ascendancy Class. Unlike standard campaign bosses, this fight is a test of perfection—you must defeat him not only by depleting his health but by preserving your Honour.

Lore & Background

Forged from the very heart of the Vastiri desert's volcanic depths, Rattlecage is an ancient guardian construct animated by the Sekhemas of old. He does not guard gold or territory; he guards potential.

He resides at the end of the Trial, a gauntlet designed to weed out the unworthy. Only those who can dance through his storms of magma without faltering are deemed worthy to Ascend. He is less a creature and more a living natural disaster.

Core Mechanics

The arena is a circular chamber that progressively fills with hazards. This encounter uses the Honour System unique to the Trial.

Unique Mechanic: Honour

• The Price of Failure
  Description: You have a secondary health bar called Honour. Every time you take damage from Rattlecage or his hazards, you lose Honour. If it reaches 0, you fail the entire Trial immediately, regardless of your HP.
  Strategy: Tanking hits is not an option. You must prioritize Dodging over dealing damage. Shields and Armor do not protect your Honour.
• You must ensure that your honor value is at least 400 points when entering the battle; otherwise, even if you defeat the BOSS, you will fail the challenge due to honor depletion. • Bring relics that increase your honor cap (such as equipment that adds 500-600 honor) to significantly improve tolerance for mistakes. • Avoid excessive honor consumption in other trial stages to reserve ample buffer for the final BOSS fight.

Boss Abilities

• 1.  Slam Ruckus
  Description: Rattlecage raises both arms and slams them down on the ground, typically performing 4 consecutive hammer strikes. The first few strikes have a smaller range, while the last one creates a massive shockwave through Earthquake Large Impact.
  Strategy: The wind-up is slow and telegraphed. Side Roll immediately. Do not step on the glowing fissures left behind, as they deal ticking Fire damage (and Honour loss).
• 2.  Magma Nova
  Description: This is his most threatening AOE skill. Rattlecage charges in place and then releases 3 waves of gradually expanding red energy pulses. 
  Strategy: You must immediately move away from him while he is charging, or use the invincibility frames from rolling to pass through the waves (which is more difficult)
• 3. Ground Fissure
  Description: Boss injected energy into the ground, tearing a rift filled with lava into the earth.
  Strategy:This fissure will last for a period of time. Players standing on it will continuously take fire damage and be slowed down. Be sure to pay attention to your positioning.

Recommended Builds

Rattlecage is highly resistant to Fire but Weak to Cold. Mobility is paramount.

• Sorceress - Ice Nova/Frost Bolt: Cold damage deals bonus damage to him and can Chill him, slowing his attack animations and making them easier to dodge.
• Monk - Mobile Striker: The Monk's high mobility allows you to weave in and out of the volcanoes. Use "Hit and Run" tactics; do not commit to long combos.
• Key Stats: Movement Speed is the single most important stat to save your Honour. Fire Resistance helps mitigate the actual HP damage if you do get hit.

Loot Table

Defeating Rattlecage completes the Trial, granting access to the Altar of Ascendancy and exclusive Trial rewards.