PoE 2 Boss Guide: Rootdredge Strategy & Drops

Rootdredge is a colossal skeletal horror encountered in the Sandswept Marsh, a blighted swamp within the jungles of Act 3. This optional boss is a horrifying amalgamation of giant animal bones and corrupted swamp roots, animated by a malevolent spirit. The fight is a battle of attrition, requiring players to dodge subterranean root attacks while the boss remains a constant, targetable threat on the surface.

Lore & Background

The Sandswept Marsh is a graveyard for the megafauna that once roamed the Aggorat jungles. The corrupting influence of the Vaal has seeped into the bones, and the parasitic swamp roots have acted as sinew, knitting them together into a mockery of life.

Rootdredge is not one creature, but many, bound into a single skeletal form. It stalks the murky ground, its hollow ribcage filled with swamp muck and gnarled roots. It is the mindless guardian of the marsh, attacking any living thing that disturbs its resting place.

Core Mechanics

Rootdredge one of the most dangerous attacks is called 'Exploding Corpses'. Nearby zombies or corpses will emit a green light and then explode after a short delay.These explosions can cause massive damage, and if multiple explosions occur nearby, the consequences will be catastrophic. To avoid this, stay away from glowing zombies or corpses. If there are too many such creatures around, quickly escape before the explosion happens.

Phase 1: The Bone Dredger

• 1. Corpse Detonation
  Description: Rootdredge casts a spell that detonates all corpses on the field.Deals Fire or Chaos damage based on the maximum health of the corpses.If you are standing among the corpses, this move is an One-shot skill.
  Strategy: Stay Away from Corpses. When you see him start to guide (usually with a red or green light on his body), immediately move away from any corpses on the ground.
• 2. Unearth
  Description: Rootdredge plunges massive bone claws into the ground and then yanks them out violently.Drags a large number of corpses and tree roots from underground,scattering them across the arena.
  Strategy: This is his 'loading ammunition' action. Once you see him digging, be ready to dodge the subsequent corpse explosion.
• 3. Bile Spit
  Description: It regurgitates a volley toxic sludge.
  Strategy: The projectiles create pools of Caustic Ground that deal Chaos Damage over Time. Lure these pools to the edges of the arena.

Recommended Builds

Since the boss is always targetable, builds with sustained damage are very effective.

• Druid - Volcano / Bear Slam: As seen in the official Druid demo, you can place a Volcano, and then time a heavy Bear Slam to hit just as the boss finishes an attack for massive burst damage.
• Ranger - Kiting: The ability to move while shooting allows you to constantly damage the boss while kiting its underground claws and Bone Roll.
• Key Stats: Chaos Resistance is mandatory to mitigate the swamp damage. Movement Speed is crucial for dodging its various attacks.

Loot Table

Rootdredge drops a key quest item that grants a permanent character upgrade.