In Path of Exile 2, character power is no longer defined only by raw damage numbers, but by how well you understand and POE2 Currency exploit new mechanics. One of the most talked-about mechanics among melee and strength-based players is Giant's Blood. While it may sound like a simple stat modifier at first glance, Giant's Blood is actually a build-defining mechanic that can dramatically change how your character equips weapons, scales damage, and survives in endgame content.

This essay explains what Giant's Blood is, how to obtain it, how it works mechanically, and how to use it effectively in real builds.

What Is Giant's Blood?

Giant's Blood is a keystone-style passive effect in Path of Exile 2 that fundamentally alters weapon requirements. Its defining feature is that it allows your character to wield oversized or extremely heavy weapons by massively increasing your effective Strength for weapon requirements. In practice, this means you can equip weapons that would normally be impossible or highly impractical for your character.

However, Giant's Blood is not a free power boost. Like many powerful mechanics in PoE 2, it comes with significant trade-offs, often increasing attribute demands, resource costs, or limiting certain defensive options. This makes it a tool for specialized builds rather than a universal upgrade.

How to Get Giant's Blood

Giant's Blood is typically obtained through one of the following methods:

Passive Skill Tree Keystone

Giant's Blood appears as a keystone or notable on the expanded Path of Exile 2 passive tree, usually positioned in Strength-heavy or Warrior-oriented regions. You'll need to path toward it, which already nudges your build toward melee, armor, and life scaling.

Ascendancy or Class Interaction

Certain Warrior-style ascendancies synergize naturally with Giant's Blood, offering bonuses to Strength, weapon damage, or endurance mechanics that offset its downsides.

Unique Items (Conditional Access)

In some cases, unique items or endgame gear may grant Giant's Blood directly or replicate its effect under specific conditions. These items are rare and usually build-defining.

Because of its impact, Giant's Blood is rarely something you "accidentally" pick up. You plan around it from early leveling.

How Giant's Blood Works

Mechanically, Giant's Blood multiplies the effect of Strength for weapon requirements, allowing you to equip weapons far above your natural attribute limits. This enables:

Ultra-high base damage weapons

Slower but harder-hitting playstyles

Builds that focus on single, devastating attacks rather than speed

The downside is usually tied to increased attribute strain, slower attack speed, or reduced flexibility in gear choices. You may need to invest heavily into Strength, life, and armor just to keep the build stable.

Best Builds for Giant's Blood

Giant's Blood shines in slow, crushing melee builds, especially those built around:

Two-handed slam skills (Earthshatter-style or ground-impact skills)

Bleed or stun-focused builds

Juggernaut-like defensive setups with armor and endurance scaling

These builds benefit enormously from oversized weapons because base weapon damage directly scales many melee skills. One massive hit can outperform multiple smaller strikes, especially against bosses.

How to Use Giant's Blood Effectively

To use Giant's Blood well, keep these principles in mind:

Commit Fully

Half-measures don't work. You must fully invest in Strength, life, and defenses to offset the drawbacks.

Scale Base Damage First

Prioritize weapons with extremely high base physical damage. Giant's Blood is wasted on mediocre gear.

Leverage Defensive Layers

Armor, endurance charges, and damage reduction are essential, as slower attacks mean you're exposed longer.

Boss-Focused Playstyle

Giant's Blood excels in boss encounters where single hits matter more than clear speed.

Conclusion

Giant's Blood is one of Path of Exile 2's most exciting mechanics because it rewards commitment, planning, and cheap POE2 Currency mechanical understanding. It transforms your character into a true juggernaut—slow, deliberate, and devastating. While it is not suited for every build, players who embrace its strengths and respect its limitations will find Giant's Blood to be one of the most satisfying ways to experience melee combat in Path of Exile 2.