Each boss is followed by Last Epoch gold a champion enemy, compounding the pressure. Since there are no breaks between fights, resource management is critical.

Survival & Build Recommendations

High Single-Target DPS: burn down bosses quickly to conserve resources.

Reliable AoE Damage: clear champion enemies without dragging fights.

Mobility Skills: abilities like Lunge or Teleport are essential for dodging telegraphed attacks.

Strong Defenses: prioritize Ward generation, resistances, and life leech to withstand back-to-back encounters.

Cooldown Reduction: ensure defensive skills are ready when needed most.

Players who underestimate the endurance aspect of the Gauntlet often falter. Think of it less as seven individual fights and more as a single marathon encounter.

The Sacrificial Altar Explained

Defeating the Gauntlet unlocks the Sacrificial Altar, a brand-new crafting mechanic that takes Uniques and Legendaries to the next level. Here's how it works:

Place your two duplicate Uniques on the altar.

One item is sacrificed, and its power fuels a reroll of the affix values on the other.

All affixes reroll within their possible ranges, while Legendary affixes retain their current tier.

The sacrificial item must have equal or higher Legendary Potential (LP) than the target item.

This system allows players to repeatedly refine powerful items, searching for the perfect stat distribution to fit their builds. It also synergizes beautifully with the Nemesis system, which is ideal for farming low-LP versions of Uniques to feed the altar.
Why the Gauntlet Matters

The Gauntlet of Strife represents more than just another tough fight. It's a gear refinement system wrapped in a high-skill challenge. Instead of relying solely on lucky drops, players now have agency to improve their equipment through both combat mastery and smart resource use.

For min-maxers, this means endless possibilities. For casual players, it provides a structured way to make gradual improvements. And for everyone, it's one of the most exciting additions to Last Epoch's already rich endgame.

So, if you think your build is ready, dive into the Gauntlet of Strife. Just don't forget: in Last Epoch, victory is only half the reward-the real prize lies in what you create at the altar afterward. Having enough cheap Last Epoch gold will help you a lot.

If you're looking for a melee powerhouse that combines simplicity, tankiness, and high damage, the Druid Werebear Lightning Swipe build is one of the strongest and most enjoyable options available in Last Epoch. This guide breaks down every part of the build-from skills and passives to gear and leveling-so you can recreate it and dominate endgame content with ease.

Overview

This build transforms your Druid into a melee monster that relies on Lightning Swipe while in Werebear form. The gameplay is straightforward:

Rampage for movement.

Swipe for damage.

Automated Maelstrom, Warcry, and Earthquake for extra damage and defenses.

Even at 764 corruption, this setup clears large packs quickly and can face tank most bosses with minimal dodging. Having a lot of Last Epoch gold will help you deal with bosses more easily. Thanks to strong AoE, excellent sustain, and heavy stun chance, it feels both powerful and lazy to play-perfect for players who want to cheap Last Epoch gold smash enemies without constant micromanagement.