I clear roots in Path of Exile 2’s Grim Thicket all the time; I’ll tell you exactly how I do it and why those methods work. I’m a veteran player and, between us, some of the official tips are overblown. Read on and you’ll save time and irritation.
Roots in the Grim Thicket 🌿
The Thicket is dense and the roots aren’t just scenery. They block routes, hide loot, and change how you move through the map. I’ve noticed three main root types: Static, Corrupted, Ancient. Each behaves differently and needs different tactics. This matters because using the wrong method wastes flasks and cooldowns.
Quick fact: as of March 12, 2025, map mechanics in Grim Thicket still favor fire damage against organic obstacles in most public leagues (patches since 2024 kept that). That’s why I usually prepare fire tools first.
Tools and Skills That Actually Work
Fire spells hit roots fast. I use Ignite, Burning Arrow, and Fireball depending on range (honestly, Burning Arrow won’t work the way you expect if your gear lacks crit). For melee, pick area-of-effect strikes with penetration. Why? Roots act like clustered mobs—AoE breaks them faster, and penetration avoids spending time hitting the same piece over and over.
| Build | Go-to Skill | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger | Burning Arrow | Range, DoT works between hits |
| Witch | Fireball | Explosive AoE, quick clear |
| Warrior | Sunder | Crushes grouped roots |
Unique items can be game-changing. I’ve used Ashcaller wand to speed clearing. Rootripper-type axes are rare; don’t bank on one. Stock Oil Flasks and a movement flask.
Step-by-Step Clearing
Scout first. Why? Some roots are traps that spawn enemies when hit. I’ve been ambushed enough to swear by scouting.
- Identify root type visually and by damage feedback
- Clear nearby enemies
- Apply debuffs or use Oil Flask
- Focus your highest DPS skill
- Finish quickly—some roots regenerate if left half-destroyed
Watch this: ancient roots often need a ritual or shrine activation. You’ll see runes or a mini-boss. Try using Essence of Delirium only where loot justifies the cost (there are exceptions).
// quick macro example
/cast Flammability
/wait 0.5
/cast Fireball
/cast Burning Arrow
(That macro is just a template. Tweak timing to your ping.)
Common Mistakes — and What I Do Instead
Players rush in without prepping gear or checking corruption levels. In my experience, corrupted zones have reinforced roots that regen unless you burst them down. Team up if you can—soloing a highly corrupted Thicket is maddening and, frankly, inefficient.
“Don’t try to smash every root; some are story-locked and won’t take damage.” — practical advice
- Use Vaal skills for instant high damage
- Time flasks and cooldowns for bursts
- Mark persistent root locations on your map
Pro tip: during seasonal events (example: Blood Moon variant in 2023), root health and respawn rules changed dramatically—so always check event notes for the current season (I check patch notes on poe.com before dives).
Here’s the funny part: I sometimes clear roots faster by leaving minor ones alone and focusing on a single route. Sounds odd, but it preserves resources and gets me to key drops quicker. Counterintuitive? Yes. Effective? Also yes.
Controversial point: grouping always isn’t better. Solo burst builds can outpace a sloppy party for certain loot runs. Some players will disagree — and that’s fine!
One last caveat: not everything works the same for every niche. Depends on your build, your stash, and what you’re farming. Practice helps. I’ve stumbled over mechanics before and learned from it—so you will too. Keep at it, and you’ll move through the Grim Thicket with confidence. Good luck, exile! 🌟
