While you don't need these Uniques to Last Epoch gold level efficiently, finding any of them will make your progression noticeably faster and smoother.
Playing the Sentinel Through the Early Game
The Sentinel excels at taking direct fights and surviving encounters that might overwhelm more fragile classes. With Rive as your main damage dealer, supported by Lunge and Shield Rush for mobility, you'll cut through enemies quickly while staying durable.
Your damage scaling comes primarily from physical multipliers and attack speed, while your defenses rely on early passive nodes and naturally high armor scaling. The combination allows you to stay aggressive without worrying about being overwhelmed by groups of enemies.
As you approach the mastery choice, consider how your early investments can align with your long-term plans:
If you're aiming for Forge Guard, lean into nodes that complement Forged Weapons and armor scaling.
If Paladin is your choice, prepare to incorporate holy magic skills like Smite.
For a Void Knight, start considering synergies with void-based nodes and plan your transition from physical damage.
Final Thoughts
Idols – Look for Adorned Rahyeh Idols with "Chance to Cast Smite on Throwing Hit." This dramatically boosts both sustain and DPS. For extra offense, slot Large Rahyeh Idols with Throwing Crit Multiplier and Armor Shred on Hit.
Unique Items to Look Out For
While this build doesn't require Uniques, several can elevate it:
Firestarter's Torch – Drops as early as level 1, inflicting Spreading Flames on hit and reducing Mana costs for Fire abilities like Smite.
Bleeding Heart – Provides strong sustain early until Smite is available.
Thorn Slinger and Riverbend Grasp – Boost Throwing attack effectiveness.
Sigeon's Reprisal – A game-changer shield that auto-triggers Shield Throw when you're hit. Pair it with "Damage Reflected to Attackers" on idols to massively scale Shield Throw damage.
Final Thoughts
The Forge Guard may not have the flashy Void damage of the Void Knight or the holy scaling of the Paladin, but it makes up for it with sheer durability and unique throwing-based gameplay. This leveling build is straightforward, forgiving for new players, and extremely effective at clearing packs throughout the campaign.
While boss fights may take a little longer, the combination of Hammer Throw, Shield Throw, Plus sufficient cheap Last Epoch gold support. Strong sustain tools ensure you'll rarely feel overwhelmed. With proper gearing and idols, this Forge Guard setup becomes a reliable, tanky powerhouse that can carry you well into endgame content.
With 15 Mastery classes to choose from, Last Epoch offers one of the most diverse character progression systems in modern ARPGs. Masteries act as subclasses, allowing you to focus on a specific playstyle. They range from traditional fantasy archetypes like the Sorcerer to more experimental options like the Falconer, which has you darting across the battlefield while your bird companion deals devastating damage.
Choosing the right Mastery can be overwhelming, especially for new players. Some are strong across all aspects of the game, while others excel in niche areas but fall short overall. A large amount of Last Epoch gold provides you with strong support. To help you decide, we've ranked every Mastery for Season 2 in a tier list based on their performance in both mapping (clear speed) and bossing (single-target fights), as well as their defensive capabilities.
Leveling a Sentinel in Last Epoch is a rewarding experience for players who enjoy strong, melee-focused gameplay backed by durable defenses. Having a lot of cheap Last Epoch gold will make the experience better. The class offers flexibility in its early stages, but Rive-based builds supported by mobility skills remain the most efficient way to progress through the campaign.
By prioritizing damage-oriented stats, investing smartly in cheap Last Epoch gold the passive tree, and keeping an eye out for early-game Uniques, you'll be well prepared to transition into your chosen mastery. Whether you evolve into a Paladin, Void Knight, or Forge Guard, a well-leveled Sentinel sets the stage for dominating Last Epoch's endgame content.