Path of Exile 2 is packed with powerful new skills and unique items that open up fresh archetypes for players to explore. Among these, the Skull Spell and Rattling Sceptre are standout options for players building necromancer-style or bone magic-based characters. These tools offer a compelling mix of direct spell damage and minion synergy, creating one of the most bone-chilling (literally) archetypes in the game.

In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to acquire Skull Spell and the Rattling Sceptre, where to farm them, the best classes to use them with, and how they synergize in a viable build.

 What is Skull Spell in PoE2?

Skull Spell is a new necromancy-themed active skill in Path of Exile 2 that lets players summon and launch skulls that explode or apply curses upon impact. It occupies a middle ground between minion summoning and direct spellcasting. You don’t control the skulls like traditional summons—they’re more like magical projectiles imbued with necrotic power.

Key Features of Skull Spell:

Deals physical and chaos damage, depending on modifiers.

Can be supported by spell, projectile, and area support gems.

Has strong synergy with curse-based, bone, and minion passives.

Scales with spell damage, minion damage, and projectile speed.

There are multiple variations of the Skull Spell:

Exploding Skull: Detonates on contact, dealing AoE damage.

Hexing Skull: Applies a random or linked curse on enemies hit.

Piercing Skull: Pierces through enemies, scaling with projectile mods.

You can find Skull Spell gems early in Act 2 or 3 depending on your class choice.

 What is the Rattling Sceptre?

The Rattling Sceptre is a unique wand or sceptre (item class varies depending on the drop) that is thematically tied to bone and minion-based builds. It’s essentially a skull-topped magical implement that greatly enhances Skull Spell and similar bone-themed abilities.

Rattling Sceptre Stats (Example – Base Tier):

+X to Level of Skull Spell

Increased Minion and Spell Damage

% Chance to Create a Bone Totem on Kill

Socketed Spells Trigger Bone Explosion on Skull Hit

Adds Physical Damage to Spells

% Chance to Rattle Enemies (unique debuff reducing accuracy and movement speed)

The Rattling Sceptre is not just a weapon—it’s a core build enabler for players interested in Skull Spell-centric gameplay. The synergy it provides is unmatched, especially when combined with keystones or ascendancy bonuses that modify minion and bone magic.

How to Get Skull Spell in PoE2

There are several methods to get the Skull Spell gem depending on your chosen class and progression in the campaign:

1. Class Selection

The Witch, Necromancer, or Occultist archetypes can unlock Skull Spell naturally during Act 2-3.

If you start as another class (e.g., Ranger or Warrior), you can still acquire it through vendors later in the campaign.

2. Quest Rewards

Skull Spell is a reward for completing the “Tomb of the Forgotten” quest in Act 3, found in the Gravewind Temple.

If not offered directly, you can use a Gem Vendor to purchase it in town afterwards.

3. Vendor NPCs

The gem becomes purchasable from magic vendors once you've completed certain side quests.

Look for vendors in Act 3’s Bonehaven Encampment or Act 4’s Necropolis Outpost.

4. Trade and Drop Sources

Skull Spell can drop from:

Necromancer-type enemies

Sorcerer minibosses

Bone-themed dungeon bosses (e.g., Bone Warden, Crypt Lich)

You can also trade with other players for a leveled or quality-enhanced version.

 How to Get the Rattling Sceptre in PoE2

The Rattling Sceptre is a rare drop or craftable unique item that appears primarily in mid-to-late game. Here's how to get your hands on it:

1. Farming Locations

Best known drop sources for Rattling Sceptre:

Gravewind Catacombs (Act 4): Skeleton generals and bone sorcerers have a chance to drop it.

The Ossuary (Act 5): A dungeon filled with necrotic monsters and a unique boss named “The Bonecaller.”

Tomb of Screams (Act 6): End boss here has a boosted chance to drop Rattling Sceptre.

Farm bosses with “of Rattling Death” affixes on maps or instanced areas for best odds.

2. Crafting the Sceptre

You can craft the Rattling Sceptre using a combination of:

Bone Totem Shards – dropped by skeletal champions

Echoing Essence – dropped by wailing spirits in cursed areas

Necrotic Alloy – rare material found in grave-themed expedition chests

Use these at a bone forge or necromantic altar in Act 6+ crafting zones.

3. Corruption and Fusion

You can corrupt a high-tier bone sceptre using Vile Bone Curses in the Bone Forge to attempt upgrading it to a Rattling Sceptre.

Alternatively, fuse it using the Twinned Soul Ritual in an Act 7 Temple zone.

4. Trade Market

If crafting isn’t your thing, head to the trade market and look for:

“Rattling Sceptre (Uncorrupted)”

“+3 Skull Spell” variants

Sceptres with “Bone Explosion on Skull Hit”

Expect to pay a premium during early ladder seasons.

Best Builds Using Skull Spell + Rattling Sceptre

If you want to get the most out of these tools, here are some recommended builds:

1. Bone Hex Occultist

Focus: Maximize curse application and AoE debuffs.

Gear: Skull Spell + Rattling Sceptre + Curse-on-Hit gear.

Use Bone Offering and Despair Aura.

2. Skull Bomber Necromancer

Focus: Launch dozens of explosive skulls that deal physical + chaos damage.

Gear: Dual Rattling Sceptre (or 1h + shield), corpse-based scaling armor.

Stack projectile speed and minion damage.

3. Totemic Skullshaper

Focus: Use Bone Totems summoned by the Sceptre to auto-cast Skull Spell.

Synergy: Pair with totem passives and minion health boosts.

 Tips to Optimize Your Skull Spell Build

Use Faster Casting + Pierce Supports to make your skulls more effective.

Boost area damage for exploding skull variants.

Minion life scaling can also affect the skull’s explosive potential.

Use curses like Vulnerability and Temporal Chains to enhance control.

 Summary

The Skull Spell and Rattling Sceptre in Path of Exile 2 are cornerstones of any necromancer or bone magic build. Whether you want to rain down exploding skulls or control the battlefield with curses and bone totems, these tools offer flexibility, power, POE 2 Orbs and flavor. Getting them requires effort—questing, farming, crafting, or trading—but once acquired, they can carry your build deep into endgame content.