Tomb of the Heretic is one of the most intriguing and rewarding rogue-like dungeons in Grim Dawn. Located deep within the shattered lands of the Forgotten Gods expansion, this dungeon is home to powerful enemies, deadly traps, and a unique boss encounter that can challenge even the most seasoned players. Known for its excellent loot potential and the secrets it hides within, the Tomb of the Heretic offers a mix of challenge, lore, and replayability that keeps players coming back for more. To fully conquer this dungeon, it’s important to understand its mechanics, layout, and the enemies you will face inside.
Location and Access
Where to Find the Tomb of the Heretic
The entrance to the Tomb of the Heretic is found in the western reaches of the Korvan Plateau, one of the areas introduced in the Forgotten Gods expansion. To enter the tomb, players need to use a Skeleton Key, as it is a rogue-like dungeon meaning once you enter, there’s no way out until you either complete it or die trying. Make sure to prepare thoroughly before stepping in, as the enemies and traps inside can be brutal for unprepared adventurers.
Requirements for Entry
- Access to the Forgotten Gods expansion
- A Skeleton Key for each attempt
- Character level of 65+ recommended
Dungeon Overview
What Makes Tomb of the Heretic Unique
This dungeon is different from many others in Grim Dawn due to its mix of environmental hazards, tightly packed enemy groups, and a high-risk, high-reward structure. It also has one of the best boss chests for loot farming. You will encounter Korvan-themed enemies, undead monstrosities, and unique mini-bosses leading up to the final showdown.
Layout and Structure
- Linear progression with multiple forked paths and optional rooms
- High density of enemies including elites and heroes
- Traps such as spike floors and fire jets are common
- Final chamber houses the main boss:Bane’Gargoth
Enemies and Challenges
Common Enemy Types
The dungeon is filled with Korvan undead, heretical cultists, and corrupted constructs. These enemies often come in large groups, making AoE damage and crowd control skills extremely valuable.
Mini-Boss Encounters
As you venture deeper, you’ll face mini-bosses such as Korvan Sentinels or Heretic Priests, who each have unique abilities like summoning reinforcements or area denial attacks. These foes are powerful enough to wipe out careless players, especially in Ultimate difficulty.
Trap Hazards
Tomb of the Heretic is notorious for its environmental traps. Fire jets erupt from walls, pressure plates trigger spike floors, and poison gas can fill certain chambers. Movement skills like Vire’s Might or Shadow Strike can help you avoid damage quickly, while resistance gear ensures survivability if you do get caught.
The Final Boss: Bane’Gargoth
Who Is Bane’Gargoth?
Bane’Gargoth is a massive Korvan horror who combines physical might with elemental magic. This boss has several phases, each with distinct mechanics and deadly attacks that can overwhelm the unprepared. He is considered one of the more challenging dungeon bosses due to his burst damage and area coverage.
Boss Mechanics
- Area of Effect Slams: Bane’Gargoth’s melee hits often come with splash damage.
- Elemental Pulses: Unleashes waves of fire and lightning that can cover large portions of the room.
- Summons: Occasionally spawns lesser minions to add pressure and distract you during the fight.
Tips to Defeat Bane’Gargoth
- Cap fire and lightning resistances
- Maintain mobility standing still often leads to death
- Use healing skills or potions proactively, not reactively
- Keep summons or pets alive if using pet builds they can draw aggro
Loot and Rewards
Why Run Tomb of the Heretic?
Besides the thrill of battle, this dungeon offers some of the best loot opportunities in Grim Dawn. The final boss chest can drop high-tier legendary items, set pieces, blueprints, and rare crafting materials. Additionally, the dungeon frequently drops valuable MIs (Monster Infrequents) that are highly sought after for specific builds.
What You Can Find
- Mythical Legendaries
- Korvan relic blueprints
- Unique MI gear like Korvan Eldritch Rings and Heretic Robes
- High chance of rare crafting components like Ugdenblooms
Farming Efficiency
Many players farm Tomb of the Heretic due to its relatively short run time and high loot quality. With an optimized build and good map knowledge, a single run can take under 10 minutes. Using movement skills and skipping optional rooms helps increase your farming speed, although some choose to fully clear the dungeon for extra experience and loot.
Build Recommendations
Ideal Playstyles
- High Mobility Builds: Builds that use Vire’s Might, Blitz, or Shadow Strike can navigate traps and enemies more easily.
- Tanky Characters: Builds with high resistances and health regeneration perform well in the boss chamber.
- AoE Focused Builds: Since the dungeon has dense enemy packs, AoE-centric classes like Warder, Purifier, or Dervish shine here.
Pet Builds
Summoner-style builds with a mix of pets and support skills can also thrive in Tomb of the Heretic. Just be cautious of traps that can quickly wipe your minions, and make sure to keep summon uptime consistent throughout the dungeon.
Lore and Story Relevance
Forgotten Gods Narrative
The dungeon fits into the greater story arc of the Forgotten Gods expansion. It contains fragments of lore that shed light on ancient Korvan civilization and the heretical practices that brought ruin upon it. Reading notes and defeating named enemies offers additional insight into Grim Dawn’s rich worldbuilding.
The Heretics
The Heretic in the dungeon’s name refers to the corrupted followers who rejected divine order, instead worshipping forgotten deities or eldritch powers. Their influence still lingers in the tomb, making it a haunted place full of corruption, wrath, and forbidden magic.
Grim Dawn’s Tomb of the Heretic stands as one of the most intense and rewarding rogue-like dungeons in the game. With deadly enemies, devious traps, and a final boss that pushes players to their limits, it delivers a thrilling experience for those who dare to enter. Whether you’re chasing legendaries, unraveling story threads, or simply seeking a fun challenge, this dungeon is a must-visit for any adventurer. Prepare well, know your path, and bring your best gear because once the tomb is opened, only skill and grit will get you out alive.