How to Finish Cult Quest Guide In The Forge (March 2026) Full Guide
If you’ve found yourself stuck in the suffocating heat and mechanical chaos of The Forge Cult quest, you aren’t alone. This quest has quickly become one of the most talked-about challenges in the game this month, notorious for its tricky puzzle mechanics and a punishing boss fight that requires more than just button mashing.
When I first ventured into the cult’s territory, I was overwhelmed by the waves of enemies and the confusing layout of the forge. But after spending hours deciphering the mechanics and testing different strategies, I’ve compiled everything you need to know to not only start but finish this quest with all its hidden rewards.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the quest prerequisites, a step-by-step walkthrough to navigate the forge, strategies to crush the High Forgemaster, and the loot you should expect to walk away with.
Quest Overview: The Forge Cult at a Glance
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details, here’s a quick breakdown of what you’re getting into with The Forge Cult quest.
| Quest Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Quest Type | Main Storyline / Dungeon Crawl |
| Recommended Level | Level 45+ |
| Key Location | The Iron Sectors (Sector 7) |
| Main Boss | The High Forgemaster (Tanky, Fire Damage) |
| Primary Rewards | [Cinderheart Greatsword], 5000 Gold, Forge Cult Mask |
| Difficulty | Hard (Requires puzzle-solving and dodging) |
Step 1: Prerequisites and Starting the Quest
You can’t just walk into the Forge Cult’s hideout immediately. The game locks this content behind a few specific requirements to ensure you’re prepared for the heat.
- Reach Level 45: The enemies here scale with your level, but anything below 45 will make the damage numbers feel unfair.
- Complete “The Cold Embers”: This is the precursor quest. You must have retrieved the Cooling Salve from the Frozen Wastes. If you haven’t done this, the entrance to the forge will be barred by magical fire.
- Fire Resistance Gear: While not mandatory to start, having armor or consumables with fire resistance will save you countless of potions. I highly recommend crafting the [Frostwalk Boots] if you have the materials.
Once you’re ready, head to Sector 7. Look for the hidden path behind the waterfall near the Old Mill. Interact with the massive iron doors to trigger the cutscene and officially begin The Forge Cult.
Step 2: Navigating the Forge – The Three Flames Puzzle
This is where most players get stuck. The interior of the forge is a labyrinth of conveyor belts, pistons, and lava pits. To progress to the boss room, you need to reignite the Three Sacred Flames.
Locating the Flames
Here is the path I found most efficient to take:
- The Blue Flame (West Wing): Head left from the entrance. You’ll encounter a bunch of Cult Acolytes. They are weak but attack in groups. Clear them out and pull the lever to stop the steam vents. The Blue Flame brazier is at the end of the hall. Light it with your basic fire attack.
- The Green Flame (East Wing): This side is trickier. You have to time your movements across moving platforms over lava. Pro Tip: Don’t rush. Watch the lava eruptions—they follow a pattern. Once across, you’ll fight a mini-boss, the Overseer. He’s slow but hits hard. Dodge his slam attack and hit him from behind. Light the Green Flame after he falls.
- The Red Flame (Central Pit): This is behind a locked gate in the main hall. You can only open it after lighting the Blue and Green flames. Once open, drop down into the pit. Be careful, there are pressure plates on the floor that trigger traps.
Solving the Mechanism
After lighting all three, return to the main hall’s central console. You’ll notice three rotating dials. You must align them so the symbols match the murals on the walls:
- Dial 1 (Left): Set to the Hammer.
- Dial 2 (Center): Set to the Anvil.
- Dial 3 (Right): Set to the Sun.
If you mess this up, fire elementals will spawn. Reset the dials and try again. When done correctly, the floor will descend, taking you to the boss arena.
Step 3: The High Forgemaster Boss Fight
The High Forgemaster is the gatekeeper of this quest. He is a massive brute wielding a burning hammer that deals massive AoE (Area of Effect) damage.
Phase 1: Physical Aggression
In the beginning, the Forgemaster relies on physical hammer slams.
- Attack Pattern: He usually does a two-swing combo followed by a ground slam.
- Strategy: Stay close to his legs. It sounds counter-intuitive, but being directly under him makes his hammer swings miss you. Chip away at his health when he recovers from an attack.
Phase 2: The Cult’s Ritual (Summoning)
When his health drops to 60%, he will stomp the ground and become invulnerable for a short time. Three Cult Mages will appear on the balconies above.
- What to do: You must kill the mages quickly. Use a ranged weapon or long-range spells to take them out.
- Danger Zone: While the mages are alive, the floor will turn to lava in certain spots. Keep moving!
Phase 3: Enraged Fire
At 30% health, the Forgemaster’s hammer glows bright red. He gains a fire aura.
- New Attack: Fire breath and a rolling lava ball.
- Strategy: This is the sprint phase. Do not stop attacking. Use your highest damage cooldowns (Ultimates) here. If you have a frost-based weapon, switch to it now—he takes 20% extra damage from frost in this phase.
Step 4: Finishing the Quest and Rewards
Once the Forgemaster falls, he drops the [Cinderheart Greatsword], a powerful weapon that scales with Strength and Fire Damage.
Walk over to the anvil in the center of the room to forge the final quest item, the Key of Embers. This will trigger the final cutscene where you escape the collapsing forge.
Don’t leave yet! Before you teleport out, check the corner behind the anvil. There is a hidden chest containing the Forge Cult Mask, a cosmetic item that increases your intimidation stat with NPCs.
Advanced Tips and Common Mistakes
During my playthroughs and watching others attempt this, I noticed a few common pitfalls. Avoiding these will make your run much smoother.
1. Ignoring the Adds (Enemy Minions)
In Phase 2 of the boss fight, many players focus solely on the boss. This is a mistake. The Mages heal the Forgemaster if left alive too long. Prioritize the Mages immediately.
2. Forgetting Fire Resistance Potions
I mentioned this earlier, but it bears repeating. The heat in the forge drains your stamina faster if you don’t have resistance. Stock up on [Elixirs of Warmth] before entering. It makes the platforming section significantly less frustrating.
3. Missing the Secret Lore Room
In the East Wing (before the Green Flame), look for a cracked wall. You can break it down with a heavy attack. Inside, you’ll find lore entries that explain the backstory of the Forge Cult and why they worship the flame. It’s not essential for completion, but great for lore enthusiasts.
4. Not Using the Environment
In the first phase of the boss fight, there are massive chains hanging from the ceiling. If you lure the Forgemaster to hit the chains with his hammer, debris will fall on him, stunning him for 3 seconds. Use this window for free critical hits!
Recommended Loadout for Success
To maximize your chances of success, I recommend bringing a specific setup.
| Slot | Recommendation | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Weapon | Frost-infused Greatsword or Spear | Exploits weakness in Phase 3. |
| Armor | Heavy Armor with Roll Skill | Needed to tank the heavy hits. |
| Accessory | Ring of Fire Resistance | Reduces damage taken by 15%. |
| Consumables | 5x Health Potions, 3x Frost Grenades | Frost Grenades are great for Phase 2 adds. |
Troubleshooting: Why Can’t I Finish?
If you followed the steps but are stuck, here are a few solutions:
- The Door Won’t Open: Ensure you have completed “The Cold Embers”. Check your quest log; if it says “Report back to the Blacksmith,” you haven’t triggered the Forge Cult start yet.
- Can’t Light the Blue Flame: You need a fire source. If you are a melee class without magic attacks, buy a [Torch] from the general store in the hub area.
- Boss Glitch: Sometimes the Forgemaster gets stuck in the wall. If this happens, lure him out by standing near the entrance of the arena. If he stays stuck for more than 30 seconds, restart the game to reset the encounter.
FAQ’s
Can I complete The Forge Cult quest in co-op mode?
Yes, you can! Bringing a friend makes the Phase 2 add-management much easier. One player can distract the boss while the other snipes the mages. However, be aware that the boss health scales up slightly with each additional player.
What level is too low for this quest?
Anything below Level 40 is going to be extremely difficult. The enemies have high defense, and you might not deal enough damage to phase the boss before running out of potions. I recommend grinding to Level 45 first.
Is the Cinderheart Greatsword good for late game?
Absolutely. It has one of the highest base damages in the game for Strength builds. The fire damage proc also triggers on every hit, making it excellent for shredding enemies with high health pools.
I missed the Forge Cult Mask. Can I go back?
Yes. After completing the quest, you can fast travel back to the “Forges of the Fallen” checkpoint. The boss room will be empty, but the chest behind the anvil will remain there for you to loot.
Does the quest have a time limit?
No, there is no official timer. However, in Phase 3 of the boss fight, the lava level slowly rises. If you take too long, the entire arena becomes lava, dealing massive damage over time. You generally want to finish Phase 3 within 3-4 minutes to be safe.
Conclusion
The Forge Cult quest is a test of both your combat prowess and your patience. The puzzle can be frustrating, and the boss fight is intense, but the feeling of finally forging the Key of Embers is incredibly satisfying. By managing the adds in the second phase and exploiting the frost weakness in the final phase, you’ll bring the High Forgemaster to his knees in no time.
Good luck, adventurer. Don’t let the flames consume you.