U4GM: How to Get the Reign of Winter in Last Epoch and Its Unique Affixes

[Smsnaker235]

For adventurers delving into the frosty depths of Last Epoch, the Reign of Winter stands out as a highly coveted unique bow. This powerful weapon is a cornerstone for many cold-damage bow builds, particularly those centered around the Freezing Arrow skill. Understanding how to acquire this elusive item and appreciating its unique properties is key to unlocking the full potential of your Marksman Last Epoch Gold.

Obtaining the Reign of Winter

Similar to numerous distinctive items in Last Epoch, the Reign of Winter is mainly obtained through the game's extensive end-game system known as the Monolith of Fate. Although it is classified as a world drop, implying that it can potentially drop from any enemy at any location, your likelihood of acquiring it is greatly enhanced by concentrating on particular activities:

Empowered Monoliths: This represents your most favorable option. Participating in Empowered Monolith Timelines (level 90 and above) significantly boosts the drop rate for unique and set items.
Corruption: Elevating the Corruption level in your Monolith Timelines also enhances item rarity and quantity, thus improving your odds of obtaining unique drops.
Gambling (Lightless Arbor/Circle of Fortune): If you belong to the Circle of Fortune faction, you may occasionally utilize the Prophecies system to target unique bows. Furthermore, while it is less dependable for specific uniques, the "Gambler" NPC in town permits you to spend gold to gamble for particular item types.

As you diligently farm these empowered timelines for the elusive Reign of Winter, you'll naturally accumulate a wealth of other valuable items and materials. Selling these unwanted drops to vendors or, if you're part of the Merchant's Guild, listing them on the Bazaar, is an excellent way to steadily build up your buy Last Epoch Gold reserves, essential for crafting, idol purchases, and other character optimizations.

Unique Affixes of Reign of Winter
The Reign of Winter is prized for its specific affixes that synergize perfectly with cold-based bow builds:

+2 to Level of Freezing Arrow: This is arguably the most impactful affix, directly boosting the damage and effectiveness of your primary skill.
(15-25)% Chance to Apply Frailty on Hit: Frailty is a debuff that reduces enemy damage. Applying it consistently adds a valuable layer of survivability.
(15-25)% Chance to Apply Chill on Hit: Chill slows enemies, making it easier to kite and control the battlefield.

These affixes combine to create a powerhouse weapon for any Marksman looking to dominate with cold damage. The direct boost to Freezing Arrow, coupled with excellent damage scaling and valuable defensive debuffs like Frailty and Chill, makes the Reign of Winter a top-tier choice for frosty archers in Last Epoch. Securing this bow is often a significant turning point in a cold Marksman's build progression.