Exterminator Builds and Tips - Halls of Torment Guide - IGN (2025)

In Halls of Torment, the Exterminator is a playable Character that uses a flamethrower, known as the Flame Caster, to fend off the seemingly endless waves of hellish monsters. But before you can torch your enemies, you'll need to unlock the Ember Grounds stage by defeating the Imp Chieftain, then enter the Ember Grounds and kill 1,000 enemies in a single run.

Though it may go without saying, the Exterminator flourishes when you embrace the flames and select Equipment, Traits, and Abilities that make the most of this Hero's fiery strengths. In this guide, we'll break down the best Exterminator builds and provide some tips to help you outlast the Halls of Torment.

Exterminator Builds and Tips

• Exterminator Base Attributes
• Best Exterminator Equipment and Items
• Best Exterminator Blessings
• Best Exterminator Traits
• Best Exterminator Abilities
• Exterminator Tips and Tricks

Exterminator Base Attributes

Best Exterminator Equipment and Items

• Wind Crown - 1% attack speed for 5s for each killed enemy (up to +50% attack speed).
• Ruby Circlet - Deals 4% additional damage for each burning enemy. Limited to 60%.

While the strength of the Wind Crown's Attack Speed bonus is rarely rivaled by other Headgear, the Ruby Circlet's 4% Damage buff for each burning enemy is especially powerful with the Exterminator. Though the Wind Crown still provides more consistent value across builds, if you increase the Exterminator's Burn Chance, the Ruby Circlet is a solid secondary option.

• Blood-Soaked Shirt - Killing an enemy has a 3% chance to give you 1 health point.

Like the Wind Crown, the Blood-Soaked Shirt will likely be your go-to in most builds, and though the Garment doesn't provide bonuses that uniquely benefit the Exterminator, its healing output is worthwhile. As a secondary option, Blazing Shell increases your Block Strength, and it has a 50% chance to burn enemies that harm you.

• Runner Shoes - +15% Movement Speed.

When selecting the best Footwear for the Exterminator, it's largely a toss-up because most of the Items provide defensive bonuses that are unable to survive the horde if you haven't sufficiently increased your damage output. Instead, equip the Runner Shoes to better avoid attacks from elite and boss-level enemies.

• Hunting Gloves - +30% Additional Strike/Projectile.

The Exterminator's greatest strength is their insanely high Attack Speed which enables the Hunting Gloves to frequently fire extra projectiles. With just the Hunting Gloves equipped, the Exterminator will shoot an extra projectile every 3-4 attacks. Combine this stat with the Exterminator's 5.0/s Attack Speed, and you'll fire an extra projectile at least once per second. If you've yet to unlock the Hunting Gloves, the Quickhand Gloves are a starter Item that will further improve your already stellar Attack Speed.

• Jade Amulet - +50% XP Gain.

The Jade Amulet is one of the most consistently beneficial Items in Halls of Torment because the more you Level Up, the more Traits you get to select. Because the Fire Affinity Trait provides so much synergistic value, wearing the Jade Amulet will allow you to select enough Traits that the RNG won't fan your flames. Another great Necklace option is the Collar of Confidence which is especially useful if you've upgraded your Pickup Range.

• Ring of Fire - Transforms the damage type of your main weapon into fire. +15% Burn Chance.

When you initially read the first sentence in the Ring of Fire's description, you may feel that the Item is redundant since the Exterrminator's Main Weapon is already fire-based. But the value of the Ring of Fire comes through the added 15% Burn Chance.

• Seal of Rebirth - When you die, the seal breaks and revives you with 50% of your max health.

The Seal of Rebirth is one of the marquee Items in Halls of Torment for a reason. A second life is immensely valuable no matter your progression or build. For an extra 5,000 Gold, you can also purchase a Revive Blessing to enter each run with three lives.

Best Exterminator Blessings

As you might expect, the best Blessing for the Exterminator is the Fire Damage Blessing, however, it won't be available until you unlock it by dealing 200,000 burn damage in a single run as the Exterminator. Once you've purchased enough Fire Damage, you should look to augment your general Damage since the Exterminator only deals 20 damage per projectile. The Range and Pickup Range Blessings are deceptively useful because the Exterminator's low base Damage makes it difficult to carve paths through the horde. However, if you elect to purchase the Range Blessing, don't forget to improve your Piericing Attribute or you won't get the full value.

To get the most out of the Exterminator's base stats, invest in the Blessings listed above, and remember that any Gold spent on Blessings can be refunded in full at your campsite.

Best Exterminator Traits

Best Exterminator Abilities

Exterminator Tips and Tricks

• The Exterminator's Flame Caster has a 10% chance to burn enemies without upgrades.
• The Exterminator's exact base Range stat does not appear in-game but don't let this detour you from upgrading this Attribute. The Exterminator's Range, including that of the Main Weapon, can be upgraded by Blessings and Traits.
• Unlike other Heros that have a base Critical Hit Chance of 0%, the Exterminator's Crit. Chance can be improved by Blessings, Traits, and Equipment.