WhileARPGs are normally known for their combatand gear grind, their boss fights are often just there to serve as loot Piñatas.Path of Exile 2really shakes up the genre, as its boss encounters are some of the best in the business. From a towering sentinel to a greatsword wielding werewolf, each boss presents a unique challenge.
Across the three initial acts of early access, the bosses of Path of Exile 2 will test every aspect of yourbuild and strategy. With tight mechanics that reward mastery, and great visual designs, all these encounters are sure to be unforgettable. Let’s dive into the top bosses across the first three acts.
10The Devourer
Location: The Mud Burrow (Act 1)
If you’re not a fan of slimy creepy crawlies, then The Devourer will be a boss straight from your nightmares. This massive creature is likely to be your first major challenge in the game. It tunnels beneath the arena, popping up unpredictably tounleashground-shaking AoEs and poisonous sprays.
The Devourer’s high-energy combat style forces you to stay on your toes, and helps teach you the mechanics needed to beat the tougher boss fights later in the game. You’ll needmobilityand quick reflexes to stay alive in this frenetic fight. The reward? The satisfaction of knocking down your first true hurdle in the game (and the subsequent loot, of course).
9Zicoatl, Warden Of The Core
Location: Jiquani’s Sanctum (Act 3)
This mechanical terror is a dangerous amalgamation of Vaal technology and feels like something straight out of a steampunk nightmare. Zicoatl combines laser-based attacks with devastating AOE blasts, forcing you to stay mobile and always aware of your positioning.
Zicoatl’s design shines with its perfect integration into Vaal architecture, going from an immobile artwork in one moment, to a multi-armed menace the next. Gear up with lightning resistance and practice your footwork. You’ll need both.
8The Queen Of Filth
Location: Apex Of Filth (Act 3)
True to her name, the Queen of Filth is the most disgusting boss in the game, with a cesspool of hazards surrounding her boss stage. Between corrosive sludge and summoned vermin, this fight requires poison resistance and mob clearing to avoid getting bogged down—literally.
The Queen’s especially grotesque design and grueling mechanics make her a standout among Act 3 bosses.
7The Executioner
Location: Ogham Village (Act 1)
With a real head-turning entrance, the Executioner definitely makes a daunting first impression. A relentless foe, the Executioner uses brutal melee strikes and lethal AOE attacks to cut you down. His undead reinforcement adds pressure as you dodge his cleaving attacks while trying to avoid his AoE ground slams.
Getting caught in a mob of his lackeys is sure to be a death sentence, so take the time to clear them out before focusing on the boss.
6Zalmarath, The Colossus
Location: Valley Of The Titans (Act 2)
Towering statues that dominate the landscape are truly a marvel to observe; glowing, stomping statues that smash everything in its path are less so. Zalmarath’s fight is as much about arena control as it is about damage, with each phase introducing new hazards like a collapsing arena or lava flows.
Zalmarath is a fun fight due to the sheer scale and spectacle of the battle. It’s atest of your build’s endurance and your ability to think on your feet, making your eventual victory all the sweeter.
5The Crowbell
Location: Hunting Grounds (Act 1)
What’s scarier than a murderous crow? A giant muscular crow with a taste for Exile meat. The Crowbell hobbles around its small arena, attempting to bash you into the ground with his iconic bell. This boss has a unique moving arena, starting in the outskirts of the jungle and ending in a claustrophobic space.
That being said, the Crowbell can also be somewhat endearing, as it comically runs around the map attempting to get the one-up on you.
4Doryani, Royal Thaumaturge
Location: The Testing Pit (Act 3)
As Act 3’s climactic boss, Doryani ups the ante with multi-phase mechanics that shift between a full arsenal of advanced Vaal technology. From fighting on foot to donning a giant mech suit, Doryani will truly put your build to the test.
This battle epitomizes PoE 2’s design philosophy: intricate, punishing, but rewarding. If you can stay disciplined and manage your positioning, you will be able to relish the challenge of toppling a would-be god.
3Xylucian, The Chimera
Location: Chimeral Wetlands (Act 3)
Xylucian blends grace andferocity, moving swiftly across the arena while unleashing elemental attacks that test your reflexes. The fight shifts through multiple phases, each introducing new elemental hazards like freezing winds or fiery explosions.
Aside from sweeping attacks, Xylucian also utilizes the environment in a fun way. The various structures surrounding its boss arena serve as a perch for Xylucian to attack you with impunity. However, if you can destroy these pillars, he will become vulnerable for a few seconds. This boss wins points for its dynamic pacing and gorgeous elemental attacks.
2Viper Napuatzi
Location: Utzaal (Act 3)
As a general of the Vaal Legion, Viper Napuatzi’s battle takes place in an enclosed arena composed of her own loyal soldiers. In this gladiatorial fight to the death, Napuatzi imbues both her attacks and the arena with lethal poison. In her weapon-wielding phase, Napuatzi uses sweeping melee attacks, and Viper Mortar, which leaves poisonous ground in its wake.
When she transitions to fighting without her weapon, her abilities shift significantly, introducing ranged chaos spells which rain meteors of chaos and fire across the arena. Fighting the Viper truly feels like a duel to the death, and is one of the most thematic fights in the game.
1Count Geonor
Location: The Iron Manor (Act 1)
The Iron Count feels straight out of Dark Souls. With his freezing greatsword Agnar, the Count leaps into combat in an attempt to skewer you with his icy attacks. But the Count is more than a swordmaster, and he will frequently shift into his werewolf form tomaulyou with ferocious swipes.
In his second phase, the Count summons a pack of wolves and a howling cold wind into the arena. Lurking in the shadows, he will relentlessly jump out and strike, all while delivering a true villain’s monologue. With challenging mechanics and an awesome thematic arena, the Iron Count is many players' favorite boss for good reason.
