Path of Exile 2 features numerous bosses across each Act, offering some of the best rewards and items in the game. Defeating these bosses often grants rare gear, powerful weapons, and permanent stat boosts, making your character significantly stronger as you progress toward the endgame.
If you’re aiming for a smoother journey as you prepare to face the challenges of Cruel difficulty, we’ve compiled a detailed list of all Act One bosses, their locations, and the rewards they offer to guide you along the way.
List of All the Act 1 Bosses in Path of Exile 2
- The Bloated Miller
- Beira of the Rotten Pack
- The Devourer
- Areagne, the Forgotten Witch
- The Brambleghast
- The Rust King
- Ervig, the Rotten Druid
- Asinia, the Praetor’s Consort
- Draven, the Eternal Praetor
- Lachlann of Endless Lament
- The Crowbell
- The King in the Mists
- The Executioner
- Candlemass, the Living Rite
- Count Geonor, the Putrid Wolf
The Bloated Miller
The Bloated Miller is the first boss fight in Path of Exile 2, and defeating it is crucial to progress to the Clearfell Encampment, the game’s first hub area. This fight represents a significant increase in difficulty and serves as the final challenge of the tutorial. Players who can’t overcome the Bloated Miller will be unable to access the main game.
Location
The Bloated Miller can be found at the end of the Riverbanks area, where you begin the game. He obstructs the path to the first town, Clearfell Encampment. Defeating him completes the initial quest, Mercy for the Miller.
Rewards on Defeating Him
The Bloated Miller drops several magic items and some Gold. Aside from these, the only reward for defeating him is the quest reward from Mercy for the Miller: a Level 1 Uncut Skill Gem.
Beira of the Rotten Pack
Beira of the Rotten Pack is one of the first optional bosses you’ll face in Path of Exile 2, located in Act 1 within Clearfell. She presents a significant challenge early on, as many players will still be familiarizing themselves with the game’s mechanics and classes during their first encounter with this boss.
Location
As noted, Beira of the Rotten Pack is one of the first optional bosses you’ll encounter, located in Clearfell just after leaving the Clearfell Encampment. She resides near the center of the zone, to the north of the Encampment, with a small arena marking the boundary between her territory and the surrounding area.
Rewards on Defeating Her
Defeating Beira of the Rotten Pack rewards you with the Head of the Winter Wolf, a quest item that provides a +10% bonus to Cold Resistance when used. Additionally, you’ll receive a random selection of items, currency, and gear to aid in your progression and strengthen your character.
The Devourer
The Devourer is a gigantic, foul worm that you’ll need to defeat as part of the main questline in Path of Exile 2. It appears in Act One during your initial quest.
Location
Although the map is randomized, the Devourer always spawns in the same location, away from the entrance. Regardless of how the dungeon map is laid out, simply follow a side path and continue through it until you find the Devourer. For instance, if you enter the Mud Burrow and the routes lead north, keep taking any northeast path until you encounter the Devourer. If you hit a dead-end, retrace your steps and try the next northeastern path.
Rewards on Defeating Him
After defeating the Devourer in Path of Exile 2, the quest objective will update to “Talk to Renly for your Reward.” Renly will give you an Uncut Support Gem, stating that while it won’t settle their debt, you should accept it as a token of thanks.
Areagne, the Forgotten Witch
While some may not view Araegne, The Forgotten Witch, as a true “boss,” we consider her to be one. She is a named, unique enemy with a large health pool, multiple movesets and phases, as well as distinctive rewards.
Location
Like Brambleghast, Araegne, The Forgotten Witch can be found in Grelwood. She resides in a small witch’s hovel located to the far west of the zone, near the river, often surrounded by werewolves near her doorstep. To start the boss fight, which lacks a designated arena like most others, enter the hovel and approach the crouched woman at the back. She will stand, screech, and vanish. Once you exit, she will appear in front of the door and begin attacking, dealing additional fire damage and periodically erupting in bursts of flame.
Rewards on Defeating Her
Defeating Araegne, The Forgotten Witch, rewards you with random items and gear. Here’s what I received:
- Rope Cuffs
- Orb of Augmentation
- Uncut Support Gem
- Scroll of Wisdom
Although not the most impressive rewards, the Uncut Support Gem is still quite useful.
The Brambleghast
After battling the relatively weak enemies in Clearfell, exploring the sprawling Grelwood zone presents a true challenge. This vast area is crawling with werewolves and fungal zombies emerging from every corner. However, the real test lies ahead, as you’ll encounter Brambleghast in this zone.
Location
The Brambleghast can be found in a small, circular arena surrounded by twisted thorns and roots, located near the center of Grelwood. After clearing the nearby werewolves, enter the arena through one of the two openings to the northeast or southwest. The Brambleghast will then emerge from its burrow to confront you.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Defeating the Brambleghast rewards you with a random assortment of items, such as currency, gems, and gear. While the loot may vary, here’s what the optional boss dropped for me:
- 22 Gold
- Orb of Augmentation
- Regal Orb
- Uncut Skill Gem
- Mail Sabatons
- Straw Sandals
The Rust King
The Rust King is a corroded automaton encountered in Act One of the Path of Exile 2 campaign.
Location
The Rust King is encountered during the “Secrets in the Dark” quest in Act One. He appears after interacting with the third Obelisk of Rust found in The Red Vale.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Defeating The Rust King rewards you with a selection of items and some gold. The most significant drop is the Runed Skull Cap, a key item required to complete the Secrets in the Dark quest.
Ervig, the Rotten Druid
Ervig, The Rotten Druid, is one of the most challenging bosses in Act 1 of Path of Exile 2. The combination of his powerful moveset and the treacherous environment makes this encounter particularly frustrating for new players.
Location
In Path of Exile 2’s Grim Tangle, Ervig the Rotten Druid lies in wait. Found in the Den of the Druid area, this arena features a unique doughnut-shaped layout. Toxic mushrooms at the center emit a constant yellow gas, making it dangerous to venture through. This design forces players to battle in a circular arena split by the hazardous center. Additional mushrooms scattered around the map further limit player movement.
Rewards
Like many optional bosses in the game, Ervig, The Rotten Druid, drops random loot. Here’s what I received:
- 25 Gold
- Superior Tattered Robe
- Wrapped Quarterstaff
- Medium Mana Flask
- Orb of Augmentation
- Uncut Support Gem
Asinia, the Praetor’s Consort
Asinia, the Praetor’s Consort, is an undead courtier encountered in Act One of Path of Exile 2. She resides at the end of the aptly named Tomb of the Consort and holds a fragment of the key required to complete the primary quest, Sorrow Among Stones.
Location
Asinia can be found in the Tomb of the Consort, located within the Cemetery of the Eternal. You’ll need to enter the tomb after defeating Draven, the Eternal Praetor, as part of the Sorrow Among Stones primary quest.
Rewards on Defeating Her
Upon defeating Asinia, she will drop randomized loot along with the Memorial Key Piece required to complete the Sorrow Among Stones quest.
Draven, the Eternal Praetor
Draven, an undead regent, is encountered in Act One of Path of Exile 2. Along with his Consort, Asinia, he guards a piece of the key required to complete the primary quest, Sorrow Among Stones.
Location
Draven is encountered during the Sorrow Among Stones quest, which leads you into the Mausoleum of the Praetor. He appears in the largest chamber, known as the Heart of the Mausoleum, where he rises from a grave on the floor.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Upon Draven’s defeat, he will drop randomized loot along with the Memorial Key Piece needed to complete the Sorrow Among Stones quest.
Lachlann of Endless Lament
Lachlann of Endless Lament is a transformed undead encountered in Act One of Path of Exile 2. Initially, he appears as a broken man, yearning to reunite with his family. However, upon learning their fate, he transforms into a massive undead, leaving you no choice but to defeat him.
Location
Lachlann can be found in the Memorial of the Lost, located within the Cemetery of the Eternals. To reach him, you’ll need to unlock the gate blocking the path, which is done during the Sorrow Among Stones quest.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Upon defeating Lachlann, you’ll receive randomized loot along with Count Lachlann’s Ring, a quest item required to complete The Mysterious Shade.
The Crowbell
So far, the campaign and optional bosses in Path of Exile 2 have offered a steady challenge, but they’ve generally been manageable. Most of them feature small arenas, a limited number of movesets and phases, and easily predictable attacks. The Crowbell, however, changes things up by charging through the zone, pausing at several key points to inflict damage in different ways.
Location
You’ll find The Crowbell in the Hunting Grounds. In my playthrough, he spawned in the southwest corner of the map and then rampaged northeast.
When you first encounter the beast, he’s perched on a stone pillar amidst a heap of shattered stones. After letting out a roar, he leaps down, and the battle begins.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Defeating The Crowbell grants you a Book of Specialization (+2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points), which is a handy boost to your power. In addition to the Book, you’ll receive a random selection of items and gear. Here’s what I got:
- 35 Gold
- Horned Crown
- Pathfinder Coat
- Ringmail Gauntlets
- Lesser Mana Flask
- Orb of Transmutation
- Uncut Skill Gem
The King in the Mists
In addition to its intriguing name, The King in the Mists is a real troublemaker. This marks your first encounter with a multi-phase boss fight, where the monster fully regenerates its health, lengthening the battle. By the time you face this druidic spellcaster, you’ll have already ravaged an entire village, so be sure to keep an eye on your healing and mana potions.
Location
The King in the Mists is part of an optional side quest in Freythorn, given to you by Finn. In this quest, you’ll activate and destroy any ritual altars you find within the druid village. After eliminating all the altars, the quest will culminate in the optional boss fight.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Defeating Beira of the Rotten Pack rewards you with the Head of the Winter Wolf, a quest item that provides +10% Cold Resistance when used, as well as a random selection of items, currency, and gear to aid in your progression and power-up.
The Executioner
The Executioner is a massive brute you’ll encounter in Act One of Path of Exile 2. He can be found carrying out his work in Ogham Village.
Location
The Executioner resides in a section of Ogham Village known as the Courtyard of Death, likely connected to the gruesome pile of human head beneath his chopping block. You’ll visit Ogham Village during the Trail of Corruption quest, where you’ll investigate the village in search of the Count.
Rewards on Defeating Him
The Executioner drops standard randomized loot, with nothing particularly noteworthy. However, once you defeat him, nothing remains in your way as you head to the Manor to conclude Act One.
Candlemass, the Living Rite
So far, none of the boss designs have disappointed, but Candlemass, the Living Rite, truly stands out. This monster is decorated with burning candles on its head and back, which play a key role in the battle, making it an unforgettable fight.
Location
Candlemass, The Living Rite, can be found in the chapel of Ogham Manor. In my playthrough, the room was situated to the northwest, beyond the massive void in the floor that leads down to the final boss arena.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Defeating Candlemass, The Living Rite, rewards you with Candlemass’ Essence, which increases your maximum life by +20. Additionally, he drops randomized loot, including gold and gear.
Count Geonor
Count Geonor is the final boss of Act One in Path of Exile 2. He is accompanied by Oriana and a writhing mass of tentacles contained in a cage.
Location
Count Geonor can be found in Ogham Manor, which you visit during The Mad Wolf of Ogham quest. He resides on the lowest level of the manor, so you’ll need to navigate through three levels to reach him.
Rewards on Defeating Him
Once Geonor is defeated, The Hooded One arrives to interrogate him. Through this, they uncover Oriana’s next move—heading to the Vasteri desert. Afterward, The Hooded One ends Geonor’s suffering. He drops randomized loot, typically including a few orbs.
All Permanent Boss Upgrades in Act 1 of Path of Exile 2
In Path of Exile 2, while most bosses drop quest-related items or Uncut Skill Gems, several optional bosses provide items that grant permanent character upgrades, like a Spirit increase. It’s recommended to prioritize these bosses in both the regular and Cruel difficulty levels.
On the world map, these bosses are marked with a skull icon and a small ‘+’ symbol. Here’s a more detailed guide on where to find them in Act 1:
- Beria of the Rotten Pack can be found in the center of the Clearfell zone, within an icy area. Defeating her rewards the Head of the Winter Wolf, which grants +10% Cold resistance.
- The Crowbell is typically located in the top-left corner of the Hunting Grounds, up a winding path. During the fight, he will retreat to a small arena just outside the entrance where you found him. Upon defeat, he drops the Book of Specialization, granting +2 passive skill points to spend.
- The King of the Mists resides in the Freythron area, accessible from the Hunting Grounds, along the map’s edge. This is part of a quest from Finn, requiring you to interact with several Obelisks that spawn waves of enemies to summon the boss. The King has two challenging phases and drops the Grembloom Skull, granting your first 30 Spirit.
- Candlemass, the Living Rite is located on the first floor of Ogham Manor. To begin the fight, interact with an altar located past several pews. Upon defeat, Candlemass drops Candlemass’ Essence, which grants +10 Maximum Life.
And that’s everything you need to know about the Act 1 bosses in Path of Exile 2 as of the Early Access release.
