In Path of Exile 2, there are dozens of bosses, many of which pose a significant challenge. One such boss is Draven, an undead ruler you will encounter in Act 1. Along with his Consort, Asinia, he guards a piece of a key required to complete the “Sorrow Among Stones” main quest.
Draven, the Eternal Praetor can be quite challenging to players who haven’t familiarized themselves with the mechanics of the game yet. This guide will outline where to find him and provide tips for defeating him. You can choose to fight Draven either before or after Asinia, as the order doesn’t affect the quest.
Where to Find Draven, the Eternal Praetor in Path of Exile 2
Draven, the Eternal Praetor can be found in the Mausoleum of Praetor, located within the Cemetery of the Eternals. To continue the “Sorrow Among Stones” questline, which leads to the “Mysterious Shade” quest, you must defeat him. Once inside the Mausoleum, head towards the largest chamber, known as the Heart of the Mausoleum. Upon entering, Praetor Draven will emerge from his grave to challenge you.
Moves Praetor Draven Uses in Path of Exile 2
Draven uses four distinct attacks in rotation, and each of them can be quite lethal. Some of these attacks have the potential to one-shot you if you lack sufficient flat Maximum Life or other defensive stats on your gear. By this stage in the game, it’s unlikely that all your gear slots are fully stacked with defensive stats, so it’s more important to learn the mechanics and avoid his critical attacks instead.
1. Close-Combat Sword Strikes
Let’s begin with his most basic attack, Draven’s quadruple slash combo. Draven will swing his sword in four consecutive slashes aimed at you. He performs this when you’re close, but it’s dangerous because it can stagger you briefly if you get hit. If your HP isn’t full, you might get caught off guard and forget to use your healing flask while taking damage.
2. Draven’s Projectile Attack
Draven performs a wide 180° projectile attack that nearly covers half of your screen. However, it’s only truly dangerous when you’re close to him, as the projectiles are spaced too tightly to dodge easily. To recognize this attack, watch for Draven’s weapon as he lowers it to the ground, preparing to swing his sword upward, even if you’re not close. This movement will trigger several projectiles to launch in the direction he’s facing, causing heavy damage to anyone caught in them.
This attack is especially perilous, particularly when combined with his other moves. Draven can also execute this attack twice in a row, making it harder to predict and avoid. Stay out of melee range and focus on dodging away from Draven to avoid getting hit.
3. Help from Asinia
Throughout the entire fight against Draven, he frequently summons Asinia, an invulnerable ally who casts four circular spells on the ground that explode after two seconds. Asinia always casts four spells, with the final one being twice the size of the first three.
When this attack begins, you must stop whatever you’re doing and start dodging nonstop. Simply running won’t be fast enough to avoid the final explosion, so you’ll need to dodge at least five times during the attack sequence.
Keep in mind that Draven will rotate through different attack sets during the fight. This makes his slash combo more dangerous, as it can stagger you, leaving you vulnerable to Asinia’s explosion spell. The projectile attack becomes even more hazardous if you have to dodge both the projectiles and the explosions.
Note: The key tip is to focus entirely on dodging whenever Asinia is active. Draven will summon her, or you can follow the dialogue if it’s open.
4. Draven’s Weapon Slam
When Draven raises his weapon with both hands, he slams it into the ground, releasing a powerful shockwave that travels downwards and then spreads outward, damaging anyone nearby. This attack is the easiest to dodge; simply dodge roll twice away from the shockwave. It’s similar to the first boss fight with the Bloated Miller, but with the added danger of the shockwave extending to the sides.
How to Defeat Draven, the Eternal Praetor in Path of Exile 2
Now that you’ve learned his moves, here’s how to defeat Praetor Draven in Path of Exile 2:
- Proper Positioning: Dodging most of his attacks relies on positioning. For ranged characters, keep your distance from Draven and focus on dealing consistent damage. Melee characters should stay behind him when he uses his skills. You can dodge-roll behind him to avoid most of his attacks.
- Use Cold Skills: Draven seems to be vulnerable to freezing to some extent. Using freeze-inducing cold skills can make this fight much easier.
- Don’t Rush: Many of Draven’s attacks can deal massive damage, especially at close range. It’s better not to rush your attacks; wait for a clear opening. Prioritizing avoidance over constant punishment will be more beneficial in the long run.
If you’re facing Draven first in this part of the quest, it’s a good opportunity to practice avoiding Asinia’s AoEs and projectiles. If you’ve already defeated her, the strategy remains quite similar. Once Draven, the Eternal Praetor is defeated, make sure to collect his key piece and use the portal to return to the cemetery.
Note: If you happen to die during the fight, don’t stress! You’ll respawn at the checkpoint right by the arena entrance, so you can jump back in right away. Use your previous attempt as a learning experience to defeat him.
Defeating Praetor Draven in Path of Exile 2: Rewards
After defeating Draven, the Eternal Praetor, he will drop the memorial key piece, a crucial item for completing the Sorrow Among Stones quest. In addition, he drops random loot, with a high chance of yielding an uncut Skill Gem, which can be used to unlock or upgrade Skills in Path of Exile 2.
Conclusion: Defeating Draven, the Eternal Praetor, in Path of Exile 2 requires careful positioning, dodging, and strategic use of cold skills. By mastering his attack patterns and staying patient, you can successfully overcome this challenge. The rewards are well worth the effort, helping you progress in the Sorrow Among Stones quest.
