In Path of Exile 2, **‘An Audience with the King’** is not just another boss fight, but a pinnacle encounter that rewards players with some of the best loot in the game. However, many players miss the subtleties of this fight’s mechanics and strategic depth. To help you prepare, here are the hidden secrets and tips to successfully conquer this challenging encounter:
1. **Unlocking ‘An Audience with the King’**
To initiate this fight, you need to first activate the Ritual Altars scattered across your maps. After completing the required Rituals, you receive the coveted *An Audience with the King* item. This item is key to unlocking the boss fight by placing it into the Realmgate on your Atlas, opening the portal to the Crux of Nothingness where the King resides.
2. The Importance of Positioning**
Throughout the fight, positioning is crucial. The King’s attacks are devastating, and one of the secret strategies is to use the terrain to your advantage. The ramps around the arena aren’t just for avoiding mist debuffs; they also help you control the flow of the fight. By positioning yourself properly, you can avoid many of the King’s most dangerous attacks while still dealing significant damage.
3. **Portent Vapors and Debuffs**
A hidden secret many players overlook is how to manage the **Portent Vapors** debuff, which stacks as you remain in the mist. The key to reducing this debuff is to use the ramps to elevate your position and reduce your exposure to the mist. Each ramp gives you a brief window of debuff reduction, allowing you to stay alive longer and deal more damage.
4. **Understanding the King’s Teleportation**
The King frequently teleports, often making it seem like you’re always on the move to keep up. However, the real secret lies in learning his teleportation patterns. The King’s teleporting mechanic is semi-predictable, and if you study his movement, you can anticipate where he’ll land and plan your attacks accordingly.
5. **Totem and Flag Destruction**
Totems and flags are not just a nuisance but a hidden cause of escalating difficulty. Failing to destroy these totems quickly will increase the damage you take and summon enemies to overwhelm you. Prioritize totem destruction while managing the King’s attacks and ensuring that flags are eliminated to prevent them from boosting his powers.
6. King’s Transformation in Phase Two
At 25% health, the King transforms, and his new form is more powerful, armored, and deadly. The arena becomes smaller, limiting your movement. The key to surviving phase two is to use mobility flasks and crowd control to interrupt his devastating new attacks. The secret here is to keep moving, as the King’s attacks are slower but hit harder. Keep your distance, focus on the maze, and avoid being overwhelmed.
7. The Maze Challenge
Once the King transitions to phase two, you’ll be sent into a **Wildwood Maze**. This maze is not just a place to navigate—it’s a deadly challenge in itself. The maze is filled with fog, enemies, and confusion. The secret here is to follow the white sacred wisps, which serve as your guide out of the maze. Failing to do so will result in being overwhelmed by enemies and missing out on the second phase of the fight.
8. Handling Adds and Minions
The King’s minions, especially the **Volatile Toads**, can easily overwhelm you if not handled quickly. These adds explode upon contact, making them a significant threat. A hidden strategy is to use crowd control or aoe stuns to manage these adds while continuing to focus on the King.
9. Timing Your Flasks
Flasks are essential in this fight. The trick lies in saving your flasks for critical moments during the fight. You’ll need them to cleanse curses, boost movement speed, and increase survivability. Time them carefully to maximize your effectiveness during the second phase, especially when dealing with the King’s most punishing attacks.
10. Rewards Beyond the King
Defeating the King doesn’t just grant you loot. It provides **valuable ritual currency**, **Atlas Passive Points**, and some of the best unique items in the game. The secret to maximizing your rewards lies in timing your encounters. As you progress through higher Ritual tiers, the difficulty ramps up, but so do the rewards.
In
An Audience with the King, mastering the nuances of positioning, debuff management, and the maze challenge will separate the experienced players from the beginners. By understanding these hidden secrets, you can rise to the challenge and claim victory in this legendary boss fight.
Secrets Behind ‘An Audience with the King’
