Act 1

Waypoint: No

Boss: Bloated Miller

Quests: Reaching Clearfell (Uncut Skill Gem Level 1)

This is where the game begins. Select a movement type, walk forward and speak to the wounded man. Defeat the Zombie to loot your starting weapon, then equip it before progressing forward.

Toward the middle of the zone, you find a Large Chest containing your first Skill Gem.

Follow the tutorial prompts:

To socket your Skill Gem into the Skill Gem Panel (Default Hotkey: G)
Left Click the Skill Icon & Place it on your Skill Bar Continue travelling forward until you find The Bloated Miller.

Defeat the Bloated Miller, collect your loot, and head to The Clearfell Encampment.

The Clearfell Encampment (Town) NPCs: Renly; Una; Finn

The Clearfell Encampment is the first town in Path of Exile 2.

Towns are safe zones and serve as a central hub, featuring:

A Waypoint Your Stashes A Healing Well & NPCs NPCs act as vendors, progress various questlines, or offer quest rewards.

The Clearfell Encampment has 3 NPCs by default:

Renly: Sells Weapons, Body Armours, Helms, Gloves, Boots, Shields, Quivers & Belts. Una: Sells Sceptres, ES Shields, Wands, Staves, Life Flasks, Mana Flasks, Wisdom Scrolls, Rings, Amulets & Charms. Una can also Disenchant Magic Items & Rare Items for Transmutation or Regal Shards. Finn: allows you to Gamble Gold for Items of an unknown rarity. Disclaimer about NPCs: Only NPCs that can be found in each town by default are listed. A temporary league may add additional NPCs you can interact with as part of that league's unique mechanic.

Clearfell Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Beira of the Rotten Pack (Head of the Winter Wolf: Grants +10% to Cold Resistance)

Quests: None

Points of Interest: Abandoned Stash (Optional: Uncut Skill Gem Level 1)

Clearfell is the second monster-inhabited zone and contains no immediate quest objectives.

In the centre of the zone, players can find Beira of the Rotten Pack; an ice themed unique boss. Defeating Beira provides the Head of the Winter Wolf, a permanent consumable buff granting +10% to Cold Resistance. It is possible to immediately defeat Beira, as a Level 2 character; but can also be completed later.

On the right side of the Zone, players can find the entrance to the Mud Burrow along with a Waypoint. Near the top right, players can find the exit to The Grelwood. Opposite the Mud Burrow, on the other side of the Zone, players can find an Abandoned Stash that drops an Uncut Skill Gem Level 1.

The Mud Burrow Waypoint: No

Bosses: The Devourer (Optional)

Quests: Treacherous Ground (Uncut Support Gem Level 1, Gold)

The Mud Burrow is a narrow winding zone with an optional quest to Defeat the Devourer. The Devourer is a physical and chaos themed boss. The Devourer's abilities are telegraphed and can be avoided with careful positioning and movement. The Devourer’s chaos projectile barrage in particular can be avoided with Dodge Roll invincibility frames.

The Grelwood Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Gerung, the Brambleghast (Optional), Areagne, Forgotten Witch (Optional)

Quests: Secrets in the Dark

Points of Interest: Tree of Souls, The Red Vale

The Grelwood is an open forested area and is host to a multiple zone questline.

Players can choose to either

Search the Grelwood for the Tree of Souls before progressing to the Red Vale. Or can first progress to the Red Vale and search for the Tree of Souls afterward. Areagne, Forgotten Witch, is an optional miniboss that can be difficult to defeat on a low level character, due to her frequent use of teleportation, cold degens and curses. Defeating Areagne for the first time rewards an Uncut Support Gem Level 1. Located inside her hut is a Cauldron, which drops a Medium Life & Mana Flask. Note: you can open the Cauldron without defeating Areagne.

Author's Note: It is recommended you search for the Red Vale first but if you encounter the Tree of Souls first, then lucky you!

The Red Vale Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: The Rust King

Quests: Secrets in the Dark

Points of Interest: 3 Obelisks of Rust

The Red Vale is an open zone and contains 3 Obelisks of Rust. When interacting with an Obelisk of Rust, a wave of monsters spawn that need to be defeated to acquire 3 Runed Girdle quest items.

Upon interacting with the third and final Obelisk of Rust, The Rust King spawns instead of a wave of monsters. Defeating the Rust King drops the last Runed Girdle.

After acquiring all three Runed Girdles, head to town and speak to Renly, to acquire the Runed Spikes quest item. Afterward, return to the Old Forest and search for the Tree of Souls.

Return to The Grelwood Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Gerung, the Brambleghast (Optional)

Quests: Secrets in the Dark

Points of Interest: Tree of Souls, The Grim Tangle

After acquiring the Runed Spikes, return to the Grelwood and search for the Tree of Souls, Summon Una (if you haven’t already), and stab the Runed Spikes into the three Runic Seals.

Speak to Una, head to town, and speak to Una again to complete the Secrets in Dark Quest. Afterward, head back to the Grelwood and search for The Grim Tangle.

The Grim Tangle Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Ervig, Rotted Druid (Optional: Uncut Support Gem Level 1)

Quests: The Mysterious Shade

The Grim Tangle is another narrow winding zone and contains no immediate quest objectives. Players should navigate through the zone, in search of the Cemetery of the Eternals.

Cemetery of the Eternals Waypoint: Yes

NPCs: Lachlann the Lost

Quests: Sorrow Among Stones

Points of Interest: Tomb of the Consort, Mausoleum of the Praetor, Ancient Ruins

The Cemetery of the Eternals is an open area and is host to another multiple zone questline. Players need to search for the Tomb of the Consort & the Mausoleum of the Praetor, defeating the bosses inside, before returning to the Cemetery of the Eternals and speaking to Lachlann the Lost.

Note: Consider progressing along the edge of the zone to find the Ancient Ruins secret; which drops a guaranteed Iron Ring or Lazuli Ring.

Author's Note: There is no meaningful difference in which zone you complete first. Completing the zones in the order you find them is recommended!

Tomb of the Consort Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Asinia, Praetor Consort

Quests: Sorrow Among Stones

Points of Interest: Haunted Treasure (Optional)

The Tomb of the Consort is another underground zone and is home to Asinia, Praetor Consort.

Search for and defeat Asinia, to acquire Asinia’s Memorial Key Piece.

Optionally, search for the Haunted Treasure Secret and defeat the Rare enemy that spawns for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1.

The Mausoleum Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Draven, Eternal Praetor

Quests: Sorrow Among Stones

Points of Interest: Forgotten Riches (Optional)

The Mausoleum of the Praetor is another underground zone and is home to Draven, Eternal Praetor.

Search for and defeat Draven, to acquire Draven’s Memorial Key Piece.

Optionally, search for the Forgotten Riches Secret for a large amount of Gold and a Rare chest.

Return to the Cemetery of the Eternals Waypoint: Yes

NPCs: Lachlann the Lost

Bosses: Lachlann of Endless Lament

Quests: Sorrow Among Stones, Mysterious Shade

Points of Interest: The Memorial Gate

After acquiring both Memorial Key Pieces, return to the Cemetery of the Eternals and open the Memorial Gate near Lachlann the Lost. Follow Lachlann the Lost to his family's grave site, where he transforms into Lachlann of Endless Lament.

Defeat Lachlann of Endless Lament and pick up Count Lachlann’s Ring. Head forward to the Hunting Ground, take the waypoint to town, speak to Una, and witness the revival of the Hooded One.

The Hunting Grounds Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: The Crowbell (Optional) (2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points)

Quests: None

Points of Interest: Freythorn, Ogham Farmlands, Dryadic Ritual

The Hunting Grounds is an open zone inhabited by extremely dangerous monsters, extra care is required to progress forward safely. The Crowbell is an optional boss that provides 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points if defeated. Completing the boss upon first entering the zone is possible, but players can choose to complete the boss at a later time.

Connected to the Hunting Grounds are Freythorn and the Ogham Farmlands. It is recommended to find Freythorn first before progressing forward, as the optional boss inside provides +30 Spirit and a Persistent Skill Gem.

Optionally, search the edge of the zone for the Dryadic Ritual Secret and defeat the Rare enemy for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1.

Freythorn Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: The King in the Mists (Gembloom Skull: +30 Spirit, Uncut Spirit Gem Level 4: Creates a Persistent Buff Skill Gem at Level 4)

Quests: Ominous Altars (Optional) (A Normal Rarity Ruby, Sapphire or Topaz Charm)

Points of Interest: 3 Ritual Altars

Freythorn is hoisted above the Hunting Grounds, it is composed of narrow wooden walkways and filled with dangerous ritual enemies. This is home to the King in the Mists.

Search for the three Ritual Altars, interact with them, and defeat the newly spawned enemies to cleanse the Ritual.

After cleansing three Ritual Altars, head to the top of the zone, in search of a much larger Ritual Altar. Clear the enemies surrounding it and interact with the larger Ritual Altar to begin the final Ritual, spawning another wave of monsters. Defeat the monsters and the King in the Mists spawns.

The King in the Mists is a multi-phase, physical, and chaos themed boss, with both ranged and melee abilities. During the fight, the King in the Mists casts either a purple or red debuff on you.

If the debuff is purple: keep moving to avoid being frozen.

If the debuff is red: stand still to avoid being frozen. Standing still can be dangerous, so either maintain distance before the red debuff is cast, or, build up the boss's stagger bar and stun them when afflicted by the red debuff.

After defeating the King in the Mists. Loot the Gembloom Skull and consume it for a +30 Spirit buff. Consuming the Gembloom Skull also creates an Uncut Spirit Gem Level 4, allowing you to create your first Persistent Buff Skill Gem. Head to town and speak to Finn, who offers you a normal rarity Ruby, Sapphire, and Topaz Charm. Select one and progress further.

Author's Note: Check out our Act 1 Boss Guide if you are struggling with this encounter.

Ogham Farmlands Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: None

Quests: The Lost Lute (Optional) (2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points)

Ogham Farmlands is an open zone with an optional quest: The Lost Lute. To complete the Lost Lute: search for a hut containing Una’s Lute, Loot Una’s Lute, and speak to Una in Town to acquire 2 Weapon Set Passive Skill Points.

Ogham Village Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: The Executioner

Quests: The Trail of Corruption (Uncut Skill Gem Level 5), Finding the Forge (Optional) (Unlocks the Salvage Bench)

Points of Interest: Blacksmith's Chest (Optional) (Provides a Guaranteed Artificer's Orb and a Blank Rune)

Ogham Village is a fiery hellscape which contains the Executioner, a required boss to progress forward; an optional but recommended quest, Finding the Forge which unlocks the Salvage Bench; and the Blacksmith's Chest.

To complete Finding the Forge: search for Renly’s Smithing Tools and bring them back to Renly in town.

Interact with the Blacksmith's Chest, located near Renly’s Smithing Tools, for a guaranteed Artificer's Orb and a Blank Rune, which can be exchanged with Renly for a Lesser Desert Rune, Lesser Glacial Rune, Lesser Storm Rune or Lesser Iron Rune. It's recommended to socket a Lesser Elemental Rune into your weapon to deal more damage.

To complete the Trail of Corruption, search for and defeat The Executioner. The Executioner is a physical and fire themed boss, with extremely lethal slam abilities. Pay careful attention to the Executioner's animations to either walk out of or Dodge Roll away from his abilities.

After defeating the Executioner, free the prisoner at the top of the platform, travel forward to the Manor Ramparts, and take the Waypoint to town to speak to Leitis for an Uncut Skill Gem Level 5.

The Manor Ramparts Waypoint: Yes

Quests: None

Bosses: None

Points of Interest: The Gallows (Optional)

The Manor Ramparts is an open zone with no quests or bosses. Progress forward and search for the Oghman Manor.

Optionally, search the edge of the zone for the Gallows Secret for an Uncut Support Gem Level 1.

Oghman Manor Waypoint: Yes

Bosses: Count Geonor (Unlock Act 2), Candlemass (Candlemass’ Essence: Grants +20 to Maximum Life)

Quests: The Mad Wolf of Ogham

The Oghman Manor is a multi-floor indoor zone that contains Count Geonor, a required boss to progress forward; and an optional but recommended boss, Candlemass, that grants a +20 to Maximum Life buff.

Candlemass is located on the first floor and is a fire themed boss, with both ranged and melee attacks.

Count Geonor, is found on the final floor and is a multi-phase, physical and cold themed boss.

During the first phase, Count Geonor fights you in both human and wolf form. Upon lowering Count Geonor to below half health, he permanently transitions to wolf form and disappears into an arena-wide fog.

During the fog phase normal monsters spawn to provide flask charges. As the fog phase progresses, Count Geonor speaks various voice lines; and at the end of each voice line lunges at you from the fog.

After the fog dissipates, Count Geonor returns in wolf form, with extra abilities. Carefully watch his animations and pay attention to arena-wide AoE abilities.

After defeating Count Geonor, return to town and speak to the Hooded One, selecting the “Follow the Beast’s trail” dialogue option to progress to Act 2.

Author's Note: Check out our Act 1 Boss Guide if you are struggling with this encounter.