Entering Path of Exile II‘s Kingsmarch in Act 4 can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience. The expansive map offers a plethora of locations to explore, all while lacking clear guidance. While this open-world design provides seasoned players with a refreshing sense of freedom, newcomers may appreciate a little direction. One helpful tip is to locate Tujen, who can be found along the town’s boardwalk.
This interaction will initiate the Dark Mists quest—a thrilling mini-adventure that transports you to two strikingly crafted areas. Here, you will encounter new bosses and an early introduction to endgame mechanics that are essential for your progression in the game. These mechanics will become familiar as you navigate through your mapping journey, especially as highlighted in recent articles about rewarding endgame maps.
The Journey to Kedge Bay
Begin by seeking out Tujen, a new character within Kingsmarch, who will inform you about the mysterious fog enveloping Kedge Bay. He will ask for your assistance in dispelling it, a quest that promises challenges along the way.
Next, board your ship and navigate to Kedge Bay with Makoru. This map is notably linear, making it less complicated than many previous segments in the game. It provides a straightforward path to follow, minimizing the risk of veering off-course.
During your exploration, keep an eye out for the Torn Map Piece located within the Dead Man’s Chest. Its distinctive green header identifies it as a vital quest item, ensuring you won’t overlook it.
Collecting this piece will trigger the Forgotten Bounty Quest, which will deepen your understanding of another endgame mechanic.
Journey’s End
As you progress, you’ll encounter an obelisk that captures your attention. Here, summon Tujen and engage in a conversation with Freya. It becomes apparent that Freya’s child has gone missing along with some Verisium, propelling you into an urgent search.
This area offers a wider layout compared to Kedge Bay but maintains a generally linear structure, facilitating your exploration and quest completion.
The Trapped Wreck
While enjoying the stunning scenery of shipwrecks and clear waters, you may stumble upon a wreck containing some rare treasure chests. However, proceed with caution—do not open the chest just yet!
Before doing so, ensure your inventory has sufficient space to accommodate the loot. Opening the chest will trigger a countdown timer, and failure to escape beforehand will lead to an instant demise from the explosive aftermath. This unexpected twist can catch unprepared players off guard, notably in Hardcore mode.
Captain Hartlin
Eventually, you will encounter Captain Hartlin, the undead version of Freya’s son. Prepare for a challenging battle against this formidable opponent.
| Attack Name | Description | How To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cannon Shot | Hartlin fires a single shot from his cannon. | Simply sidestep or roll to avoid the attack. |
| Anchor Sweep | He will sweep his anchor back and forth. | Roll backwards to stay out of its reach. |
| Anchor Smash | Hartlin slams his anchor down, creating a blue shockwave. | Roll left or right to evade this clearly telegraphed attack. |
| Wave Splash | A wave surges across the arena to deal damage. | Circumvent these waves by maintaining distance and circling him if in melee range. |
| Spirit Strikes | Hartlin fires blue tracking missiles after announcing “Endless Misery”. | Keep moving independently of your attacks to avoid significant damage. |
| Phantasm Cannons | A series of spectral cannons fire rapidly around you. | Evade the ring of cannons by rolling out of the area. |
| Afterlife Anchor | Hartlin targets a zone and drops an ethereal anchor. | Immediately roll away from the indicated area upon hearing his voice or seeing the ring. |
At intervals during the battle, he may spawn trash mobs for additional health recovery opportunities. Maintain a balance of movement and attack, and you will defeat this cursed pirate swiftly.
The Delirious Fog
After claiming the Verisium, return to Kingsmarch and find Dannig, who is positioned near the Salvage Bench north of the main town square. He will transform the Verisium into metal spikes reminiscent of those you encountered in Act 1.
Head back to Tujen and interact with the totems, only to discover a shocking revelation—deception has occurred! A Delirium Mirror appears alongside successive waves of enemies. Clearing these adversaries will eventually summon the boss, Omniphobia, who is surprisingly less challenging than Captain Hartlin.
Omniphobia
| Attack Name | Description | How To Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Double Swipe | The boss will swing his axe twice. | Roll back to dodge the short-range attack. |
| Double Slam | After an initial slam, the boss will slam again in the same area. | Roll sideways to avoid the attack and counter immediately. |
| Shockwave | Omniphobia charges his axe to unleash a shockwave. | Look for the charge-up phase to roll away effectively. |
| Leap Slam | When distant, he leaps forward, causing spikes to erupt beneath him. | Roll towards him or to the side, avoiding a retreat to evade the spikes. |
| Stomach Belch | He ejects bloody orbs from his stomach’s mouth. | Maintain movement while dodging these tracking orbs. |
Upon depleting his health, Omniphobia will explode, rewarding you with valuable distilled emotions. These will become useful for future anointment options on amulets, but for now, focus on your immediate goals.
Return to Tujen in Kingsmarch to receive a level 13 Skill Gem and some currency as rewards for your efforts.
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