In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), defeating powerful bosses requires not only strong builds but also deep strategic understanding. Two such bosses, Draven, The Eternal Praetor, and Mighty Silverfist, present unique challenges for players as they progress through the game’s storyline. Draven appears during Act 1 as part of the Sorrow Among Stones quest, while Mighty Silverfist is an optional but formidable opponent in Act 3’s Jungle Ruins. This guide will provide detailed strategies to defeat both bosses and claim the valuable rewards they offer.

 How To Beat Draven, The Eternal Praetor

Overview of the Fight

Draven is a challenging mini-boss located in Act 1 during the Sorrow Among Stones quest. The fight takes place in a large arena; however, Draven’s ability to control space with his attacks and AoE skills reduces your freedom of movement. This makes proper positioning and strategic planning critical to success, especially for melee-based characters.

Draven’s moveset includes:

-Necrotic Bolts: Ranged projectiles that deal significant damage if not avoided.

-Necrotic Sword: A massive AoE slash that covers most of the arena.

-Summon Minions: Spawns ghostly minions that slowly chase the player.

-Runic Circles: Explosive traps laid by Draven’s wife, Asinia.

Understanding these mechanics and responding appropriately will determine your success in the battle.

Key Strategies

1.Positioning and Movement:

   Draven’s attacks heavily punish poor positioning. While the arena is large, his abilities can limit where you can move safely. Mastering movement and positioning will give you the upper hand:

   -Avoid Necrotic Bolts: These projectiles are relatively predictable but can quickly overwhelm players who remain stationary. Dodge by moving laterally or repositioning behind Draven.

   -Survive Necrotic Sword: When Draven charges this attack, try to move close to him or behind him to avoid the massive AoE slash. Staying too far from him during this attack can trap you against the arena walls.

2.Avoid Summon Minions:

   The ghostly minions that Draven summons are slow but numerous. While they may look threatening, they are relatively easy to avoid as long as you don’t collide with them. Ranged characters have an advantage here, as they can kite Draven while avoiding his minions.

3.Deal with Runic Circles:

   Asinia’s runic circles are one of the deadliest mechanics in the fight. Once triggered, these circles explode after a short delay, dealing massive damage.

   -Keep Moving: The key to avoiding these explosions is to keep moving forward. Do not hesitate or stop to bypass the circles; instead, move through them quickly before they detonate.

   -Speed is Your Friend: A character with decent movement speed will always outrun the activation timer of these runic traps.

4.Patience and Observation:

   Draven combines multiple abilities to create chaos, making it crucial to stay calm and observe his patterns. Each attack has a tell, such as a charge-up animation for Necrotic Sword. By learning these patterns through practice, you can predict his moves and avoid damage more effectively.

5.Recommended Builds:

   -Ranged Builds: Characters using bows, spells, or projectiles have an easier time against Draven, as they can keep their distance while avoiding his dangerous melee range.

   -Summoner Builds: Minion-focused builds can distract Draven and his summoned minions, giving you time to focus on dodging his high-damage attacks.

6.Gear and Preparation:

   Enhancing your gear before facing Draven will make the fight more manageable:

  UseExalted Orbs and other PoE 2 currency to improve your equipment by adding resistances and defensive modifiers.

  Equip items that boost movement speed to help you avoid runic circles and Necrotic Bolts.

Rewards for Defeating Draven

Defeating Draven rewards you with valuable loot, including currency, equipment, and Draven’s Memorial Key Piece. This key fragment is one of two required to complete the Sorrow Among Stones quest. The second key piece is held by Asinia, Draven’s wife, making her another critical boss to defeat.

 How To Beat Mighty Silverfist

Overview of the Fight

Mighty Silverfist is an optional boss encountered in Act 3’s Jungle Ruins, located near the Temple Ruins landmark. Unlike Draven, Silverfist is a melee powerhouse with slow but devastating attacks. He is particularly dangerous for melee builds due to his high damage and tanky defenses.

Silverfist’s key mechanics include:

-Powerful Slam Attack: A high-damage slam that can knock out unprepared players.

-Slow but Heavy Attacks: While his attacks are telegraphed and slow, they can one-shot players with insufficient defenses.

-Armor Mechanics: Silverfist has a high armor rating, making it difficult to deal consistent physical damage.

Key Strategies

1.Focus on Dodging:

   Silverfist’s slow attacks make dodging a viable strategy for survival:

  Use thedodge roll mechanic to evade his slam attacks and swings.

  Watch for his attack animations; his swings have a clear wind-up, giving you enough time to dodge.

2.Break His Armor:

   For physical damage builds, breaking Silverfist’s armor is crucial to winning the fight:

  Use skills or items that applyarmor reduction orbleed effects.

  Consider elemental damage builds (fire, cold, or lightning) if you are struggling to bypass his armor.

3.Keep Your Distance:

   Ranged and spellcaster builds have an easier time dealing with Mighty Silverfist. Maintaining distance while dealing damage allows you to avoid his powerful melee attacks entirely. If you are using a melee build, focus on hit-and-run tactics to minimize your exposure to his strikes.

4.Gear and Preparation:

  Equip gear with defensive affixes, such as increased life, armor, or evasion rating, to survive his heavy attacks.

  Use flasks that boost movement speed or reduce physical damage taken during the fight.

5.Patience Over Power:

   Mighty Silverfist’s slow attack patterns reward patient players. Avoid trying to rush the fight; instead, focus on evading his attacks and dealing consistent damage over time. If you struggle to dodge consistently, practice timing your rolls to evade his swings.

Rewards for Defeating Mighty Silverfist

Defeating Mighty Silverfist rewards players with aBook of Specialization, which grants two Weapon Set Passive Skill Points. These points can be assigned to specific weapon sets, providing greater tactical options and flexibility for your build.

Additionally, while the loot drop rates are not as high as those from mandatory Act bosses, Mighty Silverfist’s rewards tend to be of higher quality. If you come across him in the Jungle Ruins, he is worth the effort for the unique rewards he offers.

 Conclusion

Both Draven, The Eternal Praetor, and Mighty Silverfist present significant challenges in Path of Exile 2, requiring players to adapt their strategies and builds to overcome these foes. Draven’s fight emphasizes positioning, movement, and pattern recognition, while Mighty Silverfist tests your ability to dodge and break through heavy defenses.

By carefully studying each boss’s mechanics, preparing your gear, and choosing the right strategies, you can claim victory and reap valuable rewards that will strengthen your character for the challenges ahead. Whether you’re completing the Sorrow Among Stones quest or hunting for a Book of Specialization, facing these bosses is a test of skill and preparation that every PoE 2 player should embrace.

Finally, for players looking to enhance their PoE 2 experience, consider joining MMOEXP’s giveaway events to earn POE2 Currency, POE 2 Chaos Orbs, and POE 2 Exalted Orbs. Facing tough bosses like Draven and Mighty Silverfist becomes far easier when your character is well-prepared and equipped. Good luck, Exiles, and may your loot be plentiful!