If you’ve pushed through the early areas of Path of Exile 2, you’ll hit the point where the King in the Mists stops you cold, and it’s usually the first time the game asks if you actually understand your build. You run into him while helping Finn with the druid altars in Freythorn, and although you can walk away, it’s rarely worth skipping because the rewards help a lot in the early campaign. This is where having your gear sorted matters, and weaving in something like PoE 2 Currency upgrades into your prep feels natural when you’re trying not to get flattened.

Early Patterns and What Usually Trips People Up

Most players stroll into phase one thinking it’ll be another simple ranged‑projectile dodge dance. His swings are slow, the purple bolts are easy enough to sidestep, and as long as you’re not drifting into a corner, you’re fine. But a lot of folks make the same mistake right here: they forget their flasks. This fight drags on, and if you enter it with half‑empty flasks or cheap ones you never upgraded, you’ll feel it fast. You’ll also want your movement skill on a button you can hit without thinking, because small steps matter more than bursts of damage in these early moments.

When the Arena Shifts and Everything Gets Worse

Once you drop his first health bar, the fight flips. Watching him refill his life and twist into that corrupted tree form throws people off every time. The second phase covers the arena with pressure waves that feel wider than they look, and those little mines he plants have a way of sticking around just long enough to catch you when you roll back into them. The biggest danger, though, is the vine root. If you take too long lining up a hit or you try to facetank something you shouldn’t, you’ll get rooted and then immediately eat a staff slam that’ll erase you. Keep moving, throw short bursts of damage, and reset your position often. Melee players have it rougher, but with a hit‑and‑go rhythm, it’s doable.

Why the Fight Is Worth the Stress

You might wonder why players bother pushing through this whole mess so early, but the rewards answer that fast. The Gembloom Skull is a huge Spirit boost for summoners or anyone juggling multiple reservation skills. Even if you’re not planning on running a minion build, the extra room for skills this early makes your whole setup feel smoother. And getting access to the Favor system after clearing the altars sets up your character in a way that pays off for hours afterward. Once you get the movement down and stop standing still long enough to get rooted, the whole fight turns from a wall into a pretty satisfying skill check, especially if you’ve been investing steadily instead of ignoring what u4gm poe2 upgrades can open up for your build.