Act 2 can prove to be a big step up in difficulty for players. Not only are enemy levels higher and new enemy types are appearing, but there’s also a higher grade of loot to be found, and you’re expected to gear up all over again. Fortunately there’s a handy way to test if your gear is up to snuff for the rest of Act 2 - Rathbreaker. He’ll kindly put your martial prowess to the test, and if you emerge victorious, you’re probably in good shape for a deep run into Act 2. This page will provide strategies for defeating Rathbreaker in Path of Exile 2.
Page Breakdown¶
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| Rathbreaker Location |
| Rathbreaker Boss Strategy |
Rathbreaker Location¶
At the start of Act 2 you’ll find yourself in an encampment - seek out and talk to Zarka, who will tell you the caravan can’t depart due to some hyenic raiders who have been pestering them. This starts the quest Earning Passage, tasking you with eradicating this menace so you can travel with the caravan. Exit out to the Vastiri Outskirts and fight your way through the enemies until you reach an open area where a Sun Clan centaur, Rathbreaker, holds court from some high ground to a host of Hyena Demons.
(1 of 2) Talk to Zarka and she’ll instruct you to put down some “hyenic raiders”.
Talk to Zarka and she’ll instruct you to put down some “hyenic raiders”. (left), Explore the Vastiri Outskirts to find Rathbreaker holding court over some Hyena Demons. (right)
Rathbreaker Boss Strategy¶
This is a fairly odd fight, as despite the open stretch of ground opposite Rathbreaker, you’re pretty much confined to fighting Rathbreaker on the high ground he occupies. If you try to lure him down, he may just end up deaggroing, regenerating, and returning to his original spot.
Aside from the deceptively cramped fighting grounds, this battle is unusual in other ways as well - namely the Rathbreaker has somewhat limited attacks, but compensates for this with infinite adds and distractions. In the first case, Hyena Demons will constantly spawn from caves on the low ground and make their way up to where you have to fight Rathbreaker - you’ve no choice but to pass this test of AoE and DPS, as Rathbreaker’s attacks are too strong for you to get surrounded by Hyena Demons. In addition, some Sun Clan centaurs occupy high ground north of the arena and will pelt you with spears, including both individually thrown spears and an AoE line of spears that will reach from the cliff these centaurs are on to the edge of the high ground Rathbreaker occupies.
(1 of 3) Rathbreaker himself is dangerous enough, but with an endless horde of Hyena Demons at his disposal, he can prove to be a very challenging foe, indeed.
While you’re trying to kill Hyena Demons and avoid spear attacks (at least the line of spears that periodically propagates) you’ll have to also deal with Rathbreaker. His attacks are as follows:
Charge¶
Rathbreaker is half horsie, so he’s obviously gotta have a charge attack. He’ll rush forward in a line, dealing damage to you if he connects. If he ends his charge near you, he may also perform a follow up swipe, from a nondescript and moderate damage standard sword slash up to a “Shockwave Slam”.
Raking Blade Beam¶
Rathbreaker will drag his sword in the dirt, performing a sweeping upward slice, shooting out a blade beam in the process. He can do this once or twice in succession, and while thiese attacks do little damage, he often follows a “Raking Blade Beam” attack with a much more devastating “Shockwave Slam”.
Shockwave Slam¶
Easily Rathbreaker’s most dangerous attack, he’ll draw back his sword over his shoulder for a moment, then release a mighty slash into the ground, sending up a shockwave in a line. This can deal hundreds of damage if it connects, and if you’re not all full health (likely due to persistent spear attacks or Hyena Demons) it could end up one-shotting you. It doesn’t track well and in a vacuum isn’t hard to dodge, but Rathbreaker uses it frequently and there are many impediments and distractions in this fight. Rathbreaker can use this as a standalone attack, at the end of a charge, or following one or two “Raking Blade Beam” attacks. Run and dodge to the side when you see this coming.
(1 of 3) Rathbreaker will make good use of his equine half by performing charge attacks - the charge is dangerous enough, but be wary of followup attacks at the end of the charge if you’re nearby!
You need the firepower to cull the Hyena Demons when they spawn, and the faster you kill them, the better off you’ll be, as they’re just going to keep spawning. If you have piercing attacks, this can help you mow through adds and also deal chip damage to Rathbreaker. As long as you’re capable of killing the Hyena Demons reasonably fast while evading Rathbreaker’s “Shockwave Slam” you should be in good shape.
Defeat this boss and his outraged followers - Sun Clan centaurs and Hyena Demons both - will attack, the former leaping down from their high ground to finally fight you fairly. You’re free to retreat all you want now, so use the opportunity to avoid being boxed in and whittle down Rathbreaker’s followers. Report back in to Zarka and you’ll finally be able to explore more of Act 2.
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