The King in the Mists is one of the most challenging and rewarding encounters in Path of Exile 2 Ritual league. As the pinnacle boss of the Ritual mechanic, this fight is not only a test of skill and strategy but also a gateway to some of the most valuable loot in the game. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the King in the Mists, from obtaining the Audience with the King invitation to mastering the mechanics of the fight itself. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer looking to tackle this boss for the first time, this guide will help you prepare for and conquer this formidable foe.

Obtaining the Audience with the King

Before you can face the King in the Mists, you’ll need to secure the Audience with the King invitation. This item is your ticket to the boss fight and can be acquired in two primary ways:

Ritual Rewards: The Audience with the King can sometimes appear as a reward in Ritual encounters. However, it’s often quite expensive, requiring you to defer it multiple times before you can claim it. This method can be time-consuming and costly, so it’s not the most efficient way to obtain the invitation.

Purchasing from Alva or the Market: A more straightforward method is to purchase the invitation directly. You can either buy it from Alva, the Master Mission NPC, by typing “Audience with the King” in her search bar, or you can purchase it from other players via the trade market. As of the current market, the invitation costs approximately 5.7 Divine Orbs, making it a significant investment. Be sure to weigh the cost against the potential rewards before committing.

The King in the Mists: Loot and Rewards

The King in the Mists drops several unique items, some of which are highly sought after. Here’s a breakdown of the potential loot:

Beetlebite Boots: These boots are generally considered underwhelming and are not worth much in terms of value.

Burden of Shadows: Another low-value item with limited build applications.

Pragmatism: A unique armor piece that currently lacks a strong niche in the meta.

From Nothing: This unique jewel allows you to allocate passives in the radius of a keystone without connecting them to your tree. It can be quite valuable, especially for niche builds that require specific keystone interactions.

Ingenuity: The crown jewel of the King in the Mists’ loot table, this belt is often compared to the Mageblood in terms of power. It provides significant bonuses to flask effectiveness and is highly sought after. Prices for this belt can range from 18 Divine Orbs for a low roll to 37 Divine POE 2 Orbs for a high roll, making it one of the most valuable drops in the game.

Given the potential for high-value loot, the King in the Mists is a fight worth mastering, especially if you’re looking to make a profit or upgrade your build.

Preparing for the Fight

Before you enter the arena, it’s crucial to ensure that your build is ready for the challenge. Here are some key considerations:

Damage Output: The King in the Mists has a substantial health pool, so you’ll need a build capable of dealing consistent damage. However, don’t sacrifice survivability for DPS—this fight requires a balance of both.

Defenses: The boss deals a mix of physical, chaos, and elemental damage, so layered defenses are essential. Consider investing in capped resistances, life or energy shield, and mitigation tools like block or evasion.

Mobility: The fight involves a lot of movement, so having a movement skill like Flame Dash or Shield Charge is highly recommended.

Flasks: Make sure your flasks are optimized for the fight. A Quicksilver Flask for speed, a Life Flask for recovery, and utility flasks with appropriate immunities (e.g., freeze, bleed) are all valuable.

The Fight: Mechanics and Strategies

The King in the Mists fight is divided into several phases, each with its own mechanics. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of what to expect and how to handle each phase:

Phase 1: The Initial Encounter

Thorn Grip Slam: The boss often opens with a powerful slam attack that can one-shot unprepared players. Stay at range and avoid standing directly in front of him.

Totems: The King will summon totems that can amplify his damage or apply debuffs. Destroy these as quickly as possible to minimize their impact.

Red Pools: The boss creates damaging red pools on the ground. Avoid standing in these, as they deal significant damage over time.

Debuffs: The King can apply two key debuffs:

“You are Seen”: If you move while this debuff is active, you’ll be imprisoned. Stop moving until the debuff expires.

“Keep Running”: If you stop moving while this debuff is active, you’ll be imprisoned. Keep moving until the debuff expires.

Phase 2: The Maze

After dealing enough damage, the King will retreat, and you’ll be transported to a maze filled with death fog. Follow the wisps to navigate the maze and reach the next arena. Be quick—if the death fog catches up to you, it’s an instant death.

Phase 3: The Final Showdown

Tree Form: The King transforms into a more powerful version of himself, gaining new abilities.

End of Meeting Nigh: The boss will unleash a massive explosion that can one-shot you. Watch for his telegraph and move out of the way.

Tornado and Blood Waves: The King summons a giant tornado and blood waves that deal heavy damage. Kite these away from the boss while continuing to deal damage.

Stun Locking: The boss can be stunned, but be cautious—he’ll continue any attack animations he started before being stunned, which can catch you off guard.

Tips for Success

Positioning: Always be aware of your positioning relative to the boss. Avoid standing in front of him to dodge his slam attack, and stay mobile to avoid ground effects.

Debuff Awareness: Pay close attention to the debuffs you receive and adjust your movement accordingly. Misjudging these can lead to imprisonment and potentially death.

Kite the Tornado: In the final phase, focus on kiting the tornado away from the boss while dealing damage. This will give you more room to maneuver and avoid his attacks.

Practice: If you’re new to the fight, consider practicing in Standard League or with a less valuable invitation to familiarize yourself with the mechanics.

Conclusion

The King in the Mists is a challenging but rewarding encounter that offers some of the best loot in Path of Exile 2. By understanding the mechanics, preparing your build, and practicing the fight, you can increase your chances of success and reap the rewards. Whether you’re chasing the coveted Ingenuity belt or simply looking to test your skills, the King in the Mists is a fight worth mastering. Good luck, Exile—may your drops be plentiful and your portals intact!