As you approach the conclusion of Path of Exile 2 Act 1, the bosses you face will become significantly more challenging compared to the earlier stages. The Executioner marks the beginning of this tougher stretch, serving as the final boss in the 'The Trail of Corruption' quest. While The Executioner doesn't have an extensive array of attacks, those they do possess can instantly deplete both your shield and health bars on certain builds. To avoid such a fate, our guide below provides essential tips on how to overcome The Executioner.
First, it's important to note that The Executioner has only one phase and cannot heal during the fight. This means you only need to focus on the HP bar displayed at the start of the encounter. However, don't be fooled into thinking this makes the fight easy. The Executioner summons numerous additional enemies that relentlessly pursue and damage you throughout the battle. Despite your efforts to eliminate them, these foes will keep coming, so it's wise to prioritize those causing you the most trouble and ignore the rest. The primary threats are the aggressive enemies constantly on your heels, while ranged enemies positioned at the arena's corners shoot fire arrows, which are manageable if you keep moving.
Your main focus should be on The Executioner. Utilizing area-of-effect (AoE) attacks to damage both the boss and their minions simultaneously is a strategic advantage. The key advice here is to always keep the boss in your line of sight. If you stray too far and lose sight of The Executioner, they can surprise you with an attack that might instantly deplete your health bar.
Regarding The Executioner's attacks, there are two primary moves to watch out for. The first is the Axe Stomp, a common attack where the boss swings their massive axe into the ground, causing a fiery explosion that deals significant damage if you're caught in its radius. This attack is predictable, as the boss winds up for a few seconds and is highlighted red. However, they also spin around during the wind-up, making it tricky. The best way to avoid it is to wait for the swing to start and then dodge backward or in the opposite direction. Given the attack's large area of effect, multiple dodges are advisable.
The second major attack is the Guillotine, The Executioner's signature move. This attack can one-shot most characters, even with full shield/HP. It involves the boss bringing down a massive axe from the sky, dealing AoE damage to anyone within a couple of meters. Fortunately, the Guillotine is easy to predict; The Executioner stands still and makes a throat-slitting gesture before the axe descends. However, the direction of the attack can vary, so you must constantly monitor the boss's position. Taking your eyes off The Executioner for even a second can mean the difference between life and death.
Lastly, The Executioner has smaller attacks involving axe swings. These are generally easy to avoid, as the boss swings their axe once or twice, changing direction based on your movement. Dodging these attacks is straightforward, but they can sometimes be linked with larger attacks. The best time to strike is immediately after an axe swing, as the boss is vulnerable for a brief moment. By maintaining a safe distance and dodging effectively, you can minimize damage and maximize your offensive opportunities.
In summary, the key to defeating The Executioner lies in minimizing mistakes. Keeping the boss in your sight and managing the smaller enemies effectively are crucial. The optimal strategy involves staying a few meters away to avoid axe swings, attacking when the boss finishes an axe combo, and then dodging away to watch for larger attacks. By repeating this loop and staying mobile to avoid the smaller enemies' damage, you can successfully overcome The Executioner.
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