Complete Guide to the Ominous Altars Quest in Path of Exile 2

Embarking on quests in Path of Exile 2 can sometimes lead players into perplexing scenarios, particularly when quests appear straightforward but end up causing confusion. One such quest is the Ominous Altar quest provided by Finn, where players are tasked with locating the Freythorn in the Hunting Grounds. This guide serves to illuminate Freythorn’s exact location, detail the steps to defeat the King of the Mists boss, and assist you in completing the Ominous Altar quest effectively.

Locating Freythorn in Path of Exile 2

Map Location of Hunting Grounds — Screenshot by Prima Games

Upon accepting the Ominous Altars quest, the first step is to track it on your map, which will illuminate the relevant area. Specifically, this quest will be completed within the Hunting Grounds.

In the Hunting Grounds, players will notice multiple pathways leading to distinct locations, including the Cemetery, the Farmland, and Freythorn. This expansive area can contribute to confusion, making the search for Freythorn a bit daunting.

Ritual Altar in Hunting Grounds — Screenshot by Prima Games

Head towards the center of the Hunting Grounds and locate the Ritual Altar. Depending on your encounter, the location of the altar may vary, as these spots are randomized. Activate the altar, which will trigger a respawn of the nearby defeated enemies.

After cleansing the Ritual Altar, Finn will appear, providing vital information about the location of Freythorn. Be sure to thoroughly explore the corners of the Hunting Grounds; Freythorn is typically positioned on the opposite side from the Cemetery and the Farmland.

The Freythorn location, as depicted above, can be somewhat concealed within the overall map. If you overlook a narrow pathway, you may entirely miss it. The entrance to Freythorn is also adjacent to a checkpoint featuring a boss encounter, which players can clear for some early in-game currency or skill gem levels if needed.

Ominous Altars in Freythorn — Screenshot by Prima Games

Upon entering Freythorn, your objectives will shift to locating and cleansing all the Ritual Altars within this area. Explore thoroughly to activate each of the three altars. Cleansing the final altar will trigger the appearance of the King of the Mists, marking the beginning of a challenging encounter.

Strategies for Defeating the King of the Mists

King of the Mists Encounter — Screenshot by Prima Games

The King of the Mists poses a significant threat, introducing various complex mechanics during the battle. Initially, players will encounter a range of relatively simple-to-evade attacks.

This boss has the ability to summon a horde of rats, compelling players to remain agile within the arena. Additionally, he can create a damaging pool of boiling blood on the ground, which inflicts physical damage over time when walked upon. Players must remain vigilant to navigate around these hazardous areas.

Maintaining mobility while attacking is crucial; being stationary leaves you vulnerable to random assaults from the boss.

One significant mechanic to watch for is the Ritual of Dance and Ritual of Meditation debuffs. Throughout the fight, players will notice effigies or altars emerging. These can easily be damaged if players are using area-of-effect (AoE) attacks.

Each effigy can inflict either the Ritual of Dance or Ritual of Meditation debuffs. If afflicted with the Ritual of Dance, continuous movement is necessary to avoid being imprisoned. Conversely, the Ritual of Meditation requires players to halt their movement to avoid the same fate. These debuffs last for eight seconds, adding to the complexity of the fight.

At the 20% health threshold, the King of the Mists will retreat to the side, becoming immune for a short period while regenerating his health. This marks the transition to phase two of the encounter.

During the second phase, he releases slow-moving orbs aimed at your last known position. This mechanic allows players some leeway: simply taking a step away after the orb is cast can successfully evade it. However, if you are stifled by the earlier debuffs, you risk taking damage from these projectiles.

To effectively counter this, continue dismantling the effigies while skillfully avoiding the slow projectiles. Maintain the strategy employed during phase one, focusing on movement and targeting the incoming threats.

Upon defeating the King of the Mists, players should return to Finn in the encampment to collect their rewarding charm. Also, do not forget to gather rewards from the Ritual Altar before heading back to town!

For those familiar with the first iteration of Path of Exile, the mechanics of the King of the Mists fight may feel reminiscent of the primary encounter with the same name in the Viridian Wildwood.

For further details, visit this guide.