Path of Exile 2: How to defeat Colossus Zalmarath?

Dec-27-2024

 

In Act 2 of Path of Exile 2, you'll embark on a journey to find and reassemble the Horn of the Vastiri. As part of the quest A Crown of Stone, you'll explore the Valley of the Titans and Titan Grotto, ultimately facing off against the formidable Colossus Zalmarath. This powerful boss is not only a key part of your quest, but also offers a chance to earn the highly sought-after Flame Ruby.

 

Here's everything you need to know to defeat Zalmarath, including the location of Zalmarath and the types of combat moves you will face in the battle.

 

 

Where to Find Zalmarath

Zalmarath is located at the end of the Titan Grotto, which you'll reach after navigating through the Valley of the Titans. In the Valley, activate three Ancient Seals to unlock the path to the Grotto. As the area is large, you should use as many Checkpoints and Waypoints as possible to mark your progress while exploring. Once you reach the Dais of Reckoning in the Titan Grotto, Zalmarath awaits.

 

How to Defeat Zalmarath

The arena where you fight Zalmarath is small and shrinks over time. Therefore, most of Zalmarath’s attacks will easily cover a large area of the arena, so making positioning is critical.

 

Zalmarath deals mostly physical damage, with some fire and lightning attacks thrown in. Prepare by upgrading your armor, spending as much POE 2 Regal Orbs on your armor as possible to make it higher in rarity and more defensive to withstand the damage.

 

When facing Zalmarath, mastering his attack patterns is the key to victory. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Zalmarath’s attacks and the strategies you can employ to overcome them.

 

1. Sword Stab

Zalmarath will raise his sword and thrust it into the arena before dragging it back along the path it traveled. This attack is signaled by his sword raise, giving you a clear window to dodge. While it’s relatively easy to avoid, getting hit will cause significant damage.

 

How to avoid

Watch for the sword raise and immediately dodge to the side or move away to avoid the stab.

 

2. Lightning Bolts

During this attack, Zalmarath moves around the arena’s edge in a quarter-circle, releasing waves of projectiles from his position. To mitigate damage, position yourself on the opposite side of the arena and move in the same direction as Zalmarath to block some of the incoming projectiles.

 

How to avoid

Move to the opposite side of the arena and match his movement to block the projectiles.

 

3. Arm Sweep

Abandoning his sword, Zalmarath uses his massive arms to sweep across the arena. This sweeping motion drags players along, dealing substantial physical damage. The range of this attack is large, so even the smallest mistake can lead to a devastating hit.

 

How to avoid 

If dodging the arm is impossible, quickly run in the opposite direction to avoid additional attacks and minimize damage.

 

4. Falling Debris

Zalmarath will fire a laser at the ceiling, causing debris to fall onto the arena. One piece of debris is significantly larger than the rest and can even destroy the floor beneath it. Watch for swirling dust circles on the ground, which indicate where the debris will land.

 

How to avoid

Avoid standing on the dust circles to prevent getting hit by falling debris. Keep moving to stay safe.

 

5. Stone Wave

Zalmarath raises his arm and slams it down to create a damaging wave of rocks. You’ll be able to predict the direction of the attack when he raises his arm, but be prepared for Zalmarath to use this move twice in quick succession.

 

How to avoid

Watch for the arm raise and dodge accordingly. If the attack comes a second time, prepare to dodge once more.

 

6. Laser

Zalmarath’s laser attack begins close to his body and moves outward. While it usually follows a straight path, he may occasionally pivot, causing the laser to sweep across the arena. Timing is crucial, as the laser stays active for a long time.

 

How to avoid

As the laser begins to move, predict its path and quickly position yourself away from it. Be ready to adjust your position if Zalmarath changes direction.

 

7. Vril Apparitions

In his ultimate form, Zalmarath summons Vril Apparitions from the corners of the arena. Though each individual apparition deals minimal damage, their overwhelming numbers can pose a serious threat. Use AoE (Area of Effect) abilities to swiftly eliminate them.

 

How to avoid

Focus on clearing the Vril Apparitions with AoE damage skills. Don’t let their numbers overwhelm you, or the damage will add up quickly.

 

8. Laser Spread

Zalmarath will stab his sword into the ground, preparing to unleash a devastating wave of laser damage. This attack deals massive, continuous damage unless you find shelter behind the sword.

 

How to avoid

As soon as Zalmarath stabs his sword into the ground, quickly run behind it to shield yourself from the laser wave.

 

9. Fire Tendrils

Zalmarath’s final and most chaotic attack involves slamming his fist down, creating fiery tendrils that move randomly across the arena. These tendrils deal heavy fire damage and can be tricky to avoid due to their erratic movement.

 

How to avoid

Observe the direction of the tendrils as they move and quickly reposition yourself to a safe spot. Stay on the lookout for their random paths and act fast.

 

The above are all the attacks you will experience during the battle with Zalmarath. It will repeat this series of attacks until you defeat it. It is worth suggesting that the longer you fight it, the more difficult it will be to dodge its attacks in the arena, because the range of the arena will continue to decrease.

 

With its powerful attacks and shrinking arena, Zalmarath can be a tough boss. Whether you're playing a melee or ranged build, the best strategy for this fight is to stick close to Zalmarath. Stay focused on his attack patterns, and soon you'll be able to claim the Flame Ruby and continue your journey. Best of luck, Exile!