Path of Exile 2: How to Conquer Draven, the Eternal Praetor

Dec-17-2024

 

In Path of Exile 2, players are faced with an exciting and challenging array of bosses, each with its own unique mechanics and rewards. Among these, Draven, the Eternal Praetor is a formidable encounter that will block your path forward.

 

 

How to Defeat Draven, the Eternal Praetor

Draven is a mini-boss you'll encounter during Act 1 in the Sorrow Among Stones quest. While the arena you fight with him may seem large, Draven's ability to control the battlefield with his powerful area-of-effect (AoE) attacks can quickly make it feel cramped. To overcome him, you need to be patient and have good positioning, quick reflexes, and knowledge of Draven's moves.

 

Draven's Attacks

Basic Sword Combo: Draven swings his sword in a four-hit combo. 

 

Necrotic Bolts: Draven swings his sword in a large arc, sending out bolts of necrotic energy in a cone. Large arcs of necrotic energy that spread in front of him.

 

Necrotic Sword Wave: Draven swings his sword in two quick arcs, creating two waves of necrotic bolts. This necrotic energy wave will cover much of the arena.

 

Summon Minions: Draven creates ghostly hollows of his minions around the battle arena. If the player steps into one, an Eternal Knight will spawn to help Draven.

 

Summon Asinia: Draven will summon Asinia to help him conquer this battle. Asinia is Draven's wife, she will create deadly runic circles on the ground that explode after a brief delay.

 

How to Beat Draven

To beat Draven, you need to stay Patient. Draven's attacks, like the Necrotic Bolts, can deal massive damage. Ranged characters have a slight advantage here, but melee players can still succeed with the right tactics.

 

Then, pay attention to Draven's attack patterns. As soon as you see Draven charge up for his Necrotic Bolts, either move behind him or run away to avoid the bolts.

 

Be careful of his Necrotic Sword Wave and stay by his side. When Draven casts his Necrotic Sword attack, try to get close to him for shelter. The sword will cover the entire map, so being near Draven may help you avoid most of the damage.

 

Draven summons minions that can be dangerous if you run into them, but they're slow-moving. Avoid the green ghostly marks around the arena, and the minions won't be much of a threat.

 

The most dangerous attack is the runic circles created by Asinia. Draven's wife, Asinia, will create runic circles that explode after a brief delay. Keep moving through them—your normal walking speed is faster than the time it takes for the runes to detonate, so you'll be able to avoid the explosions.

 

Although Draven's attacks are not overwhelmingly difficult on their own, he combines them in complex ways, making the fight challenging. The key to success is learning his attack patterns and staying calm during the battle.

 

Rewards for Beating Draven

Upon defeating Draven, you'll receive regular loot and the Draven's Memorial Key Piece, which is one of two key fragments needed to progress further in Sorrow Among Stones. The other fragment is held by Asinia, who can be encountered on the same map in a different tomb.

 

Draven is a tough but rewarding boss in Path of Exile 2. With the right strategy, patience, and positioning, you'll be able to overcome this formidable foe. Good luck, Exile, and may your loot be plentiful!