How To Beat Benedictus, First Herald Of Utopia, And Solve Path Of Exile 2

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Benedictus, The First Herald, is a tough boss fight that appears late in Act 4 of Path of Exile 2. After defeating Arastas and Torvian, you’ll need to face this challenging boss. He has several mechanics that can wipe your entire party if your Lightning resistance isn’t high enough.

This guide covers the basic mechanics, including how to move through the small arena, dodge explosive Lightning attacks, and navigate the maze sections. Watch out for the laser attack, which can instantly kill you if you’re not ready—it’s a precise shot that requires quick reactions.

Benedictus’s Location
You’ll find Benedictus during the final part of your journey in Arastas, beyond The Excavation. He’s a key part of the storyline and is marked clearly on the map. If you don’t see him right away, keep exploring different maps, as all Path of Exile 2 maps are randomly generated, and he may take some time to locate.

Boss Overview
Benedictus deals both Physical and Lightning damage, which are significant threats in this fight. Increasing your resistances is crucial. For example, starting with only 17% Lightning resistance isn’t enough, so equipping gear like a Topaz ring (+30%) and a Storm Rune can make a big difference. These adjustments help you survive his deadly Lightning laser and give you more room to maneuver during the fight.

Boss Fight Guide

In the initial phase, Benedictus gives you a brief window to attack him. If possible, aim to bring his health down to around three-quarters or halfway. This can help you skip the first phase and jump straight into the second.
When he reaches the second phase, Benedictus will drop two large pillars into the arena, reducing the size of the fight area.

The Mazes

Watch for the ground to glow faintly blue, with Lightning shards scattered across the floor. This signals you to rush to Benedictus and stand beneath him—this is your safe zone during maze sections.
Once the maze appears, navigate towards the orange gate to exit, avoiding the deadly Lightning damage from staying in the maze longer than necessary. The maze layouts are often similar, so if you’ve fought him before, you might recognize the patterns.

The Rocks

Benedictus will cover parts of the arena with rocks, which can be tricky to avoid due to their similar color to the floor.
Keep an eye out for small darker circles where rocks will fall. Also, watch for him winding up for big attack animations, which often mean a massive rock fall is coming—deal with these carefully and stay at a safe distance during these moments.

The Electrical Spires

These spires clutter the arena, which is already tight space. They can only be destroyed by walking over them, then quickly moving or dodging away.
Clearing some of these spires between phases can make the fight easier by reducing the clutter, giving you more room to maneuver.

The Laser

The laser attack is one of the most dangerous—almost certain to kill if you’re not prepared. It appears very quickly, with little warning.
When Benedictus enters his electrical phase (summons three electric orbs in front of him), stay behind and close to him. This positioning makes it easier to dodge the laser.
Without enough Lightning resistance, this attack can be a one-shot kill, so boosting your resistances beforehand is essential.
Expect lots of trial and error with this mechanic. Studying his attack patterns and practicing dodging will help, especially if you’re playing hardcore.

Much of the fight involves understanding each phase’s mechanics and reacting quickly. Preparation is key to surviving Benedictus’s brutal attacks.