PoE 2: Draven, the Eternal Praetor Boss Guide

Path of Exile 2 introduces some exciting new content, and one of the standout bosses in Act 1 is Draven, the Eternal Praetor. This formidable foe resides in the Praetor's Mausoleum, and defeating him is the key to completing the Sorrow Among Stones quest. As a veteran player, I'm here to break down everything you need to know about defeating this formidable boss, his moveset, strategies, and the rewards you can expect for your efforts.

If you've already faced a few bosses in Path of Exile 2, you might have an idea of how tricky some of them can be. But trust me, Draven is no slouch. Let's dive into the basics of this boss fight and how to give yourself the best chance of success!

Where to Find Draven, the Eternal Praetor

Location: Mausoleum of the Praetor – Act 1
Region: Underneath the Cemetery of the Eternals

To face Draven, you'll need to navigate the Praetor's Mausoleum. It's a dark, eerie place full of traps and enemies that serves as a prelude to Draven's ultimate challenge. As with many PoE 2 areas, the layout here is procedurally generated, so no two runs will ever be exactly the same.

Once you enter the mausoleum, you'll be tasked with finding and defeating Draven in order to proceed with the Sorrow Among Stones quest. Prepare for a long journey full of enemies, but stay focused on your goal: Draven, the Eternal Praetor.

If you’re looking for other Act 1 bosses to prepare yourself for Draven, be sure to check out guides like PoE 2: Areagne, the Forgotten Witch Guide or PoE 2: The Brambleghast Guide, which offer useful strategies and insights.

Draven's Moveset: What You Need to Know

Draven, like many of the bosses in Path of Exile 2, has a varied moveset that will keep you on your toes. To make this fight manageable, understanding his moves and how to counter them is key. Here's a breakdown of his most dangerous attacks and how to avoid them.

1. 1 to 4-Hit Sword Attack

Draven's primary melee attack is to swing his sword up to four times in quick succession. The key here is to dodge or roll away when he starts this combo. It's a basic move, but it can quickly become deadly if you're caught off guard.

Tip: Kite him after the first swing to avoid getting trapped in his combo. If you’re fast enough, you can get in a few hits of your own.

2. Soul Projectiles

Draven will occasionally launch a series of projectiles that spread out in a semi-circle. These projectiles are deadly, but the timing of the attack is predictable. When Draven begins charging up, that’s your cue to move away from him to avoid the projectiles.

Tip: Stay out of Draven's immediate area when you see him charging up for this attack, and try to position yourself so you’re not caught in the spread of projectiles.

3. Huge Vertical Soul Slash

When Draven stomps the ground and flashes red, be on alert because this is his signal to unleash a devastating soul slash. The slash travels along a line in front of him, and it can deal massive damage.

Tip: As soon as you see the red flash, move out of the line of sight. You can attack Draven from behind at this point since he’ll be focusing on his vertical slash.

4. Revenant Summon: Asinia

Draven is not alone in the Mausoleum. He summons Asinia, his revenant, who will plant a series of circles on the ground. Three smaller circles and one large one will appear, and the large one will explode after a short duration. These explosions are lethal, so keep moving to avoid them.

Tip: When you see Asinia’s circles, keep your distance. If you’re caught in the explosion, it can cost you a large chunk of health. If possible, try to keep Draven distracted while focusing on dodging the circles.

5. Empowering Soul Rend

Draven has a dangerous mechanic where he absorbs nearby souls. If he absorbs three souls, he becomes empowered, which enhances his attack speed, damage, and makes his abilities even more dangerous. The empowered phase also modifies his Soul Projectiles attack.

Tip: Keep an eye on the souls floating around the arena and make sure to dissipate them by physically touching them. If Draven absorbs three, you’ll be in for a much harder fight. Stop him from absorbing the souls to make the battle more manageable.

Draven's Strengths, Weaknesses, and Debuffs

• Resistances: Draven is resistant to both physical and fire damage. So, don’t bother focusing on fire-based skills or physical damage over time. Focus on elemental damage types that bypass his resistances.
• Weaknesses: Draven has no obvious weaknesses, so just be ready to adapt your strategy based on his attack patterns.
• Debuffs: Draven has the ability to apply the Hinder debuff, which can slow you down or reduce your mobility. Be prepared to deal with this, especially during his Revenant Summon: Asinia phase.

If you're preparing for Draven, you may want to consider strategies for other difficult bosses in the game, like PoE 2: The Rust King Guide, which will teach you how to take on bosses that also require patience and careful positioning.

How to Beat Draven, the Eternal Praetor: Strategy Tips

Now that we’ve gone over Draven's moves, let’s talk about how to actually beat him. As a veteran gamer, my best advice is to stay mobile, keep an eye on the soul mechanics, and avoid getting caught in his devastating combo attacks.

1. Mobility is Key

Draven relies heavily on his Soul Missiles and Revenant Summon to control the arena. If you stay in one spot for too long, you'll be overwhelmed. Make sure you have plenty of movement options, such as dodge rolls or blink abilities. Staying mobile is the best way to avoid its attacks and counter effectively.

2. Stop the Soul Absorption

Draven's ability to absorb souls can turn the tide of battle in his favor. Don't let him absorb three souls or you'll be in for a much more difficult encounter. Keep an eye on the souls floating around the arena and make sure you touch them before Draven can absorb them. This is crucial to prevent him from becoming empowered.

3. Dodge the Cursed Areas

Asinia, Draven's revenant, will often cast Cursed Sigils on the ground, covering large areas of the battlefield. These cursed zones deal significant damage when they explode, so you'll want to stay away from them. Whenever you see Asinia summon the Cursed Zones, move away quickly.

4. Positioning Matters

Draven's Huge Vertical Soul Slash is one of his deadliest moves, and it requires precise positioning. If you're in his line of sight when he starts charging up, you'll get hit hard. When you see him flashing red, move behind him to avoid damage and get some free hits while he's recovering from the attack.

Draven’s Rewards

After defeating Draven, you’ll be rewarded with the Draven's Memorial Key Piece, which is crucial for progressing through the Sorrow Among Stones quest. Additionally, you can expect a variety of other drops, including items and currency, depending on your luck.

Potential Rewards:

• Draven's Memorial Key Piece (Sorrow Among Stones quest item)
• Other valuable drops, including weapons, armor, and currency

Final Thoughts: Draven, the Eternal Praetor in PoE 2

Draven, the Eternal Praetor, is one of the more interesting bosses in Path of Exile 2 Act 1. His ability to summon Asinia and manipulate the battlefield with Curse Zones and Soul Absorption makes him a challenge that requires both skill and strategy. By staying mobile, avoiding his attacks, and preventing him from empowering himself with souls, you'll have a good chance at victory.

So gather your gear, summon your allies, and take down Draven to claim your rewards. If you need some help equipping or acquiring some PoE 2 currency to make your life easier, check out Kit4game for a quick inventory boost.

Good luck out there, and may your journey through Path of Exile 2 be a successful one!