Mastering The Warden’s Trial in Path of Exile 2: A Melee and Ranged Strategy Guide
One of the first major combat challenges in Path of Exile 2 comes in the form of POE2 Currency“The Warden’s Trial” — a quest that pits players against the infamous Brutus, Warden of Axiom Prison. This brutal boss encounter introduces players to the game's core combat design, punishing poor positioning and rewarding tactical preparation. Whether you're a front-line melee fighter or a precise ranged attacker, success in this quest hinges on understanding the mechanics, optimizing your gear, and mastering your skill rotation.
Unlocking The Warden’s Trial
As you push through the prison-themed segments of Act 1, you'll receive this quest after speaking with NPCs in the Prisoner’s Gate or via the main storyline path. Your task is to confront Brutus in Axiom Prison, a decaying fortress filled with aggressive mobs, traps, and crumbling corridors. The layout is procedurally generated, so no two players will follow the same route — but key elements remain predictable.
To survive and thrive in this encounter, players must adjust their strategies based on build type. Let's break down what melee and ranged builds should focus on and how POE 2 Currency can be used for critical upgrades before the fight.
Preparing a Melee Build for Brutus
Melee players face the greatest risk during this quest. Brutus hits hard and can close distances quickly. His ground slam and hook attacks are lethal at close range, which means mobility and survivability are key.
Gear Up with Life and Armor Mods: Use Orbs of Transmutation and Orbs of Alteration to craft armor with life regeneration, flat life, and increased armor rating. Look for boots or gloves with added movement speed to help with repositioning.
Use Fortify Support and Endurance Charges: These mechanics reduce incoming damage. Melee players can generate Endurance Charges through certain skills or passives — a must-have for tanking hits during Brutus’s slam phases.
Shield or Two-Handed Weapon? For survivability, a shield with high block chance is ideal. However, those opting for a high-damage two-hander should aim to end the fight quickly with Leap Slam or Heavy Strike.
Use Flasks Wisely: Craft flasks with added recovery speed or bleed immunity. Brutus’s attacks can apply bleed, and panic healing is essential if caught in a combo.
Once you enter Brutus's chamber, engage by kiting him in a circular pattern. Land hits when he recovers from buy POE 2 Chaos Orbs an ability, and dodge out as he winds up. Leap Slam and Dash are excellent melee movement skills that keep you mobile while maintaining offensive pressure.