In the vast and intricate world of Path of Exile 2, players are constantly challenged by formidable foes, complex mechanics, and deep lore. Among the many legendary bosses, one name stands out for its chilling aura and dangerous potential: The Great White One. Known for its ethereal presence and devastating attacks, this powerful entity has left a significant mark on the game's storyline and gameplay.

For players diving into Path of Exile 2, understanding how to face off against The Great White One is crucial to progressing through some of the more challenging content. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of Path of Exile or a newcomer to PoE 2, this guide will provide a detailed walkthrough on how to face this boss, the mechanics you need to understand, and the loot rewards and POE 2 Orbs you can expect from defeating it.

Who is The Great White One?

The Great White One is a formidable and otherworldly entity that looms large in the Path of Exile 2 narrative. While much of its backstory remains shrouded in mystery, it's clear that this creature is connected to powerful forces beyond the realm of Wraeclast. It is believed to be an ancient and powerful being, possibly one of the many gods or primal entities tied to the world's origins.

Unlike other bosses in Path of Exile, The Great White One isn't just a physical manifestation of chaos and destruction. It represents an elemental force of overwhelming power, tied to the cold and the void. As players encounter it in the story, they will soon realize that defeating this boss requires more than just brute force-timing, tactics, and understanding its behavior are key.

When Do You Face The Great White One?

In Path of Exile 2, The Great White One is encountered during a key storyline act, following a series of escalating challenges and dungeon crawls. You will eventually reach an area where this boss awaits, after going through the requisite narrative beats.

While the specific timing of the encounter may vary based on your progression and quest line, you'll know you're approaching its lair when you encounter strange environmental effects-icy winds, frost-covered landscapes, and chilling soundscapes that foreshadow the arrival of the beast.

The Great White One: Boss Mechanics

Defeating The Great White One is no small feat. As with most bosses in Path of Exile 2, the key to survival and victory lies in understanding its mechanics. Below, we'll break down the major phases of the fight and what you need to do to survive each one.

Phase 1: The Frozen Lair

As the battle begins, The Great White One is surrounded by an aura of chilling frost. This stage is relatively straightforward but requires careful positioning to avoid the constant environmental damage. The Great White One will periodically summon icy projectiles that follow the player's movement, freezing them in place if they make contact.

What to Do:

Avoid Frost Projectiles: Keep moving constantly to avoid the projectiles and avoid getting trapped in a corner. These projectiles are often followed by additional attack patterns, so staying mobile is key.

Watch for AoE Frost Bursts: The Great White One will occasionally unleash a wide Area of Effect (AoE) frost burst. You'll see a clear visual cue-ice spreading across the ground before the burst happens. Be sure to dodge these bursts, as they can deal significant damage over time.

Tip: If you're a character who can summon minions or use teleportation, this phase becomes more manageable as you can use your minions to distract the boss or position yourself strategically to avoid incoming attacks.

Phase 2: Void of the Great White One

Once you've managed to whittle down the first phase of health, The Great White One will enter a more volatile phase. It will retreat briefly into the void, and when it returns, it will have enhanced powers. The boss will summon spectral clones of itself that appear at different points of the arena.

What to Do:

Identify the True Great White One: The boss creates illusory versions of itself during this phase, and while these clones look intimidating, only the real Great White One can deal damage. Pay close attention to the small differences in visual effects-such as the glowing aura around the real boss-so you can focus on the correct target.

Destroy Spectral Clones: While they don't deal direct damage, the spectral clones will summon additional frost-based attacks, creating chaos and crowd control effects. Destroying these clones quickly helps reduce the overall difficulty of the phase.

Tip: Characters with high single-target damage or crowd control abilities will be crucial during this phase. Keep your distance to avoid getting overwhelmed by the large number of clones that will swarm the arena.

Phase 3: The Final Assault

At around 40% health, The Great White One will enter its most dangerous phase-The Final Assault. In this phase, the arena will change significantly. The environment becomes completely frozen, with dangerous terrain hazards and chilling wind effects that can slow and freeze you in place.

What to Do:

Constant Movement: This phase demands that you never stop moving. The Great White One will begin summoning periodic ice storms that will freeze the entire arena for short bursts, slowing down players. Use your quick movement skills or high mobility builds to avoid these frozen zones.

Dodge the Void Leviathan: The Great White One will summon a massive ice creature, known as the Void Leviathan, to aid it. This entity will attempt to stomp the ground, causing ice spikes to shoot from the floor. Be sure to dodge these spikes, as they are incredibly damaging and can cause a lot of crowd control.

Tip: During the final phase, having immunity to freezing effects or increased movement speed will be vital. Potions and skills that reduce freezing duration should be used frequently, especially during the Void Leviathan's stomps.

Loot and Rewards

Defeating The Great White One rewards players with some of the most coveted loot in Path of Exile 2. The drop pool includes unique items, powerful weapons, and rare crafting materials. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect:

Unique Frost Weapons: These weapons come with the ability to deal frost-based damage, apply debuffs that slow enemies, and can even freeze enemies in place. Perfect for players who focus on elemental builds.

Artifacts of the Great One: These powerful artifacts are materials used to craft or upgrade certain armor sets that grant you elemental resistances and enhanced damage against cold-based enemies.

Rare Gems and Currencies: You can also expect to receive a significant amount of experience points, skill gems, and cheap POE 2 Currency that are valuable for crafting your next gear set.

Tips for Success

Cold Resistance: Be sure to gear up with high cold resistance, as The Great White One's attacks can easily freeze and chip away at your health.

Mobility: Fast movement skills, such as Dash or Leap Slam, are crucial for dodging frost projectiles and AoE bursts. Movement should always be your top priority.

Group Play: If you find yourself struggling with the boss, consider teaming up with other players. Group play can help with distracting clones, while you focus on taking down the real boss.

Conclusion

The Great White One is one of Path of Exile 2's most intense and thrilling encounters. With its intricate mechanics, stunning visuals, and challenging phases, it represents a true test of your strategic thinking, quick reflexes, and build optimization. Whether you're venturing solo or with friends, understanding the fight's nuances and preparing accordingly will ensure that you stand a fighting chance against this formidable adversary.

By mastering the key mechanics of the fight and utilizing the right gear, you'll soon find yourself claiming victory and reaping the rewards that come with slaying one of Wraeclast's most fearsome entities. Get ready to face the cold, and may the spoils of the Great White One be yours!