Path of Exile (PoE) is renowned for its intricate gameplay, deep lore, and challenging quests. Among the many quests in Act 2, "The Ruler of Highgate" stands out as both a narrative and gameplay milestone. This quest immerses players in the politics and dangers of Highgate, challenging them to confront a formidable leader while navigating treacherous terrain and elite enemies. This comprehensive walkthrough will guide you through every step of the quest, offering strategies, preparation tips, and advice to ensure your success.

 

Quest Overview

The quest is pivotal for progressing Act 2, as it not only advances the storyline but also provides valuable rewards, including experience points, Path of exile currency items, and potentially unique gear. Completing this quest successfully requires careful preparation, strategic thinking, and awareness of your character's strengths and weaknesses.

 

Step 1: Accepting the Quest

The quest begins in Highgate, a key outpost in Act 2. After completing previous quests such as Breaking Some Eggs and The Great White Beast, players will meet Clarissa, who provides essential background on the situation in Highgate. The ruler of Highgate has taken control of the area through force, disrupting trade and threatening the safety of residents. Clarissa entrusts the player with the task of confronting this leader, warning that the ruler is heavily guarded by elite bandits and protective traps.

 

Upon accepting the quest, the first step is to prepare for exploration and combat, as Highgate's stronghold is filled with dangerous enemies and environmental hazards.

 

Step 2: Preparing for the Quest

Preparation is crucial for surviving the Ruler's stronghold. Players should focus on three main areas: gear, skill setup, and resources.

 

Gear and Equipment

Weapons: Ensure that your weapon scales with your character level. Melee fighters might prefer swords, axes, or maces that maximize damage per second, while spellcasters benefit from wands, scepters, or staves with bonuses to spell damage.

 

Armor and Defenses: Depending on your build, you should prioritize either high evasion, armor, or energy shield. Make sure your resistances-especially fire, cold, and lightning-are capped to reduce elemental damage from the ruler and minions.

 

Flasks: Stock up on life and mana flasks and consider utility flasks like Quicksilver Flask for speed, Granite Flask for armor, and Basalt Flask for physical damage mitigation.

 

Skill Gems

Selecting the right skills is critical. Melee builds should emphasize mobility and crowd control, with skills like Leap Slam or Cyclone to manage groups of enemies. Ranged or spellcasting builds can rely on Fireball, Freezing Pulse, or Arc to eliminate enemies from a distance. Summoner builds benefit from minions such as Summon Raging Spirit or Raise Spectre to distract and deal damage simultaneously.

 

Inventory and Buffs

Ensure your inventory has sufficient scrolls, portal orbs, and gear repair items. Some players also find it useful to carry temporary buffs or jewels that enhance damage or survivability for tougher fights. You can get them with cheap POE currency.

 

Step 3: Navigating to the Stronghold

Highgate's layout can be challenging. The stronghold is marked by a red flag and heavily guarded by elite bandits. Approaching the area requires strategy:

 

Scout the perimeter: Take note of enemy patrol routes. Clearing enemies methodically reduces the risk of being overwhelmed.

 

Avoid traps: Narrow corridors often contain spike traps, poison clouds, or hidden explosive barrels. Players with movement speed enhancements or immunity flasks can bypass some hazards safely.

 

Use terrain strategically: Exploit choke points for AoE attacks or retreat to safe areas if enemies begin to swarm.

 

Players should advance cautiously. Rushing into the stronghold often results in unnecessary deaths due to the density and strength of enemies.

 

Step 4: Combat Strategy Against the Ruler

The confrontation with the Ruler of Highgate is the climax of the quest. This multi-phase battle tests a player's skill, positioning, and resource management.

 

Phase 1: Minion Clearance

Initially, the ruler is protected by elite minions who deal significant damage and apply crowd control. Focus on eliminating these minions first to reduce incoming damage and make the second phase manageable. AoE skills such as Ground Slam, Fireball, or Ice Nova are highly effective in this stage. Summoned minions can also be used to distract enemies and absorb attacks.

 

Phase 2: Boss Engagement

Once the minions are defeated, the ruler engages directly. Important considerations include:

 

Attack Patterns: The ruler uses a mix of melee slashes, shockwaves, and occasional elemental attacks. Maintaining mobility and avoiding cornering is crucial.

 

Phase Shifts: At roughly half health, additional minions may spawn, or the ruler may switch to AoE elemental attacks. Defensive flasks and repositioning become essential at this point.

 

Debuffs and Buffs: The ruler may apply physical damage reduction or elemental resistances. Players should use skills or items that bypass these defenses or increase penetration.

 

Timing, awareness, and skill rotation are key to surviving the encounter. Avoid taking unnecessary hits and maximize damage during openings.

 

Step 5: Post-Battle Actions

After defeating the Ruler of Highgate, players should complete several post-battle tasks:

 

Loot Collection: The ruler drops rare and unique items, as well as currency items vital for crafting. Explore thoroughly, as some loot may spawn off the main path.

 

Report to Clarissa: Returning to Clarissa finalizes the quest, awarding experience points and opening additional questlines in Act 2.

 

Claim Rewards: Rewards often include large amounts of experience, currency items, and gear that enhances your build. Completing this quest also unlocks new merchants and trading options in Highgate.

 

Tips and Best Practices

 

Build-Specific Advice

Melee Builds: Prioritize mobility, crowd control, and dodging. Skills like Cyclone or Leap Slam allow you to navigate tight spaces and manage groups of minions.

 

Ranged/Spellcasters: Maintain distance and use spells that can control or damage multiple enemies simultaneously. Kiting the ruler while dealing damage is highly effective.

 

Summoner Builds: Minions can absorb damage and distract the ruler. Use buffs and AoE spells to weaken the boss while staying behind your army.

 

Environmental Awareness

Highgate's stronghold features tight corridors and traps. Use these to your advantage by funneling enemies into AoE attacks or avoiding choke points when retreating. Observation and careful movement reduce unnecessary deaths and make the fight more manageable.

 

Resource Management

Conserve flasks for the boss fight rather than using them on standard enemies.

 

Maintain mana levels for consistent skill rotation.

 

Utilize life leech or regeneration mechanics to endure prolonged engagements.

 

Conclusion

"The Ruler of Highgate" is more than just a challenging combat encounter; it's a culmination of strategy, preparation, and knowledge of your build in Path of Exile. Successfully completing this quest requires careful planning, resource management, and awareness of both the environment and enemy mechanics.

 

This quest enriches the narrative of Act 2 by providing insight into Highgate's political tensions while rewarding players with valuable loot and experience. Following this walkthrough ensures that players are well-prepared, can handle the challenges presented, and can enjoy the satisfaction of overcoming a demanding quest in Wraeclast. For both new and veteran players, understanding the mechanics of the Ruler, preparing adequately, and proceeding methodically will make this pivotal quest a memorable highlight in their Path of Exile journey.