Dark Mists Quest in Path Of Exile 2
When you reach Act 4 in Path of Exile 2, one of the main story quests you'll take on is Dark Mists. It's a haunting, atmospheric quest that combines exploration through fogged zones, careful navigation of traps, a boss fight, and a final survival phase. The rewards are solid, you can get more POE 2 Currency or Items, and completing it is required to push further into Act 4's story.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a newcomer preparing for your first run, this guide walks you from the moment you unlock it to claiming your prize, explaining each step, danger, and tactic along the way.
Introduction to the Dark Mists
The Dark Mists quest is introduced partway through the main campaign-in Act 4, depending on your progression and class storyline. It's not just another dungeon crawl; it's a pivotal mission that pushes the narrative forward while demanding players adapt to new environmental hazards. The mists themselves become your greatest adversary. Visibility is sharply reduced, paths seem to shift as if the land is alive, and monsters use the cover of the fog to ambush you at the worst possible moments.
This quest introduces the idea that Wraeclast's darkness is not merely atmospheric-it's alive, creeping, and capable of corrupting anything it touches. You are tasked with breaking the hold of this living fog and restoring clarity to a region under siege by supernatural forces.
Unlocking the Dark Mists Quest
Your first move is to speak with Tujen in Kingsmarch, the hub area in Act 4. Once you talk to him, the quest becomes available and allows you to travel out to Kedge Bay. This step is simple but essential, because until you talk to Tujen, Dark Mists remains locked.
In practical terms, before leaving Kingsmarch, double-check your gear, flask configuration, and your resistances or defenses. The zones you'll journey through are foggy, hostile, and unpredictable, so you'll want to be prepared for sudden threats.
Journey to Kedge Bay & Initial Exploration
After unlocking the quest, take the ship from Kingsmarch to Kedge Bay. The transition is part of the quest chain. Once you arrive, you begin exploring - the game expects you to push forward until you find the entrance to a deeper zone known as Journey's End.
As you progress, be wary of the haze, the way terrain hides foes, and especially of traps. One of the trickiest surprises in this quest is a "Exploding Loot Trap." There is a ship along your path with many chests, and opening the chest sets off a timer. If you don't loot quickly or back away in time, the explosion kills your character. The lesson: treat "too good to be true" loot with suspicion, open cautiously, and always have an exit plan.
Into Journey's End & Summoning Tujen
Navigating through Kedge Bay will eventually lead you to the threshold of Journey's End. Once inside, you'll traverse brisk paths, fight corrupted creatures, and gradually approach the region where the next major objectives await. At a certain point, the quest requires you to summon and speak with Tujen near Freya Hartlin. This action moves the story forward - unlocks new paths, and leads you toward the boss confrontation.
Confronting Captain Hartlin
Your next task is to locate and defeat Captain Hartlin. The layout of Journey's End is relatively linear - push through until you reach Hartlin's chamber. Hartlin's attack style mixes melee and projectile assaults, making mobility and awareness critical. Avoid standing in the direct path of his ranged spells, and always be ready to dodge or reposition.
One additional hazard along the route: again, loot chests on wrecked ships or near coastal zones could trigger the same exploding trap behavior. The guide explicitly warns that you might open a chest that triggers a countdown to detonation of the ship. If you get caught in the blast radius, you'll die instantly. Stay alert in these areas.
Once Hartlin is down, he will drop a quest item called Verisium. Loot it immediately - without it, you can't move the quest forward.
Returning to Kingsmarch & Converting the Verisium
With Verisium in hand, teleport back to Kingsmarch. Go talk to Dannig (a friendly NPC) who will convert the Verisium into Verisium Spikes, which are needed for the next phase of the quest. After the transformation is complete, be sure to pick up the Verisium Spikes - they won't use themselves.
Freeing Freya Hartlin & Surviving the Madness
Your next step is to return to Journey's End, specifically to where Freya Hartlin is imprisoned behind Karui Totems. Use the Verisium Spikes on those totems to break the cage and set Freya free. The moment you free her, a brutal "Survive the Madness" sequence begins.
During this phase, waves of corrupted creatures or illusions spawn around you. You need to clear all of them while staying alive in a constricted area. The "madness" element suggests distortions, fear effects, or deceptive mechanics may also play a role. Keep your focus, avoid being cornered, and use defensive cooldowns or area control spells to manage incoming threats.
Once you've defeated all waves (or otherwise fulfilled the survival requirement), the madness ends.
Finishing the Quest
After surviving that final gauntlet, teleport back to Kingsmarch and speak with Tujen again. That final conversation marks the completion of Dark Mists. As a reward, you'll receive a Level 13 Uncut Skill Gem, plus a sum of gold. The gem scales in usefulness depending on your build, and helps bolster your capabilities heading deeper into Act 4.
With Dark Mists behind you, your path through Act 4 opens further - including additional quests, stronger zones, and new bosses to face. Dark Mists is one major tile in your progression path.
Why Dark Mists Matters
Dark Mists isn't just another quest - it's a rigorous test of your adaptability. Instead of purely demanding damage or speed, it asks you to navigate unseen hazards, respond to traps, and survive waves under duress. Completing it gives you a meaningful skill gem upgrade and stonewalls no further in Act 4's narrative loop. More than that, mastering its challenges helps sharpen your instincts for what Path of Exile 2 will demand later: fast thinking, awareness, and flexibility.
Tactical Tips & Best Practices
Throughout the Dark Mists quest, certain strategies will greatly increase your chances of success:
Stay mobile. Many threats are telegraphed but fast; whether facing Hartlin's projectiles or dodging blast traps, you need movement.
Use flasks and status cleansers. If the quest introduces confusion, fear, or other debuffs (which is probable given the "madness" theme), have flasks or gear to remove them.
Be skeptical of easy loot. Where you see an abundance of treasure (especially in fog or wrecked areas), there may be traps. Wait or scout before opening.
Don't hoard defensive cooldowns. Use them during the survival phase or in Hartlin's fight when danger is highest rather than saving them for later.
Clear add mobs aggressively. Foes that pile up during waves or while freeing Freya will overwhelm you. Use area-of-effect or crowd-control skills to thin them quickly.
Mind teleport return paths. Because you'll need to return to Kingsmarch and back, ensure you have fast travel or teleport options active so you don't waste time or expose yourself to danger.
If your build leans melee, be extra cautious with ranged attacks and maintain spacing. If you're ranged or caster, exploit your reach advantage to hit Hartlin safely and handle the final survival phase from a safer distance.
Final Thoughts
The Dark Mists quest in Path of Exile 2 stands as a testament to the game's atmospheric storytelling and demanding gameplay. It blends exploration, tactical combat, and environmental hazards into a singularly memorable mission. By understanding the terrain, preparing your build, and learning the patterns of the enemies that lurk in the fog, you'll not only survive but thrive in this daunting chapter.
Conquering the Dark Mists is more than just checking off a quest. It's a rite of passage that will prepare you for the escalating dangers that lie ahead in the haunted lands of Wraeclast. Whether you're after the story's progression, powerful loot, or simply the satisfaction of clearing one of the game's most evocative challenges, the Dark Mists quest delivers on every front.
MMOexp POE 2 Team