How to Beat Benedictus, First Herald of Utopia in Path of Exile 2
Benedictus, First Herald of Utopia, stands as one of the most memorable boss encounters in Path of Exile 2's Act 4. A high-ranking member of the Order of Twilight, Benedictus combines magical amplification with brutal ranged pressure, turning the battlefield into a chaotic storm of lightning, stone, and collapsing arenas. Whether you're playing through the campaign for the first time or returning on a new build to farm gear, defeating Benedictus is essential.
This comprehensive guide breaks down how to locate him, how to survive his deadliest abilities, and how to counter every attack pattern he uses.
Where to Find Benedictus, First Herald of Utopia
You will encounter Benedictus in The Excavation, a dangerous zone located on the island of Arastas. This area marks the midpoint of Act Four and represents a steep jump in difficulty. Once you enter The Excavation, you must make your way through a sprawling cavern filled with Twilight cultists and magically infused constructs, enemies designed to prepare you for the types of elemental threats Benedictus will unleash.
Defeating him is mandatory to progress toward the forge, where you ultimately combine the three weapon fragments required to confront The Beast. Many players use this section of the game to gather gear upgrades or earn POE 2 Currency through loot drops and vendor recipes, preparing themselves for the rising difficulty curve.
How to Beat Benedictus, First Herald of Utopia
Benedictus is primarily a lightning-based boss who uses long-range magical attacks, arena hazards, and explosive patterns to punish unprepared players. Building your defenses properly, and understanding his attack rhythm, are the keys to controlling the flow of the fight.
Prioritize Lightning Resistance and Mobility
Before stepping into the arena, make sure your lightning resistance is capped or close to it. The overwhelming majority of Benedictus' damage is elemental, and reduced mitigation can cause his spells to one-shot lower-level characters. Stocking up on flasks, crafting resist gear, or spending extra POE 2 Currency on resistance upgrades from vendors can make an enormous difference.
Mobility is equally important. While Benedictus hits hard, many of his attacks have long wind-ups, giving skilled players the chance to dodge, reposition, or dodge-roll through him to avoid lethal bursts.
Staying Close: The Counterintuitive Strategy That Works
Although Benedictus bombards the arena with deadly ranged abilities, his melee swings are surprisingly weak. For this reason, almost every build, ranged or melee, is safer when staying close to him. Maintaining point-blank distance limits his use of his most destructive spells, and also gives you a shorter distance to dodge-roll through him when he begins charging up.
The trick is learning when to move behind him. Benedictus rotates slowly, and dodging through his body after he begins telegraphing a blast gives you a safe zone where he cannot hit you until he completely reorients.
Benedictus' Attack Patterns and How to Avoid Them
Understanding his attacks transforms the encounter from chaotic to manageable. Below are the major patterns you must master:
Shatter!
When Benedictus shouts "Shatter!", a spike appears near your character. A moment later, he slams it with a surge of electricity. This small-looking attack can chunk your life dramatically. As soon as you hear the voice cue, dodge-roll sideways, not backward, to avoid the impact zone.
Rock Maze (Phase 1 and Phase 2)
This is the most recognizable mechanic in the fight.
Phase 1 (first half of the fight):
Benedictus teleports to the arena's center and summons two circular rock rings with one small opening each. You must quickly find and sprint through both gaps before the structure explodes. Failure results in near-lethal damage.
Phase 2 (second half):
He teleports to either far end of the arena, then summons four straight rock walls forming a vertical maze. Each wall has one opening, and you must weave toward the opposite side before the explosion triggers.
Positioning, timing, and composure are essential. This attack punishes hesitation more than anything else.
Lightning Lash
This is Benedictus' most punishing ranged attack. He channels lightning through his snake staff, sweeping a cone of electricity before firing a piercing straight-line blast. The safest option is to stay close and dodge-roll through him as soon as he begins the charge animation. Rolling away risks getting caught in the cone or being struck by the follow-up beam.
Lightning Pylons
During the later half of the fight, Benedictus summons glowing pylons that emit persistent lightning damage in an area around them. Being too close drains your health rapidly, making these hazards one of the biggest threats for melee builds. Try to reposition Benedictus away from the pylons and maintain close pressure so he cannot kite you toward them.
Rewards
While Benedictus does not drop unique items, he does provide valuable rare gear, crafting bases, and opportunities to gather POE 2 Currency from salvaging or selling his drops. More importantly, defeating him unlocks access to the legendary forge, an essential step in crafting the multi-part weapon required to face The Beast later in Act Four.
Final Thoughts
Benedictus, First Herald of Utopia, is one of the most mechanically rich boss fights in Path of Exile 2. With high-damage spells, sudden arena shifts, and punishing movement-based puzzles, the encounter teaches players the importance of resistances, positioning, and timing. With the right preparation, smart dodging, and gear upgrades fueled by well-spent POE 2 Currency, you can bring him down consistently and continue your journey toward the heart of the campaign.
MMOexp POE 2 Team