How to Defeat Captain Hartlin in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 continues to raise the stakes with challenging encounters that test both skill and strategy. By the time you reach Act Four, you'll face your first major roadblock: Captain Hartlin, a tragic figure tied deeply to the lore of Wraeclast. Once a noble son, Hartlin has been warped into an undead monstrosity. His mother, Freya Hartlin, tasks you with tracking him down during the Dark Mists quest, and ultimately, you'll be the one to put him to rest.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know to locate, fight, and defeat Captain Hartlin while maximizing your rewards.

Where to Find Captain Hartlin

Captain Hartlin resides in Journey's Edge, a grim location within Kedge Bay island. You'll naturally head there as part of the Dark Mists questline. The area is littered with hostile undead and mist-soaked paths, setting the tone for the boss battle ahead.

When you finally step into his arena, the stage feels appropriately foreboding, a ruined shoreline where Hartlin's corrupted form lingers, chained to his past and transformed into something monstrous.

Understanding the Fight

Hartlin is not the fastest boss in the game, but what he lacks in speed, he makes up for in resilience and punishing mechanics. He is particularly resistant to physical damage, meaning that players who rely heavily on melee attacks may struggle to break through his defenses. Spells and elemental abilities are far more effective for steadily draining his health.

However, Hartlin's bulk can work against him. Because he's slow-moving, it's possible to bait him into predictable attack patterns or line him up for area-of-effect (AoE) abilities. If your build focuses on stuns or crowd control, you'll find that Hartlin is especially vulnerable to interruptions when he prepares his larger attacks.

The Captain's Wheel Mechanic

The most distinctive part of this fight is the grotesque captain's wheel strapped around Hartlin's neck. On this wheel, a skull glows in one of three colors. Every so often, Hartlin will spin the wheel, changing the color and triggering a new special attack. Here's what to expect from each rotation:

Purple (Summon Skeletons): Hartlin raises a swarm of undead skeletons. They're weak individually, but in large numbers, they can overwhelm unprepared players. AoE skills and minion-clearing abilities are crucial here.

Green (Anchor Drop): Hartlin calls down a massive spectral anchor from the sky. The area-of-effect marker is clear, so dodging is possible, but the damage is devastating if you're caught underneath. The long wind-up, however, provides an excellent opportunity to deal heavy damage while he's locked in animation.

Blue (Spectral Volley): A wave of spectral orbs sprays across the battlefield. Each orb deals moderate damage, and the barrage can quickly whittle you down if you're careless. Keep moving laterally and avoid clustering with any allies if you're in a group.

Phase Two: Fire in the Hole!

When Captain Hartlin's health drops to around 33%, he introduces a brutal new ability: Fire in the Hole! This attack surrounds you with a circle of cannons that unleash a storm of cannonballs. At first glance, the situation seems impossible to escape, but the trick is surprisingly simple: position yourself in the center of the circle and run in a tight loop. By doing so, the cannon fire will consistently miss you, allowing you to maintain damage output and positioning.

General Tips for Success

Bring Elemental Damage: Because Hartlin resists physical attacks, elemental spells like fireballs, lightning strikes, or cold abilities can shave down his health far more efficiently.

Keep Moving: While Hartlin is slower than most bosses, his attacks cover wide areas. Constant mobility ensures you won't be cornered.

Clear Minions Quickly: The skeletons he summons may seem weak, but they serve as distractions and chip away at your health if ignored.

Use Stuns Wisely: Stun-capable builds can exploit the pauses between Hartlin's attacks, giving you windows for burst damage.

Rewards for Defeating Captain Hartlin

Upon defeating Hartlin, you'll claim both randomized loot and a guaranteed quest item: Verisium, which is essential for completing the Dark Mists storyline.

While Hartlin doesn't drop a signature weapon or armor piece, this battle remains an important checkpoint for resource gathering. The loot he drops can include valuable crafting items, gear, and tradeable resources. Many players farm him specifically to generate wealth in the form of POE 2 Currency, since these randomized drops can be exchanged or sold to strengthen other builds.

Because Path of Exile's economy thrives on the circulation of these resources, defeating Hartlin not only moves you forward in the campaign but also boosts your ability to trade effectively with other players. Whether you're looking to stockpile or flip items for profit, the encounter offers a solid mid-game opportunity to pad your currency reserves.

Final Thoughts

Captain Hartlin is more than just a boss fight, he's a tragic figure rooted in the story of Wraeclast, serving as both a narrative and mechanical milestone in Act 4 of Path of Exile 2. His fight challenges players to adapt, prioritize spell damage over brute force, and stay sharp in the face of dynamic attack mechanics.

Though his loot table is largely randomized, the POE 2 Currency and quest progression make the battle well worth the effort. By mastering his wheel mechanic, staying mobile, and capitalizing on his attack pauses, you'll not only put down Freya's lost son but also set yourself up for stronger progression through the remainder of the campaign.

MMOexp POE 2 Team