Path of Exile 2: How to Defeat Varloch and Avelyne

Varloch and Avelyne are the twin boss encounter found within the Derelict Mansion map node on the Atlas in Path of Exile 2. This encounter draws heavily from Interlude 1: The Curse of Holten, reimagining its themes, enemies, and boss mechanics for endgame Atlas progression. While the fight itself is mechanically straightforward compared to some later Atlas bosses, understanding the map setup, attack patterns, and positioning will make the encounter far smoother.

How to Access the Derelict Mansion

To unlock the Derelict Mansion map, players must first activate Draiocht Hengestones in the surrounding connected Atlas maps. These Hengestones act as progression keys, gating access to certain nodes tied to Path of Exile 2's narrative-driven Atlas structure. Once activated, the Derelict Mansion becomes available as a destination.

On the Atlas, the map is immediately recognizable. It is shrouded in a dark, oppressive aura, with flocks of bats circling above its open spaces. This visual effect mirrors the cursed atmosphere of The Curse of Holten and serves as a warning that the area is not only hostile, but thematically steeped in decay and corruption.

Surrounding the main mansion are several smaller houses scattered across adjacent maps. Clearing or progressing around these areas is recommended, as it helps stabilize the region and provides additional experience, loot, and POE 2 Currency before tackling the boss encounter itself.

Overview of the Boss Fight

The Varloch and Avelyne fight is relatively simple in structure, especially compared to multi-phase or heavily scripted encounters elsewhere in Path of Exile 2. The difficulty lies more in managing overlapping mechanics and maintaining awareness than in executing complex strategies.

Each boss draws inspiration from earlier story encounters:

Varloch uses attack patterns very similar to Draven from Act 1, focusing on heavy melee pressure and area denial.

Avelyne is a modified version of the Asinia boss fight, incorporating spell-based control mechanics that punish players who remain stationary for too long.

Although they fight together, their abilities are distinct, and learning to recognize which boss is performing which action is key to survival.

Varloch's Attacks and How to Handle Them

Varloch is a melee-focused boss who excels at punishing players that linger too close without paying attention to his wind-ups.

Sword Slam

This is Varloch's signature attack. He slams his sword directly into the ground, creating a clearly telegraphed impact zone. Dodging the initial slam is easy, but players must remain alert for the follow-up. After the slam, a shockwave travels outward on both sides of the impact point. Many players avoid the slam only to be hit by the delayed shockwave, so it's important to dodge laterally or fully disengage from the area.

Beyond Sword Slam, Varloch relies on standard melee pressure, forcing players to keep moving and avoid being cornered. Maintaining mid-range positioning helps bait his attacks while leaving room to dodge.

Avelyne's Mechanics and Threats

Avelyne is the more dangerous of the two bosses if ignored, as her abilities can quickly overwhelm players who tunnel vision on Varloch.

Orbital Strike and Bone Cage

Avelyne will periodically summon a Bone Cage, trapping players or restricting movement within a small area. Immediately after, she calls down an orbital strike, dealing heavy damage in the affected zone. The correct response is to break the Bone Cage as quickly as possible and immediately move away from the targeted area.

Failing to react quickly can result in massive damage or death, especially for lower-defense builds. Ranged characters should prioritize freeing themselves and repositioning, while melee builds need to balance cage destruction with awareness of Varloch's pressure.

Strategy and Positioning Tips

The fight becomes significantly easier when players manage spacing correctly. Try not to fight both bosses stacked on top of each other, as overlapping mechanics can limit safe movement options. Kiting Varloch slightly away while keeping Avelyne in view allows you to respond to Bone Cage mechanics without being blindsided by melee attacks.

Movement skills are extremely valuable here, helping you escape Bone Cages quickly and reposition after Varloch's Sword Slam. While the encounter does not demand extreme damage output, consistent DPS and clean execution will shorten the fight and reduce risk.

Rewards for Defeating Varloch and Avelyne

Defeating Varloch and Avelyne grants access to several unique and valuable rewards, making the encounter worthwhile even beyond progression:

Rigwald's Ferocity

Ailith's Chimes

Einhar's Beastrite

In addition to these unique drops, players can expect standard Atlas rewards, experience gains, and opportunities to accumulate POE 2 Currency, particularly if the map is run efficiently or repeatedly as part of a farming route.

Final Thoughts

The Varloch and Avelyne encounter in the Derelict Mansion is a well-designed Atlas boss fight that emphasizes awareness over complexity. With clear telegraphs, manageable mechanics, and strong thematic presentation, it serves as an effective bridge between story-driven content and endgame progression.

For players looking to farm POE 2 Currency, secure unique rewards, or simply advance deeper into the Atlas, mastering this fight is well worth the effort. By understanding each boss's attack patterns and reacting decisively, Varloch and Avelyne become less of a threat and more of an opportunity for efficient progression in Path of Exile 2.

MMOexp POE 2 Team