Grinding Gear Games continues its tradition of crafting bosses that punish sloppy play and reward quick thinking. One of the standout encounters in Act Four is Captain Hartlin, a once-proud sailor who has been twisted into an undead monstrosity by the dark forces surrounding Kedge Bay. Half corpse, half shipwreck, he's a grim reminder of the fate awaiting those consumed by the sea's magic.

Hartlin's story connects directly to the Dark Mists quest chain. His mother, Freya Hartlin, sends you into the fog-covered waters in search of her missing son. By the time you reach Journey's Edge, you discover the horrifying truth:Hartlin has been fused with anchors, shattered masts, and other nautical debris, leaving only a shadow of his former self. What follows is one of Act Four's most atmospheric and mechanically rich boss fights.

The Arena and Early Difficulties

You'll face Hartlin in a spacious open arena, a deliberate design choice that allows him to unleash wide, sweeping attacks. Unlike more confined boss rooms, this space demands constant repositioning.

Melee Characters:

Expect a tough time—Hartlin has substantial physical resistance, making brute-force melee less effective. Consider armor-penetration mechanics or upgrading your weapon significantly.

Spellcasters:

Elemental and chaos users will notice their damage feels much smoother. These damage types bypass his high physical mitigation, giving casters a natural advantage.

If your build feels weak, upgrading gems, reforging gear, or investing some POE 2 Currency into your equipment can dramatically improve your chances.

The Captain's Wheel:Core Mechanic

Mounted around Hartlin's neck is a massive ship captain's wheel that shifts colors. Each color signals a specific pattern of attacks, and learning these cues is essential to winning the fight.

Purple – Summoned Crew

Hartlin calls forth a swarm of skeletal sailors. They are fragile individually but dangerous in large groups. You'll want reliable AoE or summoner-clearing abilities ready.

Green – Falling Anchor

A huge anchor crashes down, marking a large danger zone. The epicenter can easily kill you, but once the impact lands, Hartlin becomes vulnerable for a short window—a perfect opportunity for melee users to strike hard.

Blue – Spectral Orb Swarm

The arena fills with drifting, homing orbs. Each one deals modest damage, but their sheer quantity forces you to stay mobile and alert.

As the fight progresses, Hartlin adds a cannon barrage that blankets the arena with artillery fire. Surviving this chaotic sequence usually means you're near the end.

Recommended Strategies

Prioritize Magic Damage

Elemental and chaos builds can chew through his defenses far more efficiently than raw physical.

Clear Adds Fast

Letting skeletal waves pile up becomes overwhelming. Clean them out immediately.

Take Advantage of Anchor Drop

This is your best DPS window—use cooldowns, burst skills, and buffs.

Always Stay Moving

Many of his attacks reward constant movement. Strafing keeps you safe from swings, orbs, and anchors.

Reserve Mobility Skills for Emergencies

Dash, leap, blink, or shadow steps should be saved for the cannon phase when dodging becomes critical.

Rewards for Defeating Hartlin

Upon victory, Hartlin drops:

Verisium, needed to continue the Dark Mists questline.

High-quality rare items, useful for shoring up your build.

Currency, helpful for crafting or preparing for Act Four's next challenges.

Hartlin doesn't have a unique exclusive drop, but his guaranteed quest reward and the loot table make the encounter worthwhile.

Why This Fight Is Important

Captain Hartlin serves as a bridge to the midgame, teaching players mechanics they'll need later:

Understanding color-coded telegraphs.

Balancing add-clearing with boss damage.

Navigating full-arena hazards.

Defeating him not only advances Freya's emotional storyline—it also serves as a skill check confirming that your build, reactions, and planning are ready for the harder content ahead. Use instant cheap POE2 Currency wisely to strengthen your gear if you're struggling.

Hartlin may not be the most mechanically complex foe in Path of Exile 2, but his mixture of heavy armor, wheel-based attack shifts, and an explosive end-phase make him one of Act Four's most memorable encounters. Mastering him feels both rewarding and impactful—everything a great PoE boss should deliver.