In Path of Exile 2 Trade, bosses are more than just high-health enemies—they are a test of strategy, reflexes, and preparation. Among the standout encounters in the game is the Third Edict: Scourge of the Skies, a challenging boss fight that has become a benchmark for mid- to late-game content. Known for its aerial mobility, devastating AoE attacks, and unique mechanics, Scourge of the Skies demands that players understand its patterns, prepare carefully, and execute their skills with precision. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of the encounter, strategies for defeating it, and tips for maximizing loot and efficiency.
Overview of Scourge of the Skies
The Scourge of the Skies is the primary boss for the Third Edict questline, located in the Skyborne Citadel, a high-altitude zone accessible after completing the Second Edict and reaching a certain point in the main storyline. The boss is a massive, winged creature that combines aerial agility with elemental attacks, making it a formidable foe for players of all classes.
Preparing for the Fight
Gear Optimization:
Equip weapons that deal high burst damage and have good elemental versatility. The boss alternates between fire, lightning, and cold resistances, so carrying multiple weapon types or elemental skill setups is advisable.
Armor with high elemental resistance and movement buffs is particularly effective against the boss’s AoE attacks and storm hazards.
Consumables:
Healing flasks, elemental resistance potions, and buffs that increase movement speed or attack speed are highly recommended.
AoE damage-boosting potions or skill amplifiers can also help manage the waves of minions that spawn throughout the fight.
Skill Selection:
Crowd control abilities are essential for handling minions that accompany the boss.
Mobility skills, such as teleportation, dash, or shield charge, can help avoid aerial strikes and AoE zones.
Team Composition:
While solo strategies are viable, co-op play allows one player to focus on adds and environmental hazards while others concentrate on the boss.
Assigning roles such as tanking, DPS, and support can make the fight significantly easier and faster.
Boss Mechanics
Phase One – Aerial Barrage:
The boss begins the encounter with high-speed flight across the arena, performing swooping attacks and lightning strikes.
Players must dodge the dive attacks while targeting the wings and exposed weak points for maximum damage.
Phase Two – Elemental Fury:
At approximately 70% health, the boss enters an elemental phase, alternating between fire tornadoes, lightning bolts, and freezing blasts.
This phase introduces environmental hazards such as storm clouds and lightning pillars that inflict AoE damage.
Players should rotate elemental attacks to exploit any temporary resistances or weaknesses while maintaining movement to avoid AoE zones.
Phase Three – Skyfall Overdrive:
Below 30% health, the Scourge of the Skies becomes significantly more aggressive, performing rapid dive-bomb attacks, summoning minions, and casting continuous elemental AoEs.
Target the boss’s head and chest weak points while keeping mobility high to avoid constant incoming damage.
Loot and Rewards
Defeating the Scourge of the Skies yields significant rewards:
Experience Points: Completing the encounter provides a substantial boost, especially for mid to late-game players.
Legendary Items: The boss has a chance to drop high-tier weapons, armor, and accessories, many of which have unique modifiers not found elsewhere.
Rare Crafting Materials: Players can obtain essential crafting items for high-level gear upgrades.
Quest Progression: Defeating the boss completes the Third Edict and unlocks the next chapter in the storyline, including additional side quests and hidden zones.
Final Thoughts
The Third Edict: Scourge of the Skies is one of Path of Exile 2’s most challenging and rewarding boss fights. Its combination of aerial agility, elemental attacks, and environmental hazards makes it a true test of skill and preparation. By carefully preparing gear, skills, and consumables, focusing on weak points, and maintaining constant mobility, players can defeat the Scourge efficiently and claim its valuable loot. For those looking to experience one of the most intense encounters in POE 2 Orbs for sale, mastering the Scourge of the Skies is essential.