Path of Exile 2: How to Defeat the Warden of the Abandoned Prison

In Path of Exile 2, Act Four brings one of the game's most intense and cinematic encounters yet - The Prisoner, a brutal boss fight that takes place deep beneath the Abandoned Prison. This merciless killer wields devastating area-of-effect attacks and can quickly overwhelm both melee and ranged builds if you aren't prepared. To survive, you'll need to master his attack patterns, keep your distance when necessary, and make smart use of the ballistae scattered around the arena.

This comprehensive boss guide will walk you through how to find The Prisoner, avoid his deadliest abilities, and use the ballistae effectively to bring him down once and for all.

Where to Find The Prisoner

The Prisoner is located in the Solitary Confinement zone, found beneath the Abandoned Prison in Act Four. To reach him, you'll first need to navigate through the prison's upper levels, battling hordes of inmates, guards, and corrupted wretches that infest the halls.

Once you've cleared the main corridors, you'll descend into the Waterlogged Confinement area - a grim, partially submerged section filled with drowned corpses and skeletal remains. Keep pressing forward through the flooded tunnels until you reach a large, iron-bound doorway marked with crimson chains. Crossing this threshold will lead you directly into The Prisoner's arena, a circular chamber lined with broken pillars and mechanical siege ballistae.

The Prisoner's Strengths and Weaknesses

The Prisoner is incredibly durable, with strong resistance to physical and fire damage - making him a nightmare for melee builds. However, he's notably weak to cold damage, which gives spellcasters a major edge.

Best Counters:

·Frostbolt - consistent ranged pressure.

·Glacial Cascade - burst AoE and stun potential.

·Cold Snap - control through chill and freeze effects.

If your spell power feels too low, use Path of Exile 2 Currency to craft or upgrade a wand with +Cold Skill Levels or Increased Spell Damage.

How to Beat The Prisoner

The key to defeating The Prisoner lies in mastering his attack patterns and timing your dodges correctly. He fights with a mixture of melee swings and area-of-effect attacks that punish players who stay in front of him for too long. If you're a melee fighter, stay to his sides or back whenever possible. Ranged and spellcasting characters should maintain medium distance, ready to reposition whenever they signal an incoming AoE.

Here are the attacks to watch out for:

1. Frost Nova

The Prisoner slams the ground with both fists, creating a massive ring of frost that expands outward. Anyone caught in it will take heavy cold damage and suffer a movement speed reduction.

Tip: When you see the icy glow gather around him, roll or dash straight through the expanding ring - not away from it. This reduces the window of exposure and minimizes the damage taken.

2. Waves of Oppression

This is one of The Prisoner's most dangerous abilities. He plants his feet, raises his arms, and begins summoning waves of dark red energy that spread across the arena in intervals. If you hear him shout, "You can hide, but you cannot run!", this attack is about to begin.

The waves are lethal at mid and long range, meaning you'll need to rush directly toward him when he starts the chant. Stay close until both waves have passed. If you linger at range, the energy surges can deal devastating damage before you have a chance to heal.

3. Blood Nova

When The Prisoner's health drops below 25%, he enters his enraged phase. During this stage, his Frost Nova evolves into Blood Nova - an attack that deals physical damage over time and inflicts a slow if you're caught in the red aura.

Just like with Frost Nova, the best strategy is to roll through the attack's ring, keeping your movement tight and deliberate. If you get clipped, use a flask or regeneration skill immediately to counteract the damage-over-time effect.

Using the Ballistae to Defeat The Prisoner

During the second half of the fight, you'll notice three large ballistae positioned around the arena. These are essential to bringing down The Prisoner completely - your regular attacks alone won't finish the job.

At specific health thresholds, you'll see an on-screen prompt or hear a mechanical click signaling that a ballista is ready to be used. When this happens:

1. Immediately rush to the nearest ballista.

The Prisoner will often pause or slow his movement during these moments, giving you just enough time to reach him safely.

2. Activate the ballista.

Once triggered, the siege weapon will automatically target The Prisoner and fire a powerful bolt that pierces his armor, dealing massive damage.

3. Repeat the process.

You'll need to activate multiple ballistae throughout the fight to break his defenses completely. Once all have been fired, finish him off with your strongest attacks or cold-based spells.

Pro Tip: Lure The Prisoner to the center before triggering a ballista to ensure the shot connects. If you struggle to survive while repositioning, upgrade your movement gear or buy POE2 Items with increased mobility stats like Movement Speed or Evasion Rating.

Best Builds and Strategies

·For Melee Builds: Use fast weapons and focus on side or back positioning. Two-handed weapons are risky due to his AoEs, but a well-timed heavy strike after dodging Waves of Oppression can deal solid damage.

·For Ranged Builds: Keep your distance and circle the arena's perimeter. Use movement skills like Blink Arrow or Flame Dash to avoid Frost Nova and reposition after each attack.

·For Spellcasters: Lean into cold-based spells. Freezing Pulse or Ice Nova can deal excellent damage while exploiting his resistance weakness. Just remember to conserve mana for dashes and defensive skills during Blood Nova.

The Prisoner's Reward

Despite his terrifying difficulty, The Prisoner doesn't drop a unique item - only a handful of random rare drops, currency shards, and crafting materials. While the loot may not seem impressive, defeating him grants significant Act Four progression and a memorable test of skill, reflexes, and resource management.

Final Thoughts

The Prisoner is one of Path of Exile 2's standout mid-game bosses - a brutal test of your mechanical skill, timing, and ability to read attack patterns. Between the deadly novas, the powerful energy waves, and the strategic use of ballistae, this fight demands patience and precision.

Master his attacks, use your environment wisely, and keep your cool under pressure. With the right strategy, you'll break free from The Prisoner's torment - and prove once again that no dungeon in Wraeclast can hold you.