In the dark, unforgiving world of Path of Exile 2, few challenges are as memorable — or as punishing — as the encounter with The Prisoner. Found deep within the Abandoned Prison during Act Four, The Prisoner is more than just a formidable enemy; he’s a test of skill, timing, and strategic thinking. Unlike standard bosses, this fight requires both careful observation and effective use of unique environmental mechanics to emerge victorious. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to survive and defeat The Prisoner, whether you favor melee combat, ranged attacks, or a combination of both.

Entering Solitary Confinement: Where the Battle Begins

Before you even set eyes on The Prisoner, you’ll need to navigate the perilous corridors of the Abandoned Prison. This area is a labyrinth of decayed cells, POE2 Currency, and waterlogged zones that will test your movement and positioning. The journey to the Solitary Confinement zone beneath the prison isn’t just a formality; it’s a trial in itself. Enemies along the way are aggressive and numerous, so maintaining situational awareness and conserving resources is essential.

Once you descend into the waterlogged confinement area, the atmosphere shifts. The damp, echoing halls create a sense of unease, setting the stage for one of Act Four’s most challenging encounters. Here, The Prisoner awaits, an imposing figure of brute force and relentless aggression.

Understanding The Prisoner: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Attacks

The Prisoner is a formidable fighter. His combination of high damage, fast attacks, and devastating area-of-effect (AoE) abilities makes him a threat to all playstyles. Understanding his attacks is key to surviving the encounter.

1. Frost Nova

One of The Prisoner’s signature attacks is the Frost Nova. During this move, he pounds the ground, causing a large ring of frost to spread outward across the arena. This attack slows anyone caught within its radius, making melee characters especially vulnerable. To counter it, time your rolls carefully — moving straight through the Frost Nova is the safest approach. Melee fighters should position themselves to the side or behind The Prisoner whenever possible, avoiding the brunt of this attack while remaining ready to strike.

2. Waves of Oppression

The Prisoner’s Waves of Oppression ability is a long-range AoE attack. When he pauses and declares, “You can hide, but you cannot run!”, he summons waves of energy that travel across the room. The safest approach is counterintuitive: rather than trying to maintain distance, get in close. Staying near him during this sequence ensures that you avoid the waves and minimize damage. The attack has two waves, and timing your positioning is crucial for success.

3. Blood Nova

As The Prisoner reaches his last quarter of health, his Frost Nova evolves into the more dangerous Blood Nova. Unlike its frost counterpart, Blood Nova deals physical damage over time and also applies a slow effect if you come into contact with it. The mechanics remain similar: rolling straight through the attack is the most effective strategy. Ranged players must be especially cautious, as misjudging the timing of this attack can quickly lead to fatal damage.

Ballista Mechanics: Turning the Environment Against The Prisoner

What sets the fight with The Prisoner apart from standard encounters is the inclusion of ballistas in the arena. Surrounding the boss are three stationary ballistas that play a critical role in defeating him. During the fight, the game will prompt you to use these siege weapons.

When prompted, move swiftly to the nearest ballista and activate it. The ballista will automatically target The Prisoner, delivering significant damage without putting you directly in harm’s way. Proper use of the ballistas is essential; failing to engage them at the right moment can prolong the fight and increase your risk of dying to his attacks.

Ballista Strategy Tips

Positioning: Always keep track of which ballista is closest to your current location. Quick movement is essential to avoid being caught by his AoE attacks while activating the siege weapon.

Timing: Wait for the prompt before using a ballista. Activating it too early can leave you vulnerable during critical moments of the fight.

Rotation: Ideally, rotate between ballistas to maintain a constant stream of damage. This also prevents you from crowding a single ballista, which can lead to mistakes or delays.

Combat Strategies: Melee vs Ranged Approaches

While The Prisoner can challenge any build, certain strategies can make the encounter more manageable.

Melee Builds

Melee characters must prioritize positioning and timing. Staying behind or to the sides of The Prisoner minimizes exposure to his Frost Nova and Waves of Oppression attacks. High mobility and dodge mechanics are invaluable, allowing you to evade his devastating combos. A melee fighter should also plan ballista usage carefully, moving into position while keeping enough distance to avoid AoE damage.

Ranged Builds

Ranged characters face a different challenge: staying far enough to avoid damage, but close enough to maintain DPS. Timing is critical, particularly against Waves of Oppression and Blood Nova. Utilizing hit-and-run tactics, coupled with precise rolling through AoE zones, ensures sustained damage while staying alive. Activating ballistas is often safer for ranged builds, as it allows you to contribute major damage without exposing yourself directly to The Prisoner’s attacks.

Mercenary Builds and Skill Recommendations

For players looking to optimize their damage output against The Prisoner, a mercenary build can be highly effective. Mercenaries in Path of Exile 2 excel at versatility, offering both high damage and survivability, which is key for surviving the prison’s environmental hazards.

Key skill considerations include:

High mobility abilities for rolling through AoE attacks.

Burst damage skills to capitalize on openings after Frost Nova or Waves of Oppression.

Defensive buffs to mitigate Blood Nova’s physical damage over time.

Summoned allies or minions that can distract The Prisoner while you focus on ballista activation.

With these elements combined, mercenary builds can tackle The Prisoner efficiently while remaining resilient to his punishing attacks.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Even experienced players can fall prey to mistakes during this fight. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Ignoring Ballista Prompts: Failing to use the ballistas at the correct moment dramatically extends the fight and increases risk. Always be aware of when prompts appear.

Standing in AoE Zones: Both Frost Nova and Blood Nova punish standing still. Practice rolling through these attacks to minimize damage.

Underestimating Waves of Oppression: Trying to stay at range during this attack often leads to unnecessary damage. Move in close and maintain proximity until both waves are finished.

Neglecting Positioning: Melee characters should avoid being directly in front of The Prisoner, while ranged players must maintain a safe distance without straying too far from the ballistas.

By avoiding these common mistakes, the fight becomes much more manageable, even for less experienced players.

The Environment: Using the Prison to Your Advantage

The Abandoned Prison itself is more than just a backdrop — it can be an ally if used correctly. Tight corridors and obstacles can help funnel The Prisoner, making it easier to dodge or predict his attacks. Waterlogged areas, while potentially slowing movement, can also provide safe zones during certain abilities if you position yourself wisely. Awareness of the environment, combined with precise timing of ballista usage, is the key to mastering this fight.

Conclusion: Victory Through Preparation and Strategy

Defeating The Prisoner in Path of Exile 2 is a memorable challenge that tests every aspect of your combat skills: positioning, timing, resource management, and environmental awareness. By understanding his attack patterns, making effective use of the ballistas, and optimizing your build for mobility and damage, you can overcome this formidable foe buy Path of Exile 2 Currency.

Whether you are a melee fighter darting around him to avoid deadly attacks or a ranged mercenary strategically using ballistas to deal damage safely, the encounter rewards careful planning and quick reflexes. Mistakes are punished, but with preparation and strategy, victory is entirely achievable.

The Prisoner is not just a test of skill — he’s a defining moment in Act Four, showcasing the depth and intensity that Path of Exile 2 brings to boss encounters. Conquer him, and you’ll not only gain valuable loot and experience but also the satisfaction of overcoming one of the game’s most challenging fights.

This article provides a full breakdown of the encounter, including attacks, mechanics, builds, and strategies, giving players all the tools they need to survive and thrive in Solitary Confinement.