Path of Exile 2 Guide: How to Defeat Captain Hartlin in Act Four

Path of Exile 2 continues Grinding Gear Games' legacy of Path of Exile 2 Currency brutal boss encounters, challenging players to learn mechanics, react quickly, and adapt their builds to overcome towering foes. One of the most memorable early bosses you'll face in Act Four is Captain Hartlin, a tragic figure twisted into an undead monstrosity. This guide breaks down where to find him, what mechanics to expect, and the best strategies to bring him down.

Who Is Captain Hartlin?

Captain Hartlin is introduced during the Dark Mists questline in Act Four. Lore-wise, he's the long-lost son of Freya Hartlin, who tasks you with finding him in the fog-shrouded seas of Kedge Bay. Sadly, when you discover him in Journey's Edge, it's too late-Hartlin has been transformed into a grotesque undead, his body fused with nautical weaponry and cursed relics.

This fight is a turning point in Act Four, testing your ability to manage both single-target boss pressure and dangerous area mechanics.

Where to Find Captain Hartlin

Quest: Dark Mists
Location: Journey's Edge, Kedge Bay Island
Act: Four

As you progress through the fog-filled paths of Kedge Bay, you'll eventually reach Journey's Edge, a weathered battlefield where Hartlin awaits. The environment is open, giving him room to unleash his wide-area abilities, so positioning is vital.

Captain Hartlin's Strengths and Weaknesses

Armor: Heavy Armor - resists physical damage heavily
Resistance: Light Frost Resistance
Mobility: Slow-moving, deliberate
Weakness: Magic damage, stuns, and armor-piercing skills

The biggest hurdle in this fight is Hartlin's physical resistance. Melee-focused builds will struggle unless they use armor-piercing skills or invest in powerful gear upgrades. Spellcasters, however, will find the fight more forgiving since Hartlin's resistance to elemental magic is weaker.

Investing Path of Exile 2 Currency to upgrade your gems and POE 2 Orbs for sale gear-or even choosing to buy POE2 Items to fine-tune your build-can make a dramatic difference in this encounter.