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Path of Exile 2 has no shortage of cinematic, difficult, and lore-heavy boss fights, but few encounters match the intensity of Tavakai, the Chieftain. This corrupted warrior caps off Chapter 4's storyline with a battle that unfolds across three distinct phases, each more dangerous than the last. By the end of the encounter, Tavakai has transformed from The Chieftain into The Fallen and finally into The Consumed, forcing you to adapt quickly if you want to survive.

If you're struggling with this climactic fight, don't worry-we'll break down where to find Tavakai, his attacks, and how to beat each phase of the battle in Path of Exile 2.

Where to Find Tavakai, The Chieftain in Path of Exile 2

Tavakai, the Chieftain, resides at the Heart of the Tribe checkpoint on Ngakanu Island. Players may remember this area from earlier content, but in Chapter 4, it expands into one of the largest maps in the game.

·You'll need to cut through swarms of enemies across a sprawling area before you reach him.

·The Heart of the Tribe previously only housed a vendor and the Shark Fin side quest. In Chapter 4, however, it serves as the staging ground for this climactic fight.

·Make sure to fully explore the area for valuable loot, rare Path of Exile 2 Items, and extra experience before you head into the boss arena.

Once you enter Tavakai's lair, be prepared-the fight spans three separate health bars with mechanics that grow more complex at every stage.

Tavakai, The Chieftain's Attacks (Phase 1)

In the opening phase, Tavakai fights as The Chieftain, using a mixture of jade-empowered attacks and brutal melee strikes. Phase 1 lasts until your health is reduced below 50%, at which point he heals back to full and transitions into Phase 2.

Here's what to watch for:

·Axe Combos - Multiple heavy melee strikes with wide arcs.

·Jade Slam - Strikes the ground, creating small jade explosions that persist briefly.

·Jade Wall - Summons a wall of jade spikes, then smashes through with his axe.

·Jade Bomb - Throws a delayed explosive that detonates in a large AOE.

·Tukohama's Spirit Slam - Calls on the spirit of Tukohama, slamming the ground to create a massive damaging zone.

·Grappling Hook - Launches a hook at you, pulling you in for a devastating combo.

The grappling hook is one of the most punishing attacks in this phase, but a sound cue also telegraphs it. Be ready to dodge sideways to avoid being reeled in.

Tavakai, The Fallen's Attacks (Phase 2)

After dropping below 50%, Tavakai transforms into The Fallen, regaining full health and fleeing into a new battle arena. Phase 2 introduces far more AOE and corruption-based mechanics.

·Jade Statues - Summons 3-5 statues that explode almost instantly, dealing catastrophic damage if you don't escape.

·Blood Tentacles - Fires multiple tendrils of blood that can inflict shock, ignite, and reduce your fire resistance.

·Blood Tumor - Creates a swelling tumor on the ground. After a delay, he stomps it, leaving behind a lingering damage-over-time puddle.

·Jade Spike Wave - Slams the ground, sending jade spikes rushing toward you.

·Corruption Burst - Uses both weapons to create a bloody explosion with wide coverage.

·Tawhoa's Forest - Covers the battlefield in green flora that applies a damage reduction debuff while you stand in it.

This phase emphasizes constant repositioning. The exploding jade statues are especially deadly; treat them as priority hazards and disengage immediately when they appear.

Tavakai, The Consumed's Attacks (Phase 3)

At 25% health, Tavakai transforms a final time into The Consumed, fully regenerating his life bar again. This phase is the most dangerous, combining mechanics from the first two stages with entirely new area-denial effects.

·Weapon Combo into Leap Slam - A furious multi-hit combo capped off by a chain of leap slams, each leaving an AOE impact zone.

·Blood Crystals - Summons crystals from the ground that explode after a short delay. Standing near them is extremely risky.

·Volcanoes - Conjures massive volcanoes that spew fire across wide sections of the battlefield.

·Lightning Strikes - Chases the player with precise bolts of lightning while layering other attacks.

This phase demands peak mobility. Tavakai frequently chains leap slams with environmental hazards, forcing you to dodge in rapid succession. Maintaining distance and whittling him down safely is often more effective than risking close combat.

How to Beat Tavakai in Path of Exile 2

Here are the best strategies to overcome Tavakai's three forms:

·Phase 1 (Chieftain) - Stay mobile to avoid jade explosions and grappling hooks. Minion builds Excel here, since summons can tank melee strikes.

·Phase 2 (Fallen) - Watch for jade statues and blood tumors. Positioning is key-always keep escape paths open and use flasks to mitigate damage-over-time puddles.

·Phase 3 (Consumed) - Patience is everything. Avoid standing near blood crystals, dodge leap slams, and keep moving to evade lightning strikes. This phase rewards ranged builds, but melee characters can succeed by dodging aggressively and only striking during openings.

At the end of the fight, Tavakai finally succumbs, and the Hooded One intervenes in the story. Without spoiling too much, this cutscene sets the stage for the Intermission of Path of Exile 2.

Final Thoughts

The fight against Tavakai, the Chieftain in Path of Exile 2, is a dramatic test of endurance, memory, and reflexes. Across three escalating phases, the battle challenges you to adapt to jade mechanics, blood corruption, and relentless AOEs. The encounter is long and punishing, but also one of the most rewarding climaxes in Chapter 4.

If you're preparing for this showdown, make sure your build has strong defensive layers, mobility skills, and reliable flask management. Having the right gear matters too-farming Path of Exile 2 Items or choosing to buy POE2 Currency from trusted sources can give you the edge you need, and can help you acquire top-tier upgrades faster.