You’re usually just tearing through the Grim Tangle, looking for the main path to progress the campaign, when you suddenly get trapped in a fungal pit. Stumbling onto Ervig, The Rotten Druid, happens when you least expect it. He’s an optional boss, sure, but skipping him feels wrong given the potential loot drops that can boost your character early on. If you are looking to stockpile some PoE 2 Items or grab an upgrade, he is worth the stop. He doesn’t always spawn in the exact same spot, which is annoying if you’re trying to farm him. I’ve found him mostly in the back half of the zone, usually inside those large, damp cavern sections that branch off the main tunnels. If you see a suspicious amount of fungus or a wide, open pit area that looks like an arena, get your buffs ready because he’s probably lurking there.
Dancing Around Death
The fight is a bit of a dance and requires you to pay attention to positioning. At first glance, Ervig looks like a squishy caster you can just bulldoze, but he has serious zoning tools that punish you for standing still. His signature move, the Scatter-Bomb Barrage, is the real run-killer here. He fires a radial spread of explosives that can shotgun you if you’re too close. It’s chaotic and forces you to move fast or use a movement skill immediately. Then he has this Fungal Projectile toss that lobs toxic gunk at you. It explodes on impact and leaves a nasty damage-over-time patch on the floor, so you really can’t stay in one spot for more than a second. The one breather you get is his Massive Stone Throw. The telegraph is super obvious—he heaves a giant rock into the air—so just step to the side. If you get hit by that slow boulder, it’s honestly on you.
Don't Get Greedy
Beating him comes down to respecting his space. If you’re running a melee build, don’t get greedy. I’ve died plenty of times trying to get that extra hit in when I should have been dodging. Wait for the stone throw animation, dash behind him, burst him down for a second, and then back off. It’s hit-and-run tactics all day. Ranged players have it a bit better since you can just kite him in circles. Keep moving sideways between your shots to avoid the poison arcs. Also, check your gear before you engage. If your resistances are low or you’re still rocking a weapon from the start of the game, he’s going to feel like a raid boss. Bring a mana flask and maybe something to clear ailments if you get tagged by the poison.
Is the Loot Worth It?
As for the payout, it’s usually worth the detour. The loot table is randomized, but getting an Uncut Support Gem or a handful of Orbs of Augmentation this early can really smooth out your leveling curve. I’ve seen him drop Superior armor pieces and enough gold to make it worth the time investment. It’s not always amazing, but every bit of power helps in the early game. Finding a stash of PoE 2 Currency for sale or a rare item can make the next zone much easier. Just stay mobile, watch for the big wind-ups, and you’ll drop him without too much trouble. Good luck, Exile—try not to become fertilizer for his garden.
Dancing Around Death
The fight is a bit of a dance and requires you to pay attention to positioning. At first glance, Ervig looks like a squishy caster you can just bulldoze, but he has serious zoning tools that punish you for standing still. His signature move, the Scatter-Bomb Barrage, is the real run-killer here. He fires a radial spread of explosives that can shotgun you if you’re too close. It’s chaotic and forces you to move fast or use a movement skill immediately. Then he has this Fungal Projectile toss that lobs toxic gunk at you. It explodes on impact and leaves a nasty damage-over-time patch on the floor, so you really can’t stay in one spot for more than a second. The one breather you get is his Massive Stone Throw. The telegraph is super obvious—he heaves a giant rock into the air—so just step to the side. If you get hit by that slow boulder, it’s honestly on you.
Don't Get Greedy
Beating him comes down to respecting his space. If you’re running a melee build, don’t get greedy. I’ve died plenty of times trying to get that extra hit in when I should have been dodging. Wait for the stone throw animation, dash behind him, burst him down for a second, and then back off. It’s hit-and-run tactics all day. Ranged players have it a bit better since you can just kite him in circles. Keep moving sideways between your shots to avoid the poison arcs. Also, check your gear before you engage. If your resistances are low or you’re still rocking a weapon from the start of the game, he’s going to feel like a raid boss. Bring a mana flask and maybe something to clear ailments if you get tagged by the poison.
Is the Loot Worth It?
As for the payout, it’s usually worth the detour. The loot table is randomized, but getting an Uncut Support Gem or a handful of Orbs of Augmentation this early can really smooth out your leveling curve. I’ve seen him drop Superior armor pieces and enough gold to make it worth the time investment. It’s not always amazing, but every bit of power helps in the early game. Finding a stash of PoE 2 Currency for sale or a rare item can make the next zone much easier. Just stay mobile, watch for the big wind-ups, and you’ll drop him without too much trouble. Good luck, Exile—try not to become fertilizer for his garden.
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