PoE 2 Boss Guide: The Bloated Miller Strategy & Drops

The Bloated Miller is a gruesome optional boss encountered in The Riverbank area of Act 1 in Path of Exile 2. Located near the ruins of the village watermill, this massive, gluttonous monstrosity blocks the path along the river. Defeating him is essential for players exploring the Ogham outskirts, as he guards a cache of early-game resources and the key to the mill's storage.

Lore & Background

Once the keeper of the Ogham watermill, the Miller was responsible for grinding the grain that fed the village. When the corruption turned the river waters foul, the crops died, but his hunger did not.

Driven mad by starvation and the tainted water, he began to consume anything he could find—rotting fish, corrupt flora, and eventually, the villagers themselves. Now swollen to a grotesque size and filled with noxious gas, he wanders The Riverbank, wielding his broken millstone shaft as a weapon, eternally searching for his next meal.

Core Mechanics

The Bloated Miller deals high Physical Damage and utilizes Chaos Damage (Bile). He is a slow-moving "Brute" archetype. The fight takes place on the muddy banks of the river, where movement can be slightly restricted.

Phase 1:

• 1. Rush Attack
  Description: The Bloated Miller smashes his saw and it sends a shockwave at your direction.
  Strategy: The shockwave is a bit faster now, but you can still dodge by watching its startup animation.
• 2. Lightning Strike
  Description: Strike the ground with a sword and release lightning projectiles that spread forward.
  Strategy: Maintain distance or go around the back.

Recommended Builds

Due to his slow animations, hit-and-run tactics work best.

• Ranger - Poison/Kiting: The open space of the Riverbank allows you to kite him easily. Poison stacks are effective against his high health pool.
• Monk - Palm Strike: Use the Monk's mobility to dash in after his slam, land a combo, and dash out before he recovers.
• Key Stats: Movement Speed is vital to outmaneuver his slams. A Life Flask is necessary to counter the chaos damage if you step in bile.

Loot Table

Defeating The Bloated Miller grants access to the locked mill supplies.