POE 2: Recently Updated Vulnerabilities
PoE 2: Avoidance Guide
Critical Boss Bugs (Unfixed)
Since the post-November 2025 updates, several malignant bugs affecting core bosses have severely impacted the player experience. From invulnerability phases locking up to bosses de-spawning mid-fight, these issues are causing the loss of valuable maps and currency.
This guide summarizes unfixed bugs based on player reports as of January 2026, including Trigger Conditions and Temporary Workarounds to help you avoid losses.
I. Invulnerability & Health Locks (Critical)
These bugs prevent encounter completion, forcing a hard reset of the instance.
1. Gland of the Worm Brain - Ash
Trigger After the sub-boss Tovor is defeated, Ash appears and performs a Burrow Animation. If you deal excessive damage and push his HP below the phase threshold before the animation finishes, Ash will re-emerge permanently invincible.
Workaround Throttle your DPS! Wait for Ash to completely finish the burrow animation (approx. 3 seconds) before bursting him down.
2. Atziri, Queen of the Vaal (Endgame)
Trigger In the final phase, during the merge with Doryani, the boss softlocks. Doryani fails to spawn the portal, preventing transition to the next phase.
Workaround Always carry 1x Juatalotli's Medallion. If the bug occurs, exit the instance, re-enter, and use the medallion to protect the core room, preventing total map loss.
3. The King in the Mists
Trigger Upon entering Phase 3, the boss freezes at the start of the ramp and becomes immune to all damage.
Workaround No known fix. It is recommended to back up your Atlas progress before challenging (if mechanics allow) or accept the risk of loss.
II. De-spawning & Instance Softlocks
These bugs cause the boss entity to vanish, making map completion impossible.
1. Zahmir, the Blade Sovereign (Elder Scroll)
Trigger During the Elder Scroll encounter, when Zahmir uses "Charge", if the player is too far away or clears adds too quickly, the boss de-spawns.
Workaround Keep the boss within screen range (avoid leashing). Leave 1-2 mobs alive intentionally to prevent the "clear check" bug.
2. Reservoir / Sacred Water Source Boss
Trigger In Phase 2, when the boss uses Stealth Charge, running too far away causes the boss to never re-appear from stealth.
Workaround Stay in melee range during the stealth phase. Do not kite the boss off-screen.
3. Nether Cave Boss
Trigger When the boss uses the Beam skill to summon mobs, clearing the mobs instantly causes the boss to de-spawn.
Workaround Slow down your clear speed. Leave one mob alive per wave and wait for the boss to queue the next action.
III. Loot & Exit Issues
1. Sulfur Cave - Ektab the Ancient Steed
Trigger Only Ektab (the Mammoth) spawns without the "Death Lord". Killing Ektab results in no loot and the arena door remains locked.
Workaround Check if both bosses are present before engaging. If only one is there, reset the instance. If trapped, use "Character Selection -> Return to Hideout".
2. Act 2 Interlude Boss (Zolin)
Trigger After defeat, Zolin's empty health bar remains, and the quest does not complete/transition.
Workaround Ensure you have sufficient Inventory Space (overflowing quest items may trigger this). If softlocked, you must restart the game/instance.
Summary: General Survival Rules
- Slow Down: For bosses with phase animations, do NOT one-shot them. Leave 10-20% HP and wait for animations to finish.
- Stay Close: Do not run too far. Most de-spawn bugs are caused by the player leaving the boss's aggro/render distance.
- Preparation: Carry at least 1 Juatalotli's Medallion to save high-value runs.
- Stuck?: If locked in an arena, prioritize "Character Selection -> Return to Hideout". It is faster than Alt+F4.