How to Find Traitor’s Passage in Path of Exile 2: Balbala, the Traitor Boss Guide
Key Takeaways:
- Path of Exile 2’s early access is riddled with gameplay-disrupting bugs like broken quest triggers, item drops, and soft-locking bosses in Act 3.
- Troubled Camps in Act 3 aren’t functioning as intended, frustrating players trying to interact with core mechanics.
- Balbala, the Traitor in Act 2, presents a challenging optional boss fight but is crucial for unlocking your Ascendancy progression.
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), developed by Grinding Gear Games, continues the legacy of its predecessor as an action RPG juggernaut. With its early access debut on December 6, 2024, players flocked to experience its new mechanics, narrative depth, and challenging encounters. However, this early access phase has been a double-edged sword. While offering players a glimpse of its potential, numerous bugs and glitches have marred the experience.
In this guide, we’ll dive deep into the most notable early access issues, explore the ongoing challenges in Act 3, and provide a complete breakdown of how to conquer Balbala, the Traitor a pivotal boss in Act 2. Whether you’re a seasoned Path of Exile veteran or a newcomer eager to dive into this sprawling dark fantasy world, this guide has everything you need to navigate the chaos.
The State of Path of Exile 2 Early Access
A Buggy Start to a Promising Journey
As is often the case with early access releases, Path of Exile 2 has had its share of hiccups. Players have reported a wide variety of bugs, with some being minor nuisances and others directly impacting gameplay progression.
One of the most frustrating bugs involves the failure of certain items to drop, leaving players stuck or unable to progress. Additionally, boss fights in Act 3 have been particularly problematic, with some bosses glitching out of arenas or soft-locking mechanics during crucial moments.
For example, a Twitter user, MJC, shared their frustration:
“Act 3 has been bugging pretty hard for me. It’s early access I get it but one of the bosses kept soft locking during a certain mechanic causing the boss to effectively leave or glitch me out of the arena. Lack of drops is also very irritating but I’m currently at end Act 3 boss.” MJC (@ImNotMJC)
The lack of item drops, bugs in quest progression, and soft-locking bosses have sparked conversations among the player base about potential deeper issues within the game’s code.
What Happened to the Troubled Camps in Act 3?
Understanding Troubled Camps
Troubled Camps are marked on the map in Path of Exile 2 to indicate vendor locations selling valuable in-game items. In Act 3, these camps are essential hubs where players can restock supplies, trade items, and advance their character builds.
There are two key Troubled Camps in Act 3:
- Infested Barrens Camp
- Jungle Ruins Camp
Unfortunately, these camps seem to be plagued by issues in early access. Players have noted that these camps often fail to update or trigger events even after interacting with NPCs or clearing the surrounding zones.
Why Is This a Big Deal?
This bug directly impacts the flow of gameplay. Without functioning camps, players lose access to essential vendors and quests. For a game that prides itself on its intricate systems and progression paths, these disruptions hinder the overall experience.
Some speculate that the issue could be tied to the game’s quest system or underlying code, which developers will need to address in future patches.
Act 3: A Glitchy Yet Pivotal Chapter
Boss Battles Gone Awry
Act 3 is a standout chapter in Path of Exile 2, featuring some of the game’s most intricate boss fights and mechanics. However, early access bugs have marred what should be epic encounters.
Players have reported bosses disappearing mid-fight, glitching out of the arena, or becoming invincible due to soft-locked mechanics. These issues, coupled with the lack of drops, make Act 3 a frustrating experience for many.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Grinding Gear Games has assured the community that frequent patches will address these issues, and player feedback is actively shaping the game’s development.
Balbala, the Traitor: How to Beat the Act 2 Optional Boss
Why Is Balbala Important?
While Balbala, the Traitor, is an optional boss in Act 2, defeating her unlocks your Ascendancy a critical progression system that allows you to specialize your character’s class. This makes her encounter essential for players who want to maximize their build potential early.
Where to Find Balbala
Balbala is located in Traitor’s Passage in Act 2. After passing the first checkpoint in the Prison of the Disgraced, you’ll come face-to-face with her.
Strategy Guide: Beating Balbala
Balbala’s fight is one of the most dynamic encounters in Path of Exile 2. She utilizes a mix of poison, chaos damage, and summons to overwhelm players. Here’s how you can beat her:
1. Navigate the Poison Gas Phase
During the fight, Balbala will turn invisible and poison gas will spread from the center of the arena. To find her, move around the edges of the arena and watch closely for her figure becoming slightly visible. Getting close will reveal her and end the phase.
2. Manage Coin Runes
Balbala frequently tosses coins that leave yellow rune circles on the ground. These runes summon additional enemies after 10 seconds, which can easily overwhelm you.
- Tip: Walk over the runes to cancel their summoning, but be prepared to dodge her teleport slam attack that follows.
3. Leverage Summons for Advantage
If you’re struggling with resource management, you can let the coin runes spawn enemies deliberately. Use these enemies to recharge your Flask or trigger On-Kill effects for a strategic advantage.
4. Watch Out for AoE Attacks
Balbala has several area-of-effect (AoE) attacks, including her Blade Nova and Poison Daggers. Keep moving sideways to avoid most of her projectiles and stay out of range of her initial Blade Nova attack.
Rewards for Defeating Balbala
Successfully defeating Balbala grants you the following rewards:
- Balbala’s Barya: An item that unlocks the Trial of Sekhemas for Ascendancy progression.
- Access to the Ascent to Power quest, a critical step in advancing your class’s specialization.
Ongoing Development and Community Involvement
Path of Exile 2’s early access is undeniably rocky, but the developers at Grinding Gear Games are committed to addressing player concerns. Frequent patches and updates aim to fix the most pressing issues, and community feedback plays a significant role in shaping the game’s future.
While Act 3 and the Troubled Camps remain a work in progress, the developers have shown a track record of responding to bugs and balancing challenges in a timely manner. Players are encouraged to report any issues through the game’s official bug reporting system.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the current state of Path of Exile 2’s early access?
The game has significant bugs, including broken item drops, unresponsive Troubled Camps, and glitchy boss fights, but frequent patches are being rolled out to address these issues.
2. Are the bugs in Act 3 game-breaking?
While frustrating, most of the bugs in Act 3 such as soft-locking bosses can be mitigated with workarounds or by restarting encounters.
3. Is Balbala a mandatory boss in Act 2?
No, Balbala is optional, but defeating her is highly recommended as she unlocks your Ascendancy, a key progression mechanic.
4. How can I report bugs in Path of Exile 2?
Players can submit bug reports directly through the official Path of Exile forums or the in-game reporting tool.
