Viper Napuatzi is a boss encountered in Act 3 of Path of Exile 2. To reach Aggorat, you must defeat Viper Napuatzi, and she won’t make it easy. Her minions surround you while she floods the confined space with powerful area-of-effect attacks, leaving you with limited room to move. While Viper Napuatzi may not be as intricate or overwhelming as some other Act 2 or Act 3 bosses, the confined space and the potency of her poison abilities make her exceptionally dangerous.
This Path of Exile 2 guide outlines how to defeat Viper Napuatzi, including preparation tips, strategies, weaknesses, and the best builds for success.
Where to Find Viper Napuatzi in Path of Exile 2
As you progress through the main story quest, you’ll eventually face Viper Napuatzi and her legion. They are located at the end of the Utzaal area in the second part of Act 3 in Path of Exile 2. Defeating her is necessary to overcome her army and continue advancing in the story.
Viper Napuatzi Mechanics and Weaknesses in Path of Exile 2
Key attacks and abilities:
Viper Napuatzi operates in two distinct modes: Spear Stance and Unarmed Stance.
Spear Stances
- Poison Spear: Viper charges a poison-infused spear and hurls it at you. The attack has a slight delay, so time your dodge carefully to avoid moving too early.
- Electrified Spear: Viper charges an electrified spear that ricochets upon hitting one of the shield walls. When it strikes, four projectiles split off and return to Viper’s position. To evade, roll to the side as the projectiles come back.
- Spear Strikes: Viper performs a series of melee strikes that appear similar and can be dangerous if you get caught in them. To minimise damage, maintain a safe distance and roll away as the sequence concludes.
- Dash Attacks: Viper uses dash moves to either close the gap or create distance, often following up with quick attacks. These dashes are relatively low-damage, so if dodging isn’t an option, they can be tanked without much risk.
- Poison Spear Totem: At 85% health, Viper plants her spear into the ground, creating a permanent pool of poison around it. This marks the beginning of her transition into Unarmed Mode.
Unarmed Stances
- Spear Barrage: The spearmen surrounding the arena will begin thrusting their spears in quick succession. Watch for the spearmen who start to glow green, as they are about to initiate the attack. This move is fast and difficult to dodge with each strike, so it’s best to keep dodging and rolling in a consistent rhythm.
- Toxic Ground Slam: Viper leaps into the air and slams the ground, dealing significant damage if you fail to dodge. She also has a voice cue for this move: “I shall crush you, insect!” When you hear this or see her jump, make sure to roll away to avoid the impact.
- Toxic Projectiles: Viper unleashes a barrage of projectiles that will poison you, followed by a final burst. To avoid this, sidestep the initial rapid shots, then roll forward towards Viper to evade the last wave of projectiles.
- Poison Serpents: Viper summons a swarm of small poison snakes that float around the battlefield for a short duration, dealing damage if they hit you. It’s best to focus on avoiding more dangerous attacks first and deal with these serpents as a last priority.
- Meteor Shower: Viper channels a spell that causes fire and chaos meteors to rain down within the arena. Keep an eye on the red and purple markings on the ground to determine safe areas to move.
Weaknesses
Focus on Chaos Damage: Viper Napuatzi has strong resistances to most elemental and physical damage types, making chaos damage a particularly effective choice. Classes like the Warrior, with its slam abilities, and the Witch, especially those focusing on chaos-based builds, are ideal for this fight.
Preparation and Best Builds for Defeating Viper Napuatzi in Path of Exile 2
Recommended gear:
Viper Napuatzi is likely the first challenging boss that primarily deals Chaos damage. Throughout the fight, you’ll consistently be poisoned and take Chaos damage. It’s highly recommended to bring an Antidote Charm for Poison Immunity and equip items that provide strong Chaos Resistance, such as Amethyst Rings.
Since Chaos Resistance can be challenging to obtain, the next best defensive option for your gear is to stack as much Life as possible, particularly during the campaign.
Best builds:
High Evasion and Dodge Builds: Viper Napuatzi’s attacks can deal significant damage, so focusing on builds with high Evasion and Dodge can greatly improve your chances of surviving. Some good options include:
- Ranger with the Raider ascendancy
- Duelist with the Gladiator ascendancy
Strategy to Defeat Viper Napuatzi in Path of Exile 2
Aside from Viper’s potent Poison damage, her legion’s spear phase can be a major challenge. The key strategy is to consistently Dodge Roll in a steady rhythm, no matter when an attack seems about to land. This approach keeps you safe without having to second-guess your timing.
Stick Close to the Shield Another tactic is to stay close to the shield and be cautious if the shield next to you begins to glow green. This makes it easier to identify the shields that are about to attack.
The seventh attack in this phase involves a sweeping wave of spear strikes coming from one side. The starting point is random, but it can be spotted by the glowing spears. Stay vigilant and Dodge Roll toward the source of the wave as it approaches.
Rewards
After defeating Viper Napuatzi in Path of Exile, she drops randomized loot that can be highly beneficial for your character build. However, she does not drop any critical quest items.
