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As players make their way through the dark and treacherous world ofPath of Exile II, one sentiment from the various NPCs remains constant: Count Geonorwon’t go down easily!
As you battle your way through Ogham Manor, winding down towards the pit in the center, the Count’s maniacal cries give you a taste of what is to come.
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If you’re confused about all those numbers, we are here to help.
After being frozen solid and ripped apart by Count Geonor’s wolf form, many players felt a little overwhelmed. Though this is to be expected, as the main Act 1 boss fight,it’s not supposed to be easy.
Of course, with a little gear prep, and a clear understanding of the Count’s attacks, you’ll have this freezing fiend dead at your feet in no time.
Preparation Phase
First of all, the Count is afrost-focused fight, so if you have any gear that providescold resistance, be sure to equip it for an easier time.
You don’t need to worry too much about the stats of your clothing at this point in the game, because a lot of these attacks can be easily avoided. What’s more important are thestats of your weapon and your flasks.
My attacks barely made a dent in his health bar the first time I entered this fight.As a Ranger with a bowDPS of around 70, it was clear why. So, to avoid the same feeling of powerlessness, make use of these handy preparation tips:
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This is an important decision before you even begin.
By the time I had gone through this process andupgraded my skills to favor lightning damage, my bow DPS was now sitting at a respectable 220. Understanding the mechanics and gear progression of PoE2 is crucial if you want to have agood time with the bosses.
Count Geonor Phase 1 Mechanics - Human Form
Description & How to Avoid
Basic Attacks
These are the basic sword swings, usually from 1-4 strokes of his blade. Step back out of range or roll behind to avoid.
Ranged Ice Missile
He will pull his sword back and charge up for a moment before releasing a spear of ice across the room. Simply move sideways for an easy dodge.
Triangle Ice Wall
He will create a V-shape out of ice walls and then slash down the middle. This is quite a long attack, so quickly roll out of the way and get a few attacks in while he’s preoccupied.
Piece and Sweep
The Count will charge across the room, trying to impale you on his sword. Once he reaches a wall, he will turn and perform a large arc of frost. Roll away from the charge, and then keep your distance to avoid the sweep.
After doing a fair chunk of damage, around 25% of his health, The Count will transform into a huge wolf,gaining a lot of speed and new attacks.
Count Geonor Phase 1 Mechanics - Wolf Form
Calling the Pack
He will summon a group of werewolves to aid him. Take out the minions with AoE damage as quickly as possible so you can get back to the fight.
Instead of using his sword, The Count will jump at you and bite you several times.
Blood Orbs
Occasionally, he will create orbs of blood and jump into them, causing a decent-sized explosion. These are easy to see and easy to avoid simply by cycling back.
Ice Circle
All the while, there will be a circle of frost lying on the ground, with Count Geonor’s sword planted in the center. Naturally, avoid stepping into this trap.
Meteor Teleport
This is the most dangerous attack and one you must constantly be looking for. He will turn red and disappear as a circle forms around you. You have very little time to move out of this area before The Count drops from the sky in an explosion of blood. Don’t panic roll, as this will see you take around 75% of your health if you’re not careful. Run away, and then roll at the edge of the ring.
Despite what many say, the dodge-roll does have I-frames. But they only occur right at the beginning of the animation. That’s why it’s better to roll at the edge of the Meteor attack and not at the start.
Depending on how many times you’ve attempted the fight, at around 75% (the first time) or 50% thereafter, The Count will argue with his wife, and then transform, beginning the second phase of the battle. This is truly where the real fight begins.
It’s important to mention that during this new phase,The Count can also use attacks like the Meteor from the previous phase.
Geonor, The Putrid Wolf Phase 2 Mechanics
Description & How To Avoid
Frost swipe
The wolf will pick up the sword and slash behind him. While this attack is a little difficult to dodge, it won’t do too much damage. Stay at range to avoid.
Beams of frost
White light will shine from the sky as The Count drops beams of ice down the ground. Step away from the beams to stop yourself from being frozen and taking a decent chunk of damage. This will happen 4 times. These attacks have a surprisingly large area of effect, so stay far away to avoid getting trapped between two of them. While you can attack in the middle of this, I found it was easier just to focus on dodging. (At around 25% remaining health, these beams will become imbued with blood, dealing more damage than before)
Stalagmites
Mounds of ice will rise from the floor, spreading out from The Count. Run back to the edge of the arena to successfully dodge this move.
Frost Breath
He will lean forward and shoot a gust of freezing air from his mouth. Roll behind and abuse the length of this attack to get some shots in. The animation lasts longer than expected.
Elegy of the Wolf
A cold mist will surround the edges of the arena, trapping you in the center. The Count will summon wolves to attack you while he dashes in and out, reciting his poem. While this may seem troublesome, it’s a fantastic opportunity to refill your life flasks by using AoE attacks to clear the minions. Roughly every 4 seconds or so, or after every line of the poem, if you’re playing with sound, The Count will rush through the center in a straight line. You often can’t dodge this by looking, so you instead need to predict where and when he’s going to come. This becomes easy with practice once you have the timing down.
While it’s important to remember these moves, much of this fight is pure reaction time. After a couple of tries, it becomes more about muscle memory, and ensuring constant damage. Arguably,The Count is a bit easier as a ranged class, as his move set is easier to dodge.
With all this in mind, this dastardly dog will lie unconscious within minutes, as you cast off your winter coat and head out into the Desert for Act 2.
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