How to Defeat Balbala, The Traitor in Path of Exile 2
Time: 2025-12-18
Path of Exile 2 is renowned for its brutal, mechanics-driven boss fights, and
Balbala, The Traitor stands as Act 2’s defining difficulty spike. Following the chaos of Rathbreaker and the completion of
Earning Passage, Traitor's Passage traps players in a high-stakes battle that tests preparation, arena awareness, and reflexes. This isn’t just a fight against a boss—it’s a masterclass in POE 2’s core survival principles. At MMOMAX (
https://www.mmomax.com/), we’ve refined this guide to break down Balbala’s deadliest mechanics, optimal preparation strategies, and how to turn chaos into victory. Plus, our secure platform offers cheap POE 2 Currency and trade services to gear up fast—so you can face Balbala with confidence, not frustration.
Balbala’s arena is a circular “combat prison” with a massive central pit—this layout is as much an enemy as the boss herself. Here’s how to master it:
- Pit Restrictions: The central pit blocks movement and line of sight. You can’t jump over or fall into it, so always keep track of Balbala’s position relative to the pit (she’ll use it to cut off your escape).
- Movement Zones: Stick to the outer rim of the arena—this gives you maximum space to dodge attacks and avoid poison gas (more on that later). Avoid the inner ring near the pit, as it limits your kiting options.
- Line of Sight Tricky: Balbala can use the pit to ambush you—if she disappears behind it, reposition immediately to maintain visibility. Never stand with your back to the pit (you’ll have no escape if she charges).
Balbala hits hard and fast, blending physical, poison, and elemental damage. There’s no warmup—she’ll unleash a relentless barrage as soon as the fight starts. Here’s how to counter her key attacks:
- What to Expect: Balbala hurls a volley of magical knives in a straight line or wide arc. These attacks have a slight wind-up (glowing knife icons appear around her) and deal massive single-target or AoE damage.
- Counter Strategy: Dodge-roll perpendicular to the knife trajectory. Even one hit can strip 30–40% of your health, so never tank these attacks. If you’re low on mobility, use MMOMAX to buy POE 2 Currency and craft gear with +evasion or +armor—every bit of defense helps.
This is the #1 cause of player deaths—master it, and you’re halfway to victory:
- Trigger: Balbala vanishes into a cloud of purple poison gas that spreads rapidly across the arena. The gas drains 5–10% of your health per second and will cover the entire arena if unchecked.
- Counter Strategy:
- Run to the Outer Rim: Immediately sprint along the edge of the arena—poison spreads slower here, buying you time.
- Locate Balbala: Scan for movement or a faint golden glow (her channeling indicator). She’ll be hidden in the gas, preparing a devastating AoE blast.
- Interrupt & Dodge: Move close enough to attack her (this breaks her channel and stops the gas spread), then dodge-roll away immediately to avoid her AoE.
- Critical Prep: Use POE 2 Currency to buy gear with +poison resistance (+30%+ is ideal) or flasks that grant poison immunity. MMOMAX’s cheap POE 2 Currency lets you craft these upgrades without grinding for hours.
Balbala’s shade mechanic is a hidden opportunity—don’t ignore it:
- Trigger: She tosses golden coins that form runes on the ground. Stepping on a rune spawns a “Shade of Balbala” (a weaker clone that attacks with basic knives).
- Counter Strategy:
- Trigger Shades Purposefully: Walk over runes to spawn shades—they’re easy to kill and drop flask charges.
- Refill Flasks: Use shades to keep your defensive flasks (e.g., health recovery, poison resistance) active during the fight.
- Control Spawns: Don’t let too many shades pile up—defeat them one at a time to avoid being swarmed.
- Pro Tip: Prepare a flask-focused build with MMOMAX’s POE 2 Currency—invest in flasks with “Instant Recovery” or “Increased Charge Gain” to maximize this phase’s value.
Balbala rewards players who prioritize survival over raw damage. Use your POE 2 Currency on these upgrades (in order of importance):
- High-Mobility Builds (e.g., Ranger, Rogue): Use your speed to dodge attacks and trigger shades quickly. Prioritize +evasion and +poison resistance.
- Tankier Builds (e.g., Marauder, Templar): Stack +life, +armor, and +poison resistance. Use your durability to tank basic attacks while focusing on interrupting Balbala’s poison phase.
- Caster Builds (e.g., Witch, Sorcerer): Keep your distance, use area attacks to kill shades, and invest in +mana regeneration (Balbala’s pressure will drain your mana fast).
The arena will feel smaller as the fight progresses—don’t panic:
- Avoid Impulsive Moves: Balbala’s attacks are predictable—anticipate them instead of reacting. For example, if she starts to vanish, immediately head to the outer rim (poison phase incoming).
- Stick to Open Paths: Always position yourself near areas with no obstacles (e.g., the outer rim) to avoid getting trapped between Balbala and the pit.
- Pace Yourself: Don’t rush damage—focus on surviving each phase (poison → shades → basic attacks) and chip away at her health. Balbala has no enrage timer, so patience wins.
Defeating Balbala unlocks the Trial of Sekhemas—one of POE 2’s most impactful progression milestones. Here’s what to do next:
- Choose Your Ascendancy: Select a subclass that complements your build (e.g., Raider for mobility, Juggernaut for tankiness). This will give you a massive power spike.
- Optimize Gear for Ascendancy: Use POE 2 Currency to reorganize your gear—focus on stats that amplify your new Ascendancy abilities. MMOMAX’s POE 2 Trade service lets you buy specialized gear fast.
Farming POE 2 Currency and gear for Balbala can be tedious—but MMOMAX makes it easy:
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Visit MMOMAX (
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Balbala, The Traitor, isn’t just a boss—she’s a test of your ability to adapt, prepare, and stay calm under pressure. By mastering her poison gas phase, exploiting shade summons, and investing wisely in defenses with MMOMAX’s POE 2 Currency, you’ll emerge victorious.
Remember: This fight rewards patience over speed. Take your time, anticipate her moves, and use every tool at your disposal (including MMOMAX’s cheap POE 2 Currency) to tip the scales in your favor. When Balbala falls, you’ll unlock your Ascendancy and take a massive step toward dominating Path of Exile 2.
Good luck, Exile—may your flasks stay charged and your poison resistance hold strong!
MMOMAX Team
