How to Defeat Ekbab and Iktab in Path of Exile 2

Time: 2025-12-10

Get Ready for the Dual Boss Challenge with MMOMAX – Your Ultimate PoE2 Resource Hub

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) ushers in a new era of intense boss fights, innovative mechanics, and strategic depth that challenge even the most seasoned adventurers. Among the earliest yet most demanding encounters is the dual-boss battle against Ekbab and Iktab in Act Two. These two foes combine raw physical destruction with devastating lightning magic, creating a chaotic synergy that tests your reflexes, positioning, and decision-making under pressure.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: where to find them, how they fight, which one to kill first, and the best strategies to emerge victorious. Plus, if you're looking to upgrade your gear or stock up on essential resources, be sure to visit the trusted POE2 Currency marketplace at MMOMAX, where secure transactions and competitive pricing help you power through tough content faster.

Where to Find Ekbab & Iktab

You’ll encounter Ekbab and Iktab during Act Two, within the eerie and claustrophobic zone known as The Bone Pits, while progressing through the quest "A Theft of Ivory." Upon entering, you'll witness Iktab completing a ritual to reanimate Ekbab — his colossal mastodon ally. The spell succeeds just as you arrive, forcing you into an immediate two-on-one confrontation.

The Bone Pits are dark and confined, filled with towering bone piles and narrow pathways. This tight arena makes dodging area-of-effect attacks extremely difficult, so proper preparation before entry is crucial. Ensure your Lightning Resistance is capped (75%) to survive Iktab’s relentless elemental onslaught. Equip flasks that boost elemental defense or use lightning-warding charms — small advantages can mean the difference between triumph and defeat.

Understanding the Boss Duo

Ekbab and Iktab are designed as a synergistic pair, each excelling in opposite domains:

Ekbab, the Mastodon: A towering brute focused on physical devastation. His attacks include high-speed charges across the arena and powerful slam moves that generate tremor waves, dealing heavy physical and ground-based damage.
Iktab, the Necromancer: A spell-slinging master of lightning magic. He dominates space with wide-reaching AoE spells, summoning floating orbs that pulse and explode, compelling constant movement.

Together, they form one of PoE 2’s first true “chaotic synergy” boss fights. Victory hinges not only on mechanical skill but also on making the right tactical decisions — especially regarding target priority.

Which Boss Should You Kill First?

✅ Always Prioritize Iktab!

This is the single most important tip for this fight:

❌ Killing Ekbab first triggers Iktab’s Enraged State: He gains enhanced lightning abilities — larger AoEs, faster projectile speeds, and persistent storm fields — turning the arena into a near-inescapable death zone.
✅ Killing Iktab first weakens Ekbab significantly: After Iktab falls, Ekbab loses much of his magical support and enters a passive rage mode with predictable attacks. Residual lightning effects linger briefly but pose minimal threat.

By eliminating Iktab early, you dramatically reduce the complexity of the encounter, conserve flask charges, and protect your hard-earned investments in gear upgraded with POE 2 Currency.

💡 Pro Tip: If you're struggling to afford critical upgrades, consider purchasing POE2 currency safely and affordably at MMOMAX — ideal for acquiring rare components, crafting mods, or trading for endgame gear.

Combat Strategy & Movement Tips

Success in this fight comes down to controlled movement, smart positioning, and sustained damage output.

🔹 Positioning: Use Line-of-Sight Blocking

At the start, position yourself so that Ekbab stands between you and Iktab. Due to his massive size, he can block direct casting lines, shielding you from certain spells like homing bolts or targeted beams.

🔹 Dodge the Lightning Comets

Iktab’s signature move is launching three descending lightning comets marked by bright orange circles on the ground. React quickly — these deal massive burst damage. Learn the audio cue and always keep an eye on your feet.

🔹 Kite Ekbab Effectively

While focusing Iktab, kite Ekbab around the perimeter in a circular pattern. His charge attack has a clear wind-up sound — dodge sideways using **Dodge Roll,