Count Geonor is one of the early challenging bosses in Path of Exile 2, functioning as a skill check for players at the end of Act 1. His initial form is manageable, but when he transforms into the Putrid Wolf at 50% health, the fight ramps up in difficulty. This guide will break down how to defeat both forms, including strategies for melee and ranged characters, with tips on positioning, mechanics, and key attack patterns to help you survive the encounter.

Where to Find Count Geonor

To face Count Geonor, you need to progress through the following:

Ogham Village: After defeating The Executioner, make your way to Ogham Manor.

Ogham Manor Ramparts: Navigate the ramparts and then the manor itself, defeating enemies like Blood Carriers, who leave pools of blood that sap your health.

Candlemass, The Living Right: An optional boss found in the manor, which provides valuable experience and skill gems.

The Arena: Once you reach the final lift down into the arena, make sure to teleport back to town to upgrade your gear through the NPC merchant Finn. Upgraded equipment, especially weapons, is crucial for survival against bosses.

How to Defeat Count Geonor

Count Geonor has two phases: Count Geonor in his human form and Putrid Wolf once he reaches 50% health. Both phases feature different attacks, and understanding the mechanics is essential for success.

Phase 1: Count Geonor (Human Form)

Geonor's first form has several dangerous attacks. His attack patterns consist of a mix of melee strikes and environmental hazards. Here are the key moves to watch out for:

Hammer and Anvil: Geonor throws his sword ahead of him and dashes forward. After reaching the sword, he performs a slash. Avoid staying directly behind him to avoid the slash.

Sword Impale: Geonor charges forward and impales you, briefly pinning you to the arena wall. Dodge this attack by moving out of his path.

Ice Walls: Geonor slashes twice to create two large walls of ice. These walls block movement and deal significant damage. Back up and avoid the walls by dodging to the sides, or break them if you're using a melee character.

Blood Leap: Geonor transforms into a large wolf and leaps into the air before crashing down, creating a blood circle at his landing spot. Keep moving to avoid the impact zone where the blood will fall.

Blood Dash: In wolf form, Geonor spawns several bloody circles on the ground before dashing between them, spraying damaging blood. Get behind him and stay beyond the circles to avoid the sprays.

Blood Summon: Geonor summons several werewolves that can overwhelm you during the fight. Deal with them quickly to avoid being blocked during your dodges and attacks.

Phase 2: Geonor, the Putrid Wolf (50% Health)

At around 50% health, Count Geonor transforms into the Putrid Wolf, regaining all his health and becoming significantly more dangerous. His attacks change, making this phase a tough test of skill.

Requiem on High: Ice shards fall from the sky, marked by bluish light pillars. Do NOT roll or attack Geonor during this phase, as getting hit can freeze and kill you outright. Walk carefully to avoid the ice pillars.

Ice Spikes: Frost spreads from Geonor, forming circles on the ground. Ice spikes will soon erupt in these areas. Stay outside of the circles and use ranged attacks to deal damage.

Desolation: Geonor breathes out a cone of frost, slowing you down if you walk through it. You can attack him freely from the sides while he performs this move, so use this opportunity to deal damage.

Misty Attack: Geonor howls, summoning mist that shrinks the arena. During this phase, werewolves spawn, and Geonor dashes from the mist to deal damage. Run from the werewolves or use AoE attacks to eliminate them quickly. Be aware of Geonor's dash after he finishes a phrase.

Upgraded Requiem on High (25% health): The ice shards from Requiem on High will gain a red hue and appear faster, making them harder to dodge. If hit, you'll also get a bleeding effect. At this stage, it's critical to kill him fast, as the faster-falling ice pillars make dodging even more difficult.

Strategy for Defeating Count Geonor

Melee Strategy

Phase 1 (Human Form):

Tank hits: You can tank the hits from Hammer and Anvil and Sword Impale by staying close to Geonor and learning to dodge his other attacks. Keep as much health as possible to prepare for his transformation into the Putrid Wolf.

Avoid Ice Walls: If you're a melee character, you can break the Ice Walls by attacking them but don't risk it if the walls are already in a position where you'll take damage.

Phase 2 (Putrid Wolf Form):

Desolation: When Geonor uses Desolation, wait until he finishes the cone attack before moving in to deal damage.

Misty Attack: During the Misty Attack, focus on dodging the werewolves while Geonor prepares his dash. Afterward, attack him when he's in the mist.

Upgraded Requiem on High: At 25% health, move in close and try to maximize your damage before he uses his upgraded Requiem on High. Make sure you have enough flasks to sustain you through this critical phase.

Ranged Strategy

Phase 1 (Human Form):

Stay at range: Keep a safe distance from Count Geonor to avoid his close-range attacks. The main danger is his Ice Walls, which you can dodge from the other side of the arena. Use non-Cold damage skills to avoid resistance.

Phase 2 (Putrid Wolf Form):

Requiem on High: During the Requiem on High phase, stay far away from Geonor and avoid his falling ice shards. Use ranged AoE or high single-target damage skills to hit him while he's not performing his aerial attack.

Ice Spikes: Move to the outer edge of the ice spike circles to avoid damage, while continuing to attack Geonor from range.

Misty Attack: Use this phase to poke at Geonor from a distance, while dealing with the werewolves with AoE attacks.

Survival Tips

Mana and Health Management: Make sure to have plenty of mana potions and health flasks on hand. The fight can be drawn out, especially in the second phase, and you'll need to be able to recover quickly.

Keep Moving: Both phases require constant movement to avoid environmental hazards like blood circles, ice walls, and falling ice shards. Don't stay stationary for too long.

Dealing with Werewolves: When Geonor summons werewolves, quickly eliminate them to avoid being overwhelmed. Use AoE skills or range to control the mob.

Conclusion

Defeating Count Geonor in Path of Exile 2 is a significant challenge, especially when he transforms into his more dangerous Putrid Wolf form. With careful positioning, timely dodges, and knowing when to attack, you can overcome this tough boss. Ensure your build is optimized for the fight, and always check your equipment—especially your weapons—before diving into the battle.

Once Geonor is defeated, you'll receive valuable loot, and the path to Act 2 will open, bringing even more perilous challenges ahead. Be sure to make use of your POE Currency and PoE items wisely to enhance your gear, upgrade your build, and prepare for what's to come.