Path of Exile 2 introduces a host of formidable bosses, each with its own unique mechanics, requiring players to adapt their strategies and learn how to handle complex encounters. One of the standout challenges in the game is Count Geonor, a boss that commands the undead in his cursed dominion. This guide is designed to walk you through everything you need to know to defeat Count Geonor, from understanding his abilities to crafting the Poe 2 trade best strategies for success.

Who Is Count Geonor?

Count Geonor is an aristocratic figure who appears in Path of Exile 2 as one of the primary bosses tied to the story of the game's Act VI. A wealthy and influential noble who has long since passed into undeath, Count Geonor now rules over a twisted, corrupted mansion known as the Deathless Manor. As a vampiric lord, he commands an army of the undead and other macabre creatures that serve his will, and his very presence is a testament to the dark power that the noble class in Wraeclast once wielded.

Geonor's lore is rich, rooted in the tragic tale of a man whose obsession with immortality led him to forsake his humanity and become a slave to dark necromantic forces. His greed for eternal life and power resulted in his transformation into a Deathless aristocrat, but it also left him cursed, forced to govern over a mansion filled with the tormented souls of his former subjects.

Defeating Count Geonor is not only a necessary step in progressing through Path of Exile 2's campaign but also an opportunity to uncover deeper mysteries about the dark history of Wraeclast and the dangerous forces that still plague the world.

Understanding Count Geonor's Abilities

Count Geonor is a multi-phase boss with a variety of deadly abilities that make the encounter challenging. To succeed in defeating him, players need to understand these abilities and be prepared to react quickly during the battle.

Phase 1 - The Undead Aristocrat

In his first phase, Count Geonor takes on the form of an imposing vampire lord, moving swiftly across the battlefield while summoning various types of undead minions to assist him in battle. Here's what to expect:

Summon Undead Minions: Geonor periodically summons Undead Knights and Spectral Servants to fight alongside him. These minions will target players and attempt to overwhelm them with sheer numbers. It's crucial to take them out quickly, especially the Spectral Servants, as they can regenerate his health if left unchecked.

Necrotic Slash: Geonor slashes with his vampiric blade, sending out waves of necrotic energy that deal both physical and chaos damage. The slashes have a wide AoE (area of effect), and players need to dodge them by positioning themselves carefully or using movement skills to avoid the damage.

Vampiric Leech: Occasionally, Geonor will begin channeling a vampiric aura that draws life force from nearby players. The more players stand in range of this aura, the more damage they will take. To counter this, players should focus on maintaining distance from Geonor during this phase and should move when he begins channeling his vampiric drain.

Bloodlust Phase: When Geonor reaches 50% health in this phase, he will enter a Bloodlust mode, significantly increasing his movement speed and damage output. During this time, he will occasionally dash across the arena in a straight line, striking down anything in his path. It's important to be ready to buy POE 2 Orbs dodge this dash attack as it can deal devastating damage.

Phase 2 - The Deathless Master

At approximately 30% health, Count Geonor will enter the second phase of the fight, shifting into his Deathless Master form. In this phase, Geonor becomes more aggressive, and his abilities evolve:

Soul Shard Barrage: Geonor now gains the ability to launch Soul Shards in quick succession, each one dealing chaos damage over time to anyone they hit. These shards can be difficult to dodge, as they are fast-moving and can cover large portions of the arena. To avoid taking damage, players should constantly be on the move and aim to intercept or outrun the shards as they fly toward them.

Unholy Empowerment: As the Deathless Master, Geonor can channel Unholy Empowerment, a buff that strengthens both him and his minions. This buff increases their damage output and resistance to crowd control effects like stun or freeze. When this occurs, you'll need to deal with his minions more quickly, as their ability to resist debuffs will make them more dangerous than in the first phase.