PoE Sanity

First Queen Encounter » Permadeath Valheim

By ImexileWatch videoDuration: PT35M42S

Summary

  • Blind Boss Encounter: This is a first-time, blind attempt at fighting The Queen in the Mistlands on a Hard difficulty permadeath run.
  • Damage Type Testing: Slash damage (Sword) is found to be effective, while Pierce (Spear/Arbalest) and Blunt damage are noted as being significantly less effective.
  • Environmental Mechanics: The Infested Citadel features high verticality; the boss utilizes multiple levels, and the player must manage the “Wet” debuff and lack of visibility (Wisps).
  • Add Management: Seeker adds and Broodlings spawn on a timer, requiring a balance between aggressive boss DPS and passive crowd control to prevent being overwhelmed.
  • Boss Vulnerabilities: Preliminary observations suggest potential increased damage from hitting the Queen’s tail and the importance of one-hit staggering seekers.

Pre-Fight Considerations and Entry

Entering the Infested Citadel requires high focus due to the immediate threat of Ashlands raids being unlocked upon the boss’s death. The entry is highly cinematic, but the immediate presence of seeker spawners and broodlings necessitates a quick defensive transition. Using the Bonemass power is essential for damage reduction during the initial discovery phase of the fight.

Mechanics Discovery and Damage Testing

The Queen employs a variety of mechanics that must be learned in real-time:

  • Damage Types: Slash damage is the primary choice for this encounter. Pierce damage (Spear) and Blunt damage are ineffective.
  • Attack Patterns: The boss uses a series of melee auto-attacks that are relatively simple to dodge-roll once the timing is identified. However, she also possesses a burrowing mechanic that allows her to reposition between the ground floor and the upper ledges.
  • Add Spawning: Seekers and broodlings spawn on a set timer. If the fight is stalled, the room can quickly fill with adds.
  • Knockback: Boss attacks have significant knockback potential. Utilizing “Light Footed” (or similar mobility-enhancing traits) is necessary to avoid being knocked off high ledges to a certain death.

Strategic Positioning and Room Layout

The Infested Citadel is a massive room with significant verticality.

  • Staircase/Ledges: The upstairs area offers more room to maneuver and lacks the thick fog found on the bottom floor.
  • Torches and Visibility: Placing torches on ledges is a viable strategy to maintain visibility throughout the arena, as the boss’s movement can make tracking difficult without Wisps.
  • Healing: The Queen possesses health regeneration. Stalling the fight to deal with adds or leaving the arena to refresh the Rested buff allows the boss to recover significant health, turning the encounter into a DPS race.

Combat Flow and Resource Management

Efficiently killing seekers is the most difficult part of the encounter. While aggressive play is rewarded with more damage windows on the Queen, it increases the risk of being staggered.

  • Stamina Management: The “Wet” debuff is a constant hindrance to stamina regeneration. High-tier stamina food is mandatory.
  • Weapon Handling: Avoid holding down the block (right-click) when using two-handed weapons, as a boss-level hit will likely result in a stagger and immediate death.
  • Seeker Crowd Control: Utilizing a weapon that can one-hit stagger seekers is a massive advantage for managing the arena while the Queen is active.

Encounter Conclusion

During a period of aggressive play, attempting to “greed” for a third hit in a combo can be fatal. In this encounter, failing to dodge-roll out of a melee window after a third swing resulted in a stagger and subsequent death, ending the permadeath run.

Key References