PoE 2 Akthi and Anundr Guide: Location, Boss Strategy, and Rewards Explained

Akthi and Anundr are two optional-but highly rewarding-side bosses in Path of Exile 2 that players encounter during the Interlude chapter in the Vastiri Desert. While they are not required to progress the main storyline, defeating them is strongly recommended due to the permanent character rewards they unlock.

These bosses are tied to a quest from Risu, and skipping them means missing out on valuable progression that cannot be reclaimed later. This SEO-ready guide covers where to find Akthi and Anundr in PoE 2, how to prepare for the encounter, best strategies to beat both bosses efficiently, and the rewards you can expect for completing the fight.

Where to Find Akthi and Anundr in Path of Exile 2

Akthi and Anundr are located in Khari Crossing, a large desert zone found just outside Khari Bazaar, the main town hub during the Vastiri Interlude chapter. This area unlocks naturally as you progress through the campaign, so no special requirements or side paths are needed.

Although Path of Exile 2 maps feature partial randomization, these bosses follow fairly consistent spawn behavior:

·They most commonly appear on the right side of Khari Crossing

·Look for a large stone entryway or gate-like structure

·The boss arena is often connected to a long, open road

·A checkpoint is almost always nearby, making retries less punishing

When navigating Khari Crossing, focus on major routes rather than fully clearing the map. The boss arena is visually distinct and easy to identify once you are close, so there's no need to explore every offshoot unless you're farming experience or loot.

Akthi and Anundr Boss Fight Overview

Unlike many optional encounters in PoE 2, Akthi and Anundr must be fought simultaneously, which significantly increases the difficulty, especially for undergeared characters or low-mobility builds.

Anundr - The Sandworm

Anundr is a massive sandworm that shares similarities with The Devourer from early Path of Exile encounters. Its abilities include:

·Ranged projectile spit attacks

·Large sweeping body slams

·Tail attacks that activate at low health

As the fight progresses, Anundr's enormous body can physically block sections of the arena, severely limiting movement and making positioning increasingly dangerous.

Akthi - The Giant Scorpion

Akthi is a highly aggressive scorpion boss that focuses on:

·Wide melee cleave attacks

·Fast lunges and gap closers

·Heavy Poison damage application

While Akthi is more mobile than Anundr, its attacks are generally easier to read and dodge, particularly for ranged or hit-and-run builds.

Best Strategy to Beat Akthi and Anundr

If your build has sufficient damage output, the safest and most reliable strategy is to focus Anundr first. Leaving the sandworm alive for too long turns the arena into a cramped, dangerous space that punishes poor positioning.

Key Tips for the Fight

·Kill Anundr first to keep the arena open and maintain mobility

·Kite Akthi in wide circles while focusing damage on Anundr

·Save burst damage cooldowns for moments when both bosses overlap

·Avoid standing still, especially once Anundr's tail attacks activate

Once Anundr is defeated, Akthi becomes far easier to manage alone, even for less tanky builds.

Poison Damage Warning: Prepare Before the Fight

The most dangerous aspect of this encounter is Poison damage. Both bosses can apply Poison, which is particularly lethal because:

·Poison bypasses Energy Shield

·It directly drains your Life pool

·Low-life or high-ES caster builds are extremely vulnerable

How to Counter Poison Effectively

The best countermeasure is equipping an Antidote Charm on your belt. While it has limited charges, it provides temporary Poison immunity, dramatically reducing the risk of sudden deaths.

Additional preparation tips include:

·Increasing Life regeneration

·Gearing for Poison resistance or mitigation

·Using reliable movement skills to escape overlapping attacks

Proper preparation makes this fight significantly safer and more consistent.

Akthi and Anundr Rewards in PoE 2

Defeating Akthi and Anundr grants a standard boss drop pool that may include:

·Random rare items

·Currency drops

·A solid chance at a Unique item

More importantly, your first kill rewards you with a Book of Specialization as part of Risu's Clearing the Way quest.

Why the Book of Specialization Is Important

·Grants bonus skill points

·Provides a permanent character upgrade

·Cannot be obtained later if you skip the encounter

In addition, this fight is a solid opportunity to farm valuable Path of Exile 2 Items and Path of Exile 2 Currency. If your gear feels underwhelming, many players choose to buy PoE 2 items beforehand to ensure a smoother and safer clear.

Final Thoughts

Akthi and Anundr may not be the most mechanically complex bosses in Path of Exile 2, but fighting two enemies atonce, combined with heavy Poison damage, can easily overwhelm unprepared players. By knowing where to find them in Khari Crossing, equipping Poison immunity, and prioritizing Anundr during the fight, you can clear this encounter safely and secure an important permanent upgrade.