You know how it usually goes. You are just trying to push through the campaign, tearing through the Grim Tangle looking for the main path, and suddenly you are trapped in a fungal pit. That is when Ervig, The Rotten Druid, decides to ruin your day. He is technically an optional boss, but skipping him feels wrong, especially when you consider the potential loot that can boost your character early on. If you are looking to stock up on PoE 2 Currency or just need some gear upgrades to survive the next zone, he is worth the detour. He doesn't always spawn in the exact same spot, which is a bit annoying if you are trying to farm him. I have found him mostly in the back half of the zone, usually inside those damp cavern sections. If you see a suspicious amount of fungus or a wide arena, get your buffs ready because he is probably lurking there.

Dancing Around the Danger

The fight itself is a bit of a dance and requires you to pay attention to positioning. At first glance, Ervig looks like a squishy caster you can just bulldoze, but do not be fooled. He has some serious zoning tools that will punish you for standing still. His signature move, the Scatter-Bomb Barrage, is the real run-killer here. He fires a radial spread of explosives that can shotgun you if you are too close. It is chaotic and forces you to move fast or use a movement skill immediately. Then he has this Fungal Projectile toss that lobs toxic gunk at you. It explodes on impact and leaves a nasty damage-over-time patch on the floor, so you really cannot stay in one spot for more than a second. The one breather you get is his Massive Stone Throw. The telegraph is super obvious—he heaves a giant rock into the air—so just step to the side. If you get hit by that slow boulder, it is honestly on you.

Don't Get Greedy

Beating him comes down to respecting his space and not face-tanking damage unnecessarily. If you are running a melee build, do not get greedy. I have died plenty of times trying to get that extra hit in when I should have been dodging. Wait for the stone throw animation, dash behind him, burst him down for a second, and then back off. It is hit-and-run tactics all day. Ranged players have it a bit better since you can just kite him in circles. Keep moving sideways between your shots to avoid the poison arcs. Also, check your gear before you engage. If your resistances are low or you are still rocking a weapon from the start of the game, he is going to feel like a raid boss. Bring a mana flask and maybe something to clear ailments if you get tagged by the poison.

Is the Loot Worth It?

As for the payout, it is usually worth the detour. The loot table is randomized, but getting an Uncut Support Gem or a handful of Orbs of Augmentation this early can really smooth out your leveling curve. I have seen him drop Superior armor pieces and enough gold to make it worth the time investment. It is not always amazing, but every bit of power helps in the early game. If you check the poe2 market later on, you will realize how helpful those small currency drops are for stabilizing your build. Just stay mobile, watch for the big wind-ups, and you will drop him without too much trouble. Good luck, Exile—try not to become fertilizer for his garden.