The Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict update (Patch 0.3) introduces the long-awaited Act 4, expanding the story twenty years after the events of the first Path of Exile. This act centers around Kingsmarch, a bustling new hub town, and opens the seas to multiple islands, flooded prisons, and dangerous tribal lands. With its non-linear progression, dynamic island scaling, and cinematic boss encounters, Act 4 adds both depth and challenge to the PoE 2 campaign.

This guide covers how to unlock the Shoreline Hideout, key quest rewards, walkthrough details, and tips for defeating every main boss in Act 4.

Kingsmarch: The Hub of Act 4

Kingsmarch is the main hub for Act 4, where players interact with NPCs such as Doryani, Alva, Makoru, Rog, and the mysterious Hooded One. This is where you'll gear up, manage crafting, and set sail to explore Act 4's diverse islands.

Compared to towns in earlier acts, Kingsmarch feels richer and more alive, reflecting twenty years of history. From here, you decide which island to explore first—each area dynamically scales in level depending on the order you choose, giving players freedom in progression.

How to Unlock the Shoreline Hideout

The Shoreline Hideout is your personal safe zone in Act 4. It's unlocked through the quest Hostile Takeover, given by Ange in Kingsmarch.

Steps to Unlock:

1. Speak to Ange near the well in Kingsmarch to begin Hostile Takeover.

2. Sail to Whakapanu Island and enter the Singing Caverns.

3. Defeat Diamora, Song of Death.

4. Return to Ange, who invites you to the Shoreline Hideout.

5. Clear enemies inside the hideout and finalize the quest with Ange.

6. From now on, you can waypoint to the Shoreline Hideout anytime.

Act 4 Quest Rewards & Shark Fin

The central quest in Act 4 is The Search, unlocked after finishing Legacy of the Vaal in Act 3. This leads into three Interlude Quests that bridge the story into the endgame.

Shark Fin (Quest Item)

· Dropped by The Great White One on Whakapanu Island.

· Occupies a 2x2 inventory slot until handed in.

· Delivered to Kaimana in Ngakanu (or later in Kingsmarch).

· Completing Tribal Medicine rewards you with a choice of:

  · An Uncut Skill Gem

  · An Uncut Spirit Gem

  · A Support Gem (recommended for utility).

If Kaimana doesn't appear right away, finish more of Act 4's storyline—she'll eventually show up.

Act 4 Main Bosses & Strategies

Act 4 features 12 bosses, with 8 main story encounters. Here's how to beat each:

1. The Great White One (Whakapanu Island)

  · Attacks with slams, tail whips, leaps, and shark tornadoes.

  · Avoid standing in sand pools to prevent piranha damage.

  · Stay mobile, dodge leap attacks, and circle during the Sharknado phase.

2. Diamora, Song of Death (Singing Caverns)

  · Uses cold/water attacks, geysers, crashing waves, and a petrifying siren song.

  · Keep moving to avoid waterspouts and waves.

  · Kill summoned adds quickly during phase two.

3. The Prisoner (Solitary Confinement)

  · Mixes physical and cold damage, wields a chest-bolt weapon mid-fight.

  · Use arena ballistae at 50% HP to stagger him.

  · Stay alert for freezing rings and spikes; punish openings.

4. Scourge of the Skies (Shrike Island)

  · Aerial predator with blood projectiles and rolling flails.

  · Clear small plaguelings fast.

  · Avoid blood pools and stay moving to evade falling hazards.

5. Torvian, Hand of the Saviour (Arastas)

  · Twin-axe warrior with caster-buff mechanics.

  · Redirect boulders into caster platforms to prevent his empowerment.

  · At 25% HP, dodge his rotating fire beam and explosive axe throws.

6. Benedictus, First Herald of Utopia (Excavation)

  · Mix of lightning, fire, and physical damage.

  · Run through the orange gates to avoid maze damage.

  · Destroy electrified boulders before they explode.

  · Maintain high lightning resistance for survival.

7. Krutog, Lord of Kin (Volcanic Warrens)

  · Brutal mix of physical and lightning damage.

  · Drops sulphite puddles—kite him toward arena edges.

  · Watch for corpse explosions and dodge his Storm Walk.

8. Tavakai, The Chieftain (Heart of the Tribe)

  · Final boss of Act 4. Wields an axe, grappling hook, jade eruptions, and spirit summons.

  · Destroy jade statues before activation.

  · Stay mobile to avoid grappling pulls, eruptions, and blood crystal blasts.

  · Save burst DPS for final phases when hazards multiply.

Key Locations in Act 4

· Kingsmarch – Main hub town with vendors and quest NPCs.

· Whakapanu Island – Tropical zone with the Great White One.

· Singing Caverns – Home of Diamora.

· Abandoned Prison & Solitary Confinement – Flooded dungeons leading to The Prisoner.

· Shrike Island – Narrow path to the Scourge of the Skies.

· Arastas – Ambush zone leading to Torvian.

· The Excavation – Arena fight with Benedictus.

· Ngakanu – Coastal city before the final boss.

· Heart of the Tribe – Tavakai's lair and Act 4 finale.

Act 4 Walkthrough (Step-y-Step)

1. Complete Legacy of the Vaal in Act 3.

2. Enter Kingsmarch and prepare with NPCs.

3. Sail to Whakapanu Island, unlock the Shoreline Hideout, and defeat the Great White One.

4. Explore the Singing Caverns, kill Diamora for a weapon piece.

5. Clear the Abandoned Prison and defeat The Prisoner with ballista support.

6. Travel to Shrike Island and defeat Scourge of the Skies for the last weapon piece.

7. Return to Kingsmarch, then sail to Arastas and confront Torvian.

8. Enter The Excavation, defeat Benedictus, and witness the reforging scene.

9. Sail with Rhodri to Ngakanu, fight through its streets, and reach the Heart of the Tribe.

10. Defeat Tavakai in a multi-phase final battle.

11. Return to Kingsmarch, view the concluding cutscene, and speak with the Hooded One to complete Act 4.

Final Thoughts

Act 4 of Path of Exile 2 is a milestone addition, blending challenging boss fights, cinematic storytelling, and player-driven progression. From the freedom of island exploration to the epic finale against Tavakai, it feels like a fresh step forward for the campaign. Unlocking the Shoreline Hideout, managing key quest rewards like the Shark Fin, and mastering boss mechanics all add depth to this memorable chapter.

With more acts and endgame systems still to come, Patch 0.3 sets a high bar for what's next in Path of Exile 2.