The Test of Will Barya is one of Path of Exile 2’s most punishing endgame challenges — a true measure of endurance, adaptability, and mechanical mastery. Many players reach her arena only to find themselves overwhelmed by her layered attack patterns and relentless pressure. To defeat her efficiently, you’ll need a blend of preparation, precision, and smart resource management.
In endgame variants of the encounter, Barya’s abilities become significantly stronger and faster. Her attacks hit harder, minions spawn more frequently, and she gains enhanced resistances that prolong the fight. Efficiency here means not only surviving but maximizing your uptime on damage while avoiding costly mistakes.
Efficiency starts long before the fight begins.
Phase One – Control the Arena
Focus on movement and positioning. Learn to kite her and eliminate minions quickly. Keep the area clear of hazards so you have space to maneuver later.
Phase Two – Reactive Defense
This phase introduces overlapping AoE mechanics. Move predictably but efficiently, weaving in attacks between dodges. Save cooldowns for moments when she’s channeling her high-damage attacks.
Phase Three – The Endurance Test
Once Barya fuses with the arena’s energy core, her damage output spikes. Stay mobile and rely on flask management. Rotating defensive skills and avoiding greed (overcommitting to attacks) are key to surviving this chaotic final stretch.
Efficiency also means minimizing downtime. Bring enough flasks and keep them recharged with frequent minion kills. Use buffs that sustain over time rather than temporary bursts, and don’t hesitate to retreat briefly to recover before re-engaging.
In group play, coordination dramatically improves efficiency. Designate one player to handle minions while others focus on Barya herself. Supports should time defensive auras and healing skills for phase transitions. Solo players, meanwhile, should build with versatility in mind — self-sustain and hybrid defense tools make a major difference.
Beating the Test of Will Barya efficiently isn’t just about high DPS — it’s about precision and control. The best players treat the fight as a dance of timing and resource balance, attacking only when it’s safe and adapting instantly to new threats. With the right preparation, steady execution, and a cool head under pressure, even this endgame juggernaut can be brought down swiftly and cleanly in Path of Exile 2.
Understanding Barya’s Endgame Mechanics
In endgame variants of the encounter, Barya’s abilities become significantly stronger and faster. Her attacks hit harder, minions spawn more frequently, and she gains enhanced resistances that prolong the fight. Efficiency here means not only surviving but maximizing your uptime on damage while avoiding costly mistakes.
- Sweeping Energy Slashes: These are fast, wide attacks that punish static movement. Always keep an eye on her stance changes — a brief animation cue signals an incoming slash.
- Corrupted Pillar Spawns: Barya periodically summons pillars that emit energy waves. Prioritize clearing these quickly; leaving them unchecked can flood the arena with lethal AoE zones.
- Minion Reinforcements: Her summoned minions scale with her power, so use AoE or crowd control skills to handle them before they overwhelm your space.
Preparation and Gear Setup
Efficiency starts long before the fight begins.
- Defensive Layers: Prioritize capped elemental resistances, physical damage mitigation, and recovery speed. Consider using endurance charges or fortify effects for extra durability.
- Movement Skills: Dash, Flame Dash, or Blink Arrow can save your life. Always keep one available to dodge her high-damage projectiles.
- Damage Build Optimization: Focus on consistent, sustainable DPS rather than burst windows — long fights punish glass-cannon builds.
Phase-by-Phase Strategy
Phase One – Control the Arena
Focus on movement and positioning. Learn to kite her and eliminate minions quickly. Keep the area clear of hazards so you have space to maneuver later.
Phase Two – Reactive Defense
This phase introduces overlapping AoE mechanics. Move predictably but efficiently, weaving in attacks between dodges. Save cooldowns for moments when she’s channeling her high-damage attacks.
Phase Three – The Endurance Test
Once Barya fuses with the arena’s energy core, her damage output spikes. Stay mobile and rely on flask management. Rotating defensive skills and avoiding greed (overcommitting to attacks) are key to surviving this chaotic final stretch.
Time and Resource Management
Efficiency also means minimizing downtime. Bring enough flasks and keep them recharged with frequent minion kills. Use buffs that sustain over time rather than temporary bursts, and don’t hesitate to retreat briefly to recover before re-engaging.
Team vs. Solo Considerations
In group play, coordination dramatically improves efficiency. Designate one player to handle minions while others focus on Barya herself. Supports should time defensive auras and healing skills for phase transitions. Solo players, meanwhile, should build with versatility in mind — self-sustain and hybrid defense tools make a major difference.
Beating the Test of Will Barya efficiently isn’t just about high DPS — it’s about precision and control. The best players treat the fight as a dance of timing and resource balance, attacking only when it’s safe and adapting instantly to new threats. With the right preparation, steady execution, and a cool head under pressure, even this endgame juggernaut can be brought down swiftly and cleanly in Path of Exile 2.