Path of Exile 2: Treasures of Utzaal Quest Guide

Master the Molten Vault, Defeat Mektul, and Farm Endgame Loot.

The Treasures of Utzaal quest in Path of Exile 2 is a game-changing side mission that rewards players with powerful gear, rare crafting materials, and the legendary Hammer of Kamasa. Hidden in the dangerous Molten Vault, this quest challenges even veteran players with its deadly mechanics and high-stakes boss fight. In this guide, we’ll break down how to locate the vault, dominate its threats, and turn this dungeon into a loot-generating powerhouse—all while leveraging Path of Exile 2’s updated systems and mechanics.

Step 1: Locating the Molten Vault

The quest begins in Act 3, after progressing through the Drowned City and draining the floodwaters around the Ziggurat Encampment. Here’s how to find the vault:

• Follow the Main Story: Complete the Ziggurat Encampment objectives until the water recedes, revealing the entrance to the Drowned City.
• Navigate the Drowned City: This zone features sprawling ruins and aggressive enemies. Stick to the outskirts to avoid getting swarmed.
• Spot Oswald’s Marker: Unlike static dungeons, the Molten Vault’s entrance shifts with each instance. Look for a glowing blue portal surrounded by molten gold residue—this marks the vault’s entrance.

Pro Tips:

• Use movement skills (like the new Shadow Step or Leap Slam) to traverse the Drowned City quickly.
• Watch for environmental clues: Cracked walls or charred ground often lead to hidden paths.

Step 2: Navigating the Molten Vault

The Molten Vault is a labyrinth of molten gold rivers, traps, and high-level enemies. Key priorities:

• Golden Chests: These drop rare crafting materials like Auric Shards (used for fire-resistant gear) and Exalted Fragments.
• Hidden Caches: Break unstable walls (marked by glowing fissures) to uncover rooms packed with Divination Cards and currency.
• Enemy Tactics: Foes here use fire-based attacks. Prioritize fire resistance gear (aim for 75%+) to survive.

Loot Farming Strategy:

• Clear the vault and loot all chests.
• Exit to your hideout and re-enter to reset the instance.
• Repeat for efficient currency farming.

Warning: Avoid standing in molten gold pools—they inflict stacking fire damage over time.

Step 3: Defeating Mektul the Forgemaster

The vault’s final challenge is Mektul, a towering boss who hammers the arena’s molten gold barrier. Fail to kill him quickly, and the rising gold will engulf you.

Mektul’s Mechanics

• Molten Hammer Slam: Mektul slams his hammer, creating a frontal lava wave. Dodge sideways to avoid.
  • Leaves burning ground for 5 seconds.
• Gold Geysers: Targets your location with delayed eruptions. Keep moving to evade.
• Arena Shrink: The molten gold barrier recedes by 10% every 15 seconds, shrinking your fighting space.

Winning Strategies

• Ranged Builds: Use projectile skills like Galvanic Arrow (Ranger) or Arcane Blast (Sorcerer) to damage Mektul while kiting.
• Melee Builds: Bait his slam attack, then counter with high-damage skills like Sunder or Infernal Cleave.
• Hybrid Tactics: Summon minions or totems to distract Mektul while you focus on DPS.

Gearing Tips:

• Equip fire resistance gear (e.g., Emberweave Armor) to mitigate lava damage.
• Weapons with ignite proliferation (like the Hammer of Kamasa) excel here.

Rewards: Hammer of Kamasa and Beyond

Killing Mektul guarantees the Hammer of Kamasa, a unique two-handed mace with:

• 200% Increased Fire Damage
• Ignite Proliferation (spreads burns to nearby enemies)
• +15% Attack Speed on burning enemies

Best Builds for the Hammer:

• Ignite Berserker: Stack fire damage and attack speed for relentless burns.
• Chieftain Tank: Combine with Ancestral Bond for totems that spread ignites passively.

Additional Loot:

• Divination Cards: Farm The Forgemaster (grants rare weapon crafts) or The Hoarder (drops Exalted Shards).
• Currency Drops: Chaos Shards, Regal Orbs, and occasional Exalted Fragments.

Advanced Farming Tactics

Turn the Molten Vault into a loot engine with these strategies:

• Item Quantity Gear: Equip items like Sadima’s Grasp (gloves) or Goldwyrm (boots) to boost drops.
• Reset Efficiency: After clearing, use a Portal Scroll to exit and reset the instance for fresh loot.
• Party Play: Team up with a support build (e.g., a Curse-focused Occultist) to speed-clear the vault.

Pro Tip: Focus on breaking ALL chests and destructibles—they often hide rare jewels or crafting recipes.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Undergeared for Mektul?

• Farm the Drowned City for rare fire-resistant gear.
• Craft weapons with +% Fire Damage using Essences or the new Forge System.
• Try SSEGold for proper gear needed with cheap and fast service.

Low DPS?

• Swap to a skill with higher single-target damage (e.g., Flamestrike for melee, Frost Barrage for casters).
• Use Elemental Overload if crit chance is low.

Struggling with Mechanics?

• Practice dodging in lower-tier maps first.
• Slot a movement skill (e.g., Flame Dash) for better evasion.

Final Thoughts

The Treasures of Utzaal quest is a rite of passage for Path of Exile 2 players, offering both a thrilling challenge and a treasure trove of rewards. By mastering Mektul’s mechanics and optimizing your farming runs, you’ll secure powerful gear to dominate the endgame. For players short on time, consider trading for essentials like Exalted Shards or rare bases to speed up your progress.

Now gear up, dive into the Molten Vault, and claim the treasures that await!