Path of Exile 2 (POE 2 Chaos Orbs) is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious ARPG releases in recent years. Grinding Gear Games has taken everything that fans loved about the first game and layered it with new systems, deeper lore, and a more structured campaign. One element that continues to stand out is the introduction of Points of Interest (POIs) scattered across the campaign maps. These locations aren’t just filler content—they often provide unique lore moments, hidden characters, or completion rewards that appeal to both casual and completionist players.
Among these, one of the more mysterious and easily overlooked POIs is the Ferryman, located in the Interludes section of the campaign. Unlike some other points that practically jump out at you during normal progression, the Ferryman requires a bit of exploration. Many players have expressed confusion about where to find this elusive NPC and how exactly to trigger the encounter.
This article breaks down everything you need to know about the Ferryman in PoE2, from his in-game location to his relevance in the campaign. Whether you’re a completionist looking to hit that 100% campaign mark or simply curious about the lore behind this spectral boatman, here’s a comprehensive guide.
What Is the Ferryman in Path of Exile 2?
The Ferryman is a Point of Interest NPC known in-game as the Soul of the Ferryman. As the name suggests, he is tied to imagery of passage and crossing—something heavily rooted in mythological themes of ferrymen who transport souls across rivers in the afterlife. In Path of Exile 2’s dark and morally gray world, it’s fitting that such a figure appears during the Interludes of the campaign.
Unlike vendors or quest givers, the Ferryman isn’t there to hand you loot or directly push the story forward. Instead, he represents one of those world-building encounters that deepen the atmosphere of Wraeclast. Players aiming for full completion, however, will need to track him down since his location counts toward POI progression.
When Do You Encounter the Ferryman?
The Ferryman becomes accessible during Interludes Act 5.1 of the campaign. For context, the Interludes are sections of the game that sit between major acts, often serving as bridges in both narrative pacing and gameplay. By the time you reach this point, you’ve already endured several grueling encounters, and the game starts layering in more atmospheric points that flesh out the world’s desolation.
At this stage, players arrive at Holten, the specific area tied to the Ferryman encounter. Holten is one of those transitional towns that look deceptively simple but hide subtle points of exploration. If you’re not the type to comb through every corner of the map, you could very easily miss the Ferryman altogether.
How to Reach Holten
To find the Ferryman, you must first make your way to Holten, which itself requires passing through Blackwood. Blackwood is one of the earlier wilderness areas that functions as a gateway to Holten, so you’ll naturally arrive here as part of the campaign flow.
Once you load into Holten, your immediate instinct might be to push forward toward your main quest objectives. Resist that urge—if your goal is to uncover the Ferryman, you’ll need to take some deliberate detours.
The Ferryman’s Exact Location
Here’s where things get specific. The Ferryman can always be found in Holten, directly in the middle portion of the map, near a docked boat at a small harbor. The consistency of this location is key because, while PoE2 features procedurally generated maps, the overall layout and the placement of key POIs remain fixed.
Think of it this way: the terrain details, enemy groups, and randomized obstacles might shift, but the Ferryman’s general area never changes. You don’t need to worry about him spawning in entirely different quadrants of the map—his harbor is always the same relative landmark.
To make things even simpler:
Start at the Holten Waypoint.
Head northwest of the Waypoint.
Take the left path and circle around.
Keep an eye out for a boat docked at a harbor, which always marks the Ferryman’s presence.
Once you reach this location, you’ll see the spectral NPC waiting beside the vessel.
Why the Ferryman Is Easy to Miss
Many players wonder: if the Ferryman’s placement is technically fixed, why do so many people miss him on their first run? There are a few reasons:
Campaign Pacing: By Act 5.1, players are often focused on pushing through story beats and reaching new combat encounters. POIs can feel secondary unless you’re deliberately aiming for completion.
Randomized Map Details: Even though the layout is the same, small details like obstructive terrain or altered side paths can make the harbor feel tucked away. If you’re rushing, you might not loop far enough left to spot it.
Lack of Direct Quest Ties: Unlike some NPCs who are directly linked to quest progression, the Ferryman doesn’t play a mandatory role in advancing your story. If you’re not combing through the map, he’s entirely skippable.
The Role of the Ferryman in Lore
Grinding Gear Games has always leaned into dark mythology and symbolism, and the Ferryman is no exception. While his in-game role is subtle, his name and presentation immediately call to mind figures like Charon from Greek mythology, who ferried souls across the River Styx.
Thematically, placing the Ferryman in the Interludes makes sense. These sections of the campaign often represent moments of transition—bridges between greater conflicts. Inserting an NPC tied to ideas of passage, death, and liminality reinforces the tone of a world steeped in decay and moral ambiguity.
While he doesn’t hand out items or quests, his presence adds weight to PoE2’s narrative texture. For lore enthusiasts, the Ferryman serves as a small but symbolic reminder that every step forward in Wraeclast feels like a crossing into darker waters.
Tips for Completionists
If you’re the type of player who wants to tick every box, here are a few practical tips for making sure you don’t miss the Ferryman:
Use the Waypoint Method: Always mark the Waypoint in Holten as your anchor, then move northwest until you see the harbor. This directional method works regardless of smaller map changes.
Circle Exploration: Adopt a habit of circling the perimeter of each map before heading toward quest markers. This ensures you naturally uncover hidden POIs like the Ferryman.
Track Your Progress: The campaign tracker will note when you’ve discovered all POIs in a given act or Interlude. If you’re sitting at 99%, chances are you missed someone like the Ferryman.
Don’t Rush Through Interludes: Interludes may feel like narrative downtime compared to boss-heavy acts, but they often hide unique encounters. Treat them as chances to slow down and explore.
Community Reactions to the Ferryman
Player discussions around the Ferryman often highlight two extremes:
Completionists love discovering him since he checks off a POI and adds depth to the Interludes.
Rushers who speed through content often miss him entirely and later return scratching their heads about why their completion percentage isn’t maxed.
Some players have even speculated whether the Ferryman will tie into future expansions, side quests, or endgame lore. While there’s no official confirmation, Grinding Gear has a history of planting seemingly small NPCs early in the game only to expand on their importance later buy POE 2 Chaos Orbs.
Why POIs Like the Ferryman Matter
For newer players, it might be tempting to dismiss the Ferryman as an optional detour. But Path of Exile has always rewarded curiosity. In fact, POIs like the Ferryman highlight why PoE2 feels richer and more immersive than a standard hack-and-slash ARPG:
They flesh out the world beyond combat.
They reward exploration in a game where maps can otherwise feel like tunnels between fights.
They encourage replayability, since players who miss him the first time will often return in later playthroughs to comb for details.
In short, the Ferryman encapsulates the philosophy that Path of Exile 2 isn’t just about loot—it’s about atmosphere, mystery, and discovery.
Final Thoughts
The Ferryman may not be a central quest-giver or loot vendor, but he embodies exactly what makes Path of Exile 2 so compelling. He’s a subtle, easy-to-miss detail that adds symbolic weight to the Interludes and provides a tangible goal for completionists.
To recap:
The Ferryman appears as the Soul of the Ferryman in Holten during Act 5.1 Interludes.
His location is northwest of the Holten Waypoint, near a boat docked at a harbor.
While maps are procedurally generated, the overall layout and POI placements remain constant.
Missing him is easy, but finding him adds to both your completion percentage and your understanding of PoE2’s grim world.
So, the next time you step into Holten, take a moment to slow down. Instead of charging ahead toward the next quest marker, veer left, follow the shoreline, and pay your respects to the Ferryman. After all, in Wraeclast, every soul eventually needs passage.