General Strategy

Stay Out of Melee Range: Most of its attacks only connect at Path of Exile 2 Currency close distance. Keep your distance and kite when possible.
Watch for the Tail Spin: Don't circle too close to its back-step away when you see it preparing to spin.
Avoid Sand Traps: When it burrows and emerges, treat the slowing AoEs like hazards. Step out immediately, and don't waste a Sprint unless necessary.
Punish After Leap Attacks: Its leaping smash leaves a recovery window-ranged and melee builds alike can capitalize here.

Best Builds Against It

Minion Necromancer/Druid Companions: Pets can tank most of its attention, making the fight trivial.
Ranged Casters/Archers: Its lack of ranged abilities makes kiting simple.
Melee Builds: Use hit-and-run tactics. Dodge in, land 1-2 attacks, then disengage before its claws or bite combo connects.

Rewards and Tribal Medicine Side Quest

Defeating the Great White One guarantees a unique quest item tied to the Tribal Medicine side quest. This questline is short but rewarding, offering both lore and a useful item reward that will aid you through the rest of Chapter 4.

Many players overlook the quest because they don't know where to take the item. Once you loot it:

1. Return to the village hub on Whakhapanu Island.
2. Speak to the quest NPC tied to the local tribes.
3. Hand over the item to complete the quest and claim your reward.

In addition to the quest item, the boss drops rare gear and has a chance of yielding Path of Exile 2 Currency, such as Chaos Orbs and crafting fragments. For players looking to farm efficiently, combining boss farming with a currency strategy ensures steady progression. Of course, those short on time can always buy POE2 Currency or buy POE2 Items through trusted marketplaces to fast-track their builds.

How Hard Is the Great White One Compared to Other Bosses?

In terms of Chapter 4 bosses, the Great White One is more of a mid-tier challenge. It's considerably easier than the Singing Cave's final boss, but harder than typical map rares. Its main threat lies in catching melee players with chained claw and bite attacks or trapping ranged players in slow fields during its sand dive mechanic.
Overall, the fight is manageable for most builds once you learn its patterns.

Final Thoughts

The Great White One is one of the more memorable optional bosses in Path of Exile 2 (patch 0.3.0). Between its unique ocean-themed entrance, its reliance on raw melee power, and the valuable Tribal Medicine side quest reward, it's a fight that every player should experience.

By knowing where to find it, how to trigger the encounter, and buy POE 2 Divine Orbs how to counter its melee-heavy arsenal, you'll turn what could be a frustrating mystery into a straightforward (and rewarding) victory.