The Arena

Once you defeat Talos, you pick up a document called Arena Invitation, which starts a level 27 quest to visit the Arena, They Just Want Cruelty. You can find the Arena along the northern coastline of Pephka, within a cove of Pirate Point, east of Warrior’s Rest.

The Arena provides a theater for the best of the best to showcase their combat skills, and that now includes you, misthios! Speak to Skoura, the old man hanging out near the entrance, to learn about the contest inside. Winners earn the adulation of a roaring crowd, while losers…well, let’s just say you don’t want to lose.

To complete this quest you must face five of the most brutal Arena champions Greece has ever seen. Skoura will ask you who you wish to face. It’s a good idea to make sure you are at least at the same level as the champion you select, as these fights are brutal.

Before you can face each champion, you must first vanquish four waves of increasingly tougher foes. While the first wave should pose little difficulty for you, for example, the higher waves bring better-armed and -armored foes, some of whom utilize status effects on their attacks, making them more troublesome. It is possible for elites to join the waves as well. Survive all four waves and the champion arrives to face you in single combat.

The Arena itself boasts hazards of its own. The perimeter is lined with lethal spikes, and each battle brings its own unique configuration, such as fire or barricades. For each champion you defeat, you earn a random piece of epic or legendary gear. This can include the Arena Fighter’s set, a legendary armor set available only by battling in the Arena.

Klaudios, the King of Bandits

“He’s tricky; deception is his trade.”

• Level: 22
• Enemy Types: Bandit

For this battle, the Arena boasts not only the standard perimeter spikes, but also spiked pillars rising out of the ground.

While you must be careful to avoid the spikes yourself, you can use them to your advantage by maneuvering your opponents in such a way that the spikes are behind them, and then using an attack that knocks them back, turning a simple knockdown into extra damage.

The first wave of fighters you face in this Arena challenge is fairly simple, but each wave gets increasingly more difficult. Watch out for poison attacks from these bandits, and be ready to face a few elites as well.

The King of the Bandits is true to his name and prefers to use sneaky, underhanded tactics whenever possible. Klaudios makes frequent use of smoke bombs to try to move in for the attack when you can’t see him coming. Counter this by using the targeting reticle on your bow. Your eyes may not be able to find him in the smoke, but your reticle will.

Klaudios dual-wields daggers that can inflict poison. You can block his normal attacks, which staggers him briefly, giving you a good opening for a brutal attack. However, his normal attacks are few and far between, as he prefers many dashing strikes when he’s enraged, so he can’t be easily staggered outside of his normal attacks. Perfectly dodge his attacks to slow time, giving you a few precious seconds to line up a devastating counter attack.

Belos, the Beast of Sparta

“Devours his enemies. They call him Death.”

• Level: 29
• Enemy Types: Spartan

For this challenge, the Arena now boasts small firepits. These are great for lighting your arrows on fire. Shoot across them whenever possible to inflict the burning status effect on your targets (or just approach them with your bow out).

As before, you face four waves of enemies; this time they are Spartans. Keep on the move and utilize tier 2 Shield Breaker abilities on the hardier foes.

The Beast of Sparta wields an axe and shield to perform a great many sweeping strikes and a charged shield slam, along with an extremely powerful overhead strike. Watch for him to telegraph his shield charge move by lifting his arm. He also uses a jumping shield attack that causes him to become enraged.

Take advantage of the fire and light your weapon on fire to inflict burning. Other status effects are helpful against this foe as well, depending on what skills you’ve chosen. The best time to counterattack is after a perfectly timed dodge-roll that slows time.

The Beast of Sparta is part of the Heroes of the Cult, so when you vanquish him, you get credit for eliminating a cultist as well.

Evanthe, the Huntress

“Just when you think she’s cornered, she stabs from the side.”

• Level: 22
• Enemy Types: Bandit

For this battle, the Arena boasts not only the standard perimeter spikes, but also spiked pillars rising out of the ground.

While you must be careful to avoid the spikes yourself, you can use them to your advantage by maneuvering your opponents in such a way that the spikes are behind them, and then using an attack that knocks them back, turning a simple knockdown into extra damage.

Evanthe, the Huntress

“Just when you think she’s cornered, she stabs from the side.”

• Level: 36
• Enemy Types: Daughters of Artemis

For this challenge, the Arena offers a few short barricades, which provide some cover. The first wave includes not only human opponents but their tamed wolves! Stay on the move and take down these snarling beasts from range whenever possible, while using the barricades to avoid ranged attacks. The second wave includes a lynx, before you face more wolves in wave three. The fourth wave includes two ferocious bears. At least the bigger they are…the harder they fall. As if defeating a pair of bears isn’t bad enough, you must watch out for archers with flame arrows as well.

When Evanthe herself appears, she is accompanied by a lion. Take down the lion first, to avoid its hungry jaws, before focusing your attention on Evanthe. Evanthe wields a spear for close combat but is quick to pull out her bow at range. For both weapons she utilizes fire attacks, so be prepared to deal with burning.

Depending on your play style, you can utilize the barricades in the Arena to exchange arrows with this champion, or quickly move in close to keep the heat on her. As with the other champions, weapons that inflict status effects work well here.

Titos, the Rock of Athens

“Skilled soldier, not to be discounted.”

• Level: 43
• Enemy Types: Athenian

For this battle, the Arena has added spinning fire pillars and a rather grisly ship mast to the decor. In addition, one of the previously boarded-up pits on the floor is now open, revealing a large firepit. Smaller fires let you ignite your arrows.

The waves of Athenians are challenging, but at this point in your Arena career, you’ve become adept at dealing with a champion’s underlings.

Titos wields a shield and spear, throws fire bombs, and shoots fire arrows. He is highly mobile and uses an enraged attack in which he dashes toward you.

Use the handy fires in the environment to keep up the burning status effect on him. Don’t expect to get reliable parries against the Rock of Athens. Use heavy attacks and attacks that stagger to bypass his shield.

Defeating Titos not only earns you the usual epic or legendary item (and the adulation of the crowd, of course) but also gives you a cultist clue, Job Offer.

Vasilis, the King of the Arena

“A Spartan braggart, but with the skills to back it up.”

• Level: 50
• Enemy Types: Mixed

For this ultimate battle, the Arena has spared no expense. Not only do you have the ever-present perimeter spikes, you also have spinning spiked pillars, some of which are flaming. In addition, you now get to see what was under the other closed door on the floor—a spike-lined pit of death!

This time, you face waves of mixed factions, as everyone pays allegiance to the King of the Arena. The waves contain more enemies than ever before, with the powerful stratagoi appearing in wave four. Make good use of the death pit on the floor. Knocking someone down a seemingly bottomless pit is just as fun as it sounds.

Vasilis himself uses a shield and sword, leaping attacks, and combo attacks that end in enraged abilities. He can inflame his weapon, too, so watch out for the burning status effect.

Utilize status effects of your own to level the playing field. When he gets low on health, Vasilis whips out a potion and quaffs it, healing some of the damage you’ve inflicted. Stay on him, and don’t give him a moment’s respite in order to avoid this. This fight is long and difficult enough, and letting him heal can easily mean the difference between vanquishing the foe and losing.

Once you have vanquished Vasilis, the quest is complete. However, you are offered one more fight…

Skoura, Hero of the Arena

Accepting Skoura’s challenge begins the quest Hero of the Arena.”

• Level: 50

This time, there are no waves of enemies to slash your way through, no special hazards; it’s just you and the old man.

Skoura may be getting up there, but he’s no pushover! The Hero of the Arena fights with a spear and utilizes many enraged and knockback attacks, and of course, the Sparta Kick. Skoura has a lot of health, and even with the best weapons and gear, it will take some time to whittle down his health, so be ready for a prolonged fight.

Defeating Skoura earns you Skoura’s spear.

Rematch

Once you’ve finished the main Arena quest, They Just Want Cruelty, you can face any or all of the competitors again at level 50 by starting the side quest Heroes of the Arena. This will give you a chance to earn more gear and drachmae.