Path of Exile 2 has more than just brutal combat and complex builds—it’s also packed with hidden encounters that reward exploration. One such discovery is Elder Madox, a wandering NPC who gifts players a free Unique item. The catch? You first need to find him tucked away in the mountains, and if you’re lucky, reroll his shop for a better reward.
Elder Madox is introduced as a fading adventurer on his final journey. In his dialogue, he reflects on past mistakes and offers the player a gift before departing. The gift is a legendary Unique item, selected from a small pool. Think of him as Path of Exile 2’s version of the Nameless Seer from the original game’s endgame, though with some unique mechanics tied to rerolling his inventory.
Elder Madox Location
You’ll encounter Elder Madox in Kriar Peaks, one of the Interlude areas in Path of Exile 2. His camp is hidden along a narrow, off-path trail not immediately obvious from the main route.
The best clue that you’re on the right track is the appearance of blue spirit birds near checkpoints. The first bird usually appears close to the checkpoint itself. Once spotted, follow these ethereal birds into side areas—they’ll guide you to the secluded path that leads straight to Elder Madox.
How Elder Madox’s Gift Works
When you meet Elder Madox, he offers you a selection of free Uniques. You may pick one item from his stock and that choice is permanent—once you claim an item, you cannot revisit him for another.
Important details to keep in mind:
- His inventory draws from the global Unique pool.
- Boss-exclusive Uniques (like Morior Invictus or Temporalis) cannot appear.
- If you accept a gift, there’s no way to undo or refresh it later.
How to Reroll Elder Madox’s Uniques
Unlike standard vendors, Elder Madox’s shop won’t reset by refreshing the instance or waiting around. The only tested way to reroll his stock is by raising the Kriar Peaks map level. To do this, two conditions must be met:
- Level Up Your Character – gain at least one level.
- Complete Any Quest – finishing a quest alongside the level-up increases the map’s base level.
For example:
- If Kriar Peaks is Level 56, leveling up and completing a quest will raise it to Level 57.
- Once the area level increases, Elder Madox’s shop resets with a new batch of Uniques.
Note: This trick only works if you haven’t taken a Unique yet. Once you accept his gift, the shop closes permanently.
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Elder Madox isn’t just a flavor encounter—he’s a valuable opportunity to secure a powerful Unique early. For players chasing specific build pieces or simply wanting to experiment, his gift can smooth out progression. The reroll mechanic also adds strategy: do you take a decent Unique now, or push forward in hopes of refreshing his inventory for something truly game-changing?
Quick Tips
- Always scout the blue spirit birds in Kriar Peaks; they’re your best signpost to his location.
- Don’t rush to grab the first Unique you see. If you’re unsatisfied, reroll by leveling up and completing a quest before making your choice.
- Remember that once you pick an item, Elder Madox disappears for good.
Elder Madox embodies the mix of lore, mystery, and reward that defines Path of Exile 2. If you’re trekking through Kriar Peaks, keep your eyes open—you won’t want to miss this free power spike. Play Now!
