Welcome to Path of Exile, the brutal ARPG by Grinding Gear Games, where every step you take in Wraeclast is hard-earned and laced with danger. Whether you’re a seasoned exile or brand new to the shores, your first steps begin with the main story quest, Enemy at the Gate. This quest serves as the starting point for your journey through Act 1, introducing you to key mechanics, combat, loot, and the town of Lioneye’s Watch.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the quest from start to finish, including how to defeat Hillock, how to enter the town, where to find Tarkleigh, and what your reward options are. We’ll also touch on lore elements, beginner-friendly tips, and optimal choices depending on your class or playstyle.

 Quest Overview: Enemy at the Gate

Quest Name: Enemy at the Gate

Location: The Twilight Strand → Lioneye's Watch

Given By: Automatically triggered upon starting the game

Objective: Kill Hillock, the Resurrected, and enter Lioneye’s Watch

Reward: Your first skill gem, offered by Tarkleigh

This is the first quest of Act 1, designed to orient you to the basics of movement, combat, and itemization.

 Quest Description

“You have washed ashore in Wraeclast, an exile condemned to survive or perish on this forsaken continent. Ahead lies the Twilight Strand, and beyond that, Lioneye’s Watch — the last refuge of those who remain.”

“But first, you must confront Hillock, a grotesque reanimated brute who guards the town gates.”

This quest does not need to be picked up manually — it begins the moment your character regains consciousness on the beach.

 Step 1: Kill Hillock on the Twilight Strand

After selecting your class, you’ll awaken on the Twilight Strand, a beach strewn with wreckage and corpses. A dying exile nearby offers you your first weapon, which you can loot from their body.

 Combat Tutorial

You’ll immediately be introduced to Path of Exile's basic mechanics:

Click to move

Left-click to attack

Right-click to use a skill (if equipped)

Press “I” for inventory

Your goal here is simple: fight your way northeast through packs of Drowned Dead, Sand Spitters, and other low-level enemies.

 Loot and Progression Tips

Pick up all equipment early on — especially items with sockets.

Look for linked sockets; these become important very soon when you begin slotting Support Gems.

Press “Alt” to view item names.

Equip flasks right away — you’ll have at least one Life Flask and one Mana Flask to start.

 Hillock, the Resurrected

Hillock is the first boss you’ll encounter. He’s slow but hits hard, especially if you're new to the game.

 Hillock Stats & Tips

Level: 2

Health: High compared to normal monsters

Mechanics:

Slow but powerful melee attacks

Enrages at low health (glows red and attacks faster)

Strategy:

Kite around him, attack from range if possible

Use flasks liberally

Melee characters should engage then move out between swings

Hillock isn’t complex, but he introduces you to Path of Exile's combat pacing — quick thinking, flask management, and movement.

Once defeated, Hillock drops several items, including armor, weapons, and a portal scroll. His death opens the gate to Lioneye’s Watch, your first town hub.

 Step 2: Enter Lioneye’s Watch

Walk through the newly opened gate to reach Lioneye’s Watch, the central town of Act 1. Here you can:

Trade with vendors

Access your stash

Interact with NPCs

Collect quest rewards

Choose your first Skill Gem

The moment you enter town, you’ll receive a quest update: Talk to Tarkleigh.

 Step 3: Talk to Tarkleigh

Tarkleigh is one of the first friendly NPCs you meet. He’s a rugged exile who helps organize survivors in Lioneye’s Watch. Speak with him to complete Enemy at the Gate and receive your first skill gem reward, which varies by class.

 Class-Based Reward Gems

Here are some examples of what Tarkleigh offers based on your class:

Marauder:

Ground Slam

Molten Strike

Cleave

Witch:

Freezing Pulse

Fireball

Arc

Duelist:

Double Strike

Cleave

Dual Strike

Ranger:

Burning Arrow

Caustic Arrow

Split Arrow

Templar:

Glacial Hammer

Purifying Flame

Smite

Shadow:

Viper Strike

Ethereal Knives

Cobra Lash

Scion (if unlocked):

Spectral Throw

Choose a skill that complements your weapon type and playstyle. For example, Rangers using bows should choose Caustic or Burning Arrow; melee-focused Duelists may go with Double Strike.

You will also gain access to Support Gems later through The Caged Brute and other quests.

 Quest Rewards Summary

1 Skill Gem suited to your class

Access to Lioneye’s Watch

First access to vendors (Nessa, Tarkleigh, Bestel)

First quest complete!

This opens the path to the next quest: Mercy Mission (optional) or Breaking Some Eggs (main).

 Lore Context – Who Was Hillock?

Hillock was once a soldier in Lioneye’s Legion, the personal guard of General Lioneye who defended Oriath’s colonies. He was corrupted and reanimated through thaumaturgy — the mystical force that plagues Wraeclast.

By defeating Hillock, you symbolically reject your exile status and begin your transformation into a power that can stand against Wraeclast’s decay. Tarkleigh even remarks that it’s ironic how an exile can do what trained soldiers could not.

 Pro Tips for New Players

Loot everything early. Identify items with a Scroll of Wisdom and check for upgrades.

Check gear sockets. Red, Green, and Blue sockets match gem colors. Early builds benefit from links.

Use flasks freely. They recharge with kills and are meant to be used often.

Don't hoard Scrolls of Wisdom. Use them to identify rare gear that may carry you through Act 1.

Use the stash in town. Don’t carry everything; deposit currency and useful gems.

Enable item highlighting. Press “Z” if you can't see item names dropping.

 Conclusion: Your First Step in Wraeclast

The Enemy at the Gate quest may be simple, but it sets the tone for everything Path of Exile has to offer: atmospheric storytelling, punishing combat,POE currency and deep customization. By killing Hillock and entering Lioneye’s Watch, you’re officially baptized into exile life — forged in blood, magic, and survival.

From here, your path branches in countless directions. Will you become a spell-slinging Archmage? A whirlwind-scything Slayer? A summoner of undead horrors? Your first gem — your first choice — lies with Tarkleigh. Choose wisely.