Path of Exile 2 continues to draw players in with its ambitious campaign, intricate mechanics, and compelling side quests. The recent Chapter 4 update, along with the Intermission sequence, has been met with generally positive feedback. However, players have also encountered their fair share of technical issues-from login crashes to progression bugs. One of the latest frustrations surrounds the Roving Wisps side quest in Kriar Village, which many are reporting as bugged.

If you're wondering whether this is a personal problem or a widespread issue, the answer is clear: yes, the Roving Wisps quest is currently bugged in Path of Exile 2. While this won't prevent you from moving forward in the main storyline, it has left completionists scratching their heads.

What Are the Roving Wisps in Path of Exile 2?

The Roving Wisps side quest becomes available during the Kriar Village segment of the Intermission, a transitional chapter that bridges the campaign's major acts. Like other optional quests, Roving Wisps is designed to provide players with a bit of extra flavor, a minor challenge, and some tangible rewards.

Slaying the Roving Wisps typically grants +40 Permanent Spirit, which can be an attractive incentive for players looking to min-max their characters. Spirit, as a core resource, ties directly into your ability to cast skills and sustain longer fights. Even if the boost isn't game-breaking, it's still valuable for those who want every advantage possible.

Are the Roving Wisps Bugged in Kriar Village?

Unfortunately, the quest is not working as intended. Reports from across the community confirm that players are unable to properly complete the objective. The wisps either fail to spawn, despawn prematurely, or don't register progress when defeated.

This bug isn't entirely surprising. Despite the polish of Chapter 4, Path of Exile 2 has had several technical hiccups following its free weekend and subsequent update. Some players have even struggled to log into specific characters due to crash loops, which makes a broken side quest almost mild by comparison.

The good news is that the Roving Wisps bug is not critical to progression. You can still move through the Intermission, face off against Lythara, the Wayward Spear, and continue toward the endgame. The quest is purely optional, and while the Spirit reward is nice, it isn't essential if you've already completed Cruel Acts 1-3, since that progression also grants Permanent Spirit bonuses.

Why the Bug Matters to Players

At first glance, a side quest bug might not seem important. But in Path of Exile 2, side quests often provide:

1. Permanent character bonuses like Spirit or life upgrades.

2. Immersive lore details that flesh out the world of Wraeclast.

3. Additional opportunities to farm Path of Exile 2 Items.

Completionists, in particular, value optional quests because they contribute to long-term progression and immersion. Missing out on +40 Spirit doesn't break your build, but it can feel unsatisfying to leave content unfinished due to a glitch.

Will Grinding Gear Games Fix the Roving Wisps Bug?

As of now, Grinding Gear Games has not publicly acknowledged or provided a timeline for fixing the Roving Wisps side quest. That said, the developers have a strong track record of issuing rapid hotfixes for disruptive bugs. Since the Third Edict patch (0.3.0) launched, they've been proactive in addressing crash reports and balance concerns.

It's reasonable to expect that the Roving Wisps will be patched in the near future. However, because it is not tied to the main story progression, it may not be at the very top of their priority list compared to stability issues or game-breaking bugs.

What Should You Do in the Meantime?

While waiting for a fix, players have a few options:

1. Continue the Main Story - The Intermission leads directly into critical encounters, such as the showdown with Lythara. Progression here is unaffected by the bug.

2. Focus on Other Content - Quests like the Trial of the Ancestors on the Isle of Kin remain fully functional. This is a good opportunity to diversify your gameplay.

3. Leave It for Later - Since side quests can often be revisited, it's worth checking back after the next hotfix. If you're determined to complete every objective, patience is your best tool.

4. Report the Bug - If you haven't already, posting in the official forums or on the bug report tracker helps bring visibility to the issue.

While you wait, this is also a great opportunity to refine your build. Experimenting with skills, farming maps, or acquiring powerful Path of Exile 2 Items can give you an advantage for tougher encounters ahead. If you're struggling to stay ahead of the curve, many players even choose to buy POE2 Items through trusted marketplaces, saving time while focusing on the content they enjoy most.

Why It's Not All Bad News

While frustrating, the Roving Wisps bug highlights one of the strengths of Path of Exile 2: the sheer breadth of available content. Even with this side quest disabled, there is no shortage of objectives to pursue. From perfecting your Ascendancy build to experimenting with skills, crafting, and exploring optional maps, there's plenty to keep players engaged until a fix arrives.

Most importantly, this is not a main quest bug. Your journey through Chapter 4, the Intermission, and beyond remains intact. For those worried about hitting a brick wall in progression, rest assured that this is more of an inconvenience than a roadblock.

Final Thoughts

So, are the Roving Wisps in Kriar Village bugged? Yes, they are currently not functioning properly in Path of Exile 2. But while the bug is annoying, especially for completionists's not a critical problem that prevents progress. The side quest's reward of +40 Permanent Spirit is useful, but it's not mandatory if you've already progressed through earlier acts.

Until Grinding Gear Games issues a fix, the best approach is to set the quest aside, focus on other content, and keep an eye on patch notes. With the developer's track record of quick hotfixes, the Roving Wisps should eventually return to working order. In the meantime, Wraeclast offers no shortage of battles, loot, and adventures to pursue.