If you want to play it safe, it's best to wait until the third region before taking on a Lair boss, but experienced and/or lucky players may wish to chance it early to gain the benefit of the Trophy reward as well as trinkets and items as soon as possible, thus snowballing the expedition (a high risk, high reward approach).

Lair bosses can be tough, but with a strong and well-managed team comp, and optionally, some items that target the boss' strengths and weaknesses, they'll go down with little trouble. One such Trophy is required if you're progressing Resentment or any later Confession. The key reward is the Trophy, which you can attach to your Stagecoach for powerful bonuses. The third phase is the boss itself, which offers a ton of rewards, some extremely valuable.

The first two phases of the encounter see you fighting a series of not especially difficult enemies upon defeating them, you'll receive minor rewards and an option to escape if you don't feel ready for the next battle. Lair bosses are random encounters you'll find during your trek through the various regions of Darkest Dungeon II.

Darkest dungeon boss team comp