Path of Exile 2: Slithering Dead Quest Mastery

Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest - A Comprehensive Guide

This guide covers the "Slithering Dead" side quest in Path of Exile 2, detailing its walkthrough and offering advice on choosing the optimal rewards. This quest, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment, involves uncovering the secrets of a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus. While the quest itself is relatively easy to navigate, selecting the right reward can be tricky.

The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough

1. Locate the Venom Crypts: Begin in the Jungle Ruins map (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel). The Venom Crypts entrance is situated near the Jungle Ruins Waypoint. Note that the Infested Barrens exit continues the main questline, while the Venom Crypts are optional. You can revisit them later if missed.

2. Find the Corpse-Snake Venom: Explore the Venom Crypts until you locate a corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The corpse's location varies due to the randomized nature of PoE 2 maps, but it's always distant from the entrance.

3. Return to Servi: Interact with the corpse to obtain the Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to the Ziggurat Encampment and give the venom to Servi to complete the quest.

Choosing the Right Venom Draught Reward

The Slithering Dead is a repeatable quest (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel), offering different rewards each time. The choice is permanent and irreversible.

Act 3 Rewards

Servi presents three Venom Draughts:

• Venom Draught of Stone: 25% increased Stun Threshold.
• Venom Draught of the Veil: 30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold.
• Venom Draught of Clarity: 25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate.

Recommendation: The Venom Draught of Clarity is generally the best option, especially beneficial for melee builds often struggling with mana regeneration. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a solid alternative for builds less reliant on mana. The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless your build specifically needs increased stun resistance.

Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Rewards

The Act 3 Cruel iteration offers these Venom Draughts:

• Venom Draught of the Lost: +10% to Chaos Resistance.
• Venom Draught of the Sky: +5 to All Attributes.
• Venom Draught of the Marshes: 15% Reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on you.

Recommendation: The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is overwhelmingly superior due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on gear. Only builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation and Eternal Youth should consider the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to All Attributes) instead.

This guide should help you navigate the Slithering Dead quest and make informed decisions regarding its rewards, maximizing your character's potential in Path of Exile 2.