Path of Exile 2: Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough

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• The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)

• Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2

The Slithering Dead is a compelling side quest in Path of Exile 2, where Servi, the local guide at the Ziggurat Encampment, recruits the player to unravel the mysteries of a rival tribe and discover the fate of her son, Apus. While the quest itself is relatively easy to navigate once you know the route, the real challenge lies in selecting the right rewards offered by Servi. You can only pick one of the three available rewards, and your choice is permanent and irreversible.

The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)

To embark on The Slithering Dead quest, head to the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel) and locate the entrance to the Venom Crypts, situated right next to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint.

The Jungle Ruins map features two exits: the Venom Crypts and the Infested Barrens. While the Infested Barrens propel you further along the main questline, Legacy of the Vaal, the entrance to the Venom Crypts can be easily overlooked as it's not essential for the main storyline. Don't worry if you miss it initially; you can revisit the Venom Crypts even after reaching the endgame.

Navigate through the Venom Crypts and search thoroughly until you find a Corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. Its exact location varies due to the random nature of PoE 2 maps, but it's always far from the entrance.

Interact with the Corpse to automatically collect the Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to the Ziggurat Encampment and hand the Venom to Servi to successfully complete The Slithering Dead quest.

Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2

Encountering The Slithering Dead quest twice, once in Act 3 and again in Act 3 Cruel, means you'll face different reward options each time, making your choices unique.

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3

Following a brief dialogue, Servi presents you with three potential quest rewards. Choose wisely, as your decision is final and cannot be altered. The rewards for The Slithering Dead are:

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

The Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate) stands out as the most universally beneficial choice for most builds in PoE 2, particularly for melee characters like Monks and Warriors who frequently struggle with mana regeneration at crucial times.

The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) is a strong secondary option, especially for classes like Witch and Sorceress who typically don't face mana issues. This choice enhances resistance against elemental ailments such as Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock.

The Venom Draught of Stone, offering a 25% increased Stun Threshold, is the least desirable due to the rarity of the Stunned status effect compared to other ailments. However, it might appeal to specific Warrior builds that occasionally struggle with Stun.

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3 Cruel (Act 6)

In Act 3 Cruel, you face another set of three Venom Draughts:

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

The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% to Chaos Resistance) is overwhelmingly the best choice here. Chaos Resistance is notoriously hard to accumulate through gear, making this reward exceptionally valuable for nearly all builds.

The only scenario where you might opt for the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to All Attributes) is if your build utilizes the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node on the Passive Tree, rendering you immune to Chaos damage but setting your HP to 1. This choice pairs well with the Eternal Youth mechanic, which enables Life Flasks to work with Energy Shield, making ES your primary life source.