Path of Exile 2's Atlas offers four major endgame encounters: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. Rituals, a returning mechanic from previous PoE leagues, are detailed here. This guide covers initiating Ritual events, key mechanics, the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, the Pinnacle boss (King in the Mists), and the unique Tribute and Favour reward system.
Understanding PoE 2 Rituals and Altars
On the Atlas, Ritual Altar map nodes are marked with a red pentagram icon featuring a demonic face. Ritual encounters are guaranteed using a Ritual Precursor Tablet slotted into a completed Lost Tower.
Maps with Rituals contain several Altars. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemy types or mechanics (e.g., massive rat swarms or life-draining blood pools).
Interact with an Altar after noting its modifiers to trigger a large enemy wave. Remain within the designated circle; leaving it ends the event and forfeits rewards. A map is considered complete once all Rituals are successfully finished.
Ritual Pinnacle Boss: The King in the Mists
'An Audience With The King,' a unique Ritual currency, unlocks a fight against The King in the Mists within the Crux Of Nothingness. This boss shares mechanics with the Act 1 Cruel difficulty version found in Freythorn (useful for practice). Defeating him grants 2 Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique items (from a Ritual-specific pool), and valuable currencies/Omen items.
Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Atlas Passive Skill Tree includes a red, five-pronged Ritual section. This section offers eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Each King in the Mists victory provides 2 skill points; increasing difficulty is necessary to unlock new Notable nodes.
Notable Node Prioritization: Focus on "From The Mists," "Spreading Darkness," and "Ominous Portents" initially for increased rewards with minimal drawbacks. Subsequently, pursue "Tempting Offers" and "He Approaches" for better Omen and "Audience With The King" chances.
| Notable Delirium Passive | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased Altar skill damage; 50% less Tribute and faster Favour appearance at Altars. | N/A |
| From The Mists | 2 extra enemy packs in Rituals. | N/A |
| Reinvigorated Sacrifices | Revived monsters gain 20% Toughness and deal 10% more damage, but no longer penalize Tribute. | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | 4 Ritual Altars guaranteed in maps. | N/A |
| Between Two Worlds | Guaranteed Wildwood Wisp (increased Tribute earned). | Spreading Darkness |
| Ominous Portents | 25% faster monster waves, but 50% increased chance of Omens in Favours. | N/A |
| He Approaches | 20% chance for revived monsters to be Magic/Rare; 50% chance for "An Audience With The King" in Rituals. | Ominous Portents |
| Tempting Offers | Extra Favour re-roll; 25% less Tribute for re-rolls. | N/A |
PoE 2 Ritual Event Rewards
Completed Rituals yield Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for randomized Favours. More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock more Favours (some requiring a certain number of completed Rituals). Early Favours offer Magic items or low-level currencies; later, Rare gear and high-tier currencies become available. "An Audience With The King" is exclusively obtained through Favours.
Omens, extremely valuable consumable items, can significantly enhance other currency items. They are highly sought after, often traded for numerous high-value currencies.
Beyond Tribute/Favour rewards, Ritual enemies drop high-tier currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.). The King in the Mists has a chance to drop Uniques from a Ritual-exclusive pool.
All PoE 2 Omen Currencies:
Omen of Sinistral Alchemy, Omen of Dextral Alchemy, Omen of Sinistral Coronation, Omen of Dextral Coronation, Omen of Refreshment, Omen of Resurgence, Omen of Corruption, Omen of Amelioration, Omen of Sinistral Exaltation, Omen of Dextral Exaltation, Omen of Greater Annulment, Omen of Whittling, Omen of Sinistral Erasure, Omen of Dextral Erasure, Omen of Sinistral Annulment, Omen of Dextral Annulment, Omen of Greater Exaltation.
