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 simple, the reward selection can be tricky.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough
- Locate the Venom Crypts: Enter the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). The Venom Crypts entrance is adjacent to the Waypoint, easily missed as it's not crucial to the main storyline. You can revisit this area even after progressing to the endgame.
- Find the Corpse-Snake Venom: Explore the Venom Crypts until you locate a corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The corpse's exact location is randomized within the map.
- 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, appearing in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel (Act 6). The rewards differ each time, making the choice crucial. Remember, your selection is permanent and cannot be changed.
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, particularly beneficial for melee builds often struggling with mana regeneration. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a strong alternative for builds less reliant on mana, offering protection against elemental ailments. The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless your build specifically struggles with stun effects.
Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Rewards
The Act 3 Cruel iteration offers these 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.
Recommendation: The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is almost always the superior choice, as Chaos Resistance is significantly harder to obtain than other resistances. The only exception is for builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation, in which case the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) might be preferable.
By carefully following this guide and making informed decisions regarding the rewards, you can maximize your benefits from the Slithering Dead quest in Path of Exile 2.
