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 an engaging side quest in Path of Exile 2 where Servi, the local guide of the Ziggurat Encampment, recruits the player to delve into the mysteries surrounding a rival tribe and the whereabouts of her son, Apus. While navigating the quest is relatively straightforward once you know the locations, selecting the right reward from the options Servi offers can be a perplexing decision. You must choose only one of the three rewards, and this choice is final and irreversible.

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

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

The Jungle Ruins map features two exits: the Venom Crypts and the Infested Barrens. The Infested Barrens continue the main questline, Legacy of the Vaal, but the Venom Crypts can be easily overlooked as they are not essential for progressing the main storyline. Thankfully, you can revisit the Venom Crypts even after entering the endgame if you missed them during your initial playthrough.

Upon entering the Venom Crypts, thoroughly explore the area until you encounter a Corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The precise location of this area is randomly generated, typical of PoE 2's dynamic maps, but it's consistently located far from the entrance.

Interact with the Corpse, and your character will automatically collect the Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the Venom to Servi, the quest-giver, to successfully complete The Slithering Dead.

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

As a recurring quest, The Slithering Dead appears in Act 3 and again in Act 3 Cruel, with varying rewards each time. Here's a breakdown of the choices:

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3

After some dialogue, Servi will present you with three options for quest rewards. Choose wisely as your decision is permanent. The rewards include:

• 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

Once chosen, the decision is final, and you cannot obtain another Venom Draught from Servi with the same character.

The most universally beneficial choice for most builds in PoE 2 is the Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate). This is particularly advantageous for melee characters like Monks and Warriors, who often struggle with mana regeneration during crucial moments.

The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) is the second best choice, especially suitable for classes like Witch and Sorceress, who generally do not face mana issues. This reward reduces the likelihood of suffering from elemental ailments such as Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock.

The Venom Draught of Stone is the least appealing as Stun Threshold only protects against the Stunned status effect, which is less common compared to other status ailments. However, certain Warrior builds might find this reward beneficial due to their susceptibility to Stun.

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

Similarly, in Act 3 Cruel, you have three different Venom Draughts to choose from:

• 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

Here, the Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% to Chaos Resistance) stands out as the top choice. Chaos Resistance is harder to accumulate compared to elemental resistances like Fire, Lightning, and Cold, making this reward highly valuable for most builds.

The only exception is for builds utilizing the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node in the Passive Tree, which grants immunity to Chaos damage but reduces HP to 1. These builds typically pair CI with Eternal Youth to make Life Flasks compatible with Energy Shield. For such builds, the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) would be a more suitable choice.