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

In Path of Exile 2, The Slithering Dead is a captivating side quest where Servi, the local guide at the Ziggurat Encampment, seeks your assistance to unravel the mysteries surrounding a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus. While navigating the quest is relatively straightforward once you know where to go, selecting the right reward from the options Servi offers can be a puzzling decision. Remember, the choice you make is permanent and cannot be undone.

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, which is conveniently positioned 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 Venom Crypts can be easily overlooked as they are not essential for the main story progression. Thankfully, if you miss the Venom Crypts during your initial playthrough, you can revisit them even after entering the endgame.

Once inside the Venom Crypts, explore the area thoroughly until you stumble upon a Corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. Although the exact location of this spot varies due to the random nature of PoE 2's maps, it is consistently situated far from the entrance.

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

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

As a repeat quest that appears in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, The Slithering Dead presents different rewards each time, necessitating a careful choice on each occasion. Below, you'll find a detailed breakdown of the rewards:

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3

Following a brief dialogue with Servi, you'll be prompted to select one of three quest rewards. Keep in mind that this decision is irreversible. 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

Once consumed, your choice is locked in, and you cannot obtain another Venom Draught from Servi on the same character.

The Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate) stands out as the most universally beneficial option for the majority of builds in PoE 2. It's particularly advantageous for melee classes like Monks and Warriors, who often struggle with insufficient mana regeneration at crucial moments.

The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) comes in second, ideal for classes such as Witch and Sorceress, who typically don't face mana issues. This reward enhances their resistance to detrimental effects like Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock from enemy attacks.

Lastly, the Venom Draught of Stone is the least appealing due to its focus solely on increasing Stun Threshold, which is less common compared to other Status Ailments. However, some Warrior builds might find it useful for managing Stun issues.

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

In Act 3 Cruel, you face another set of 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) emerges as the top choice. Chaos Resistance is notoriously difficult to accumulate through gear, making this boost exceptionally valuable for nearly all builds.

The only exception would be for builds utilizing the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node on the Passive Tree, which grants immunity to Chaos damage at the cost of reducing HP to 1. These builds, often paired with Eternal Youth for compatibility with Energy Shield, should opt for the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) instead.