Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest - A Comprehensive Guide
This guide covers the "Slithering Dead" side quest in Path of Exile 2, focusing on its walkthrough and the crucial decision of choosing the right Venom Draught reward.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough:
This quest, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment, involves uncovering the secrets of a rival tribe and the fate of her son. The quest is relatively simple once you locate the Venom Crypts.
To begin, navigate to the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). Locate the Venom Crypts entrance adjacent to the Waypoint. The Venom Crypts are distinct from the Infested Barrens, which continue the main questline. Importantly, you can revisit the Venom Crypts even after progressing to the endgame.
Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess (location varies randomly across map instances).
Interact with the corpse to obtain the Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the venom to complete the quest.
Choosing the Optimal Venom Draught Reward:
The Slithering Dead is a repeatable quest, appearing in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel (Act 6). The rewards differ, making each choice significant. Your selection is permanent and irreversible.
Act 3 Rewards:
Servi presents three Venom Draught choices:
- 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.
Generally, the Venom Draught of Clarity is the safest and most broadly useful option, especially for mana-intensive melee builds. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a strong alternative for builds less reliant on mana and more vulnerable to elemental ailments. The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless your build struggles significantly with stun effects.
Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Rewards:
The Act 6 choices are:
- Venom Draught of the Lost: +10% to Chaos Resistance.
- Venom Draught of the Sky: +5 to All Attributes.
- Venom Draught of the Marshes: 15% Reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on you.
Here, the Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is typically the superior choice due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on gear. The only exception is for Chaos Inoculation builds, where the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) might be preferable.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of The Slithering Dead quest, empowering you to navigate its challenges and make informed decisions regarding the rewards. Remember, choose wisely!
