Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest Guide

The Slithering Dead is a side quest in Path of Exile 2 that centers around Servi, the local guide in the Ziggurat Encampment, as she enlists your help in uncovering the fate of her son, Apus, and the secrets surrounding a rival tribe. This quest also involves navigating through the dangerous Venom Crypts and making a critical decision regarding the quest rewards, which have lasting consequences on your character's build.

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

Starting the Quest:

To start The Slithering Dead, head to the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (or Act 3 Cruel).

Look for the entrance to the Venom Crypts, which is located next to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint.

Exploring the Venom Crypts:

Enter the Venom Crypts and thoroughly explore the area. Your goal is to locate a Corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess.

The exact location of this place is random, as all areas in PoE 2 are procedurally generated, but it will always be far from the entrance.

Obtaining the Venom:

When you find the Corpse, interact with it, and your character will automatically pick up the Corpse-Snake Venom.

After obtaining the venom, teleport back to the Ziggurat Encampment and give the venom to Servi to complete the quest.

Choosing the Reward for the Slithering Dead Quest

The rewards for The Slithering Dead differ based on when you complete the quest: Act 3 or Act 3 Cruel. Each reward impacts your character in different ways, so choose carefully.

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3 (First Completion)

After completing the quest, Servi will ask you to choose one of the following rewards. This choice is permanent and cannot be undone, so be sure to consider what best fits your build.

Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate)

Best Choice for Melee Builds: This is the safest and most universally beneficial reward for most builds, especially for Monks, Warriors, and other melee characters who struggle with low mana regeneration at critical moments. The 25% increase in Mana Regeneration is particularly valuable for sustained combat.

Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold)

Best Choice for Spellcasters: This reward is most beneficial for builds like Witches and Sorceresses who don't typically have mana regeneration issues. The Elemental Ailment Threshold increases your resistance to being inflicted with Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock, which is ideal for builds focused on spellcasting and elemental damage.

Venom Draught of Stone (Increased Stun Threshold)

Best for Stun-Resistant Builds: This is the least attractive choice overall, as Stun Threshold only helps defend against the Stunned status effect, which is rarer compared to elemental status ailments. However, Warrior builds that have trouble with stuns might prefer this option to make them more resilient in close combat.

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

When you revisit the quest in Act 6, the available rewards change and the choice becomes much simpler.

Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance)

Best Overall Choice: Chaos Resistance is a rare and valuable resource in PoE 2, as it's difficult to build up through gear. This +10% Chaos Resistance is invaluable for most builds, helping them mitigate the devastating effects of Chaos damage. Venom Draught of the Lost is by far the superior choice for most players.

Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to All Attributes)

Best for Chaos Inoculation Builds: This is an ideal choice for builds that use the Chaos Inoculation (CI) node in the Passive Tree, which makes your character immune to Chaos damage but reduces your HP to 1. If you're running a CI build, this reward will help boost your attributes, making it easier to manage other aspects of your character's stats.

Conclusion

The Slithering Dead quest in Path of Exile 2 offers valuable rewards that can significantly impact your build's effectiveness, especially if you're at a high level or facing challenging content. The most commonly recommended choices are:

Venom Draught of Clarity for Melee builds in Act 3.

Venom Draught of the Lost for Chaos resistance in Act 3 Cruel.

In Path of Exile 2, currency items are essential for crafting, trading, and enhancing your character's gear. Unlike traditional games that use a single PoE 2 currency, PoE 2 employs a diverse array of PoE 2 items, each serving distinct purposes. Understanding and effectively utilizing these currency items is crucial for progressing in the game, as they enable you to tailor your gear to your specific build and playstyle.

Keep in mind that your choice is permanent, so choose wisely depending on your current build and what you plan to focus on. If you are unsure, consider experimenting with different builds or seek out advice from the community for specific character types.