Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest – A Comprehensive Guide
The Slithering Dead is a side quest in Path of Exile 2, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment. This guide covers the quest walkthrough and, more importantly, helps you make the optimal choices for the quest rewards.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough
- Locate the Venom Crypts: Access the Venom Crypts entrance within the Jungle Ruins map (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel). It's situated near the Waypoint. Note that the Venom Crypts are optional for main quest progression.
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Explore the Venom Crypts: Navigate the Venom Crypts until you discover a corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The corpse's location is randomized within the map.
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Retrieve the Venom: Interact with the corpse to obtain the Corpse-Snake Venom.
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Return to Servi: Return to Servi at the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the venom to complete the quest.
Choosing the Right Venom Draught Rewards
The Slithering Dead is repeatable, appearing in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel (Act 6). The rewards differ each time, making careful selection crucial. Your choice is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Act 3 Rewards
Servi offers 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. Increased mana regeneration is invaluable, especially for melee builds often facing mana limitations. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a solid alternative for builds less reliant on mana and more susceptible to 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 rewards also consist of three 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 the superior choice in most cases. Chaos Resistance is significantly harder to obtain than other resistances. The Venom Draught of the Sky is only preferable for builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation (CI) and Eternal Youth, sacrificing life for energy shield.
By following this guide and carefully considering your build, you can maximize the benefits of The Slithering Dead quest in Path of Exile 2.
