Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest Guide

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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 a side quest in Path of Exile 2. Servi, the guide in the Ziggurat Encampment, needs your help uncovering secrets about a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus. The quest itself is straightforward, but choosing the right reward can be tricky. You only get one choice, and it's permanent.

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

To begin The Slithering Dead, enter the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). Find the Venom Crypts entrance next to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint.

The Jungle Ruins map has two exits: the Venom Crypts and the Infested Barrens. The Infested Barrens continue the main Legacy of the Vaal questline, while the Venom Crypts are optional. Don't worry if you miss them initially; you can return later.

Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. Its location is random, but always far from the entrance.

Interact with the corpse to obtain Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to the Ziggurat Encampment and give the venom to Servi to complete the quest.

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

The Slithering Dead is a repeatable quest, appearing in Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel. Rewards differ each time, making each choice important.

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3

Servi will offer three rewards. Choose wisely; your decision is final.

The Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate) is generally the safest and most useful choice, especially for melee builds often lacking mana regeneration.

The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) is a good alternative for classes less concerned with mana, such as Witches and Sorceresses.

The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable, as increased Stun Threshold is less impactful than ailment resistance. However, some Warrior builds might find it beneficial.

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

Three different Venom Draughts are available.

The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% to Chaos Resistance) is usually the best option, as Chaos Resistance is harder to obtain than other resistances.

The exception is builds using the Chaos Inoculation node, which makes characters immune to Chaos damage but reduces HP to 1. For these builds, the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) is preferable.