Path of Exile 2: Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough

Quick Links

• 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 an engaging side quest in Path of Exile 2 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 the quest itself is straightforward once you know where to go, the real challenge lies in selecting the right rewards from Servi, as you can only choose one, and your decision is permanent and non-reversible.

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

To embark on The Slithering Dead quest, navigate 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 advance the main questline, Legacy of the Vaal, the Venom Crypts are easily overlooked since they aren't necessary for the main storyline's progression. Fortunately, you can revisit the Venom Crypts even after reaching the endgame if you missed it initially.

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

Interact with the Corpse to automatically collect the Corpse-Snake Venom. Then, teleport back to the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the Venom to Servi to complete The Slithering Dead quest.

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

This side quest reappears in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, offering different rewards each time, thus requiring different choices. Here's a breakdown of the rewards:

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3

After a brief conversation, Servi will present you with three options. Choose wisely, as your decision is final and cannot be undone. The rewards 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 for that character. The most universally beneficial option for most builds in PoE 2 is the Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate), particularly valuable for melee characters like Monks and Warriors who often struggle with mana regeneration during critical moments.

The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) is a solid second choice, especially for classes like Witch and Sorceress who typically don't suffer from mana issues. This draught reduces the likelihood of being affected by Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock from enemy attacks.

The Venom Draught of Stone is the least appealing as it only mitigates the Stunned status effect, which is less common compared to other status ailments. However, certain Warrior builds might find this useful if they frequently encounter stun issues.

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

In this version, you have three different Venom Draughts to select 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) stands out as the best choice. Chaos Resistance is harder to come by than elemental resistances, making this a valuable asset for nearly all builds.

The only exception might be builds utilizing the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node in the Passive Tree, which grants immunity to Chaos damage but reduces HP to 1. For such builds, the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) could be a more suitable option.