This guide details the "Slithering Dead" side quest in Path of Exile 2, focusing on its walkthrough and reward choices.
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The Slithering Dead, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment, tasks the player with uncovering the fate of her son and the secrets of a rival tribe. While the quest itself is straightforward, selecting the correct reward presents a challenge. Only one reward can be chosen, and the decision is permanent.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough
To begin, locate the Venom Crypts entrance within the Jungle Ruins map (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel). It's situated near the Waypoint. The Venom Crypts are not essential for the main storyline, but accessible even after completing it.
Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess (location varies due to randomized maps).
Interact with the corpse to obtain Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment to complete the quest.
Choosing Your Venom Draught Reward
The Slithering Dead is repeatable (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel), offering different rewards each time. The choice is irreversible.
Act 3 Rewards:
- 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 most versatile option, particularly beneficial for melee builds struggling with mana regeneration. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a strong alternative for builds less reliant on mana. The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless specifically needed to mitigate stun effects.
Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Rewards:
- 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.
The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is generally the superior choice due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on gear. The Venom Draught of the Sky is only preferable for builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation and Eternal Youth.
