Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ritual Endgame Event
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame map events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE leagues. We'll cover initiation, mechanics, the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, the Pinnacle boss (King in the Mists), and the unique Tribute and Favour reward system.
Identifying and Initiating Rituals
On the Atlas, Ritual Altar map nodes are marked with a red pentagram icon featuring a demonic face. Guaranteed Ritual encounters can be secured by using a Ritual Precursor Tablet in a completed Lost Tower.
Once in a Ritual map, several Altars will spawn. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemy types or mechanics (e.g., massive rat waves or life-draining blood pools).
Interact with an Altar after noting its modifiers. A large enemy wave will spawn within a designated circle. Remaining within this circle is crucial; leaving it prematurely ends the event and forfeits rewards. A map is considered complete only after all Rituals are successfully finished.
The King in the Mists Pinnacle Boss
The 'An Audience With The King' currency item, obtained through Favours, unlocks access to The Crux Of Nothingness and the King in the Mists fight. This boss shares mechanics with its Act 1 counterpart (Freythorn zone in Cruel difficulty). Defeating him rewards two Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 items, powerful currencies, and Omen items.
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree
Located in the Atlas Passive Skill Tree (bottom right), the Ritual Passive Skill Tree uses a red, five-pronged design. It offers Notable nodes and nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Each King in the Mists victory grants two skill points, necessitating increased difficulty for each new Notable node.
Prioritize these Notable nodes: 'From The Mists', 'Spreading Darkness', and 'Ominous Portents' for increased rewards with minimal drawbacks. 'Tempting Offers' and 'He Approaches' follow, boosting high-value Omen and 'An Audience With The King' chances.
Notable Ritual Passive Nodes:
| Notable Node | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased Altar skill damage; 50% less Tribute and faster Favour appearance for Deferring Favours. | N/A |
| From The Mists | Two extra enemy packs in Rituals. | N/A |
| Reinvigorated Sacrifices | Revived monsters gain 20% Toughness and 10% damage; Tribute penalty removed. | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | Four Ritual Altars always present in maps. | N/A |
| Between Two Worlds | Rituals always include a Wildwood Wisp (increased Tribute). | Spreading Darkness |
| Ominous Portents | 25% faster monster waves; 50% increased chance of Omens in Favours. | N/A |
| He Approaches | 20% chance for revived monsters to be Magic or Rare; 50% chance for 'An Audience With The King'. | Ominous Portents |
| Tempting Offers | Extra Favour re-roll; 25% reduced Tribute cost for re-rolls. | N/A |
Ritual Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completed Rituals yield Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for randomized Favours. More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock higher-tier Favours (Rare gear, high-tier Currencies). 'An Audience With The King' is exclusively obtained via Favours.
Omen Currencies are highly valuable, modifying the effects of other Currency items. They are consumed upon use. Examples include Omens of Annulment and Alchemy. Consider trading Omens if unsure of their use. Regular high-tier Currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs) also drop from Ritual enemies. The King in the Mists has a chance to drop event-exclusive Uniques.
All PoE 2 Omen Currencies:
Omen of Sinistral Alchemy, Omen of Dextral Alchemy, Omen of Sinistral Coronation, Omen of Dextral Coronation, Omen of Refreshment, Omen of Resurgence, Omen of Corruption, Omen of Amelioration, Omen of Sinistral Exaltation, Omen of Dextral Exaltation, Omen of Greater Annulment, Omen of Whittling, Omen of Sinistral Erasure, Omen of Dextral Erasure, Omen of Sinistral Annulment, Omen of Dextral Annulment, Omen of Greater Exaltation.
Mastering the Ritual event requires understanding its mechanics and strategically utilizing the Passive Skill Tree to maximize rewards. Good luck, Exile!
