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In Path of Exile 2, The Slithering Dead is an engaging side quest where Servi, the guide at the Ziggurat Encampment, recruits you to unravel the mysteries of a rival tribe and discover the fate of her son, Apus. While the quest itself is relatively easy to navigate once you know the locations, the real challenge lies in selecting the right reward from the three options Servi offers at the end. Remember, your choice is final and cannot be changed.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)
To embark on The Slithering Dead, head to the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). Look for the entrance to the Venom Crypts, which is conveniently located next to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint. The Jungle Ruins map features two exits: the Venom Crypts and the Infested Barrens. While the Infested Barrens lead to the main questline, Legacy of the Vaal, the Venom Crypts can be easily missed as they are not required for the main story. Don't worry if you miss it during your initial playthrough; you can always return to the Venom Crypts even after reaching the endgame.
Upon entering the Venom Crypts, thoroughly explore the area until you stumble upon a Corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The location of this den is randomized, but it's always situated far from the entrance. Interact with the Corpse to collect the Corpse-Snake Venom. Then, teleport back to the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the Venom to Servi to successfully complete The Slithering Dead.
Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2
The Slithering Dead reappears in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, offering different rewards each time. Here’s a breakdown of the choices you’ll face:
Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3
After some dialogue, Servi will present you with three options. Your decision is permanent, so choose wisely:
- 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
The safest and most universally beneficial choice for most builds in PoE 2 is the Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate). This is particularly advantageous for melee characters such as Monks and Warriors who often struggle with mana regeneration during crucial moments.
The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) is the second best option, especially for classes like Witch and Sorceress who typically don’t face mana issues. This choice increases resistance to various elemental ailments such as Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock.
The Venom Draught of Stone is the least appealing option as it only defends against the Stunned status effect, which is less common compared to other ailments. However, some Warrior builds might find it useful for handling stun-related challenges.
Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3 Cruel (Act 6)
Similarly, in Act 3 Cruel, you’ll have three new Venom Draughts to choose 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
In this scenario, the Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% to Chaos Resistance) stands out as the superior choice. Chaos Resistance is harder to accumulate compared to elemental resistances, making this option invaluable for nearly all builds.
The exception to this rule is if your build utilizes the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node in the Passive Tree, which grants immunity to Chaos damage but reduces your HP to 1. In such cases, the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) becomes a more suitable choice.
