Mastering Path of Exile 2's Expedition Endgame: A Comprehensive Guide
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame events: Delirium, Breaches, Rituals, and Expeditions. This guide focuses on Expeditions, a returning mechanic from the original Path of Exile, detailing its mechanics, rewards, and the associated passive skill tree.
Understanding Expeditions and the Detonation Mechanic
Expedition map nodes on the Atlas are marked with a light blue spiral icon. You can guarantee an Expedition encounter using an Expedition Precursor Tablet in a completed Lost Tower slot.
Within the Expedition zone, locate the central Detonator and four NPCs. The core gameplay involves strategically placing Explosives near Markers to trigger events:
- Red Markers: Detonating near these spawns Runic Monsters. Larger markers yield larger monster packs. These packs are further enhanced by Unearthed Remnants.
- Unearthed Remnants: These relics provide beneficial or detrimental modifiers (e.g., increased elemental damage from monsters, but higher item rarity from chests).
- Black Markers (Spiral Symbol): Detonating near these spawns Excavated Chests containing Artifacts, Logbooks, currency, Waystones, and high-end gear.
Use the Explosives UI to visualize the area of effect (AoE). Avoid overlapping AoE circles for optimal farming. After placing Explosives, activate the Detonator. You can strategically leave the area after detonation and return later to engage enemies with powerful AoE abilities. Death resets the map, but leaving the area doesn't end the event.
Expedition Pinnacle Maps and Olroth
Runic Monsters and Excavated Chests have a chance to drop Expedition Logbooks. Use these with Dannig in your hideout to access Expedition Pinnacle Maps – significantly larger events with increased Explosives.
These maps have a chance to feature the Pinnacle Boss, Olroth (indicated by a skull on the minimap). Defeating Olroth is crucial for obtaining Expedition Passive Skill Tree points (2x points per victory).
Expedition Passive Skill Tree
Located within the Atlas Passive Skill Tree, the Expedition Passive Skill Tree enhances the event. Points are used to increase rewards, monster spawns, and Remnant effects. The tree features Notable nodes and difficulty-increasing nodes for Logbooks and Olroth. Each new Notable node requires increasing the Pinnacle map difficulty.
Notable Passive Nodes:
Notable Expedition Passive | Effect | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Extreme Archaeology | Reduces Explosives to 1, but boosts radius by 150%, placement range by 100%, and reduces enemy Life by 20% | N/A |
Disturbed Rest | 50% more Runic Monster Flags | N/A |
Detailed Records | 50% more Logbooks, Logbooks always spawn with 3x Modifiers | Disturbed Rest |
Timed Detonations | 50% more Artifacts, Detonation chains travel 50% faster | N/A |
Legendary Battles | 50% more Rare monsters, 50% more Exotic Coinage | Timed Detonations |
Frail Treasures | 3x more Excavated Chest Markers, but they disappear after 5 seconds | N/A |
Weight of History | 35% boost to Remnant effects | N/A |
Unearthed Anomalies | Remnants gain an additional Suffix and Prefix modifier | Weight of History |
Prioritize "Disturbed Rest," "Detailed Records," and "Timed Detonations" for significant reward boosts. Then consider "Weight of History," "Unearthed Anomalies," and "Legendary Battles" for further, more challenging improvements. Avoid "Extreme Archaeology" due to the significant reduction in Explosives.
Expedition Rewards
Key rewards include Artifacts (used to trade with specific vendors for gear) and Exotic Coinage (to refresh vendor inventories).
Reward | Use | Gear |
---|---|---|
Broken Circle Artifact | Gwennen (Weapons) | Weapons |
Black Scythe Artifact | Tujen (Belts and Jewelry) | Belts and Jewelry |
Order Artifact | Rog (Armor) | Armor |
Sun Artifact | Dannig (Used to acquire other Artifacts) | Various Artifacts |
Exotic Coinage | Refreshes any Expedition vendor | N/A |
Expedition Logbooks, obtained from Runic Monsters and Excavated Chests, unlock Pinnacle Maps and the chance to fight Olroth for high-tier rewards and additional Passive Skill Tree points.
This comprehensive guide should equip you to conquer the Expeditions endgame in Path of Exile 2. Remember to strategize your Explosive placements, utilize the Passive Skill Tree effectively, and prepare for the challenging but rewarding encounters with Olroth.