Path of Exile 2 Endgame: A Comprehensive Guide to Ritual Events
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a returning mechanic adapted from a previous league. We'll cover initiating Ritual events, key 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 distinctive red pentagram icon featuring a demonic face. A Ritual Precursor Tablet, slotted into a completed Lost Tower, guarantees a Ritual encounter on a chosen node.
Once in a Ritual map, several Altars will spawn. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemies or mechanics. Modifiers might include massive rat swarms, life-draining blood pools, or other challenges.
To activate a Ritual, interact with an Altar after noting its modifiers. A large circle will illuminate around the Altar; remain within this zone to defeat all enemies. Leaving the circle prematurely ends the event with no rewards. A map is considered complete only after successfully completing all its Rituals.
The King in the Mists: Pinnacle Boss Encounter
The "An Audience With The King" currency item, obtained from Favours, unlocks the Crux of Nothingness, home to the King in the Mists Pinnacle Boss.
This boss shares mechanics with its Act 1 counterpart. For practice, revisit Freythorn in Act 1 Cruel difficulty. Defeating the King in the Mists awards 2 Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique items exclusive to the Ritual event, powerful currencies, and Omen items.
Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree, accessible via the Atlas Passive Skill Tree screen (bottom right), enhances Ritual events. Nodes modify Tribute requirements, improve rewards, and boost unique currency drop rates.
The tree features eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Each Notable node requires defeating the King in the Mists at an increased difficulty level.
Prioritize "From The Mists," "Spreading Darkness," and "Ominous Portents" initially for maximized rewards with minimal drawbacks. Subsequently, focus on "Tempting Offers" and "He Approaches" for better Omen and "An Audience With The King" chances. The table below details Notable passive effects and requirements:
Notable Delirium Passive | Effect | Requirements |
---|---|---|
Promised Devotion | 25% increased Ritual Altar skill damage; 50% less Tribute, 50% faster Favour appearance at Altars | N/A |
From The Mists | 2 extra enemy packs in Rituals | N/A |
Reinvigorated Sacrifices | Revived monsters gain 20% Toughness, deal 10% more damage; Tribute penalty removed | From The Mists |
Spreading Darkness | Always 4 Ritual Altars in Ritual maps | N/A |
Between Two Worlds | Rituals always contain a Wildwood Wisp (increased Tribute earned) | Spreading Darkness |
Ominous Portents | 25% faster monster waves, 50% increased chance for 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% less Tribute for re-rolls | N/A |
Ritual Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completed Rituals grant Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for Favours (randomized items). More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock higher-tier Favours, including Rare gear and high-value currencies. "An Audience With The King" is exclusively obtained through Favours.
Omen Currencies, powerful items improving other Currency effects, are highly sought-after. They are consumed upon use and can significantly enhance crafting potential. Consider trading them if unsure of their use. Regular high-tier currencies also drop from Ritual enemies. The King in the Mists has a chance to drop Uniques from a pool exclusive to the Ritual event.
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 Dextral Exaltation
- Omen of Greater Annulment
- Omen of Whittling
- Omen of Sinistral Erasure
- Omen of Dextral Erasure
- Omen of Sinistral Annulment
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Path of Exile 2's Ritual endgame event. Mastering these mechanics will significantly enhance your endgame experience and loot acquisition.