Path of Exile 2 Endgame: A Deep Dive into Rituals
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame map events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE Leagues, offer a unique challenge and rewarding system. This guide explains how to initiate Ritual events, understand their mechanics, utilize the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, conquer the Pinnacle boss, and maximize rewards from the Tribute and Favour system.
Understanding Rituals and Altars
On the Atlas, Ritual Altar map nodes are marked with a distinct red pentagram icon. A Ritual Precursor Tablet, inserted into a completed Lost Tower, guarantees a Ritual encounter on a chosen node.
Entering a map with a Ritual event spawns several Altars. Each map features a shared random modifier impacting enemy types or mechanics. These modifiers might introduce massive rat swarms, life-draining pools of blood, or other challenges.
Locate an Altar, examine its modifiers, and interact to trigger a wave of enemies. Remain within the designated circle; venturing into the shadows ends the event without rewards. Successfully completing all Altars on a map marks it as complete.
Conquering the Pinnacle Boss: The King in the Mists
Among the Ritual rewards is "An Audience With The King," a currency item granting access to The Crux Of Nothingness, the King in the Mists' lair. Use this currency via your Realmgate on the Atlas to initiate the boss fight.
The King in the Mists retains similar mechanics to his campaign counterpart. Practice is available in Act 1 Cruel difficulty, within the Freythorn zone. Victory yields two Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 items, powerful currencies, and Omen items.
Mastering the Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Atlas Passive Skill Tree includes a Ritual section offering modifiers to enhance rewards, reduce Tribute requirements, and boost unique currency drop rates. Access it from the Atlas Map's top-left button, located in the bottom right of the main tree.
The red, five-pronged Ritual tree features eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Each Crux of Nothingness victory awards two skill points, requiring increased difficulty for each new Notable node.
Prioritize "From The Mists," "Spreading Darkness," and "Ominous Portents" for optimal early rewards. Subsequently, focus on "Tempting Offers" and "He Approaches" to increase high-value Omen and "Audience With The King" chances. Here's a summary of Notable nodes:
| Notable Delirium Passive | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased 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, but no longer penalize Tribute. | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | Always 4 Ritual Altars in maps with a Ritual. | 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 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% less Tribute for re-rolls. | N/A |
Maximizing Ritual Event Rewards
Completing Rituals awards Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for randomized Favours. More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock higher-tier rewards, including Rare gear and high-value currencies. "An Audience With The King" is exclusively obtained through Favours.
Favours initially offer Magic items or low-level currencies, progressing to Rare items and high-tier currencies as more Rituals are completed. Omen items, powerful consumables enhancing other currency effects, are also possible rewards.
Omen items are highly sought-after for crafting and can be traded for numerous high-value currencies. Enemies slain during Rituals drop high-tier currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.). The King in the Mists drops Uniques from a Ritual-exclusive pool.
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.
