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• The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)

• Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2

In Path of Exile 2, The Slithering Dead is an intriguing side quest where Servi, the local guide of the Ziggurat Encampment, seeks your assistance in unraveling the mysteries of a rival tribe and discovering the fate of her son, Apus. While navigating the quest itself is relatively simple, the real challenge lies in choosing the right reward from the three options Servi offers. Remember, this choice is permanent and cannot be undone.

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) and locate the entrance to the Venom Crypts, which is conveniently positioned near the Jungle Ruins Waypoint.

The Jungle Ruins map features two exits: the Venom Crypts and the Infested Barrens. The Infested Barrens will lead you further along the main questline, Legacy of the Vaal, but the Venom Crypts entrance can be easily missed as it's not required for the main story progression. Don't worry if you miss it during your initial playthrough; you can always return to the Venom Crypts even after reaching the endgame.

Once inside the Venom Crypts, thoroughly explore the area until you find a Corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The exact location varies due to the random nature of PoE 2's maps, but it's typically distant from the entrance.

Interact with the Corpse to collect the Corpse-Snake Venom automatically. Then, teleport back to the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the Venom to Servi, completing The Slithering Dead quest.

Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2

As a repeat quest, The Slithering Dead appears in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, each time presenting different rewards. 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 reward options. Choose wisely, as your decision is irreversible. The rewards for The Slithering Dead in Act 3 are:

• 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. This option is particularly advantageous for melee characters like Monks and Warriors, who often struggle with mana regeneration at critical moments.

The Venom Draught of the Veil is a solid second choice, especially for classes like Witch and Sorceress, who typically don't face mana issues. This reward enhances their resistance to elemental ailments such as Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, and Shock.

Lastly, the Venom Draught of Stone is the least appealing option, as it only protects against the Stunned status effect, which is less common than other ailments. However, certain Warrior builds might find it beneficial due to occasional Stun vulnerabilities.

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3 Cruel (Act 6)

In Act 3 Cruel, you'll again encounter three different Venom Draughts:

• 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

The Venom Draught of the Lost stands out as the best choice, offering a +10% boost to Chaos Resistance. This is crucial because, unlike elemental resistances, Chaos Resistance is harder to accumulate through gear, making this reward highly valuable for nearly all builds.

The only exception is for builds utilizing the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node in the Passive Tree, which grants immunity to Chaos damage at the cost of reducing HP to 1. These builds, often paired with Eternal Youth for Energy Shield compatibility, would benefit more from the Venom Draught of the Sky, which provides a +5 boost to all Attributes.