Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest Guide

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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

The Slithering Dead is a side quest in Path of Exile 2. Servi, the guide in the Ziggurat Encampment, needs your help uncovering secrets about a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus. While the quest itself is straightforward, choosing the right reward can be tricky. You only get one choice, and it's permanent.

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

To begin The Slithering Dead, head to the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). Find the Venom Crypts entrance—it's near the Jungle Ruins Waypoint.

The Jungle Ruins map has two exits: Venom Crypts and Infested Barrens. The Infested Barrens continue the main Legacy of the Vaal questline, while the Venom Crypts are optional. Don't worry if you miss it initially; you can return later.

Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. Its location is random, but always far from the entrance.

Interact with the corpse to obtain Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to the Ziggurat Encampment and give the venom to Servi to complete the quest.

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

The Slithering Dead is a repeatable quest, appearing in Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel. Rewards differ each time, making the choice crucial.

Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3

Servi will offer three rewards. Choose wisely—your decision is final. The options are:

The Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate) is generally the best option, especially for melee builds often lacking mana regeneration.

Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) is a strong alternative, particularly for classes less concerned with mana.

Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable, as increased Stun Threshold is less impactful than ailment resistance.

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

Three different Venom Draughts are available here:

The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% to Chaos Resistance) is usually the superior choice due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on gear.

The exception is builds using Chaos Inoculation (CI), which makes Chaos damage irrelevant but reduces HP to 1. For these builds, Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) is preferable.