Path of Exile 2: The Slithering Dead Quest – A Comprehensive Guide

This guide covers the "Slithering Dead" side quest in Path of Exile 2, detailing its walkthrough and offering advice on choosing the optimal rewards. The quest, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment, involves uncovering the secrets of a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus.

The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough

To begin, locate the Venom Crypts entrance within the Jungle Ruins map (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel). It's situated near the Waypoint. The Venom Crypts are optional; you can revisit them later if missed.

Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess (location varies per map instance).

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

Choosing the Best Venom Draught Rewards

The Slithering Dead is repeatable (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel), offering different rewards each time. The choice is permanent and irreversible.

Act 3 Rewards

Servi presents three Venom Draughts:

• Venom Draught of Stone: 25% increased Stun Threshold.
• Venom Draught of the Veil: 30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold.
• Venom Draught of Clarity: 25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate.

Recommendation: The Venom Draught of Clarity is generally the best option, especially beneficial for melee builds often facing mana issues. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a strong alternative for builds less reliant on mana. The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless stun resistance is a critical build requirement.

Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Rewards

The Act 3 Cruel rewards differ:

• Venom Draught of the Lost: +10% to Chaos Resistance.
• Venom Draught of the Sky: +5 to All Attributes.
• Venom Draught of the Marshes: 15% Reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on you.

Recommendation: The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is the superior choice for most builds due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on gear. Only builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation with Eternal Youth might prefer the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to All Attributes) for its attribute boost.

This guide provides a complete walkthrough and strategic advice for navigating the "Slithering Dead" quest and maximizing its rewards in Path of Exile 2. Remember to choose wisely!