Path of Exile 2's Endgame Rituals: A Comprehensive Guide
Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) introduces several endgame events, including Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a returning mechanic adapted from a previous PoE league. We'll cover initiation, mechanics, the Pinnacle boss, and the unique reward system.
Identifying and Initiating Ritual Events
On the Atlas map, Ritual Altar nodes are marked with a distinct red pentagram icon. A Ritual Precursor Tablet, slotted into a completed Lost Tower, guarantees a Ritual encounter on a chosen node.
Once in a map with a Ritual, multiple Altars will appear. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemy types or mechanics (e.g., massive rat swarms or spreading pools of life-draining blood).
Interact with an Altar after noting its modifiers. A large enemy wave will spawn within a designated circle. Remaining within this area is crucial; leaving it prematurely ends the event and forfeits rewards. Successfully completing all Rituals in a map marks it as complete.
The Pinnacle Boss: The King in the Mists
The "An Audience With The King" currency item, obtained from Ritual Favours, unlocks a fight against the King in the Mists, located in The Crux Of Nothingness. This boss fight mirrors the campaign version found in Act 1, Cruel difficulty (Freythorn zone). Defeating him grants 2 Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 items, powerful currencies, and Omen items.
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Atlas Passive Skill Tree includes a Ritual section (bottom right) offering modifiers for increased rewards. These passives reduce Tribute requirements, enhance rewards, and boost unique currency drop rates. Each Notable node in the tree increases the difficulty of the King in the Mists fight, requiring a subsequent defeat to unlock.
Notable Ritual Passive Skills:
| Notable Passive Skill | 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 and 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 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" in Rituals | Ominous Portents |
| Tempting Offers | Extra Favour re-roll; 25% less Tribute for re-rolls | N/A |
Prioritize "From The Mists," "Spreading Darkness," and "Ominous Portents" first for optimal reward increases. Then, focus on "Tempting Offers" and "He Approaches" for better Omen and "King" encounter chances.
Ritual Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completing Rituals yields Tribute, a temporary currency used to purchase randomized items (Favours). More completed Altars 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:
Omen items significantly enhance other currency items. They are consumed upon use and highly sought after. Examples include Omens of Annulment and Alchemy.
Beyond Favours, Ritual enemies drop high-tier currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.). The King in the Mists has a chance to drop Uniques from a Ritual-exclusive pool. Mastering the Ritual system is key to maximizing your PoE 2 endgame progress.
