Path of Exile 2 Endgame: A Comprehensive Guide to Ritual Events
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame map events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a returning mechanic adapted from a previous Path of Exile league. We'll cover initiating Ritual events, key mechanics, the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, the Pinnacle boss (King in the Mists), and the unique Tribute and Favour reward system.
Understanding Rituals and Altars
On the Atlas, Ritual Altar map nodes are marked with a distinctive red pentagram icon featuring a demonic face. You can guarantee a Ritual encounter by using a Ritual Precursor Tablet in a completed Lost Tower.
Entering a map with a Ritual event spawns several Altars. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemies or mechanics. Modifiers might introduce massive rat swarms, life-draining pools of blood, or other challenges.
Locate an Altar, check its modifiers, and interact to trigger a massive enemy wave. Remain within the designated circle; venturing into the shadows ends the event without rewards. Successfully completing all Rituals on a map marks it as complete.
Confronting the King in the Mists: The Ritual Pinnacle Boss
'An Audience With The King,' a unique Ritual currency, unlocks access to The Crux Of Nothingness, the King in the Mists' lair. Use it in your Atlas Realmgate.
The King in the Mists' mechanics mirror the Act 1 Cruel difficulty version. Practice is available in Freythorn, Act 1, Cruel. Victory yields 2 Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 items, valuable currencies, and Omen items.
Mastering the Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree (accessible via the Atlas map's top-left button, then bottom right) enhances Ritual rewards. It modifies Tribute requirements, improves rewards, and boosts unique currency drop rates.
The tree features eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Defeating the King in the Mists awards 2 Ritual Passive Skill points, requiring increased boss difficulty with each new Notable node.
Notable Ritual Passive Nodes: Prioritization Guide
| Notable Passive Node | 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; Tribute penalty removed. | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | 4 Ritual Altars guaranteed in maps. | N/A |
| Between Two Worlds | Guaranteed Wildwood Wisp (increased Tribute). | 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 |
Prioritize 'From The Mists,' 'Spreading Darkness,' and 'Ominous Portents' for increased rewards with minimal drawbacks. Then focus on 'Tempting Offers' and 'He Approaches' for better Omen and 'An Audience With The King' chances.
Understanding Ritual Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completed Rituals grant Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for randomized Favours. More Altars completed equals more Tribute and more Favour options. Initially, Favours are low-level, but completing more Rituals unlocks higher-tier items and currencies, including 'An Audience With The King.'
Omen currencies are powerful, potentially modifying other currency effects. They are consumed upon use and highly sought after.
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.
Beyond the Tribute and Favour system, Ritual enemies drop high-tier currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.). The King in the Mists has a chance to drop event-exclusive Unique items.
