This guide details the Path of Exile 2 side quest, "The Slithering Dead," including a step-by-step walkthrough and a comprehensive analysis of the reward choices.
Quick Links
- The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)
- Choosing Your Venom Draught Reward in The Slithering Dead
The Slithering Dead, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment, requires uncovering secrets about a rival tribe and the fate of her son. While the quest itself is straightforward, selecting the appropriate reward proves challenging. Only one of three rewards can be chosen, and this decision is permanent and irreversible.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)
To begin, locate the Venom Crypts entrance adjacent to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). The Venom Crypts are an optional area, easily missed, but accessible even after progressing to the endgame.
Explore the Venom Crypts until you discover a corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess (location varies due to randomized map generation).
Upon interacting with the corpse, you automatically acquire Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment and deliver the venom to complete the quest.
Choosing Your Venom Draught Reward in The Slithering Dead
The Slithering Dead is repeatable, appearing in Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, with distinct rewards each time.
Act 3 Reward Choices
Servi presents three Venom Draughts:
| Venom Draught | Effect |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Venom Draught of Clarity is generally the optimal choice, particularly beneficial for melee builds often facing mana limitations. The Venom Draught of the Veil is a strong alternative for builds less reliant on mana regeneration. The Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless specifically addressing stun vulnerabilities.
Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Reward Choices
The Act 3 Cruel rewards differ:
| Venom Draught | Effect |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is usually the superior choice due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on equipment. Only builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation, often paired with Eternal Youth, might prefer the Venom Draught of the Sky for its attribute boosts.
