Path of Exile 2's Endgame Rituals: A Comprehensive Guide
Path of Exile 2 introduces several endgame events, including Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE leagues. We'll cover initiation, mechanics, the Pinnacle boss, the reward system, and the Ritual Passive Skill Tree.
Identifying and Initiating Ritual Events
On the Atlas, Ritual Altar map nodes are marked with a red pentagram and demonic face. A Ritual Precursor Tablet, slotted into a completed Lost Tower, guarantees a Ritual encounter on a chosen node.
Once in a Ritual map, several Altars will appear. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemies and mechanics. Modifiers might include massive rat swarms or life-draining blood pools.
To activate a Ritual, interact with an Altar after noting its modifiers. A large circle will appear; remain within it to fight the summoned enemies. Leaving the circle prematurely ends the event with no rewards. Successfully completing all Rituals on a map marks it as complete.
The King in the Mists: The Ritual Pinnacle Boss
'An Audience With The King,' a unique Ritual currency, unlocks a fight with the King in the Mists, located in The Crux Of Nothingness. Use this currency at your Realmgate on the Atlas map to access the boss fight.
The King in the Mists' mechanics mirror his campaign counterpart. For practice, revisit Act 1 Cruel difficulty and fight him in Freythorn. Defeating him awards two Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 items, powerful currencies, and Omen items.
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree, accessed via the Atlas Passive Skill Tree screen (bottom right), enhances Ritual events. Nodes modify Tribute requirements, improve rewards, and boost 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 grants two skill points, necessitating increased difficulty for each new Notable node.
Notable Nodes and Prioritization:
| Notable Node | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased Altar skill damage; 50% less Tribute and faster Favour appearance for deferrals. | N/A |
| From The Mists | Two extra enemy packs in Rituals. | N/A |
| Reinvigorated Sacrifices | Revived monsters gain 20% Toughness and 10% damage, but no longer penalize Tribute. | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | Four Ritual Altars always present in Ritual maps. | N/A |
| Between Two Worlds | Rituals always contain a Wildwood Wisp (increased Tribute earned). | Spreading Darkness |
| Ominous Portents | 25% faster monster waves, but 50% higher 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% cheaper re-rolls. | N/A |
Prioritize 'From The Mists,' 'Spreading Darkness,' and 'Ominous Portents' first, then 'Tempting Offers' and 'He Approaches.'
Ritual Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completed Rituals grant Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for Favours (randomized items). More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock more Favours, including Rare gear and high-tier currencies at higher Tribute thresholds. 'An Audience With The King' is a Favour reward.
Omens: Powerful Consumable Items
Omens are exceptionally valuable consumable items that modify the effects of other currency items. Examples include Omens of Annulment (selective modifier removal) and Omens of Alchemy (selective modifier addition). They are highly sought after for crafting and can be traded for significant value.
All PoE 2 Omen Currencies:
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.
