Path of Exile 2's Endgame: Mastering the Ritual Event
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame map events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE leagues. We'll cover initiation, 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 red pentagram icon featuring a 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 appear. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemy types and mechanics. These modifiers might introduce massive rat hordes, life-draining blood pools, or other challenges.
To activate a Ritual, interact with an Altar after checking its modifiers. A large circle will illuminate around the Altar; stay within this zone and eliminate all enemies to complete the Ritual. Leaving the circle prematurely forfeits rewards. A map is considered complete upon successful completion of all its Rituals.
Confronting the King in the Mists: The Pinnacle Boss
The "An Audience With The King" currency item, obtainable through Favours, unlocks the Crux of Nothingness, where the King in the Mists resides. This Pinnacle Boss fight mirrors the Act 1 Cruel version. Defeating him grants 2 Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 Uniques, and valuable Currencies and Omen items.
Navigating the Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Ritual Passive Skill Tree (located in the Atlas, bottom-right), enhances Rituals. Nodes reduce Tribute costs, improve rewards, and boost unique Currency drop rates. The tree's red design features eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Defeating the King in the Mists provides 2 skill points, necessitating increased difficulty for each new Notable node.
Prioritize these Notable nodes: "From The Mists," "Spreading Darkness," and "Ominous Portents" for optimal rewards. Then, consider "Tempting Offers" and "He Approaches" for better Omen and "An Audience With The King" chances. Here's a breakdown of Notable nodes and their effects:
| Notable Delirium Passive | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased 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, 10% damage; Tribute penalty removed | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | Always 4 Ritual Altars per map | N/A |
| Between Two Worlds | Rituals always contain a Wildwood Wisp (increased Tribute) | Spreading Darkness |
| Ominous Portents | 25% faster monster waves; 50% increased Favour Omen chance | 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-rolling | N/A |
Harvesting Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completed Rituals grant Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for Favours (randomized items). More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock higher-tier Favours, including Rare gear and high-value Currencies. "An Audience With The King" is a Favour reward.
Omens, powerful consumable items enhancing other Currency effects, are also possible Favour rewards. Examples include Omens of Annulment and Alchemy, offering targeted modifier manipulation. Omens are highly sought after. Beyond Favours, Ritual enemies drop high-tier Currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.). The King in the Mists drops Uniques from a Ritual-exclusive pool.
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
