Path of Exile 2 Endgame: A Comprehensive Guide to Ritual Events
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE leagues. We'll cover initiating Rituals, understanding their mechanics, utilizing the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, conquering the Pinnacle boss (King in the Mists), and maximizing rewards from the Tribute and Favour 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.
Entering a map with a Ritual spawns several Altars. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemy types or mechanics (e.g., massive rat waves or life-draining blood pools).
Interact with an Altar after noting its modifiers. A large enemy wave will spawn within a defined circle; remaining within this zone is crucial for completion. Leaving the circle prematurely ends the event and forfeits rewards. A map is considered complete only after successfully completing all its Rituals.
The King in the Mists: The Ritual Pinnacle Boss
The 'An Audience With The King' currency item, obtainable through Favours, unlocks the Crux of Nothingness and the King in the Mists boss fight. This boss shares mechanics with its Act 1 Cruel counterpart (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 Ritual Passive Skill Tree (located in the Atlas, bottom right) enhances Ritual rewards. Nodes modify Tribute requirements, improve rewards, and boost unique currency drop chances. The tree features eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Each Notable node requires defeating the King in the Mists at the increased difficulty.
Notable Ritual Passive Nodes:
| Notable Passive Node | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased Altar skill damage; 50% less Tribute, 50% faster Favour appearance. | N/A |
| From The Mists | 2 extra enemy packs in Rituals. | N/A |
| Reinvigorated Sacrifices | Revived monsters gain 20% Toughness, deal 10% more damage, but no longer penalize Tribute. | From The Mists |
| Spreading Darkness | Always 4 Ritual Altars per map. | 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 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' initially for increased rewards. Then, focus on 'Tempting Offers' and 'He Approaches' for better Omen and 'An Audience With The King' chances.
Ritual Event Rewards: Tribute and Favours
Completed Rituals grant Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for randomized Favours. More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock higher-tier rewards (Rare items, high-tier currencies). 'An Audience With The King' is exclusively obtained through Favours.
Omens: Powerful Consumable Items
Omens are highly sought-after items that modify the effects of other currency items. Examples include focusing Annulment or Alchemy orb effects. Consider trading less desirable Omens for valuable currencies.
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 Favours, 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.
