This guide covers the Path of Exile 2 side quest, "The Slithering Dead," detailing its walkthrough and offering advice on choosing the optimal rewards.
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The Slithering Dead, initiated by Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment, requires uncovering the secrets of a rival tribe and the fate of her son. While the quest's progression is straightforward, selecting the right reward proves challenging due to its permanent nature.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough
To begin, locate the Venom Crypts entrance adjacent to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). The Venom Crypts are a separate path from the main Legacy of the Vaal questline and can be revisited later if missed.
Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse within the Den of the Serpent Priestess (location varies per map generation).
Interact with the corpse to obtain Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to Servi in the Ziggurat Encampment to complete the quest.
Choosing the Best Venom Draught Reward
The Slithering Dead is repeatable (Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel), offering different rewards each time. The choice is permanent and irreversible per character.
Act 3 Rewards:
- 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.
Recommendation: Venom Draught of Clarity is generally the best option, especially for melee builds often facing mana issues. Venom Draught of the Veil is a strong alternative for builds less reliant on mana. Venom Draught of Stone is the least desirable unless specifically addressing stun vulnerabilities.
Act 3 Cruel (Act 6) Rewards:
- 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.
Recommendation: Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is superior in most cases due to the rarity of Chaos Resistance on gear. Only builds utilizing Chaos Inoculation and Eternal Youth might prefer Venom Draught of the Sky.
