Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) builds on the success of its predecessor with a rich and expansive world full of dark and dangerous creatures, treacherous lands, and an intricate questing system. Among the many quests players will encounter in Poe 2 trade, “The Slithering Dead” stands out as one that requires not only combat prowess but also a keen understanding of the game’s mechanics and lore. This quest is full of challenges and rewards, offering both experienced and new players an opportunity to delve deeper into the mysteries of Aeternum.
In this guide, we’ll take you step-by-step through “The Slithering Dead” quest in PoE 2, covering everything from how to start the quest, the objectives you’ll face, how to defeat the key bosses, and the rewards you’ll earn for completing it. If you’re looking for tips on how to efficiently complete this quest, this guide has you covered.
1. What is “The Slithering Dead” Quest?
“The Slithering Dead” is a major quest in Path of Exile 2 that serves as both a narrative and gameplay milestone in the game’s story. The quest revolves around the discovery of a deadly new plague and a mysterious group of necromancers and undead. As a player, you’ll be tasked with investigating the origins of these strange, slithering creatures and uncovering their connection to the ancient evils that continue to plague Aeternum.
As the name suggests, the primary focus of the quest is dealing with the “slithering dead”—a grotesque, undead faction with a horrifying, snake-like characteristic. These enemies appear throughout the quest and require a specific approach to defeat, making this one of the more challenging and rewarding quests in PoE 2.
2. How to Start “The Slithering Dead” Quest
To begin “The Slithering Dead,” you will first need to progress through the early chapters of PoE 2. As with many quests in PoE 2, it is tied to the main storyline, and you will need to reach a specific point in the narrative to unlock it. Here’s how you can begin:
A. Unlocking the Quest
“The Slithering Dead” quest becomes available after completing the initial stages of the game and advancing to Act 3. Once you reach the town of Gorath’s Reach, you’ll receive a quest trigger from an NPC named Farae, a scholar researching the dark arts and the forces behind the mysterious slithering plague. Farae has been investigating a series of recent undead sightings in the area and needs your help in tracking down the source of the plague.
Tip: Make sure you’ve completed all prerequisite quests before heading to Gorath’s Reach. Skipping earlier quests could make you under-leveled or ill-prepared for the challenges ahead.
B. Meeting Farae
When you first meet Farae, she will give you a brief overview of the situation, explaining that a powerful necromancer, Malathar, has discovered a new form of undead that has the ability to “slither” and spread faster than any other known variety. The slithering dead are capable of infecting the land, creating a swath of destruction in their wake. She believes the creatures’ origin lies deep within the ancient Hekara Ruins, a once-forgotten temple now overrun with the undead.
From here, you will be tasked with traveling to the Hekara Ruins to find out more about the origins of the slithering plague.
3. Objectives of “The Slithering Dead” Quest
The quest is divided into several stages, each with its own set of objectives. Here’s an overview of the key steps involved in completing the quest:
A. Travel to Hekara Ruins
Your first objective is to venture into the Hekara Ruins, a labyrinthine underground structure that holds many secrets. As you explore the ruins, you will face off against waves of undead creatures, including the regular variety and the more dangerous slithering dead.
Key Tip: The Hekara Ruins is a sprawling dungeon with multiple floors. Be prepared for tight corridors and a constant barrage of enemies. It’s wise to bring a character build capable of crowd control and survivability, as the slithering dead tend to overwhelm players in numbers.
B. Investigate the Slithering Plague’s Origins
Once inside the Hekara Ruins, you will need to investigate various areas of the temple to uncover the origins of the plague. During this portion of the quest, you will discover clues and notes left behind by Malathar, revealing his dark experiments with the undead and the use of forbidden necromantic magic.
Note: Pay attention to any journal entries or lore that you find. These will not only help advance the quest but will also deepen your understanding of the game’s narrative and the motivations behind the slithering dead. Some of these entries hint at a larger conspiracy involving powerful factions seeking to exploit the undead for their own nefarious purposes.
C. Confront the Slithering Dead
After investigating the ruins, you will trigger the next stage of the quest, which involves confronting the slithering dead themselves. These creatures are fast-moving, highly resistant to physical damage, and can spawn additional smaller enemies when killed. To make matters worse, they have a venomous bite that will poison you if you’re not careful.
Combat Strategy: Slithering dead are most vulnerable to elemental damage, particularly fire and lightning-based attacks. Bring a build that can deal with swarms of enemies and utilize AoE (Area of Effect) abilities to clear large groups. Make sure to use crowd control tactics like stuns or slows to manage their rapid movement.
D. Defeat Malathar, the Necromancer
The final part of the quest sees you confronting Malathar, the necromancer responsible for raising the slithering dead. Malathar is hiding in the heart of the Hekara Ruins, where he is attempting to complete an ancient ritual that will amplify the power of his undead army.
Malathar’s Abilities: Malathar is a formidable foe, able to summon slithering dead minions, cast powerful necrotic spells, and use poison-based attacks that can quickly deplete your health. His minions will spawn throughout the battle, making it essential to focus on eliminating them while avoiding the traps he places around the arena.
Boss Tips: The key to defeating Malathar is managing both the minions and the necromancer’s poison abilities. Consider using poison resistance flasks and AoE damage abilities to take out the minions quickly. Stay mobile, as Malathar’s attacks are both slow and powerful, and his poison clouds can be deadly.
E. Return to Farae
After defeating Malathar, you will need to return to Farae in Gorath’s Reach to report your success. Farae will reward you for your efforts and give you further insight into the necromancer’s goals, including a possible lead on another dangerous undead faction.
Final Reward: Farae will reward you with valuable items, including a special set of armor or a weapon that enhances your resistance against poison and necrotic damage. She will also grant you access to a new area of the game, unlocking more quests tied to the undead and the forces at play in Aeternum.
4. Tips for Completing “The Slithering Dead” Quest
While The Slithering Dead is a thrilling and rewarding quest, it can also be quite challenging. Here are some general tips to help you complete the quest with ease:
A. Prepare for Poison Damage
The slithering dead and Malathar deal significant poison damage. Be sure to bring poison resistance gear, such as flasks or armor that grants immunity to poison or reduced poison damage. Having the right resistances can make a huge difference in surviving the encounters.
B. Invest in Crowd Control
During the quest, you will face hordes of slithering undead. Investing in crowd control abilities (such as stuns, freezes, or AoE damage) can help you control the battlefield and prevent the enemies from overwhelming you.
C. Bring Multiple Potions
Since poison damage is a constant threat, be sure to carry plenty of health potions, poison-curing flasks, and buffs that increase your resistance to toxins. Staying alive during the Malathar boss fight is key to victory, so make sure you’re well-stocked.
D. Use Range and Mobility
If you’re playing as a ranged character, use your mobility to avoid poison clouds and stay at a safe distance from the slithering dead. Malathar’s poison attacks are dangerous, and avoiding them while continuing to deal damage will give you the upper hand.
E. Join a Group for Assistance
While PoE 2 is a solo-friendly game, joining a group for this quest can make it easier to take down Malathar and manage the large swarms of enemies. A coordinated team will allow you to divide the workload, with some players focusing on Malathar while others deal with the slithering dead.
5. Conclusion
“The Slithering Dead” is a thrilling and challenging quest in cheap POE 2 Orbs, offering players a deep dive into the game’s dark lore, perilous combat mechanics, and rewarding loot system. By following the strategies outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to defeating the slithering dead and their nefarious master, Malathar. With the right preparation, perseverance, and teamwork, you can conquer this quest and claim the powerful rewards it offers.
