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The Slithering Dead is a compelling side quest in Path of Exile 2 where Servi, the local guide at the Ziggurat Encampment, recruits you to unravel the mysteries surrounding a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus. While navigating this quest is relatively straightforward once you know where to go, the real challenge lies in selecting the right reward at the end. Servi presents you with three unique rewards, but you can only choose one, and this decision is permanent and irreversible.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)
To embark on The Slithering Dead, head to the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel) and locate the entrance to the Venom Crypts, conveniently situated next to the Jungle Ruins Waypoint.
The Jungle Ruins map features two exits: the Venom Crypts and the Infested Barrens. The Infested Barrens lead you further along the main questline, Legacy of the Vaal, but the Venom Crypts are easy to miss as they're not crucial for the main storyline. Fortunately, you can revisit the Venom Crypts even after entering the endgame if you missed them initially.
Once inside the Venom Crypts, explore thoroughly until you find a Corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess. The location of this area is randomized, as all maps in PoE 2 are, but it's always distant from the entrance.
Interact with the Corpse to automatically collect the Corpse-Snake Venom. Then, teleport back to the Ziggurat Encampment and hand over the Venom to Servi to successfully complete The Slithering Dead.
Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2
As a repeatable quest, The Slithering Dead appears in both Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, each time offering different rewards that require careful consideration. Below are the details:
Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3
After some dialogue, Servi will prompt you to choose from three possible quest rewards. Your decision is final, so choose wisely. The rewards for The Slithering Dead are:
Venom Draught of Stone
Grants 25% increased Stun Threshold
Venom Draught of the Veil
Grants 30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold
Venom Draught of Clarity
Grants 25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate
Once chosen, this decision is irreversible. For most builds in PoE 2, the Venom Draught of Clarity (25% increased Mana Regen Rate) is the safest and most universally beneficial choice, particularly for melee characters like Monks and Warriors who often struggle with mana regeneration.
The Venom Draught of the Veil (30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold) ranks as the second-best option, ideal for classes like Witch and Sorceress who typically don't face mana issues. This choice helps them resist effects like Bleed, Poison, Chill, Freeze, Ignite, Electrocute, or Shock from enemy attacks.
The Venom Draught of Stone is the least appealing option, as Stun Threshold only protects against the Stunned status effect, which is less common compared to other Status Ailments. However, some Warrior builds might find this reward valuable if they frequently encounter Stun problems.
Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3 Cruel (Act 6)
In Act 3 Cruel, you again face three different Venom Draughts to choose from:
Venom Draught of the Lost
Grants +10% to Chaos Resistance
Venom Draught of the Sky
Grants +5 to All Attributes
Venom Draught of the Marshes
Grants 15% Reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on you
The choice here is clearer. The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% to Chaos Resistance) is the top pick. Chaos Resistance is notoriously hard to accumulate, as it's rarely found in significant amounts on gear. This makes the +10% boost highly valuable for almost all builds.
The only scenario where you might choose differently is if your build utilizes the Chaos Inoculation (CI) Node in the Passive Tree, which grants immunity to Chaos damage but reduces your HP to 1. In such cases, the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all Attributes) might be more suitable, especially when paired with Eternal Youth to align Life Flasks with Energy Shield.
