Quick Links
The Slithering Dead is a Path of Exile 2 side quest in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). Servi, the guide in the Ziggurat Encampment, needs your help uncovering secrets about a rival tribe and the fate of her son, Apus. While the quest itself is straightforward, choosing the right reward can be tricky. You only get one choice, and it's permanent.
The Slithering Dead Quest Walkthrough (Step-by-Step)
To begin, enter the Jungle Ruins map in Act 3 (and Act 3 Cruel). Find the Venom Crypts entrance next to the Waypoint. The Jungle Ruins have two exits: Venom Crypts and Infested Barrens. The Infested Barrens continue the main Legacy of the Vaal questline, but the Venom Crypts are optional. You can return later if you miss it.
Explore the Venom Crypts until you find a corpse in the Den of the Serpent Priestess (its location is randomized).
Interact with the corpse to obtain Corpse-Snake Venom. Return to the Ziggurat Encampment and give the venom to Servi to complete the quest.
Which Venom Draught Quest Reward Should You Choose in The Slithering Dead in PoE 2
The Slithering Dead is a repeatable quest, appearing in Act 3 and Act 3 Cruel, with different rewards each time.
Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3
Servi will offer three Venom Draughts; choose wisely, as your decision is final. The options are:
| Venom Draught | Effect |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Venom Draught of Clarity (increased mana regeneration) is generally the safest and most universally useful choice, especially for melee builds. The Venom Draught of the Veil (increased elemental ailment threshold) is a strong alternative for builds that don't struggle with mana. The Venom Draught of Stone (increased stun threshold) is the least desirable unless your build heavily suffers from stuns.
Slithering Dead Reward Choice in Act 3 Cruel (Act 6)
Again, you'll choose from three Venom Draughts:
| Venom Draught | Effect |
|---|---|
| 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 |
The Venom Draught of the Lost (+10% Chaos Resistance) is usually the best option, as Chaos Resistance is harder to obtain than other resistances. The only exception is for builds using Chaos Inoculation (CI), which makes them immune to Chaos damage but reduces HP to 1. For CI builds, the Venom Draught of the Sky (+5 to all attributes) is preferable.
