Path of Exile 2: Mastering the Ritual Endgame Event
Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame map events: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. This guide focuses on Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE leagues. We'll cover initiating Ritual events, key mechanics, the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, the Pinnacle boss (King in the Mists), and the unique Tribute and Favour reward system.
Identifying and Initiating Rituals
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.
Once in a Ritual map, several Altars appear. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemies or mechanics. Modifiers might include massive rat swarms, life-draining blood pools, or other challenges.
Interact with an Altar after reviewing its modifiers to initiate a large enemy wave. Remain within the designated circle; venturing into the shadows ends the event without rewards. Completing all Rituals on a map marks it as complete.
Confronting the King in the Mists
The 'An Audience With The King' currency item, obtained through Favours, unlocks a fight with the King in the Mists, the Ritual Pinnacle Boss. Use this currency at your Realmgate on the Atlas to access the encounter.
The King in the Mists' mechanics mirror his campaign version. For practice, revisit Act 1 Cruel difficulty and create a new instance of Freythorn. Victory rewards two Ritual Passive Skill points, a chance at unique PoE 2 items, powerful currencies, and Omen items.
Navigating the Ritual Passive Skill Tree
The Atlas Passive Skill Tree includes a Ritual section, enhancing rewards by reducing Tribute requirements, improving rewards, and increasing unique currency drop chances.
Access it via the Atlas Map's top-left button; the Ritual tree is located in the bottom right. Its five prongs feature eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Defeating the King in the Mists grants two points, necessitating increased difficulty for each new Notable node.
Prioritize these Notable nodes: 'From The Mists', 'Spreading Darkness', and 'Ominous Portents' for increased rewards with minimal drawbacks. Then, consider 'Tempting Offers' and 'He Approaches' for better Omen and 'An Audience With The King' chances. Here's a breakdown:
| Notable Delirium Passive | Effect | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Promised Devotion | 25% increased Ritual Altar skill damage; 50% less Tribute, 50% faster Favour appearance at Altars. | 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 in Ritual maps. | 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' in Rituals. | Ominous Portents |
| Tempting Offers | Extra Favour re-roll; 25% less Tribute for re-rolls. | N/A |
Understanding Ritual Rewards
Completed Rituals grant Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for randomized Favours. More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock more Favours, ranging from Magic items and low-level Currencies to Rare gear and high-tier Currencies. 'An Audience With The King' is exclusively obtained through Favours.
Omen currencies are highly sought-after, enhancing other Currency items. Examples include Omens of Annulment (specific modifier removal) and Alchemy (specific modifier addition). Consider trading Omens if unsure of their use.
Regular high-tier Currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.) drop from Ritual enemies. The King in the Mists has a chance to drop Uniques from a Ritual-exclusive pool.
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
This comprehensive guide should equip you to conquer the Ritual endgame event in Path of Exile 2. Good luck, Exile!
