Path of Exile 2: Ritual Mechanics Explained

Path of Exile 2's Atlas offers four major endgame encounters: Breaches, Expeditions, Delirium, and Rituals. Rituals, a revamped mechanic from previous PoE Leagues, are detailed in this guide. We'll cover initiation, mechanics, the Ritual Passive Skill Tree, the Pinnacle boss (King in the Mists), and the unique Tribute and Favour reward system.

Understanding PoE 2 Rituals and Altars

Atlas map nodes hosting guaranteed Ritual events 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.

Maps with Ritual encounters spawn multiple Altars. Each map features a shared random modifier affecting enemy types or mechanics. Modifiers might introduce massive rat swarms, life-draining blood pools, or other challenges.

Examine an Altar's modifiers before interacting. Activating an Altar triggers a large enemy wave within a defined zone. Leaving this zone prematurely ends the event with no rewards. Successfully completing all Rituals on a map marks it as complete.

Confronting the Pinnacle Boss: The King in the Mists

'An Audience With The King,' a unique Ritual currency, unlocks a fight against the King in the Mists, located in The Crux Of Nothingness. Access this fight by using the currency in your Atlas Realmgate.

The King in the Mists shares mechanics with his Act 1 Cruel counterpart (Freythorn zone). Defeating him grants 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 red, five-pronged Ritual section. This section offers eight Notable nodes and eight nodes increasing King in the Mists difficulty. Defeating the King in the Mists awards two skill points, necessitating increased difficulty for each new Notable node.

Here's a summary of Notable nodes:

Prioritize 'From The Mists,' 'Spreading Darkness,' and 'Ominous Portents' for increased rewards. 'Tempting Offers' and 'He Approaches' follow, boosting high-value Omen and 'An Audience With The King' chances.

Reaping the Rewards of PoE 2 Ritual Events

Completed Rituals award Tribute, a temporary currency exchanged for Favours (randomized items). More Altars completed increase Tribute and unlock more Favours, including Rare gear and high-tier currencies at higher completion levels. 'An Audience With The King' is only available via Favours.

Favours initially offer Magic items or low-level currencies, progressing to Rare gear and high-tier currencies with increased Ritual completions.

Omen items, exceptionally powerful and highly sought-after, are potential Favour rewards. These enhance other currency items and are consumed upon use. Examples include Omens affecting Annulment and Alchemy orbs. Consider trading Omens for valuable currencies if unsure about their use.

Ritual Events also drop high-tier currencies (Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, etc.) from slain enemies. The King in the Mists offers a chance at event-exclusive Unique items.

Complete List of 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.