Path of Exile 2 - The Slithering Dead quest guide and rewards (Venom Draught)

Path of Exile 2 features a wealth of optional side quests, including The Slithering Dead. Deep within the Jungle Ruins, you’ll find a zone called The Venom Crypts, and upon reaching this area, you can begin the optional Slithering Dead side quests. It involves you gathering up the Corpse-Snake Venom and bringing it to a particular NPC so they can make a Venom Draught for you.

While this is a quest you could completely skip, the reward is one of three permanent and potent buffs for your character, making it worth going out of your way for. You’ll find it in Act 3, and you’ll want to be at least level 35 before diving into this area.

---

How to complete the Slithering Dead quest in Path of Exile 2

To begin The Slithering Dead in Path of Exile 2, you need to find The Venom Crypts in the Jungle Ruins. The entrance will likely be near the Waypoint, but that could potentially change due to the random nature of the maps. You’re looking for a small, ancient temple that will have “The Venom Crypts” on it when you highlight it. It will be very easy to locate.

You'll eventually find this location, deep within this dungeon. (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/@Bue)

Explore these vast caverns, and unfortunately, we once again cannot directly guide you to the next location of The Slithering Dead in Path of Exile 2 since the map is random. However, you’re looking for a Checkpoint near Den of the Serpent Priestess. You will likely have to fight your way through vast waves of Snake-related enemies and lots of poison to get here.

Once you’ve finally arrived in the Den of the Serpent Priestess, search the corpse in this room, and you’ll see the Corpse-Snake Venom drop. Pick this up, return to the Ziggurat Encampment, and speak to Servi. They will in return, offer you one of three Venom Draughts, which will permanently buff one of your stats.

---

Path of Exile 2 Slithering Dead quest rewards: Which Venom Draught to take

Each of these vials is important - pick which fits your needs the most. (Image via Grinding Gear Games || YouTube/@Bue)

It’s important to pick the right Venom Draught after you complete Slithering Dead in Path of Exile 2. The options are below, and you can only choose one of them:

• Venom Draught of Stone: Grants 25% increased Stun Threshold.
• Venom Draught of the Veil: Gain 30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold
• Venom Draught of Clarity: Gain 25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate

At the end of the day, it depends on what kind of character you’re playing and what your needs are. If you play a character that blocks frequently, having a higher Stun Threshold is advisable — in that case, take Venom Draught of Stone.

If you’re more worried about Elemental Ailments, and your weakness to them is high, Venom Draught of the Veil gives you a nice, solid boost versus those. However, if you’re a class that burns through mana pretty quickly, a 25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate is also fantastic — in that case, you may want Venom Draught of Clarity. Your build and needs will almost certainly vary, so pick the one that is the most useful to you.

The Venom Draught of the Veil and Clarity will likely benefit more builds than Venom Draught of Stone, since not every class is going to use a shield and block incoming attacks.

---

Check out our other Path of Exile 2 guides and features