Path of Exile 2 Endgame Systems Revealed

Ben Author

Created - 27.11.2024 Updated - 28.11.2024

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Are you excited to play Path of Exile 2 Early Access? If so, the highly anticipated sequel is just less than 10 days away from being available to the public.

With the six playable classes and 12 ascendancies already revealed, developer Grinding Gear Games is nice enough to disclose some information about the other aspects of the game.

In this article, we are going to talk about the various things that you can do once you finish several acts in the main campaign. After all, life in PoE 2 starts when you finish the big boss.

If you are interested in knowing what PoE 2 Early Access has in store for you in terms of endgame content, then read further. Let’s explore them one by one, shall we?

When Does the Endgame Begin?

The main campaign of Path of Exile 2 contains six acts, but you can only complete three in Early Access. Even though that is the case, GGG promised that you will still be able to enjoy the many PoE2 endgame systems available in the game.

In fact, the company has placed major emphasis on endgame content in the much-awaited sequel. That’s because this is the usual time when you farm for pieces of gear and highly sought-after items to create your ideal build.

Before we highlight the endgame systems you’ll be able to interact with in Path of Exile 2, it is important to keep in mind that they can only be unlocked when you complete the initial acts twice.

Your first run-through will be in Normal Difficulty, while the second one is set in a new difficulty level called “Cruel.” The Cruel Difficulty, as you can surmise, pits you against more challenging monsters that offer equally good rewards. Think of this as a “New Game+” in PoE 2!

Since you’ve already finished Acts 1 to 3 at this point, your familiarity with the layouts gives you an advantage on your second playthrough. Additionally, your clear speed should be a bit better now since you’ve already decked your character out with more improved gear.

After completing the first half of the main campaign in Cruel Difficulty, you will now be able to access the various Path of Exile 2 endgame content!

PoE 2 Endgame Systems

Before we discuss the different pieces of endgame content in Path of Exile 2, it is worth noting that they are mostly the same as their PoE1 counterparts. There are some stark differences, however, which will also be highlighted as we go along each subsection of this guide.

Atlas

Mapping was such a huge deal in the original game and it’s also the case in the sequel. The Atlas returns but it has been given a makeover. The new layout is actually pretty awesome to look at and is quite reminiscent of 4x strategy games like Civilization and Stellaris.

Every colored node that you see represents the different locations that are available to you. The towering structure at the center is known as the Ziggurat, where a Map Device lies therein. One major difference here is that instead of inserting maps on the Map Device, you now need an item called a Waystone to enter the locations on the Atlas.

The Waystone is a new item in Path of Exile 2 that allows you to access certain locations similar to maps in the original game. They have different tiers, which may signify the difficulty of the content that awaits you inside.

You can insert the Waystone by heading to the Ziggurat and interacting with a particular node on the Atlas. After that, you’ll be presented with a UI that contains four squares. Place the Waystone on one of those squares and press “Traverse” to open six portals to that location.

Although Waystones are in much the same way as maps in PoE1, the portals that are created only enable you to visit your stash tab. When you die, the map you are in is gone, resulting in a failed mapping attempt.

There are about 400 different monster types that you will encounter in Early Access, so always come prepared! They might possess deadly abilities that could easily eliminate you if you’re not careful.

Now, the Waystones can be altered by using the appropriate PoE2 Currency. Use an Orb of Transmutation followed by an Orb of Augmentation to convert a normal rarity Waystone into a Magic Waystone that has a couple of modifiers. Besides that, spending an Orb of Alchemy will convert the Normal Waystone into a rare one that has more than four different mods.

Since the Orb of Scouring is no longer present in Path of Exile 2, it is still unknown if there is a way to change the modifiers on Waystones somehow. If there’s none, then you’d have to toss that Waystone aside if the mods on it cannot be run by your specific PoE2 build.

Upon finishing the three acts of the campaign in Cruel Difficulty, only a small portion of the Atlas will be visible. In order to see more, you have to activate the large monuments called the “Lost Towers.”

That is not the only thing that the Lost Towers are capable of. Once they are activated, you can insert Tablets into them. Tablets are items in Path of Exile 2 that add certain endgame systems to maps. Do you want to engage with the Breach mechanic while mapping? That is possible by using the appropriate Tablet!

The Tablets can be modified using the aforementioned currencies as well. Some of the mods include increased XP, increased item rarity, and increased monster density, among a slew of others.

If you are wondering where you can get your hands on these Tablets, they will drop randomly just by engaging with the different Path of Exile 2 endgame systems.

Before we proceed, we are going to let you in on a little secret. Once you have a good portion of the Atlas already unlocked, you will find that certain areas have Lost Towers that are situated relatively close to each other.

You can take advantage of that by inserting a different Tablet into each one. Doing so will result in “overlapping” modifiers, possibly enforcing multiple types of endgame content to appear in your maps!

Shrines

During your Waystone runs (still sounds weird, but we’ll go with it), you will occasionally encounter special shrines that grant certain buffs when interacted with. These are similar to the Shrines in PoE1, though they have a new name called “Precursor Artifacts.”

Unlike in the original game, however, you now have to defeat the monsters within the vicinity of these artifacts. Once the Corruption is removed, they will grant powerful buffs for a brief period.

Some of the benefits that the Precursor Artifacts provide include faster movement speed, the ability to shoot lightning off your character, and increased XP gain for a limited time, to name a few.

Essence

This was one of the ways you could farm a ton of PoE Currency in the original game and we’re glad that it’s coming back in the sequel. This mechanic allows you to interact with monsters that drop specific crafting materials known as “Essences.”

While mapping, you will sometimes come across monsters that are frozen in solidified crystalline corruption. You have to click on them to free the enemies from captivity. Once defeated, you are guaranteed to receive the Essences highlighted before the encounter took place.

In the image above, the white text indicates the different modifiers of the enemies you will face. Be sure to read the mods to know exactly if you have a chance of defeating the monsters or not.

Because Essences guarantees modifiers depending on their type, it is possible that they are one of the most profitable Path of Exile 2 endgame mechanics in Early Access.

Expedition

The Kalguuran settlers shown above seek your help in obtaining the Verisium artifacts. They hand you some explosives that you can use on the dig sites to uncover these buried treasures. But, certain dangers await underneath, so be careful.

The PoE 2 Expedition mechanic should be familiar to those who have played the original game. However, for those who haven’t, several explosives have to be planted on “Remnants” to get the most treasure possible.

Each Remnant applies specific modifiers to chests and monsters that are unearthed around it. As you know by now, the more challenging the endgame content is, the better rewards you will get.

It is important to note that the explosives have to be lined up accordingly. You just cannot place an explosive on one side and then expect to put another on the opposite end without a couple of explosives in between.

Aside from that, you have to be mindful of the Remnant modifiers. Treat them as your guides for better explosives placement. If your PoE2 build only deals fire and physical damage, for example, then avoid Remnants that are immune to the said damage types.

Occasionally, you will find Expedition Logbooks while mapping. These are items that give you access to areas where you engage only with the Expedition mechanic. If you’re able to find one, you can use the logbook by talking to Dannig.

While you can find hidden caves with additional treasure in Expedition Logbooks, the thing that you need to look out for is the boss, Olroth. He is the fallen undead commander of the Knights of the Sun and something tells us that he just won’t hand over the treasure to you willingly.

You get certain benefits by defeating him successfully, though. Not only do you get your hands on lucrative rewards, but you will also gain valuable Atlas skill points. These can be spent on the Expedition area of the Atlas Passive Tree.

As part of the Path of Exile 2 endgame systems, the various Kalguuran artifacts that you get from Expedition can be used as currency. Talk to either Rog, Tujen, or Gwennen to exchange the artifacts for useful items!

Delirium

The PoE 2 Delirium mechanic has the same objectives as that of its predecessor. When entering a map, you will sometimes find a Delirium Mirror that engulfs the entire area of mist.

Once that is done, you must proceed with completing the map as you would normally. Make sure that you do not look back as the mist will dissipate if you do.

The main premise of this mechanic is simple. All you have to do is kill as many enemies as you can to get the most out of this Path of Exile 2 endgame content. The farther you are into the mists of Delirium, the stronger the monsters get. Because of this, you have to be ready to use the Dodge Roll when the need arises.

Another reason why you’d want to engage with the Delirium mechanic is that you can earn the new PoE 2 Currency known as Distilled Emotions. These new currency items allow you to instill amulets, granting them notable passive skills similar to the anoint system in Path of Exile 1.

Additionally, the Distilled Emotions can be combined to add Layers of Delirium to your Waystones. To do this, simply hover over one and then right-click on it. This will present you with a new interface that lets you put your Waystone along with the Distilled Emotions you want to use.

As you farm harder Delirium maps, the chances of getting some Simulacrum Splinters grow higher as well. Collecting 300 splinters will automatically turn them into a Simulacrum. This is a PoE 2 endgame content where you face 15 waves of increasingly difficult monsters.

You will receive some cool rewards at the end of each wave. Although you can exit the Simulacrum by creating a portal in between rounds, it is highly encouraged that you finish all 15. There are a couple of reasons why. The first is that you’ll have a much higher chance of encountering one of the Delirium bosses, which provides greater loot than the normal waves. The second reason is that finishing the Simulacrum gives you Atlas passive skill points that you can use to allocate the Delirium nodes of your choosing.

Breach

The iconic Breach mechanic returns to Path of Exile 2, now with vastly better visuals! Maps that contain Breaches enable you to see several giant pink-colored hands around the area. Going near them will initiate the Breach, causing countless monsters from another dimension to appear in a slowly expanding circle.

Alternatively, you can obtain a Breachstone by collecting 300 Breach Splinters. Once you have a fully-formed Breachstone, insert it into a Realm Gate to enter the Breach Lord’s domain. Realm Gates can be found in various areas in the Atlas.

Upon entering the domain, you have to kill the monsters quickly until you reach the final boss named Xesht, We Who Are One. Similar to the previous Path of Exile 2 endgame systems thus far, you’ll be given points that you can use to allocate Breach nodes on the Atlas Passive Tree after defeating the boss.

While it is still unclear whether the PoE 2 Breach mechanic will be profitable or not, one thing is for certain: this endgame content is the best way to earn EXP. The countless monsters you will face can help you achieve the max level in Path of Exile 2 Early Access in no time!

Ritual

If you have to guess what the image above is all about, what will your answer be? If you’ve answered a Ritual Altar, then you are correct!

Ritual Altars are interactable objects that you can find on maps. You will know if a particular map has a PoE 2 Ritual Altar by looking at the red node with what appears to be some bull horns on the Atlas.

These altars were actually created by the King of the Mist—a boss in Path of Exile 2 that you will encounter at some point when engaging in rituals. Now, within the vicinity of these objects, you are going to find packs of monsters. In order for the ritual to begin, you need to sacrifice these enemies by defeating them. After that, the altar should be interactable, so touch it for this PoE 2 mechanic to commence.

During the ritual, the monsters that you eliminate grant Tribute, which acts as a currency that you can exchange for powerful items. There are a maximum of four Ritual Altars in a single map, with each successive altar granting more Tribute than the last.

The main attraction of the PoE 2 Ritual mechanic is that it allows you to acquire Omens. These items already exist in the original game, though the ones that you find in the sequel are mainly utilized for meta-crafting.

For instance, the new Omen of Sinistral Exaltation adds only prefix modifiers when spending an Exalted Orb. This effect is akin to the now-defunct Eldritch Exalted Orb, particularly when the Searing Exarch mod is dominant.

Strongboxes

If you want to engage with something that does not involve any complex mechanics, then you have the Strongbox. PoE 2 Strongboxes are quite similar to the ones found in Vanilla Path of Exile, albeit the way you alter their modifiers is different.

While mapping, you will sometimes run into an unusual treasure chest that holds promising items. However, it’s not as simple as it seems because interacting with the Strongbox will summon monsters that you need to defeat.

Fortunately, you will know how difficult the enemies are by simply looking at the various modifiers. Speaking of which, if there is still some space, you can use an Exalted Orb to add an extra modifier. This makes the following encounter a bit more challenging, though you get better items as a result.

The Path of Exile 2 community has been clamoring for GGG to provide some accessibility options, particularly when it comes to Strongbox modifiers. If the company could find a way to accentuate the more dangerous mods, such as red text for “Detonate Corpses” and blue text for “Freeze When Activated,” then that would be highly appreciated!

On the Atlas Passive Tree, you can allocate nodes that improve aspects related to Strongboxes. For instance, the “Likely Ambush” node increases the chance of Strongboxes to appear in your maps by 40%.

PoE 2 Bonus Content

Now that we have uncovered the main endgame systems in Path of Exile 2, it is time to discuss some of the bonus content that will be available in Early Access. Just as their names imply, these are just additional pieces of content that can be indulged in or not. It’s up to you!

Unknown Cities

As you start to see the entirety of the Atlas, you will discover some cities that were constructed by different tribes. According to GGG, there are special items that can only be obtained from these places. That’s why it is interesting to see what those PoE2 items are!

Special Maps

Aside from the unknown cities, you can find some unique maps all over Wraeclast as well. For instance, the “Untainted Paradise” is an area with beasts that grant a huge amount of EXP when killed!

Free Loot

In some of the unique maps in Path of Exile 2, you will come across a lonely man who is known as “The Nameless Seer.” If you have played PoE1, you should be familiar with this NPC.

However, for those who haven't played the original game, The Nameless Seer will give you a selection of unique items. The only problem is that you can only choose one. Still, free loot is still better than nothing, right?

Hideouts

As you progress through the Atlas, you are going to discover some hideouts that you can conquer. Enter them the same way you would a normal Waystone. Once inside, defeat the monsters in the area and the hideout is yours!

Just like in Path of Exile 1, you have the freedom to decorate your hideout as you please. Besides that, you can invite certain NPCs so that they are easily reachable, especially when you need their services!

Corrupted Maps

The visual aspects of the Atlas are more than just for aesthetics; they serve as special indicators that tell you something about the area as well.

That said, some regions in the Atlas are influenced by Corruption, which adds modifiers that make the maps more challenging to accomplish.

Defeating monsters that are bunched up together in these maps may call powerful creatures from beyond. Of course, in true Path of Exile 2 fashion, eliminating them will yield amazing rewards.

Map Bosses

GGG made a fundamental change when it comes to bosses in PoE 2. In the sequel, you now encounter map bosses only once in every four maps. This is a good thing because you can better prepare for the fight.

As a consequence, expect bosses to be much harder in Path of Exile 2 compared to its predecessor. Don’t worry, your efforts will not go unrewarded. In fact, expect amazing loot when you successfully defeat the map bosses!

Atlas Passive Tree

Each of the endgame systems that we have discussed in this guide can be enhanced by taking the appropriate nodes on the Atlas Passive Tree.

As it stands, you can only gain skill points by completing any of the pieces of content mentioned in this article. It is also worth mentioning that the points you’ve obtained this way can only be spent on the specific content where you got them from.

For example, defeating the King of the Mist will grant skill points specifically meant for the Ritual nodes only.

Thankfully, all the nodes you have taken will be permanent, thus alleviating the need for reallocation. Although this requires you to spend more time to unlock everything, this is a fair compromise given that there is no need to respec skill points anymore. This provides you with the freedom to enjoy whichever Path of Exile 2 endgame content you want to engage in.

Final Thoughts

There is plenty of endgame content that will be available to you in Path of Exile 2 Early Access. While most of them are copied from the original game, the developers have made suitable changes that are befitting its sequel.

For one, Waystones are a new way to go mapping in this game. These can be inserted into the Map Device found in the Ziggurat to open portals to various locations on the Atlas. You still need to discover the locations manually by activating the Lost Towers, but this change breathes a new life to an important aspect of PoE2.

In addition, you have a number of endgame systems to try out. Essences and Strongboxes do have the potential of being quite profitable early on, though that still remains to be seen.

Breach is a great way to earn a ton of EXP, but Delirium comes in a close second. Ritual is not bad at all, especially considering that you can fight against the King of the Mist to get some unique items.

Whatever the endgame content you wish to engage with, we hope that you’ve found this guide useful. Be sure to bookmark our website for more Path of Exile 2 news!