The endgame in Path of Exile 2 is vast and complex, providing a variety of ways to progress, farm loot, and challenge yourself. Here's a breakdown of the core concepts and tips to help you get the most out of your time in the endgame.

Path of Exile 2 Endgame Basics

After completing the campaign, you'll be taken to the Ziggurat Refuge, which serves as your new hub. Here, you'll meet a few key NPCs who will help guide you through the endgame content. Doryani plays a significant role, introducing you to the Atlas, which is the key to your progression. The Atlas serves as your map navigation tool, where you'll fight against the corruption that's threatening Wraeclast.

The key items you'll need to progress are Waystones-these are used to unlock maps. You'll start with a Tier 1 Waystone and can gradually increase their quality using orb enhancements.

The Atlas: Navigating the Endgame

The Atlas is the central progression system in Path of Exile 2's endgame. It's a large map with nodes that you can unlock as you progress. Each node corresponds to a different map area, and as you explore them, you'll face increasingly difficult challenges and monsters.

Waystones are essential for unlocking the maps and fighting the monsters within.

Each map node will have an icon above it that signifies a challenge, which you will need to complete for progress.

Modifiers can be applied to Waystones, which can make the monsters stronger or increase the loot drops.

Progressing Through the Endgame

Your first major quest in the endgame is Cataclysm's Wake, which involves clearing 10 maps of each tier. There are 16 tiers of maps to progress through, and completing each tier will unlock more powerful maps and challenges. To complete the maps, you'll need to:

Use Waystones to unlock the portals.

Clear every rare monster on the map to complete it.

As you progress through the Atlas, you will unlock Citadels, which are endgame content areas that offer special rewards and are required for fighting some of the toughest bosses in the game.

NPCs in the Ziggurat Refuge

The Ziggurat Refuge hosts several NPCs that will aid you during your endgame journey:

Doryani: He provides essential services like Waystones, identifies Path of Exile 2 items, and can refund your passive skill points.

Atalui: Sells weapons and armor, offering powerful gear upgrades.

Ketzuli: Specializes in magical weapons, flasks, and jewelry. They also provide an item disenchanting service.

Alva: Handles the Path of Exile 2 Currency Exchange and lets you gamble gold on items.

Additionally, there are the Salvage Bench, Reforging Bench, and Stash, all vital for managing your loot and crafting.

Endgame Activities

As you progress through the endgame, you will encounter several activities linked to the Atlas. These activities will bring you closer to unlocking some of the game's most difficult bosses and rewards.

Some notable activities include:

The Trialmaster: A chaotic boss fights to offer high-risk, high-reward loot.

The King in the Mists: A Ritual encounter, with the potential for very powerful gear.

Olroth, Origin of the Fall: Tied to Expeditions, this boss drops rare and useful Path of Exile 2 items.

Arbiter of Ash: The final boss of the endgame, with great loot potential but requiring significant effort to access.

These endgame activities are linked to the Atlas Skill Tree and offer increasingly difficult challenges. Completing them will unlock new ways to farm for uniques, improve your Atlas nodes, and increase your loot chances.

Endgame Tips

Death Penalties: Deaths in the endgame can be costly, as you'll lose 10% of your XP progress and be immediately removed from the map. It's crucial to approach each map with caution.

Towers Reveal: Precursor Towers are found throughout the Atlas and reveal large areas on the map. Use these to plan your farming routes effectively.

Resistances: Many endgame monsters have strong elemental damage, so ensure your resistances are capped at 75% to avoid getting overwhelmed.

Trade for Gear: Use the trade site to find the exact gear pieces you need, especially for mods that you might not easily acquire through crafting.

Atlas Challenges: As you progress, you'll encounter different challenges that increase the difficulty and reward of your maps. Make sure to pay attention to the icons above each map node to understand the challenges you'll be taking on.

Conclusion

The endgame in Path of Exile 2 is all about making strategic decisions with your resources and time. Whether you're farming maps, unlocking powerful bosses, or enhancing your gear, there's always something to challenge you. Make sure to prepare thoroughly with resistances, and gear, and plan your Atlas progression carefully. With patience and strategy, you can overcome the Cataclysm's corruption and claim your place as a true master of Wraeclast!