Path of Exile 2 Endgame Guide: Atlas, Maps, Waystones, & More

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) has revealed an exciting and extensive endgame system during its recent Livestream, set to release on December 6th. This guide will explore the key features and mechanics of the PoE 2 Endgame, focusing on the Atlas, maps, Waystones, and new mechanics such as Artifacts, Strongboxes, and Essences.

PoE 2 Endgame Overview

In PoE 2, the Early Access release will feature an incredibly robust endgame that focuses heavily on map progression and exploration. While the campaign content has been scaled back to Acts 1-3, the developers have invested significant time into designing an endgame system that will keep players engaged.

Cruel Mode and Endgame Progression

Cruel Mode will require players to replay Acts 1-3 at a higher difficulty, allowing them to reach the endgame level required for the new content.

After completing Cruel Mode, players will be introduced to the Atlas, the expansive endgame map system.

The Atlas & Maps in PoE 2

Once you reach the endgame, the Atlas becomes the central focus. This system is an infinite map that expands across various regions. Players will traverse these regions, clearing corruption, battling powerful monsters, and obtaining loot along the way.

Map Portals

The Atlas is divided into circles representing portals to maps. These portals are categorized by color:

Blue Portals: Maps that are currently accessible.

Grey Portals: Maps you can progress toward.

Green Portals: Maps you have already completed.

Waystones and Map Difficulty

To enter a map, players must use Waystones, which are a key feature in PoE 2. These Waystones dictate the difficulty of the maps you can access. The tier of the Waystone determines the level of monsters on the map, as well as the rewards you will receive:

Higher Tier Waystones: Unlock higher difficulty maps with stronger monsters, more experience, and better loot.

You can also craft on Waystones to increase rewards or increase the danger of the maps. Suffixes increase the risk, while Prefixes enhance the rewards.

Crafting on your Waystones is crucial for sustaining your supply of high-level maps and unlocking better loot.

New Map Mechanics in PoE 2

Precursor Artifacts

These replace the Shrine mechanic from PoE 1. Precursor Artifacts are special spots within maps where monsters gather. Clearing the monsters will allow you to interact with the Artifact, granting a temporary buff to aid in your progress.

Strongboxes

Strongboxes are treasure-filled containers within maps. Upon opening, these boxes summon monsters and apply modifiers (both beneficial and harmful). Clearing the monsters rewards you with the loot inside the Strongbox, making it a key mechanic for obtaining high-value items.

Essences

Essences are now more important than ever in PoE 2. These items are found by releasing monsters trapped in crystals, and they can be used for crafting:

Essences guarantee a modifier on an item, making them extremely useful for crafting powerful gear.

In PoE 2, Essences upgrades items by one tier (Normal to Magic, Magic to Rare) and adds a specific modifier to the item. This is a key difference from PoE 1, where Essences rerolled rare items.

Essences and Item Crafting Changes in PoE 2

In PoE 1, Essences could be used to reroll an item into a new Rare item with guaranteed modifiers. In PoE 2, Essences will still upgrade items, but with more limited functionality:

Upgrade Normal to Magic: Essences can now upgrade a Normal item to a Magic item, which allows players to add two desired modifiers to a Rare item when starting from a Normal base.

Essence Mechanics: You'll find Essences on monsters in maps, and these are key for crafting powerful gear.

Atlas Progression in PoE 2

To progress through the Atlas, you'll need to complete maps by defeating Rare and Unique Monsters. If you die during a map, the map will be lost, and you'll need to find a new portal.

Atlas Progression: Completing higher-tier maps unlocks more difficult and rewarding content.

Atlas Passive Skill Tree: As you progress, you'll unlock Atlas Passive Skill Points. These points can be spent on a unique Atlas Skill Tree, offering customization for Map farming and loot generation. This new skill tree adds another layer of depth to your endgame experience.

Endgame Strategy: Mapping and Loot Farming

The core of PoE 2's endgame revolves around map exploration, Waystone management, and crafting to enhance your gear. Here are a few key strategies for maximizing your efficiency:

Crafting on Waystones: Ensure you are crafting on your Waystones to increase the rewards or the difficulty of maps based on your desired loot.

Map Preparation: Always have a stock of Waystones to ensure continuous map progression. Prioritize higher-tier Waystones as you progress.

Essence Farming: Focus on farming Essences from trapped monsters to craft powerful gear. Take advantage of the Essence upgrades to start from Normal PoE items and work your way to Rare items with multiple modifiers.

Utilizing the Atlas Skill Tree: Spend your Atlas Passive Skill Points wisely to enhance the loot quality or map completion speed.

Conclusion

PoE 2's endgame introduces an expansive and intricate system that builds on the map mechanics of PoE 1 while adding new layers of depth with Waystones, Essences, and Precursor Artifacts. As players progress through the Atlas, they'll face increasingly difficult challenges that reward them with powerful loot and crafting opportunities.

Whether your focus is on crafting powerful gear, exploring the far reaches of the Atlas, or maximizing your loot potential through crafting, PoE 2 offers a truly engaging endgame experience that will keep players hooked for countless hours.

If you're looking to maximize your progress, ensuring you have enough PoE currency is essential for crafting, purchasing Waystones, and upgrading your gear. Gathering cheap POE currency efficiently is key to thriving in PoE 2's vast endgame and ensuring you can access the best loot and map content. Whether you're focusing on mapping, trading, or crafting your way to victory, having ample currency will allow you to reach the full potential of the endgame system.