After completing the Path of Exile 2 campaign through Act 3 and its Cruel difficulty variation, players enter an expansive endgame system filled with challenging content and rewarding progression paths. This PoE 2 campaign guide covers the length, rewards, buffs, bonuses, and everything you need to know about post-campaign activities.

Path of Exile 2 Campaign Guide

The early access campaign of Path of Exile 2 consists of three acts, your character can reach level 45 and begin the grind for endgame content. After finishing these acts, players have the option to replay them on "Cruel Difficulty" for an added challenge. Upon the game's full release, the campaign will expand to include a total of six acts, incorporating three new acts alongside the existing ones.  

PoE 2 Campaign Length

The campaign length in Path of Exile 2 can vary based on player experience and engagement, featuring three acts in its early access phase that typically take 8 to 15 hours each to complete, depending on familiarity with ARPG mechanics and involvement with the story and side quests. After finishing these acts, players must replay them on a higher difficulty known as Cruel, akin to a New Game Plus mode, to access the endgame content. Overall, players can expect to spend around 40 to 60 hours to complete the campaign and reach the endgame, with the first playthrough taking about 25 hours and the Cruel difficulty adding an additional 15 to 20 hours. Future updates are expected to introduce more acts, further extending the campaign length, but even in its early access state, the game offers substantial content, with plans to double the number of acts in the future.

PoE 2 Campaign Rewards (Items, Bonuses & Buffs)

In Path of Exile 2, players can earn various rewards and buffs from different bosses throughout the campaign, including unique items, skill gems, and more.

1. Act 1 Normal

• +10% Cold Resistance (Beira of the Rotten Pack)

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 2) (The Devourer)

• Uncut Support Gem (Level 1), 100 Gold (The Devourer)

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 2) (The Brambleghast)

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 3) (The Rust King)

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 3) (Lachlann of Endless Lament)

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (The Crowbell)

• +30 to Maximum Spirit (The King in the Mists)

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (Una's Lute)

• Uncut Support Gem (Level 1), Uncut Skill Gem (Level 5) (The Executioner)

• +20 to Maximum Life (Candlemass, the Living Rite)

2. Act 2 Normal

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 6) (Rathbreaker)

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (Kabala, Constrictor Queen)

• +30% increased Charm Charges Gained or +15% increased Mana Recovery from Flasks (Valley of the Titans)

• Uncut Support Gem (Level 1) (Iktab, the Deathlord)

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (Final Letter)

3. Act 3 Normal

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (Mighty Silverfist)

• Choose One Permanent Buff: +25% increased Stun Threshold, +30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold, +25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate (Corpse Snake Venom)

• +30 to Maximum Spirit (Ignagduk, the Bog Witch)

4. Act 1 Cruel

• +10% Cold Resistance (Beira of the Rotten Pack)

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 11), Uncut Spirit Gem (Level 11) (The Devourer)

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (The Crowbell)

• +8% to Maximum Life (Candlemass, the Living Rite)

5. Act 2 Cruel

• Uncut Skill Gem (Level 13) (Rathbreaker)

• Book of Specialisation (+2 Weapon Set Skill Points) (Kabala, Constrictor Queen)

• +30% increased Charm Charges Gained or +15% increased Life Recovery from Flasks (Valley of the Titans)

6. Act 3 Cruel

• Lesser Jeweller's Orb (Orok Campfire)

• Choose One Permanent Buff: +10% to Chaos Resistance, +5 to All Attributes, +15% reduced Slowing Potency of Debuffs on You (Corpse Snake Venom)

• +10% to Fire Resistance (Blackjaw, the Remnant)

7. Permanent Buffs

• +20% All Resistances

• +24 Weapon Set Skill Points

• +100 Spirit

• +20 Maximum Life

• +8% increased Maximum Life

• +30% Increased Charm Charges

• +15% Mana Recovery from Flasks

• 25% increased Stun Threshold/30% increased Elemental Ailment Threshold/25% increased Mana Regeneration Rate

• +10% Chaos Resistance

• +5 to All Attributes

• +15% reduced Slowing Potency Debuffs

What to Do After Campaign in PoE 2?

1. Access the Map Device

To access the map device in Path of Exile 2, you must first complete the "Legacy of the Vaal" quest in Act 3 (Cruel) and reach the Epilogue. Once completed, head to The Ziggurat Refuge where you'll find the map device, which serves as your gateway to the endgame Atlas system. To use it, interact with the device to open the Atlas interface, select an uncompleted node on the map, place a waystone into the receptacle, and click "Traverse" to open six portals to the map area (these portals can be shared among party members but can only be used once). If you encounter any access issues, such as the device being unresponsive or causing crashes, try switching to a different server gateway or invite a friend to your party before attempting to access the device, as these solutions have helped some players resolve access problems. This map device is your primary tool for accessing all endgame content and progressing through the Atlas system.

2. Get a Hideout

In Path of Exile 2, a Hideout is a personal customizable space that serves as your base of operations for endgame content. To access your first hideout, you need to follow these steps:

• Complete the campaign through Act 3 (Cruel Difficulty)

• Go to The Ziggurat Refuge to find the map device

• Enter the Atlas system (endgame map system) using Waystones

• Look for the Limestone Hideout icon on the Atlas

• Run a low-tier Waystone for that area

• Clear all monsters in a small room to unlock the Hideout

• Use the Waypoint to travel to your Hideout and select it as your base

3. Atlas System Progression

Access the map legend by clicking the icon in the top left corner to understand all icons and modifiers. Green nodes show completed maps, while blue nodes are available but uncompleted. Various icons indicate different mechanics like Breach, Expedition, or Delirium.

Focus primarily on killing monsters and spend minimal time in your hideout or central hub. Complete maps tier by tier, starting with Tier 1 and progressing upward. You can convert three maps of the same tier into one map of the next tier using the reforging bench, helping with progression. Always run maps at a difficulty level you can handle comfortably.

Watch for special modifiers that affect map difficulty and rewards. Corrupted adds +1 monster level, Irradiated adds another +1 level, and combining both can create higher-tier content. Boss icons indicate especially rewarding maps that drop more loot and maps.

Atlas Skill Tree

4. Map Sustain

Map sustaining requires strategic planning and efficient use of resources. Start by connecting maps systematically, running from one map to another to establish a solid progression path. Use the Reforging Bench to convert three maps of the same tier into one map of a higher tier, which helps maintain progression to higher tiers. For basic map supplies, Doryani sells Wastestones, providing a reliable source when you run low.

Target specific content for better returns. Breach content is particularly valuable in the current economy, though it can be challenging for newer players due to high monster density. When running Breach maps, consider a strategy of fighting into the circle and then moving outward if your build allows. Breach provides currency and splinters that can be sold for better gear.

Lost Towers play a crucial role in map sustaining. After completing a Lost Tower, it influences surrounding uncompleted maps within its radius. Importantly, maps that have already been completed or failed cannot be affected by Tower influence. Use your lowest-tier Wastestones for Lost Towers since they typically have poor layouts and pack size. Save higher tier Wastestones for maps with valuable modifiers like boss encounters, Breach, or Ritual mechanics.

For optimal progression, focus on completing connected maps while targeting specific mechanics that benefit your build and currency generation. Consider using Ritual Mechanics for potential unique items and the chance to fight the King in the Mist for valuable rewards like the Ingenuity utility belt. Remember that map effects vary - some will be corrupted, others will have specific mechanics like Ritual, and managing these variations effectively is key to sustainable mapping.

5. Currency Farming and Crafting

The game offers multiple ways to acquire currency and craft gear. Focus on efficient map clearing for basic currency drops. The Expedition mechanic is particularly valuable for gear crafting, featuring three NPCs (Dannig, Tujen, Rog, or Gwennen) who each accept different artifact types: Tujen uses Black Scythe artifacts for jewelry and belts, Gwennen takes Broken Circle artifacts for weapons, and Rog requires Order artifacts for armor pieces. Ritual encounters provide opportunities for gear upgrades through their reward system, allowing you to defer expensive items by paying 15% of the cost. Catalysts can be used to enhance specific attributes of jewelry. When targeting specific content, use Precursors in Lost Towers to guarantee certain mechanics in nearby maps.