Mastering Path of Exile 2's Expedition Endgame: A Comprehensive Guide

Path of Exile 2 introduces four major endgame events: Delirium, Breaches, Rituals, and Expeditions. This guide focuses on Expeditions, a returning mechanic from a previous league, detailing its mechanics, rewards, and the Expedition Passive Skill Tree.

Understanding Expeditions

Expedition map nodes are identifiable by a light blue spiral icon on the Atlas. An Expedition Precursor Tablet, placed in a completed Lost Tower slot, guarantees an Expedition encounter.

Within the Expedition zone, locate the central Detonator and four NPCs. The core mechanic involves strategically deploying Explosives near Markers to trigger events:

• Red Markers: Detonating near these spawns Runic Monsters. Larger markers yield larger monster packs. Unearthed Remnants further empower these packs.
• Unearthed Remnants: These relics provide beneficial or detrimental modifiers (e.g., increased elemental damage from monsters but increased item rarity from chests).
• Black Markers (Spiral Symbol): Explosives detonated near these spawn Excavated Chests containing Artifacts, Logbooks, currencies, and high-tier gear.

The Explosives UI shows the area of effect (AOE). For optimal farming, avoid overlapping AOE circles. After placing Explosives, activate the Detonator to begin the event. Death resets the map, but you can safely retreat and return later.

Expedition Pinnacle Maps & Olroth

Runic Monsters and Excavated Chests have a chance to drop Expedition Logbooks. These are used with Dannig in your hideout to access Expedition Pinnacle Maps – significantly larger events with more Explosives.

These maps have a chance to feature the Pinnacle Boss, Olroth (indicated by a skull on the minimap). Defeating Olroth is crucial for obtaining Expedition Passive Skill Tree points (2x points per victory).

Expedition Passive Skill Tree

Located within the Atlas Passive Skill Tree, the Expedition Passive Skill Tree enhances the Expedition experience. It offers nodes to increase rewards, monster spawns, and Remnant effects. The tree is visually distinct with a spiraling blue design.

Notable Nodes:

Prioritize "Disturbed Rest," "Detailed Records," and "Timed Detonations" for significant reward boosts. Then consider "Weight of History," "Unearthed Anomalies," and "Legendary Battles" for further, more challenging improvements. Avoid "Extreme Archaeology" due to the drastic reduction in Explosives.

Expedition Rewards

Artifacts are the primary currency. Four types exist, each used with a specific vendor to purchase gear:

Expedition Logbooks, obtained from Runic Monsters and Excavated Chests, unlock Pinnacle Maps and the chance to fight Olroth for exceptional rewards and more Passive Skill Tree points.