During the journey in Path of Exile 2, one of the most crucial resources you'll need is skill points. Typically, you earn these by leveling up your character, but there are several ways to acquire them for free, like defeating optional bosses or completing side quests.
In this guide, Aztecross provides methods to obtain all the free passive skill points and permanent stat boosts for your character, which are crucial for navigating the skill tree.
Act 1
1. Beira of the Rotten Pack
Location: Clearfell Encampment
The boss, Beira of the Rotten Pack, summons a pack of dogs during the fight. Defeating her grants permanent +10% cold resistance.
2. The Crowbell
Location: Hunting Grounds
This hidden boss will flee when it drops to a certain health threshold, so keep it in sight. Defeating it drops an item that grants you +2 passive skill points.
3. Finn's Side Quest
Location: Freythorn
About halfway through Act 1, you can take a quest from Finn that requires you to travel to Freythorn and defeat The King in the Mists. Completing this quest grants you 30 spirit, which is important for later.
4. Una's Side Quest
Location: Ogham Farmlands
Find Una's lute in a house located in Ogham Farmlands. Returning it to Una rewards you with an item that grants +2 passive skill points.
5. Fallen Altar
Location: Ogham Manor
Instead of searching for stairs to the final boss, look for the Chapel of the Fallen, where you'll find the Fallen Altar with the Psalm of Madness in the center. Interacting with the statue will initiate the boss fight with Candlemass, the Living Rite. The boss deals a lot of fire attacks, so make sure you are prepared for that. Defeating this boss grants an item that grants +20 maximum life.
Act 2
1. Kabala, Constrictor Queen
Location: Keth
In Keth, there's the Venom Pit, a circular arena surrounded by broken walls and temples. This is where you face Kabala, Constrictor Queen, as she rises from the sand to confront you.
Be cautious of her summoning mechanics, especially when playing solo. Defeating her rewards you with an item that grants +2 passive skill points.
In this area, you'll encounter many snake enemies. Be sure to defeat them, as they have a chance to drop the Kabala Clan Relic. This relic is one half of a puzzle and will be useful later on.
2. Sun Clan Scavenger
Location: Bone Pits
The other half of the puzzle is found in the Bone Pits, accessed through the Mastodon Badlands. In this area, you will find Sun Clan Scavengers who have a chance of dropping the Sun Clan Relic.
After you obtain two relics, head to the Valley of the Titans to place the relics. Doing so lets you choose between receiving an additional 30% charm charges or 15% increased Mana recovery from your flasks. You can change your selection at any time, depending on your build or goals. Simply return to the altar whenever you want to modify your choice.
3. Shambrin's Side Quest
Location: Deshar
Find a final letter in Deshar. Returning it to Shambrin in The Ardura Caravan rewards you with an item that grants +2 passive skill points.
4. Sisters of Garukhan Shrine
Location: Spires of Deshar
Interact with the shrine to receive a 10% boost to lightning resistance. Remember, resistance is key in-game!
Act 3
1. Orok Campfire
Location: Sandswept Marsh
In this area, you are guaranteed to find a Lesser Jeweler's Orb in a glowing basket, guarded by two rare enemies. The Lesser Jeweler's Orb allows you to socket an additional support gem slot on a skill with only two slots.
2. Mighty Silverfist
Location: Jungle Ruins
Be cautious of the boss's powerful slam attacks! A single slam can melt you and your entire team. However, defeating him rewards you with an item that grants +2 passive skill points.
3. Ignagduk, the Bog Witch
Location: Azak Bog
When the witch flies around, try to land some stuns on her. When she stops moving, she will initiate powerful AoE attacks. Once she reaches half health, she will enter her second phase, which features a series of intense fire attacks. Defeating her will reward you with an item that grants +30 spirit.
4. The Slithering Dead Quest
Location: Venom Crypts
The Slithering Dead quest offers a choice between three stat bonuses: +25% stun threshold, +30% elemental ailment threshold, or +25% mana regeneration. Choose wisely, as this is a permanent buff that can not be changed once chosen.
5. Blackjaw the Remnant
Location: Jiquani's Machinarium
Use a Lesser Soul Core to unlock the area leading to Blackjaw. Defeating this boss rewards you with a Flame Core, which grants +10 to fire resistance.
6. Sacrificial Heart
Location: Altar in Aggorat
Sacrificing a heart (random drop from enemies in Utzaal) grants +2 passive skill points.
Those are all the permanent stat bonuses available from Act 1 to Act 3 in the normal campaign. The good news ia that you can earn nearly all of these rewards again on Cruel difficulty. Additionally, if you missed any, you can return to collect these passive skill points, as the quests and items will still be accessible for you to obtain.
Cruel Difficulty
In Cruel Difficulty, you can again earn many of the bonuses above with some minor differences. Here's a quick recap:
Act 1 in Cruel Difficulty
Beira of the Rotten Pack: +10 cold resistance.
Una's Lute & Crowbell: +2 passive skill points each.
Candlemass: +8% max life
Act 2 in Cruel Difficulty
Kabala: +2 skill points.
Letter for Shambrin: +2 skill points.
Delivering the Relics to the Valley of Titans: Choose between 30% extra charm charges or 15% extra mana recovery from flasks.
Sisters of Garukhan: +10% lightning resistance.
Act 3 in Cruel Difficulty
Mighty Silverfist and Sacrificial Heart: +2 passive skill points each.
Sandswept Marsh: A Lesser Jeweler's Orb. Don't miss it.
Ignagduk, the Bog Witch: +40 Spirits.
The Slithering Dead quest: Choose from three permanent buffs (can not be changed once chosen).
Blackjaw: +10% fire resistance.
That is how you can get all the free skill points and permanent stat bonuses from Act 1 to Act 3 in both the normal campaign and Cruel difficulty. Remember that you can return to collect any you missed, as these quests and items will still be accessible.
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