Path of Exile 2 Guide: How to Master Early Atlas Progression

As players approach the endgame, having a clear strategy for early Atlas progression is essential for success in PoE 2. This guide will outline the key nodes to prioritize at the start, providing a solid foundation to help you progress efficiently. While strategies may shift as you accumulate points and move into the proper endgame, these early recommendations will give you a strong starting point and a clear direction. Let's dive in!

Tips to Get Atlas Skill Points In PoE 2

1. Complete the Nexus of Corruption

• • Task Details: To get points, you need to complete a corruption nexus. Every time you complete a corruption nexus and defeat the corrupted boss on the map, you’ll earn 2 points.
    
    
  • How to Locate the Nexus of Corruption:

• • • Inspect the towers on your map—normal towers might be corrupted and turn into corrupted towers.
    • Sometimes, even through the fog of war, corrupted towers can be faintly visible. Carefully check all towers to identify the exact location of corruption.

• • Strategy for Clearing the Nexus:

• • • Aim to complete corruption nexus tasks quickly and efficiently, avoiding failures. Failing a map task will result in no points being awarded, which wastes resources and time.
    • Ensuring a high success rate in your map tasks is crucial for earning points. Invest additional resources or equipment, if necessary, to support success.
      
      

2. Defeat Map Bosses

• • Target Map Level Requirements: Defeat map bosses in areas with a level of 79 or higher to earn points.
  • To increase map levels, use Irradiated Precursor Tablets, as each tablet adds +1 monster level, enabling maps to exceed Tier 15 and unlock Tier 16 or higher-level maps
  • Increasing map levels unlocks advanced content and enhances reward quality, so it's crucial to plan tablet usage carefully to avoid wastage.
    
    

What Nodes to Take First In PoE 2

Precursor Tablets and Key Nodes

1. 1. Precursor Influence:
      • This is one of the most important nodes in the current Atlas tree. It increases the quantity of precursor tablets found in maps by 30%, significantly improving tablet usability and streamlining progression.
      • It is recommended to prioritize this node. Afterward, allocate points to Waste on Quantity for additional benefits.
      • Avoid allocating points to Treasure Cuffs, as their value is minimal. Consider dropping it later in favor of more impactful nodes.
   2. Choosing Map Biomes:
      • For farming maps, focus on biomes such as Swamp, Water, or Forest, as they provide better rewards compared to other biomes.
      • Avoid Desert Biomes, as they tend to reduce the quality of drops.
      • If using Local Nohage, ensure the biome matches the node's effects to maximize its effectiveness.
   3. Enigmatic Intensification:
      • After selecting Precursor Influence, proceed to Enigmatic Intensification, which enhances the explicit modifiers of waystones affected by precursor towers.
      • Some zones may contain 3–4 towers simultaneously, providing excellent buffs and significantly improving map rewards if properly utilized.
   4. Tablet FX:
      • Allocate points to Tablet FX to increase the quantity, rarity, and general bonuses of map rewards. This node is essential for maximizing map efficiency and gains.
        
        

Additional Nodes to Consider

1. 1. Rising Danger:
      • This node increases rare monsters in maps by 15%, making it valuable for acquiring high-quality items in PoE 2, as rare monsters yield better rewards.
      • Spending 3 points to access Rising Danger is worthwhile, but avoid allocating points to rare monster duplication nodes, as their benefits are negligible.
      • Similarly, Magic Monsters currently offer poor rewards, so investing in nodes for magic monsters or magic pack size is not recommended.
   2. Constant Crossroads:
      • Select this node to increase the number of ways stones are used in maps, which helps reduce the impact of failed attempts. It is particularly beneficial during the early stages of progression.
   3. Gorillan Journey:
      • This node increases the effect of explicit modifiers on waystones by 2% per modifier, offering substantial boosts to overall rewards.
      • Path Options:
        • Top path: Enhances explicit modifier effects.
        • Bottom path: Focuses on increasing rarity.
      • Both paths are effective, but the bottom path may be preferable depending on specific objectives.
        
        

Final Recommendations

• • Begin with Precursor Influence, integrating it with relevant nodes to create an efficient early-game setup.
  • Prioritize farming biomes with higher reward potential, avoiding those with lower returns. Adjust node allocations to align with map requirements and personal playstyle.
  • Explore Rising Danger and other advanced nodes while avoiding low-value options (e.g., magic monsters or rare monster duplication).
  • Enhance map quality and reward efficiency by leveraging Gorillan Journey and Constant Crossroads.
    
    

Potential Nodes for Future Progression In PoE 2

1. Unstable Energies: After spending 18 points, you can consider investing in Unstable Energies. This node enhances pack size and can be very effective, though it might require a stronger build or additional currency for optimal clearing. If your build feels solid, it’s worth taking.
2. Essences: Essences can be explored as they might provide useful benefits. Although visps aren't particularly impactful, testing Essences is recommended to evaluate their value. 
3. Corrupted Infusion: Suitable for players who focus on corrupted maps, although corrupted maps often lose valuable bonuses. This node is generally not recommended due to its limited appeal.
4. Storm Boxes: These appear promising and are worth testing.
5. Shrines: Provide minimal value and are not recommended.
6. Ecological Shift: This node increases the chance of maps containing random extra content by 40% but reduces monster pack size by 20%. It seems less effective overall and is not advisable.
   
   

Boss Tree Points In PoE 2

1. Rarity vs Quantity:
   • Between rarity and quantity, rarity is easier to stack. Recommended nodes:
     • Spoils of War
     • Your Feet Fit for a King
   • Radiant Waystone is also a strong choice, as it provides additional waystones.
     
     

2. Next Node Choices:
   • After securing the essential bonuses, focus on Essence or Strongbox nodes for the next points. These are solid options to enhance progression further.
     
     

Wrapping Up Early Atlas Strategy

With this setup, your early Atlas progression should go smoothly. However, if you encounter specific challenges, you can adjust your points to address your needs:

• If you require more waystones, consider allocating points to Waste Quantity.
• For farming specific biomes, invest in Local Nohage.
• If pack size is your priority, focus on Pack Size Nodes.

Currently, the Atlas doesn’t offer much variety, but this strategy should provide a solid foundation for early progression.