Endgame content kicks in after the main campaign and major bosses/missions are completed in PoE 2. At this point, players get to interact with the Atlas, a colossal network of maps which serves as the major focus for endgame progression. This guide will help you with: Map navigation, Crafting and upgrading Waystones, Gearing optimization for endgame challenges, Effective strategies for map progression and much more.

• How to Start the Endgame?
• Step 1: Complete Tier 1 Maps
• Waystones
• How to Get Atlas Skill Points?
• Step 2: Unlimited Way Stones Setup 
• Atlas Build
• Percussor Towers
• Main Strategies
• Ritual
• Delirium
• Expedition
• Breach
• Step 3: Advanced Mapping Strategies
• T1 to T15 Preparation

↖ How to Start the Endgame?

When you complete the campaign, you will unlock a new region Ziga Trio and meet an NPC called Doryani. He waits for you as the main vendor of Waystones which are very important for progressing on the map.

• Key NPC: Doryani
• Sells Waystones (used to unlock maps). 
• Offers essential items for endgame mapping.

Note: In case you run out of Waystones, don't panic! You can buy them back from Duani.

↖ Step 1: Complete Tier 1 Maps

Your first goal in the endgame is to complete Tier 1 maps. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Select Maps:  Look for maps marked with Green Dots (completed maps) and Blue Dots (available maps).  Red Dots indicate inaccessible maps.
2. Unlock Hideouts: Locate the hideout icon on your map. Clearing this area allows you to customize your hideout for easier navigation and access to NPCs.
3. Map Types: Maps may include special mechanics such as bridges or expeditions. Failing a map will result in losing bonuses, so plan carefully before attempting special map types.
4. Done Maps: Defeat all magic, rare monsters, and bosses (if applicable) to mark a map as completed.

↖ Waystones

If you want to access the maps in Atlas, then Waystones are indispensable!

How to Use Waystones?

Place a Waystone into the map device to open six portals to the map, Each portal represents one attempt. Leaving or disconnecting will close one portal.

How to Upgrade Waystones?

Combine three Tier 1 Waystones at the Forging Bench to create a Tier 2 Waystone, Use crafting materials like Transmutation Shards or Augmentation Shards to enhance Waystones with bonuses:

Note: Avoid using high-value crafting currencies like Exalted Orbs on Waystones early in your progression.

↖ How to Get Atlas Skill Points?

Atlas skill points are essential for customizing your endgame experience through the Atlas passive skill tree. Here are the 2 most common ways to earn them:

Way 1. Complete Maps:

After defeating all elite monsters on a map, return to Duani in Ziggratui.

Way 2. Claim Rewards:

Duani will provide books that grant Atlas skill points upon completion of specific map objectives.

↖ Step 2: Unlimited Way Stones Setup 

The main goal of Step 2 is to establish a setup that allows for unlimited Waystones, which are essential for progressing through higher-tier maps.

↖ Atlas Build

Create an efficient Atlas skill tree that supports higher-tier Waystone farming, increased monster density, and valuable loot drops.

Recommended Skill Allocation

Notes:

• For item hunters: Focus on nodes on the right side of the tree.
• For monster farming: Invest in the left side for increased density.
• For maximizing map tiers: Head toward the top section of the Atlas skill tree.

↖ Percussor Towers

Utilize Percussor Towers effectively to progress through maps, activate Beacons, and secure valuable resources.

Key Mechanics

1. Basic Waystone Usage: If unsure about your character's strength, use basic (gray) Waystones without bonuses.
2. Enhanced Waystones: Use an Orb of Transmutation on a Waystone to increase drop chances for higher-tier stones.
3. Tower Activation Process:
   • Locate the large white stairs within the tower area.
   • Enter the door at the top of the stairs to find a Percussor Beacon.
   • Interact with the Beacon to activate the tower and complete the map objective.

Common Features

- Most towers resemble those from Act 2 in design.

- The main objective is not defeating monsters but finding and activating the Percussor Beacon.

↖ Main Strategies

Leverage Percursor Tablets and Atlas Towers to create maps with enhanced modifiers, higher monster levels, and increased rewards.

Example Setup:

Notes: Target corruption zones for additional rewards, as they provide opportunities to farm rare loot and experience in high-density areas. 

↖ Ritual

Ritual is a rewarding activity that involves interacting with ritual sites within maps. The mechanics are straightforward but require preparation and awareness to maximize efficiency.

How Ritual Works?

1. Locate Ritual Sites: Ritual sites are scattered across the map, They are marked by glowing circles and become accessible after clearing nearby enemies.
2. Clear the Area: Before activating the ritual, eliminate surrounding mobs to avoid interruptions, Rituals often take place in enclosed spaces, making it crucial to control the environment.
3. Activate the Ritual:  Interact with the ritual site to start the encounter, Be prepared for various debuffs or environmental effects specific to the map (e.g., red zones that deal significant damage).
4. Defeat Enemies: Waves of enemies will spawn. Defeating them fills the ritual meter, Each completed ritual contributes to unlocking rewards in the Ritual Shop.

Related: PoE 2 Ritual Farming Guide

Ritual Rewards:

Notes: Always review map modifiers before entering to prepare for potential debuffs; Use AoE skills to handle clustered enemy waves efficiently;  Spend Tribute wisely by prioritizing rare or valuable items in the Ritual Shop. 

↖ Delirium

Delirium is a high-intensity challenge that introduces escalating difficulty as you progress through encounters. It rewards players with unique crafting materials and other valuable items.

How Delirium Works?

1. Start the Encounter: Look for the Delirium mirror at the start of the zone. Interact with it to activate the encounter.
2. Follow the Fog: A mist will spread across the map, spawning Delirium-specific monsters, Stay within the mist while defeating enemies to fill the Delirium meter.
3. Manage Difficulty: Each tier of Delirium increases monster difficulty but also enhances rewards, If enemies become too challenging, consider ending the encounter early by leaving the mist area.

Related:  PoE 2 Delirium Farming Guide

Delirium Rewards:

How to Craft with Delirium Materials?

Use distilled emotions on your amulet to gain passive skill bonuses from other parts of the skill tree, The order of crafting matters; experiment with combinations for optimal results.

Notes: Use builds with strong AoE and mobility to handle dense packs of enemies efficiently;  Monitor your survivability—don't overextend if enemies become too tanky or dangerous; Plan your crafting carefully by consulting recipes available on your passive skill tree.

↖ Expedition

Expedition is an engaging activity where players uncover explosive sites, strategically place bombs, and battle waves of monsters. The goal is to maximize loot while navigating modifiers that can enhance or hinder your progress.

How Expedition Works?

1. Look for the Expedition Marker on the map (indicated by flags and minefields).
2. Clear the surrounding area of monsters to ensure uninterrupted gameplay.
3. Interact with the Expedition NPC in the area to begin.

How to Complete Expedition?

Expedition Rewards:

1. Artifacts: Used for trading and crafting with Expedition NPCs.
2. Exotic Coinage: Allows you to reroll shop inventories for better items.
3. NPCs: Four unique NPCs offer different services and trades: Purchase rings, amulets, belts, and other gear, Modify items by removing or adding modifiers for specific costs.

Notes: Stockpile currency before trading or crafting for better results. Avoid modifiers that counter your build (e.g., immunity to your primary damage type). Use Exotic Coinage wisely to refresh shop inventories for optimal gear.

↖ Breach

Breach is a fast-paced activity where players enter a growing portal area filled with monsters and loot opportunities. The objective is to clear as many enemies as possible before the portal collapses.

How Breach Works?

1. Look for purple effects on the map indicating a nearby Breach.
2. Locate the Breach Hand (a purple icon) and interact with it to begin.

How to Complete a Breach?

Related: PoE 2 Breach Farming

Breach Rewards:

• Breach Splinters: Combine these to create Breachstones for further encounters.
• Unique Items: Use these to enhance amulets and rings with powerful modifiers.
• Boss Encounters: Occasionally, you'll face bosses from the campaign—defeating them yields even greater rewards.

Note: Stay near the edges of the expanding Breach area to maximize monster spawns and loot opportunities. Activate shrines within the Breach zone for temporary buffs—these are usually beneficial. Prioritize clearing monsters over chasing loot, as the area will shrink once time runs out.

↖ Step 3: Advanced Mapping Strategies

Step 3 introduces maps with stronger enemies, better loot, and additional challenges. 

Key Points:

• Map Difficulty: These maps are inherently more challenging. Avoid using overly powerful Watchstones (W Stones) initially. Start with lower-tier W Stones to test your build's capabilities.
• Character Readiness: Ensure your character can handle the map's mechanics. If you're at risk of being one-shotted by basic attacks, consider upgrading your defenses first.
• Modifiers: Enhance maps with Delirium currency or high-tier W Stones for better rewards, but only if your build can handle the increased difficulty.

Efficient Strategy:

Notes: Delirium Encounters: Adding Delirium modifiers increases difficulty but offers unique loot and bosses. Use this feature cautiously; Loot Optimization: Step 3 maps are excellent for farming Atlas points, waypoints, and high-tier items.

↖ T1 to T15 Preparation

Preparing your character for T1 to T15 maps is essential for tackling Path of Exile 2's toughest challenges. 

Baseline Requirements:

1. Resistances: Cap all elemental resistances at 75% or higher. Account for debuffs that may reduce resistances during mapping.
2. Main Ability DPS:
   • Minimum: 10,000 DPS to start mapping.
   • Recommended: 30,000–50,000 DPS for T15 comfort.
3. Survivability:
   • Health Pool: Aim for at least 3,000 total HP (or HP + Energy Shield).
   • Optimal Health: Around 6,000 total HP for better survivability against one-shots.

Defensive Strategies:

Gear Progression:

• Start Mapping: Use gear with capped resistances and sufficient DPS to begin T1 maps confidently.
• Upgrade Gradually: As you gain currency, invest in better gear to scale your damage and defenses for higher-tier maps.
• Trading Tips: Leverage the in-game trading system to acquire affordable upgrades efficiently.

Endgame progression in Path of Exile 2 requires preparation, adaptability, and a solid understanding of your build's strengths and weaknesses. By following the strategies outlined above, you can confidently tackle boss maps and progress through T1-T15 content.