Path of Exile 2 is a sequel to the incredibly popular Path of Exile, which has set itself apart as one of the most beloved action role-playing games (ARPGs) in the gaming community. PoE 2 expands on the game’s immersive world, compelling combat mechanics, and intricate loot system while introducing an entirely new campaign, new challenges, and more. One of the major quests in this game is the Ancient Vows quest, which adds depth to the game’s lore and provides players with valuable rewards. In this article, we will guide you through how to find, start, and complete the Ancient Vows Quest, along with a breakdown of the various stages and how to navigate its challenges.
Overview of the Ancient Vows Quest
The Ancient Vows quest is one of the mid-to-late game quests that introduce players to the ancient history of the Vowkeepers, an ancient civilization that made a pact with powerful gods. The quest brings forth a blend of puzzle-solving, combat encounters, and lore exploration. The story surrounding this quest dives deep into the Vowkeepers’ sacred rituals, their divine pact, and the ongoing efforts to preserve the balance of power between the gods and mortals.
As you progress through the Ancient Vows questline, you’ll explore long-forgotten ruins, encounter mysterious foes, and unravel secrets that could shape the future of the world. The quest requires both combat prowess and problem-solving skills, making it a rewarding yet challenging experience. It is tied to one of the key gameplay milestones in Poe 2 trade.
How to Start the Ancient Vows Quest
The Ancient Vows quest is not something that can be picked up from any NPC early in the game; rather, it’s tied to the main story progression in Path of Exile 2. Here are the steps to find and start the quest:
Step 1: Progress Through the Main Storyline
To unlock the Ancient Vows quest, you must have reached a certain point in the main storyline. In particular, this quest becomes available during Act 4 of the main questline, where you’ll have already completed some foundational areas like the Tormented Wilds and The Desolate Lands.
It’s important to note that the quest isn’t available in the early game, so you’ll need to first get through the introductory sections and Act 3 to reach this point.
Step 2: Speak to the NPC in the Sanctuary of Vows
After completing Act 3 and progressing into Act 4, you will encounter a crucial NPC known as Violeta, an ancient scholar dedicated to the study of the Vowkeepers. She can be found in the Sanctuary of Vows, a newly unlocked location located within the Desolate Lands region.
This Sanctuary is a peaceful, hidden place that holds significant meaning for the quest. Violeta will provide you with vital information about the Vowkeepers, their ancient pact with the gods, and how these ties have affected the state of the world in PoE 2. Upon meeting her, she will offer you the first objective in your journey to uncover the Ancient Vows.
Step 3: Investigate the Mysterious Symbol
Your first task, given by Violeta, is to investigate an ancient symbol associated with the Vowkeepers. This symbol is said to be tied to a long-forgotten pact between the Vowkeepers and the gods, and deciphering its true meaning is essential for unlocking the deeper layers of the quest. This task is located within a series of hidden ruins found within the Desolate Lands, and it will involve a mix of puzzle-solving and combat.
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Ancient Vows Quest
Once you have the quest from Violeta, you’ll move on to several challenging objectives that will test your combat skills, critical thinking, and puzzle-solving ability. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key steps you’ll need to take:
Objective 1: Explore the Hidden Ruins
The first challenge in the Ancient Vows quest is to explore the Hidden Ruins located within the Desolate Lands. These ruins contain valuable clues and puzzles related to the Vowkeepers, and they also house various dangerous traps and enemies.
Accessing the Ruins: To enter the ruins, you’ll need to first clear out any monsters blocking the entrance. The enemies here are often undead and corrupted spirits of former Vowkeepers, so expect them to be tough, especially if you’re playing on a higher difficulty. You’ll need to navigate through dark corridors and solve puzzles to proceed.
Puzzle Mechanics: The Ancient Vows quest has an intriguing puzzle mechanic tied to the ruins. You’ll find ancient symbols on the walls and mechanisms that must be interacted with in a particular sequence. These puzzles test your knowledge of the ancient language and symbols, which will be explained later in the quest. Use your lore book or the clues left in previous rooms to piece together the correct answers.
Objective 2: Decipher the Ancient Symbols
Once inside the ruins, you will encounter a stone tablet that contains a set of ancient symbols tied to the Vowkeeper’s pact. To advance further in the quest, you need to decipher the meanings of these symbols.
Reading the Symbols: The symbols will require you to use the knowledge you’ve gathered up to this point. You may need to collect additional lore from books, scrolls, or other tablets scattered throughout the ruins. These pieces of lore are scattered throughout various secret chambers within the ruins.
Unraveling the Meaning: Once you gather all the information, the ancient text reveals that the symbols represent a divine pact that was forged between the Vowkeepers and the gods. This pact is critical to the ongoing narrative in PoE 2, as it reveals how the gods influenced the fate of the ancient civilization and its downfall. Understanding this symbol is a major step toward unlocking the Ancient Vows.
Objective 3: Confront the Corrupted Guardians
After deciphering the symbol and learning about the ancient pact, the ruins will become much more dangerous. The Corrupted Guardians—once protectors of the Vowkeepers—will now serve as enemies you must defeat in order to progress.
Boss Fight Mechanics: The Corrupted Guardians are powerful entities that you’ll need to fight in waves. Their abilities include summoning minions, creating area-of-effect (AoE) damage zones, and performing devastating melee and ranged attacks. These guardians are resistant to many types of debuffs, so it’s important to use holy-based damage or fire spells to overcome them.
Strategy Tips:
Focus on the Minions: The Corrupted Guardians summon additionally powerful minions, so focus on clearing them first before dealing with the boss.
Avoid AoE Damage: Be mindful of AoE effects that can incapacitate or seriously damage you. Moving and dodging is essential.
Use Buffs and Healing Spells: Since this fight is long and exhausting, using buffs (damage, defense) and healing spells is crucial to maintaining your longevity in the fight.
Objective 4: Unlock the Ancient Vault
Once you defeat the Corrupted Guardians, you’ll have access to the final stage of the quest: unlocking the Ancient Vault. This vault holds the true secrets of the Vowkeepers’ pact with the gods.
Finding the Vault: The vault is hidden deep within the ruins, behind a secret entrance only accessible after defeating the guardians. You’ll need to use the Vowkeeper’s relic, which you acquire after defeating the guardians, to unlock the vault.
Navigating the Vault: Inside, you’ll face additional puzzles, traps, and final boss encounters. The vault is filled with dangerous obstacles and hidden treasure, so explore carefully and take your time.
Objective 5: Return to Violeta
After you unlock the Ancient Vault, the quest will require you to return to Violeta in the Sanctuary of Vows to report on your progress. She will reward you with experience points, loot, and the Ancient Vowkeeper’s Blessing, which provides you with stat boosts and divine protection.
Rewards for Completing the Ancient Vows Quest
Upon completing the Ancient Vows quest, you’ll receive several rewards, including:
Experience Points: A significant amount of experience to level up your character.
Loot: Rare items, including Ancient Relics, cheap POE 2 Orbs, Vowkeeper Armor, and Weapons that grant specific bonuses.
Vowkeeper’s Blessing: A powerful blessing that boosts your resistances, defensive stats, and regeneration, which is incredibly useful for tougher battles in later stages of the game.
Lore Unlocks: Additional lore and world-building, deepening your understanding of the Vowkeepers and their connection to the gods.
Conclusion
The Ancient Vows quest is a central part of Path of Exile 2, offering a compelling mix of lore, puzzles, and intense combat. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to uncover the ancient secrets of the Vowkeepers, defeat formidable foes, and unlock powerful rewards that enhance your character. This quest is just one of the many exciting challenges in PoE 2, and it sets the stage for the grander story that unfolds in this immersive world. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to PoE 2, the Ancient Vows quest is sure to be a rewarding experience.