PoE Sanity

How To Progress Your Atlas Tree in PoE 2 0.5 Return of the Ancients

By ds lilyWatch videoDuration: PT6M49S

Summary

  • Early Progression Strategy: Focus exclusively on Atlas nodes that increase Waystone drops and empower map bosses to sustain progression.
  • Efficiency: Avoid spending too much time on league mechanics early on; prioritize reaching higher map tiers by “gunning through” maps.
  • Map Sustain: Use “Powerful Map Bosses” nodes to guarantee higher-tier map drops.
  • Pathing: Take a direct route toward key boss encounters rather than diversifying into random content.
  • Late Progression: After defeating the Arbiter, focus on nodes that grant additional modifiers to tablets.

Early Atlas Tree Progression (0-30 Points)

The primary goal during the initial phase is to increase the frequency and quantity of Waystone drops. Focus on the following priorities:

  1. Waystone Acquisition: Allocate points into nodes that boost Waystone Quantity and drop rates.
  2. Boss Nodes: Prioritize nodes that empower map bosses and provide Rarity bonuses.
  3. Intermediate Mechanics: If points remain, choose optional mechanics like Strongboxes, Essence, or Rogue Exiles based on personal preference. While Shrines are an option, they may feel underwhelming for speed-clearing purposes.

Mid-Tier Progression (30-60 Points)

At this stage, path directly toward the Fortress content.

  1. Prioritize Bosses: Head directly toward the Elder encounter. If the spawn location is inconvenient, it is still the primary path to follow.
  2. Sustain through Bosses: Always take the “Powerful Map Bosses” node. This is critical for sustain; these bosses are designed to drop maps that are one tier higher than the current one, facilitating consistent progression.
  3. Direct Pathing: Avoid the temptation to clear random maps or nodes on the outer edges of the tree. Stay focused on the direct route to your objective.
  4. Tier Bottlenecks: If you are blocked by a lack of map tiers, run a few boss-focused maps to generate higher-tier drops. Doryani will also sell higher-tier maps as you progress.
  5. Eastern Pathing: It is recommended to path through the eastern side of the tree first, as this often unlocks necessary requirements for further progression.

Late Progression (60-120 Points)

As you reach 120 points and defeat the Arbiter, the tree opens up significantly.

  1. Optimization: After unlocking the full tree, focus on high-value nodes. Specifically, look for nodes that allow for four modifiers on tablets, as these significantly increase efficiency.
  2. Avoid Suboptimal Nodes: Be discerning with point allocation; after passing certain thresholds, some nodes provide diminishing returns.
  3. Flexibility: Once boss sustain is secured, you have the freedom to invest in mechanics (like Cartographer’s Strongboxes or magic pack size) that align with your farming goals.

Key References