PoE 2: Atlas Tree Guide

The Atlas Skill Tree is a core endgame mechanic in Path of Exile 2, allowing players to customize their mapping experience by allocating Atlas passive points into nodes that improve map sustain, increase loot drops, and enhance monster encounters.

Proper Atlas Tree strategy is crucial for progression, as it determines how efficiently players obtain higher-tier maps, farm currency, and optimize their endgame farming experience. This guide will break down how to unlock the Atlas Tree, the best early-game and endgame nodes, and advanced strategies for maximizing loot and map sustain.

What is the Atlas Tree in Path of Exile 2?

The Atlas is the primary endgame system in Path of Exile 2, providing access to Waystones: items used to unlock and explore new maps. Unlike the linear campaign, the Atlas system allows players to freely navigate maps, encounter rare monsters, and customize their loot and difficulty through the Atlas Tree.

The Atlas Passive Skill Tree is one of the most powerful mechanics in Path of Exile 2, allowing players to customize their mapping experience and optimize map sustain, monster density, and loot drops. Choosing the right Atlas nodes boosts your farming speed and helps you progress faster in the endgame.

Waystones & Map Progression in Path of Exile 2

Waystones are the mapping system in Path of Exile 2, used to unlock new maps, progress through the Atlas, and increase difficulty for better rewards. Each Waystone represents a zone filled with monsters, loot, and bosses, and players must collect and use them to explore deeper into the Atlas system.

How Waystones Work:

• Waystones unlock maps – You need them to enter new Atlas regions.
• Higher-tier Waystones = harder maps – Tougher enemies, better loot, and deeper progression.
• Waystones are single-use – Once used, you'll need a new one.
• Waystones can be crafted & upgraded – Use currency orbs to modify their stats.

Atlas Skill Tree Specializations

Players can allocate Atlas passive points into different build specializations, allowing them to tailor their mapping experience based on their farming priorities.

How to Unlock the Atlas Skill Tree in PoE 2

The Atlas Skill Tree is unlocked once players complete the main campaign and begin running Tier 1 maps. After finishing the campaign (Acts 1–6), players unlock the Atlas, which serves as the endgame system.

• The starting hub is Ziggurat Refuge, but players can unlock a hideout through Atlas objectives.
• The Atlas expands infinitely, meaning there is no level cap to progression.

Players earn Atlas passive points through specific milestones:

How to Earn Atlas Points

Atlas Points are obtained by:

• Completing Doryani’s quests: Each quest rewards Atlas Skill Point Books, granting two Atlas passive points.
• Progressing through the Atlas: Finishing higher-tier maps unlocks additional points.
• Defeating Atlas bosses: Some boss encounters grant bonus Atlas points for progressing deeper into the endgame.

Because Atlas passive points directly impact map sustain, loot drops, and farming efficiency, players should carefully choose which nodes to allocate as they progress.

Best Atlas Tree Setup for Early Progression (Tier 1–10)

In the early stages of Atlas progression (Tier 1–10), the primary objective is to establish consistent map sustain and ensure a smooth transition into higher-tier maps. Without an optimized Atlas Skill Tree, players risk running out of Waystones, which can significantly slow down progression and farming efficiency.

Node	Effect
Constant Crossroads	+20% increased Waystone drop chance in maps
Fortunate Path	+100% increased rarity of Waystones (higher-tier maps drop more often)
The High Road	Waystones have a 20% chance to drop one tier higher

Why These Nodes?

• More Waystones → More Maps → Prevents running out of maps early.
• Higher-tier Waystones → Faster Progression → Reduces grinding low-tier maps.
• Better Waystone Quality → More Efficient Farming → Increases rarity for better map mods.

Before progressing to Tier 5+ maps, ensure your build is strong enough to handle higher difficulty monsters and explicit map modifiers.

Tips for Early Atlas Progression

• Always upgrade maps: Use Alchemy Orbs and Chaos Orbs to improve map quality.
• Avoid over-investing in difficult modifiers: Some explicit map modifiers can make early-game mapping too dangerous.
• Maintain a strong build: No amount of Atlas Tree optimization can compensate for an underpowered character.

Best Atlas Tree Setup for Endgame Farming (Tier 15 & Beyond)

Once reaching Tier 15+ maps, map sustain is no longer a major concern. The primary focus now shifts to maximizing loot drops, increasing monster density, and optimizing currency farming. At this stage, carefully selecting Atlas Passive Nodes will determine how efficiently you can generate high-value currency, rare items, and crafting materials. How this benefits you:

• More Monsters: Higher density means better loot drops and faster clears.
• Better Rewards: Boost item quantity and rarity for max profit.
• Faster Currency: Farm Breach, Delirium, and Expedition for big gains.

Node	Effect
Deadly Evolution	Rare & Magic monsters spawn with 1–2 extra modifiers, increasing currency drops and loot quality.
Twin Threats	Adds +1 extra Rare monster per map, further improving loot per run.
Precursor Influence	+30% chance for Precursor Tablets to drop, enabling powerful map juicing strategies.
Local Knowledge	Adjusts drop weighting based on map biomes, allowing targeted farming (e.g., Forests → More Jewels, Mountains → More Currency).
Rising Danger	Bosses have an increased chance to drop unique rewards and extra loot, making boss farming more profitable.

Tips for Endgame Atlas Progression

• Stacking Rare Monsters for More Loot: Rare mobs drop top-tier loot in PoE 2, especially when boosted by Atlas nodes that increase monster mods and density.
• Precursor Tablets for Maps: These let you stack rewards and challenges, making maps more profitable.
• Biome-Specific Farming for Targeted Drops: Certain map biomes have better chances for specific items and currency.
• League Mechanics for Extra Profit: Running Breach, Delirium, or Expedition boosts currency gain and crafting materials.

Atlas Strategy for Currency & Loot Farming

Certain League mechanics in Path of Exile 2 integrate into the Atlas mapping system, providing extra loot, monster density, and currency rewards. Depending on your build and farming goals, prioritizing the right mechanics can significantly boost efficiency.

League Mechanic	Why It’s Effective
Breach	Increases monster density and currency drops. Breach monsters spawn in large numbers, making it one of the best sources of loot.
Expedition	Best for farming crafting materials & logbooks. Expedition encounters reward valuable currency, especially for Solo Self-Found (SSF) players.
Ritual	Rewards high-value tribute-based loot. Investing in Ritual nodes can make maps significantly more profitable.
Delirium	Adds stacking loot multipliers based on enemy kills. Best suited for high-clearing-speed builds.

Always check which League mechanics appear in your maps and modify your Atlas Tree accordingly to maximize profit and efficiency.

When to Respec Your Atlas Tree

If map sustain becomes an issue, respec back into early-game nodes like Constant Crossroads and Fortunate Path to ensure you always have a steady supply of high-tier maps. Additionally, if you switch from general mapping to boss farming, consider allocating more points into Rising Danger and Precursor Influence to optimize boss loot efficiency.

Final Thoughts

Endgame mapping in Path of Exile 2 is all about maximizing loot and efficiency. With the right Atlas nodes, you can boost drop rates, scale map difficulty, and optimize farming.

By tweaking your Atlas Tree strategy, you’ll keep a steady flow of currency, high-tier maps, and top-tier loot, making your endgame grind much smoother.

Stay in touch

Don't miss out on special deals exlusive to Discord users⚡

Service request Join Discord

Change Log

• 19.02.2025 - PoE 2: Atlas Tree Guide published.