PoE 2 Sacrificial Heart: How to Get
Path of Exile 2 introduces a deeper, more narrative - driven quest structure than its predecessor, and with it come powerful quest items that influence the course of the campaign. One such item is the Sacrificial Heart—an essential component tied to the unfolding story of corruption and ritual in Act 2. Whether you’re aiming to breeze through progression or immerse yourself in the lore-rich encounters, understanding how the Sacrificial Heart fits into your journey is key.
In Path of Exile 2, unique items play a vital role in boosting your character's strength and unlocking new mechanics. Among these powerful items is the Sacrificial Heart, a quest-related item that holds significant narrative and gameplay value. Whether you’re exploring Act 2 for the first time or optimizing your run for efficiency, knowing how to get the Sacrificial Heart in PoE 2 is essential.
This guide breaks down where to find it, how to use it, and what kind of rewards or progression it unlocks.
What Is the Sacrificial Heart PoE 2?
The Sacrificial Heart is a pivotal quest item obtained in Act 2 of Path of Exile 2, tied directly to the unfolding events of the campaign. It symbolizes both a literal and narrative turning point, marking the player's transition from exploration to confrontation with deeper corruption within the Black Sun temple.
This item is not like other collectibles in the game - it cannot be equipped, traded, or used outside its designed purpose. Instead, it serves as a key to unlock one of the major boss encounters in the act. The Sacrificial Heart is extracted from a monstrous creature and is required to activate a ritual that summons a powerful foe whose defeat is necessary to progress.
From a gameplay perspective, the PoE 2 Sacrificial Heart represents a moment of commitment: using it begins a challenging fight, and preparation is critical. From a lore perspective, it echoes themes of sacrifice, corruption, and the blood magic that runs through many of the game’s darker plot threads.
Where to Find the Sacrificial Heart
While the Sacrificial Heart is obtained automatically through the main questline, there are additional areas where it may drop from enemies, especially if you're re-running content or exploring side routes:
- Utzaal – The first explorable zone in Act 2 after entering via the Ziggurat portal. Enemies like Vaal Goliaths and Vaal Overseers have a higher drop chance.
- Aggorat – A secondary region accessible later in the act. Harder to reach but also hosts similar high-level enemies.
Tips for Farming the Drop
- Reset Areas: If you’re not getting the PoE 2 Sacrificial Heart drop right away, reset enemy spawns by leaving and re-entering the area.
- Focus on Vaal-type Enemies: Prioritize enemies with "Vaal" in their name—they have a greater chance of dropping the item.
- Checkpoint Farming: Both Utzaal and Aggorat have multiple checkpoints; if you die or leave the game, you can re-enter and keep farming the area.
- Loot Filters: If you’re unsure whether the PoE 2 Sacrificial Heart dropped and didn’t notice it, use a loot filter or check your quest inventory.
Although most players will receive the heart during the Devourer fight, exploring these farming tips may help those who missed it or are playing co-op and sharing drop opportunities.
How to Get the Sacrificial Heart in Path of Exile 2
Obtaining the Sacrificial Heart PoE 2 is a key moment during Act 2, marking your readiness to confront the darker forces beneath the Temple of the Black Sun. Unlike most quest items, the Sacrificial Heart must be earned through combat—not collected from the ground or granted through dialogue.
You acquire the Sacrificial Heart by defeating The Devourer, a grotesque boss that resides deep within the temple's shadowy corridors. This isn't a guaranteed early drop from a random enemy—it’s a scripted quest reward tied to one of the main boss encounters in Act 2.
To get it:
- Progress naturally through Act 2 until you enter the Temple of the Black Sun.
- Fight your way through the temple halls until you reach the final chamber.
- Defeat The Devourer, a boss that emerges following a series of ritual events.
- Once slain, the Devourer will drop the Sacrificial Heart PoE 2, and the game will prompt you to pick it up.
This item is automatically added to your quest inventory and is required to complete the ritual later in the act. It cannot be missed as long as you're following the main questline—no side objectives or specific farming routes are needed.
That said, if you're exploring or farming zones like Utzaal and Aggorat beforehand, you may come across enemies that can drop the Sacrificial Heart as loot under rare circumstances. This includes foes like Vaal Goliaths and Vaal Overseers. However, this method is mostly for co-op farming or speedrunners looking for drop-based advantages—it’s not the intended path for first-time players.
In short: defeat the Devourer, grab the Heart, and prepare for the ritual ahead. It’s a critical step in progressing through the campaign and unlocking powerful story-driven encounters.
How to Use the Sacrificial Heart
After acquiring the Sacrificial Heart, you’ll need to travel to Aggorat, the next major zone after Utzaal. Once inside Aggorat, your goal is to locate a ritual altar where the heart can be used. This altar is tied to a Sacrificial Dagger, which is required to activate the heart’s effect.
To use the Sacrificial Heart:
- Proceed through Utzaal until you defeat the boss Viper Napuatzi and gain access to Aggorat.
- In Aggorat, locate the ritual altar—usually found on the northeastern side of the map, although the position may vary depending on your run.
- Interact with the Sacrificial Dagger at the altar.
- Your character will stab the heart, triggering the ritual.
This ritual rewards you with two Weapon Specialisation Points, a major boost to your combat power. It’s important to note that you must use the heart at this specific altar; simply having it in your inventory won’t trigger progression.
If you happen to leave the zone or die before using the heart, don’t worry—you can return to the altar later as long as the heart remains in your quest inventory.
Tip: Use nearby checkpoints in Aggorat to make returning easier in case of death or disconnects.
Tips for the Boss Encounter
- Use movement skills wisely: The arena has tight spaces, and the boss often uses sweeping or delayed AoE attacks. Skills like Flame Dash or Frostblink can help reposition safely.
- Watch for poison buildup: The ritual boss applies stacking poison. Equip flasks that remove poison or boost resistance.
- Clear adds immediately: Summoned minions can quickly overwhelm. Bring area-of-effect skills to clear them and refocus on the boss.
- Exploit boss animations: Many of the boss’s abilities have wind-ups. Use these moments to heal, reposition, or deal burst damage.
- Prepare with damage mitigation: Armor, Evasion, or Energy Shield-based builds should ensure mitigation is active before the ritual begins.
- Check gear before starting: Confirm that all flasks are full, your resistances are capped, and skills are properly socketed and linked for maximum performance.
Final Thoughts
The Sacrificial Heart PoE 2 is a core quest item that ensures story progression through a memorable boss encounter. While you can’t miss it if you’re following the main questline, knowing how and when to use it can save time and help you prepare for the toughest part of Act 2. If you're looking to speed up your progress and bypass repetitive farming, a trusted Path of Exile 2 Boosting Service can help you unlock powerful gear, complete boss encounters, or level up efficiently without the grind.
Additionally, players aiming to farm multiple hearts or help party members can explore zones like Utzaal and Aggorat, where repeatable enemy farming and drop resets can increase chances of finding the item early. Whether you're pushing for a smooth solo progression or optimizing a co-op campaign, the Sacrificial Heart remains a vital step on the path to Act 3.
Its importance goes beyond the simple act of obtaining and using it. The item serves as a rite of passage—a narrative signal that you are entering the deeper, more dangerous core of the campaign. Make sure you're well-prepared, both mechanically and narratively, before you engage the final ritual.
FAQ
No. It’s a quest item and cannot be traded or dropped.
Yes. As long as you have it in your quest inventory, you can return to the Ritual Circle.
Yes. Farming enemies in Utzaal and Aggorat — especially Vaal Goliaths and Overseers — can boost drop chances.
Change Log
- 12.05.2025 - PoE 2 Sacrificial Heart: How to Get published.