As you carve your path through the unforgiving world of Path of Exile 2 (POE 2), you’ll stumble across quests that not only test your combat prowess but also reward you with game-changing bonuses. One such quest is "Ancient Vows," a side quest in Act 2 that’s both mysterious and rewarding. By completing it, you’ll unlock a permanent buff for your character, with the flexibility to switch it as your build evolves. In this guide, I’ll break down how to complete the "Ancient Vows" quest and help you decide which buff is the best fit for your playstyle.

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Quest Walkthrough

The "Ancient Vows" quest kicks off when you pick up either the Sun Clan Relic or the Kabala Clan Relic. These relics are random drops from enemies in specific areas, and the game’s vague instruction to “find a use for the relic” can leave you scratching your head. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make it simple:

1. Collect the Relics:

• Sun Clan Relic: Found in The Bone Pits. Defeat enemies in this area, and the relic will eventually drop as a random loot item. It’s often tied to the main quests in this zone, so you’re likely to pick it up while progressing through the story.
• Kabala Clan Relic: Drops from enemies in Keth. Focus on serpentine enemies, like naga-like creatures, to increase your chances of getting this relic.

Pro Tip: If the relics aren’t dropping, keep farming enemies in the respective areas. Clear out mobs thoroughly, as the drops are random but tied to these specific zones.

2. Travel to the Valley of the Titans:

• Once you have both relics in your inventory, head to the Valley of the Titans, a key area in Act 2. You can access it via the waypoint system.

3. Use the Medallion:

• Near the Valley of the Titans waypoint, you’ll find a medallion pedestal. This is where you’ll place the relics.
• To insert the relics, hold Alt and left-click to drag the Kabala Clan Relic into the left socket and the Sun Clan Relic into the right socket.
• Note: Some players report issues with the pedestal disappearing when trying to interact with it. If this happens, go to the game’s settings, navigate to the “Interface” tab, and ensure your UI settings allow for proper item dragging.

4. Choose Your Buff:

• After placing both relics, the medallion activates, and you’ll be prompted to choose a buff. These buffs are permanent but can be changed later by returning to the altar, giving you flexibility to adapt as your build changes.

Buff Choices

The buffs you can choose from depend on the game mode you’re playing. In Normal Mode, you have two options, while Cruel Mode adds a third. Here’s a detailed look at each buff and when to choose it:

15% Increased Mana Recovery from Flasks

• What it does: When you use a mana flask, you recover 15% more mana than usual. This makes it easier to sustain mana-intensive skills, allowing you to cast more frequently without running dry.
• Best for: Builds that rely heavily on spells or abilities with high mana costs, such as sorcerers or other caster-focused classes. If you’re constantly chugging mana flasks to keep up with your skill usage, this buff is a game-changer.
• Example: A spellcasting build crafting gear in Path of Exile 2 (ScreenRant) might benefit from this to maintain mana during prolonged fights.

30% Increased Charm Charges Gained

• What it does: Increases the number of charges you gain for your charms by 30%. Charms are a new feature in POE 2, acting as equippable items that automatically trigger defensive effects (e.g., fire resistance when hit by fire damage) when certain conditions are met. Charges are consumed when charms activate and are regained by killing monsters or using Wells.
• Best for: Builds that lean on charms for defense, especially in the early to mid-game when other defensive options might be limited. This buff makes your charms more sustainable, allowing them to trigger more often and keep you protected.
• Example: If you’re using a Ruby Charm for fire resistance (TheGamer), this buff ensures it activates more frequently during tough encounters.

15% Increased Life Recovery from Flasks (Cruel Mode)

• What it does: Boosts the amount of life recovered from life flasks by 15%, helping you heal more effectively during combat.
• Best for: Builds that take a lot of damage or need frequent healing to survive, particularly in the tougher Cruel Mode or endgame content. This is ideal for melee builds or any character struggling with survivability.
• Example: Players facing high-damage enemies in Cruel Mode will find this buff invaluable for staying alive (Game8).

Key Insight: The ability to switch buffs by revisiting the altar in the Valley of the Titans means you’re not locked into one choice. This flexibility allows you to adapt as your build evolves or as you tackle different challenges in the game.

Which Buff Should You Choose?

Choosing the “best” buff depends entirely on your character’s build and playstyle. Here are some guidelines to help you decide:

Choose Mana Recovery if:

• You’re playing a mana-intensive build, such as a spellcaster or a character with high-cost skills.
• You frequently run out of mana during fights and rely on mana flasks to keep going.

Choose Charm Charges if:

• Your build incorporates charms as a core part of your defensive strategy.
• You want your charms to trigger more reliably, especially in prolonged battles.

Choose Life Recovery (Cruel Mode) if:

• Survivability is a major concern, and you’re taking a lot of damage.
• You’re playing in Cruel Mode or tackling endgame content where staying alive is critical.

Since you can return to the altar to switch buffs at any time, don’t be afraid to experiment. For example, you might start with Mana Recovery in Normal Mode to support a spell-heavy build, then switch to Charm Charges as you acquire better charms, or opt for Life Recovery in Cruel Mode for tougher fights.

Tips and Tricks

• Farm Efficiently: If relics aren’t dropping, focus on clearing all enemies in The Bone Pits or Keth. Prioritize unique or elite enemies, as they may have a higher drop chance.
• Check Your Inventory: Ensure both relics are in your inventory before heading to the Valley of the Titans. You can’t complete the quest with only one.
• Fix UI Issues: If the medallion pedestal isn’t responding, adjust your interface settings to ensure proper item interaction (Polygon).
• Plan for Your Build: Before choosing a buff, consider your current gear, skills, and charms. For instance, check your charm slots and their effects to see if the Charm Charges buff will make a significant difference (Path of Exile 2 Wiki).
• Revisit as Needed: Don’t stress about making the “perfect” choice. The ability to switch buffs means you can adapt to new challenges or build changes.

The "Ancient Vows" quest is a rewarding side quest in Path of Exile 2 that offers a permanent buff to enhance your character’s performance. Whether you’re a spell-slinging sorcerer needing mana sustain, a charm-reliant adventurer bolstering your defenses, or a battle-hardened warrior seeking extra survivability, this quest has something for you. Its flexibility to switch buffs ensures it remains relevant throughout your journey.