Complete guide to the Atlas Skill Tree in PoE 2

Path of Exile 2 ^[1] gives players much freedom in terms of the builds they go for. From Sorceress builds to monk builds, players can personalize their characters to ensure their overall playing style and looks are the way they want them to be. One of the many things that help bring personalized characters to life is the Atlas Skill Tree.

Today, we want to go through everything players need to know about the Atlas Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2. This includes what this skill tree is, what the Core Atlas Tree gives players, and the best way for players to optimize the Atlas Skill Tree to get the most out of it. Naturally, we’ll also highlight how players can potentially respec the Atlas Skill Tree if they want to go back and re-upgrade anything.

So, without further ado, here’s the most definitive guide on the Atlas Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2. The various currencies Path of Exile 2 has also let players personalize their builds, though getting them can be a little hard. This is where Eloking’s Path of Exile 2 marketplace comes into play, as it ensures buyers and sellers can do business in a safe and regulated environment.

Understanding the Atlas Passive Tree

The Atlas Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2 is an essential mechanic of the title’s endgame system since it exists to strengthen numerous mapping mechanics and rewards. Unlike the first game, PoE 2 introduces many smaller trees, and they all cater to specific mechanics like Breach, Delirium, Expedition, and Ritual. 

Each category has different point allowances and stat bonuses, like higher pack size, monster difficulty, or better rewards. Players get passive points by completing pinnacle encounters and maps corresponding with every mechanic. For example, finishing a Breach boss encounter will grant players Breach passive points. Players can reallocate their points by interacting with Doryani in the Ziggurat Refuse or their hideout. Like other respecs, these relocations come with a small gold fee.

Core Atlas Tree

The Core Atlas Tree gives players foundational bonuses to sustain Waystone supply and increase mapping efficiency. Players have an allowance of 30 passive points and can increase stats like pack size, Waystone drops, and Essence nodes.

Considering Waystones are extremely rare and essential in the endgame, this tree is a crucial starting point. Investing points lets players get a steady influx of Waystones needed to progress through the Atlas. The Core Atlas Tree is versatile, benefiting builds prioritizing farming efficiency and map sustainability.

Every specialized tree in Path of Exile 2

Every specialized tree has unique enhancements that help in different mapping mechanics. Here’s a breakdown of the main trees:
 

How to optimize the Atlas Passive Tree?

Efficiently allocating points in the Atlas Tree is crucial for maximizing rewards and maintaining steady progression. Beginners should prioritize the Core Atlas Tree to have a slow yet steady supply of Waystones. These consumables are essential for accessing new maps and are tough to get in the early stages of the endgame.

Those with clearspeed builds should try to invest in the Breach tree due to its high monster density and quick XP gains. On the other hand, slower tankier builds will benefit more from the Expedition tree since it rewards players with consistent items if they play strategically. Those who want to farm specific rewards, like Delirium caches or Ritual Tribute, should allocate points to the respective trees.

Tips to maximize the use of Atlas Skill Trees

• Waystone Upgrades: Always upgrade Waystones before using them. By modifying them using currency orbs, players can increase map difficulty while increasing monster drop rates, item rarity, and pack size. Try to avoid running unmodified (white) Waystones unless it’s necessary.
• Clear Lost Towers: Finishing Lost Towers reveals fog-of-war on the Atlas map and allows players to plan their node progression. Also, Lost Towers lets them insert Precursor Tablets to influence nearby map modifiers.
• Focus on Specialized Mechanics: Players should try to get nodes in the Atlas tree to help with their play style. For example, Breach nodes are nice for people who like to farm, while Expedition modes are for careful planners and exploration.
• Use Precursor Tablets: These items are influential in altering map mechanics. Farming Breach mechanics can give players Breach Precursor Tablets, which they can insert into Lost Tower to increase the occurrence of Breaches in sister nodes.
• Plan Around Your Build: Builds that are amazing at clearing areas should focus on Breach or Relirium mechanics. At the same time, those that do significant damage to single targets might benefit from Boss or Arbiter trees.

Respeccing the Atlas

Atlas trees in Path of Exile 2 are flexible because they let players reallocate points whenever they want. If a person’s current progression strategy isn’t giving them the benefits they want, they can try respeccing in different teams, or they wish to have a different playstyle. For example, players can transition from the Breach tree to the Expedition tree if they want to go with a slower and deliberate build over a clear speed one.

Players should carefully plan and optimize their Atlas passive tree progression so they don’t have trouble going through Path of Exile 2’s endgame content.

FAQs

Can you unlock everything in the Path of Exile 2 Atlas Skill Tree?

Players cannot unlock everything in the Atlas Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2. The primary reason for this is that players only get 30 Atlas Skill points for completing Doryani’s quests. After that, it’s tough for players to get any more Atlas Skill points, at least in the early access.

References

1. [1] "Official PoE 2 website". pathofexile2.com. Retrieved January 01, 2025