Path of Exile 2 is set to take the world of Wraeclast to new heights, introducing not only new gameplay mechanics and story elements but also bringing back some of the fan-favorite features that made the first game a massive success. One such element is the concept of Corrupted Nexuses, which introduces new, challenging content that rewards players with valuable items, POE 2 Currency and powerful upgrades.

In this article, we'll dive into how to find a Corrupted Nexus in Path of Exile 2, including its mechanics, how they differ from regular content, and how to make the most out of this exciting feature. We'll guide you step-by-step through the process of discovering, unlocking, and conquering a Corrupted Nexus, all while offering valuable insights on the rewards and potential challenges you'll face.

What is a Corrupted Nexus?

A Corrupted Nexus in Path of Exile 2 is a special type of endgame content. These areas, tied to the deeper lore of the game, are hidden or locked behind powerful barriers or conditions that must be met before they can be accessed. Corrupted Nexuses are designed to be difficult and to push players to their limits, featuring higher difficulty settings, more complex mechanics, and unique environmental hazards compared to other zones in the game.

What makes a Corrupted Nexus particularly intriguing is that these areas are often connected to Corruption Mechanics, which can alter the world in significant ways, such as spawning highly dangerous enemies, transforming the layout of zones, and imposing various debuffs or buffs on players. These Corrupted Zones could lead to some of the best rewards in the game, such as powerful corrupted items, exclusive unique items, or access to endgame crafting systems.

Finding and completing a Corrupted Nexus is no small feat, and it often requires substantial preparation and a strong understanding of the game's core mechanics. To access these areas, you'll need to:

Understand the mechanics behind the Corruption System in PoE 2.

Meet the requirements to unlock Corrupted Nexuses.

Successfully navigate the dangers that await inside these realms.

Let's break down these aspects in detail to help you understand exactly how to find a Corrupted Nexus and succeed in your journey through this perilous endgame content.

How to Find a Corrupted Nexus

In Path of Exile 2, the Corrupted Nexus can be found in several ways, often requiring players to delve into different parts of the game and explore areas that aren't immediately obvious. The process of discovering and accessing a Corrupted Nexus is multi-faceted and will require players to follow certain paths within the game. Here's a guide to finding one:

1. Progressing Through the Main Campaign and Endgame Content

A Corrupted Nexus will typically not be available at the beginning of the game. As in many other systems within PoE 2, accessing more difficult or complex content is gated behind progression milestones. To unlock a Corrupted Nexus, you must first complete a substantial portion of the game's main campaign. This will include progressing through acts, defeating specific bosses, and completing special story missions that tie into the game's lore.

Act Progression:

In PoE 2, the main campaign is composed of several acts. Typically, content like Corrupted Nexuses is unlocked after you've completed the core acts and reached the endgame portion of the game.

As you progress through the acts, you'll uncover hints, clues, or quests that relate to Corruption Mechanics and the Nexus system.

2. Corruption Shrines and In-Game Events

Once you've progressed far enough into the story, you'll begin to notice certain Corruption Shrines scattered across the game world. These shrines are special, interactive objects that can be found in specific zones after completing certain milestones. Interacting with these shrines may trigger various Corruption Effects, which could either provide buffs or unlock portals leading to Corrupted Nexuses.

How to Find Corruption Shrines:

Corruption Shrines often appear after defeating major bosses or completing critical story missions.

They may require you to complete a special challenge or engage with a particular game mechanic, such as farming specific items, finding hidden treasures, or killing powerful elite mobs.

Some of these shrines can also be revealed through side quests, random world events, or special interactions with NPCs.

3. Unlocking Corrupted Nexus Portals

Once you've triggered the relevant event or activated a Corruption Shrine, a portal to the Corrupted Nexus may open. These portals can appear in random locations or be tied to specific endgame content. The portal will likely have a corrupted aura, visually marked with ominous colors or icons that distinguish it from ordinary portals.

Portal Conditions: The portals leading to Corrupted Nexuses will likely have specific requirements that must be met. For example, you may need to have completed a certain quest, equipped special items, or engaged in specific gameplay (such as reaching a particular level or completing special Corruption Challenges).

4. Corrupted Nexus Keys and Rituals

In some cases, accessing a Corrupted Nexus might require a Corrupted Nexus Key. These keys can be obtained through completing special rituals, defeating elite bosses, or participating in unique game events that offer high-risk, high-reward challenges. Keys act as a gateway that you'll need in order to access the Nexus itself.

Rituals and Corruption Challenges: Completing rituals and challenges often involves farming specific zones or engaging with world bosses. These encounters are designed to be difficult, with significant risks involved. Completing these challenges and rituals will often reward you with Corrupted Nexus Keys or other progression items.

Mechanics of a Corrupted Nexus

Once you manage to find and access a Corrupted Nexus, you'll quickly realize that these areas are unlike anything you've encountered in PoE 2. Here's an overview of the Nexus mechanics and what to expect inside these corrupted zones:

1. Corrupted Enemies and Monsters

In a Corrupted Nexus, the monsters and enemies you face will typically be more difficult than those encountered in regular zones. These enemies often have higher health, damage output, and special abilities that reflect the corrupted nature of the Nexus. These challenges may be combined with new monster types and unique environmental hazards.

Corrupted Bosses: At the heart of a Corrupted Nexus lies a Corrupted Boss, which will have unique abilities tied to the corruption theme of the area. Defeating these bosses often requires not only strong combat skills but also an understanding of their mechanics, which may involve dodging powerful attacks, managing crowds of corrupted enemies, and dealing with environmental hazards.

2. Corruption Modifiers and Hazards

Inside a Corrupted Nexus, you'll encounter Corruption Modifiers that change the usual rules of the game. These may include:

Decreased Health Regen: In these areas, healing may be significantly reduced, making healing flasks or life regeneration mods a necessity.

Negative Ailments: Certain areas may apply constant debuffs, such as corruption stacking, which reduces your ability to move or cast.

Environmental Hazards: Some Corrupted Nexuses are filled with hazardous environments, such as poisonous clouds, spikes, or fire traps. Navigating these areas requires skill and quick thinking.

3. Unique Loot and Rewards

One of the primary attractions of Corrupted Nexuses is the loot. These areas provide access to some of the most powerful rewards in the game, such as:

Corrupted Items: These items come with a special modifier, adding extra strength or abilities but sometimes at a cost (such as reduced item quality or added risks).

Unique and Rare Items: Corrupted Nexuses are known to drop exclusive gear and weapons, which are among the best in the game.

Crafting Materials: Some Corrupted Nexuses drop rare crafting materials that can be used to create powerful gear, upgrade items, or complete endgame recipes.

How to Succeed in a Corrupted Nexus

Successfully conquering a Corrupted Nexus requires more than just gear and combat skills. Here are some key tips to succeed:

Prepare for Tough Fights: Bring potions that negate Corruption effects and defensive items to survive the harsh environment.

Equip the Right Gear: Choose gear that boosts your resistances, movement speed, and corruption immunity.

Manage Corruption Effects: Some builds may be better suited for the debuffs that Corrupted Nexuses apply. Plan your build accordingly to resist these effects.

Conclusion

Finding and conquering a Corrupted Nexus in cheap Poe 2 trade offers a thrilling challenge for players who seek the highest levels of difficulty and reward. These mysterious, corrupted zones not only push players' combat skills to the limit but also reward them with some of the game's most powerful loot. By understanding the mechanics of corruption, how to find these Nexuses, and how to succeed inside them, you'll be well-equipped to tackle one of PoE 2's most challenging endgame systems.