The early access campaign consists of 3 Acts that take around 25 hours to complete in Path of Exile 2. Read on for a complete campaign walkthrough, list of all acts, all locations per act, tips on cruel difficulty, how many acts there are, and campaign length.

List of All Acts

All 3 Acts

Act	Main Quests
Act 1	・Reaching Clearfell ・Secrets in the Dark ・The Mysterious Shade ・Sorrow Among Stones ・The Trail of Corruption ・The Mad Wolf of Ogham
Act 2	・Earning Passage ・The Trail of Corruption ・The City of Seven Waters ・A Theft of Ivory ・A Crown of Stone
Act 3	・Legacy of the Vaal
Cruel Acts	A rerun of Acts 1, 2, and 3 on a higher difficulty, offering tougher challenges but better loot.
Endgame	・The Cataclysm's Wake ・The Pinnacle of Flame

The early access campaign of Path of Exile 2 has a total of 3 Acts that take around 25 hours to complete. Doing so will allow your character to reach level 45, which is the start of the grind towards reaching endgame content. After completing the first 3 Acts, you'll be able to play through all 3 Acts again but on Cruel Difficulty for an added challenge.

When the game fully releases, players will be able to play through all 3 Acts plus three new Acts for a total of 6 Acts.

Complete Campaign Walkthrough

Act 1 Step by Step Guide

Act 1 Main Quests Overview
1	Reaching Clearfell ┣ Defeat The Bloated Miller at the Besieged Encampment. ┗ Talk to Renly at The Clearfell Encampment to complete the quest.
2	Secrets in the Dark ┣ Enter Clearfell 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Beira of the Rotten Pack to gain a Cold Resistance Buff. 　┗ Optional Quest: The Mud Burrow to defeat the Devourer and complete Treacherous Ground. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Mysterious Campsite for additional loot ┣ Head to the The Grelwood to summon Una. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Areagne, Forgotten Witch to gain an Uncut Skill Gem. 　┗ Optional Loot: Interact with the Cauldron in Areagne's hut to get two Medium Life Flasks. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat The Brambleghast to gain an Uncut Skill Gem and Uncut Support Gem. ┣ Head to The Red Vale and investigate the Obelisks of Rust. ┣ Collect all 3 Runes of Power from the Obelisks by defeating enemies and The Rust King. ┣ Bring the runes to Renly so he can create Rune Spikes for you. ┣ Return to The Grelwood and use the Rune Spikes on the Tree of Souls. ┗ Return to Clearfell Encampment and talk to Una.
3	The Mysterious Shade ┣ Enter the Grim Tangle and summon Una. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat The Rotten Druid to gain an Uncut Support Gem. ┣ Explore the Grim Tangle until you find the entrance for Cemetery of the Eternals. ┣ Complete the Sorrow Among Stones quest to collect Count Lachlann's Ring. ┗ Return to Clearfell Encampment and talk to Una.
4	Sorrow Among Stones ┣ Enter the Cemetery of the Eternals. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Ancient Ruin or the Sarcophagus for additional loot. ┣ Talk to Lachlann the Lost near the Graveyard's Waypoint. ┣ Enter the Mausoleum of the Praetor and defeat Draven, Eternal Praetor to collect a Memorial Key Piece. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for a switch that leads to a room of Forgotten Riches full of gold and loot. ┣ Exit to the Graveyard and enter the Tomb of the Consort. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search and defeat Gloomscar for the Embattled Trove to obtain additional loot. ┣ Find and defeat Asinia, Praetor Consort to collect the second Memorial Key Piece. ┣ Return to Lachlann and open the Memorial Gate. ┗ Defeat Lachlann of Endless Lament and collect Count Lachlann's Ring.
5	The Trail of Corruption ┣ Enter the Hunting Grounds. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat the The Crowbell to get a Book of Specialisation. 　┗ Optional Monster: Disrupt the Dryadic Ritual to get an Uncut Skill Gem. 　┗ Optional Quest: Enter Freythorn to defeat The King in the Mists and complete Ominous Altars. ┣ Travel to Ogham Farmlands. 　┗ Optional Quest: Complete The Lost Lute to receive a Book of Specialisation. 　┗ Optional Monster: Defeat Vargir the Feral Mutt in the Crop Circle to get an Uncut Skill Gem. ┣ Enter Ogham Village to defeat The Executioner. 　┗ Optional Quest: Complete Finding the Forge to unlock the Salvage Bench. ┣ Free Leitis from the execution platform and talk to her. ┗ Return to Clearfell Encampment and talk to Leitis again.
6	The Mad Wolf of Ogham ┣ Travel to The Manor Ramparts 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for The Gallows and cut the rope to obtain an Uncut Support Gem. ┣ Enter The Ogham Manor. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Candlemass, the Living Rite to get Candlemass' Essence. ┣ Enter the Arena and defeat Count Geonor. ┗ Return to Clearfell Encampment and talk to The Hooded One.

Complete Act 1 Walkthrough

Act 2 Step by Step Guide

Act 2 Main Quests Overview
1	Earning Passage ┣ Talk to The Hooded One at Clearfell Encampment. ┣ Talk to Zarka at Vastiri Outskirts near the Caravan. ┣ Travel to Sun Clan Cliff and defeat the Rathbreaker. ┗ Complete the quest by returning to Zarka.
2	The Trail of Corruption ┣ Talk to The Hooded One and Sekhema Asala. ┣ Use the Desert Map to travel and explore Mawdun Quarry. ┣ Travel to Mawdun Mine and defeat Rudja, Dread Engineer. ┣ Release Risu, Faridun Defector from the cage and talk to her back at the Ardura Caravan. ┣ Travel to The Halani Gates. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat L'im the Impaler. ┣ Return to the Caravan and travel to Traitor's Passage. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Balbala, the Traitor to gain to the Trial of Sekhemas. ┣ Ascend the Passage to reach the top of the Halani Gates. ┣ Battle Jamanra, the Risen King and get him to at least 30% HP. He will flee towards a sandstorm area. ┣ Get The Horn of Vastiri by completing the following quests: The City of Seven Waters, A Theft of Ivory, and A Crown of Stone. ┣ Use the Horn at the sandstorm to clear it and travel to Deshar. 　┗ Optional Quest: Complete Tradition's Toll to receive a Book of Specialisation. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat the Watchful Twins to obtain a Djinn Barya. ┣ Go up to The Spires of Deshar to defeat Tor Gul, The Defiler. ┣ Travel to the Dreadnought. ┣ Enter the Dreadnought Vanguard and defeat Jamanra, The Abomination. ┗ Return to the Caravan and speak with The Hooded One and Asala.
3	The City of Seven Waters ┣ Travel to Keth 　┗ Optional Quest: Collect the Kabala Clan Relic in Keth for the Ancient Vows side quest. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Kabala, Constrictor Queen to receive a Book of Specialisation. ┣ Enter The Lost City. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat The Ninth Treasure of Keth to gain a random Jewel. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Golden Tomb to obtain an Uncut Spirit Gem. ┣ Find the entrance to the Buried Shrines and defeat Azarian, The Forsaken Son. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Elemental Offering within the Buried Shrines for additional Lightning Resistance, Cold Resistance, or Fire Resistance. ┣ Enter the Shrine of the Water Goddess and talk to Halani. ┣ Use the Everburning Cinders to ignite Halani and collect the Essence of Water. ┗ Return to Zarka in Ardura Caravan.
4	A Theft of Ivory ┣ Travel to Mastodon Badlands. ┣ Enter The Bone Pits. 　┗ Optional Quest: Collect the Sun Clan Relic in The Bone Pits for the Ancient Vows side quest. ┣ Travel to Blackrib Pit and defeat Iktab, the Deahtlord and Ekbab, Ancient Steed. ┣ Collect the Mastodon Tusks after defeating both bosses. ┗ Return to Ardura Caravan and give the Mastodon Tusks to Zarka.
5	A Crown of Stone ┣ Travel to Valley of Titans and activate 3 Ancient Seals. 　┗ Optional Quest: Place both Relics at the monument to complete Ancient Vows and get a 30% increased charm charges gained or a 15% mana recovery from flasks. ┣ Enter The Titan Grotto and find the Dais of Reckoning. ┣ Defeat Zalmarath, the Colossus and collect the Flame Ruby. ┗ Return to Ardura Caravan and give the Flame Ruby to Zarka.

Complete Act 2 Walkthrough

Act 3 Step by Step Guide

Act 3 Main Quests Overview

1

Legacy of the Vaal ┣ Talk to The Hooded One and explore Sandswept Marsh . 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Rootdredge to gain an Uncut Skill Gem. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Hanging Tree for additional loot. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Orok Campfire for additional loot. ┣ Travel to the Ziggurat Encampment. ┣ Talk to Alva, Oswald and The Hooded One. ┣ Explore Jungle Ruins. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Mighty Silverfist to receive a Book of Specialisation. 　┗ Optional Quest: Enter The Venom Crypts and complete The Slithering Dead. ┣ Enter the Infested Barrens and look for a Canal Mechanism. 　┗ Optional Quest: Enter The Azak Bog to defeat Ignagduk, the Bog Witch and complete Tribal Vengeance. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for Troubled Camps for additional loot ┣ Return to Ziggurat Encampment and talk to Servi. ┣ Travel to Chimeral Wetlands and defeat Xyclucian, the Chimera. The Trial of Chaos will unlock after defeating Xyclucian, the Chimera. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Ravaged Camp for a Gold Chest. 　┗ Optional Loot: Enter Toxic Bloom and defeat The Noxious Behemoth to obtain various loot. ┣ Enter Jiquani's Machinarium and summon Alva. 　┗ Optional Boss: Defeat Blackjaw, the Remnant to obtain +10% Fire Resistance. ┣ Look for a Small Soul Core and place it back on the Stone Altar. ┣ Enter Jiquani's Sanctum and summon Alva. ┣ Look for Medium Soul Cores to power two generators and return to Alva. Interact with the Large Soul Core. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for the Paquate's Mechanism or the Corrupted Altar to obtain Corrupted Items. ┣ Defeat Zicoatl, Warden of the Core and collect the Large Soul Core. ┣ Place the Large Soul Core on the Stone Altar at the Infested Barrens. ┣ Enter the The Matlan Waterways and look for Control Levers. 　┗ Optional Boss: Search for Narag's Hut and defeat Narag of the Vile Word to obtain additional loot. ┣ Return to Ziggurat Encampment after draining the Waterway. ┣ Talk to Alva and enter The Drowned City. 　┗ Optional Quest: Enter The Molten Vault to defeat Mektul, the Forgemaster and complete Treasures of Utzaal. ┣ Enter the Apex of Filth and defeat the Queen of Filth. 　┗ Optional Quest: Collect Mushrooms that are randomly dropped by enemies within the area and drop them into the Cauldron to obtain an Ultimate Mana Flask and Ultimate Life Flask. ┣ Collect the Temple Door Idol and return to Alva. ┣ Enter the Temple of Kopec and defeat Ketzuli, High Priest of the Sun. ┣ Summon Alva and ride the elevator to Ziggurat Encampment. Enter the Gateway after arriving. ┣ Explore Utzaal to defeat Viper Napuatzi and several Viper Legionnaires after her defeat. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for Peculiar Fortunes to obtain additional loot. 　┗ Optional Loot: Search for Sacrificial Heart and sacrifice it to obtain Weapon Set Skill Points. ┣ Enter the Aggorat and travel to The Black Chambers. ┣ Defeat Doryani and Doryani's Triumph to rescue Alva. ┗ Teleport back to Ziggurat Encampment and enter the Gateway to start Act 1 on Cruel Difficulty.

Complete Act 3 Walkthrough

List of All Locations Per Acts

Act 1 Locations

Act 1 Locations
1. The Riverbank 2. Clearfell Encampment 3. Clearfell 4. Mud Burrow 6. The Red Vale 5. The Grelwood 7. The Grim Tangle 8. Cemetery of the Eternals 9. Tomb of the Consort 10. Mausoleum of the Praetor 11. Hunting Grounds 12. Freythorn 13. Ogham Farmlands 14. Ogham Village 15. The Manor Ramparts 16. Ogham Manor

Cruel Act 1 Locations

All locations from Act 1 are still present in Act 1 Cruel Difficulty. However, they are positioned differently on the map. Enemies in these locations are tougher but they provide better loot. Try to take down optional bosses in these areas to get items that can make you stronger.

Act 2 Locations

Act 2 Locations
1. The Ardura Carvan 2. Vastiri Outskirts 3. Mawdun Mine 4. Mawdun Quarry 5. The Titan Grotto 6. Valley of the Titans 7. Keth 8. The Lost City 9. Buried Shrines 10. Traitor's Passage 11. The Halani Gates 12. Deshar 13. Path of Mourning 14. The Spires of Deshar 15. The Dreadnought 16. Dreadnought Vanguard 17.Trial of the Sekhemas 18. The Bone Pits 19. Mastodon Badlands

Cruel Act 2 Locations

Just like in Cruel Act 1, every location in Act 2 is present in Cruel Act 2 but they're on different areas on the map. Try to do every side quest and defeat every optional boss in these locations to get important items that can help you get stronger.

Act 3 Locations

Act 3 Locations
1. Sandswept Marsh 2. The Venom Crypts 3. Ziggurat Encampment 4. Temple of Kopec 5. The Drowned City 6. The Molten Vault 7. Apex of Filth 8. The Matland Waterways 9. The Azak Bog 10. Jungle Ruins 11. Infested Barrens 12. Chimeral Wetlands 13. Jiquani's Machinarium 14. Jiquani's Sanctum 15. The Temple of Chaos 16. Utzaal 17. Aggorat 18. The Black Chambers

Cruel Act 3 Locations

All locations in Act 3 are still in Cruel Act 3 but on different places on the map. Just like with the first two Cruel acts, Cruel Act 3 poses more danger to players. You can get better loot though, so make sure to take on all optional bosses and do all side quests!

Cruel Difficulty Tips

Cruel Difficulty Tips
Invest More in Defenses Finish All Side Quests and Bosses Again Use the Currency Exchange Fight Rare Monsters and Hordes One at a Time Try Your Luck in Gambling Return to Normal Acts via Waypoints

Invest More in Defenses

While advancing to later areas, enemies will get stronger and can drop better gear than you previously had. Equip new gear, like the ones with the title "advanced", and look for more sources of resistance and other defensive stats as you progress to increase your chances of survival.

You can also add runes and improve the quality of your equipment to increase damage and survivability.

How to Increase Defense

Finish All Side Quests and Bosses Again

While following the Cruel main quests, make sure to take on side quests as well since they will reward you with another set of rewards such as Gems, Items, and Permanent Stat Boosts that can improve your character.

List of Quests and Rewards

List of Bosses

Use the Currency Exchange

If you have excess resources, you can use the Currency Exchange to get Exalted Orbs or any tradable items you need to complete your build. Interact with Finn in Clearfell Encampment, Risu in The Ardura Caravan, or Alva in Ziggurat Encampment.

Currency Exchange Explained

Fight Rare Monsters and Hordes One at a Time

Magic and Rare enemies have a higher spawn rate in Cruel Difficulty. Going in and fighting groups of enemies can easily get you cornered, which can put you in a tight spot.

Try Your Luck in Gambling

Got extra gold? You can use gold to try your luck and buy a type of item of your choosing. The rarity and quality of the item you get are random, but feel free to try it out whenever you have the gold!

Return to Normal Acts via Waypoints

Missed something? You can always go back to Normal Difficulty through the World Map. You can travel to the Acts in Normal Difficulty, shown in yellow text, in the upper center of the World Map.

How to Fast Travel

How Many Acts Are There?

3 Acts for Early Access

The early access of Path of Exile 2 has a total of 3 Acts. Once you finish all acts, a higher difficulty will be unlocked called Cruel where you can complete all 3 Acts again to help you reach endgame faster.

How to Get Early Access

6 Acts on Full Release

On official release, Path of Exile 2 contains a total of 6 Acts to complete before reaching endgame.

Full Release Date and What to Expect

Campaign Length

25 Hours on Early Access

The first 3 Acts in the early access can take about 25 hours to complete. This will let you reach Level 45 where you can start grinding for endgame. After which, you can play through all 3 Acts again on Cruel difficulty.

40 - 50 Hours on Official Release

The official release of the game will introduce 3 additional Acts, bringing the total to 6 Acts for players to experience. With the expanded content, including side quests, the gameplay time is expected to double, taking approximately 40-50 hours to complete compared to the original 3 Acts.

Game Length: How Long to Beat

Path of Exile 2 Related Guides

Path of Exile 2 Guides

Path of Exile 2 Wiki Contents
Builds	Classes
Tips and Tricks	Bosses
Walkthrough	Quests
Gems	Items
Weapons	Armors
Accessories	Passives
Skills	Ascension Trials
Glossary	Atlas of Worlds
Leagues	Characters
Cosmetics	Microtransactions
News and Updates	-

List of Recommended Guides

Best Class Tier List	Best Stash Tabs to Buy
Which Class Should You Play?	List of Unique Equipment
Best Minions to Summon	How to Use Loot Filters
Diablo 4 Player's Guide to PoE 2	-