Path of Exile 2: The Ultimate Expedition Guide

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) is celebrated for its deep, layered endgame content, and few mechanics are as engaging or rewarding as Expedition. More than a simple treasure hunt, it blends strategic planning, fast combat, and risk-reward calculus to deliver rare loot, powerful Path of Exile 2 Currency, and unique boss encounters.

Whether you're a newcomer stepping into PoE 2's endgame or a veteran aiming to optimize your farming, this guide breaks down everything you need to dominate Expedition-from core mechanics to advanced strategies for taking down its pinnacle boss, Olroth, Origin of the Fall.

What Is Expedition in Path of Exile 2?

Expedition is a signature endgame activity that tasks you with aiding Kalguuran settlers in uncovering ancient Verisium artifacts buried in forgotten burial sites. These relics, however, awaken the corrupted undead-ancestors of the Kalguurans-turning each dig site into a deadly battlefield.

At its core, Expedition revolves around using explosives to unearth artifacts, defeat spawning monsters, and leverage unique modifiers to boost rewards. It's a dynamic mix of exploration and combat, making it one of PoE 2's most engaging endgame loops.

You'll encounter Expedition randomly while clearing Atlas maps, but maps marked with the Expedition icon guarantee a dig site. You can also use an Expedition Precursor Tablet on a Watchtower to force an Expedition (the tablet is consumed after several uses).

Core Mechanics: Explosives, Markers, and Remnants

To succeed, you must master three foundational elements: explosives, markers, and remnants. Each plays a critical role in determining your loot quality and combat difficulty.

Explosives: Plan Your Detonation Path

Upon entering an Expedition site, you'll receive five explosive charges (20 for Logbook Expeditions). These charges must be placed in a chain-each new charge is limited to the range of the previous one.

Assign a hotkey to streamline placement (default: left of your skill bar). Once satisfied with your path, click the detonator near the Expedition NPC to trigger a chain reaction, unearthing markers, remnants, and monsters.

Pro tip: Use the UI's back arrow to adjust charges before detonating-no need to waste resources on a poorly planned path!

Markers: Prioritize High-Value Targets

Dig sites are scattered with two key marker types, each yielding different rewards. Learning to prioritize them is key to efficient farming.

Runic Monster Markers (red triangular flags) are your top priority. Detonating them spawns powerful runic monsters, which drop Logbooks and rare loot like currency or artifacts at a high rate. Only these monsters are affected by remnant modifiers, making them your main source of high-value rewards.

Excavated Chest Markers (spiral-logo flags) reveal treasure chests. Their color indicates rarity: white (common), blue, and gold (rare), with better loot from higher-rarity chests. Grab them if they're on your path, but never prioritize them over runic monsters.

Remnants: Balance Risk and Reward

Remnants are glowing tombstones that add both positive and negative modifiers when detonated. For example, one might boost runic monster spawns but increase their damage-each effect applies to all subsequent detonations.

Prioritize remnants that boost Logbook drops, item quantity/rarity, or runic monster spawns. Avoid modifiers your build can't handle (e.g., cold immunity for a cold-damage character)-yellow remnants can make an Expedition unwinnable if unprepared.

Logbook Expeditions: The Ultimate Challenge

Logbooks are special items dropped by runic monsters or excavated chests-think of them as large-scale, high-stakes dig sites. They grant 20 explosive charges, more remnants, and a higher chance of rare finds like hidden pirate caches or underground areas.

The true prize is Olroth, Origin of the Fall-a pinnacle boss and ancient undead commander of the Knights of the Sun. Defeating him unlocks unique items and points to upgrade the Expedition section of your Atlas Tree.

Olroth spawns in level 79+ Logbooks, marked by a skull icon on the map. Detonate explosives near the icon to reveal his arena entrance. Importantly, remnant modifiers do not affect Olroth, so you can stack risky rewards without making the boss fight harder.

How to Beat Olroth, Origin of the Fall

Olroth's moveset focuses on cold damage and area-denial attacks, but with the right strategy, he's manageable.

Dodge his melee slams by moving sideways, and avoid his ice beams-these leave lingering cold effects that slow, chill, or freeze you. Equip silver charms to mitigate slows or thawing charms to avoid freezes entirely.

Watch for the spinning rune around his arena-it triggers deadly area attacks in Phase 2. Fight near the arena edge to push his ground effects toward the ledge, giving you more safe space to maneuver.

Rewards and Optimization: Maximize Your Profits

Expedition is one of PoE 2's most lucrative endgame activities-if you optimize your approach. Here's how to get the most out of every run:

Interact with the four Expedition NPCs: Dannig, Tujen, Rog, and Gwennen. Each offers unique services-exchange artifacts for items, runic magic, or crafting services, or sell artifacts to other players for extra currency. This will allow you to engage in poe2 trade more effectively.

Invest in Atlas Passive Skills that boost Logbook drop rates, artifact quantity, and runic monster spawns. These nodes drastically improve your farming efficiency over time.

Prioritize your targets: runic monsters first, then high-rarity chests, then remnants that align with your build. Avoid overstretching your charges-focus on covering high-value markers.

Final Tips for Success

Expedition is all about calculated risk. Skip remnants with deadly modifiers-surviving to complete the run is better than chasing a risky reward.

Practice explosive placement. The more you run Expeditions, the better you'll get at planning paths that cover all key markers without wasting charges.

Collect every artifact-even common ones add up to valuable currency or crafting materials over time.

With these strategies, you'll turn every Expedition into a profitable adventure. Whether you're chasing Logbooks to challenge Olroth or farming currency to optimize your build, Expedition offers endless growth and reward. Grab your explosives, sharpen your weapons, and uncover the Kalguurans' ancient secrets-fortune favors the bold.