PoE 2: Locations for All Free Skill Points and Permanent Stat Bonuses

In Path of Exile 2, passive skill points represent one of the most valuable resources for character progression. While leveling up provides the primary source, numerous hidden opportunities exist throughout the campaign that grant additional points and permanent stat improvements.

This comprehensive guide, based on Aztecross‘s expertise, reveals every method to secure these crucial bonuses that significantly impact your build’s power and flexibility.

Understanding where to find these bonuses can dramatically accelerate your character’s development and provide essential advantages against challenging content.

Act 1

1. Beira of the Rotten Pack

Location: Clearfell Encampment

This challenging boss encounter requires strategic positioning to manage her summoned canine companions. Victory provides a permanent +10% cold resistance bonus, essential for surviving frost-based enemies in later areas.

2. The Crowbell

Location: Hunting Grounds

The Crowbell employs unique escape mechanics when its health drops below 50%, requiring constant pressure to prevent it from fleeing the encounter area.

3. Finn’s Side Quest

Location: Freythorn

Around the midpoint of Act 1, locate Finn to initiate this quest chain. You’ll need to defeat The King in the Mists, rewarding you with 30 spirit that becomes crucial for accessing advanced character abilities.

4. Una’s Side Quest

Location: Ogham Farmlands

Search residential structures in Ogham Farmlands to locate Una’s missing instrument.

5. Fallen Altar

Location: Ogham Manor

Rather than proceeding directly to the primary boss, explore the Chapel of the Fallen where you’ll discover the Fallen Altar containing the Psalm of Madness.

Engaging the central statue triggers combat with Candlemass, the Living Rite. Prepare for extensive fire damage attacks by ensuring adequate fire resistance gear. Successful completion provides a permanent +20 maximum life enhancement.

Act 2

1. Kabala, Constrictor Queen

Location: Keth

The Venom Pit arena features distinctive circular architecture with crumbling temple ruins. Kabala emerges dramatically from sandy terrain to initiate combat.

Her summoning abilities present particular challenges for solo players, requiring quick target prioritization to manage additional enemies.

2. Sun Clan Scavenger

Location: Bone Pits

Access this area through Mastodon Badlands to encounter Sun Clan Scavengers. These enemies randomly drop the Sun Clan Relic, completing the second half of the relic puzzle.

After securing both relics, journey to Valley of the Titans to activate the ancient mechanism.

3. Shambrin’s Side Quest

Location: Deshar

Thoroughly explore Deshar to locate the final letter, then return it to Shambrin at The Ardura Caravan for your reward.

4. Sisters of Garukhan Shrine

Location: Spires of Deshar

Interacting with this shrine provides a permanent +10% lightning resistance bonus.

The relic activation offers a strategic choice between 30% additional charm charges or 15% increased Mana recovery from flasks. This decision can be revisited anytime by returning to the altar, allowing flexibility as your build evolves.

Act 3

1. Orok Campfire

Location: Sandswept Marsh

In this region, you’re guaranteed to discover a Lesser Jeweler’s Orb within a luminous container, protected by two elite adversaries.

2. Mighty Silverfist

Location: Jungle Ruins

This formidable opponent employs devastating ground slam techniques capable of eliminating entire parties instantly. Proper positioning and timing dodges are essential for survival.

3. Ignagduk, the Bog Witch

Location: Azak Bog

During aerial phases, attempt to apply crowd control effects. When stationary, she unleashes powerful area-of-effect assaults. At 50% health, she transitions to a more aggressive phase featuring concentrated fire attacks.

4. The Slithering Dead Quest

Location: Venom Crypts

This significant quest presents a permanent decision between three valuable stat enhancements.

5. Blackjaw the Remnant

Location: Jiquani’s Machinarium

Utilize a Lesser Soul Core to access the area containing Blackjaw.

6. Sacrificial Heart

Location: Altar in Aggorat

Sacrifice a heart (randomly dropped by Utzaal enemies) to receive your bonus.

The Slithering Dead quest offers a critical permanent choice between: +25% stun threshold, +30% elemental ailment threshold, or +25% mana regeneration. This decision cannot be altered once made, so consider your build’s long-term requirements carefully.

Defeating Blackjaw provides a Flame Core that grants +10 fire resistance, while the sacrificial heart provides +2 passive skill points.

Cruel Difficulty

Cruel Difficulty enables players to earn most bonuses again, though with some adjusted values that reflect the increased challenge level.

Act 1 in Cruel Difficulty

Beira of the Rotten Pack: +10 cold resistance.

Una’s Lute & Crowbell: +2 passive skill points each.

Candlemass: +8% max life

Act 2 in Cruel Difficulty

Kabala: +2 skill points.

Letter for Shambrin: +2 skill points.

Delivering the Relics to the Valley of Titans: Choose between 30% extra charm charges or 15% extra mana recovery from flasks.

Sisters of Garukhan: +10% lightning resistance.

Act 3 in Cruel Difficulty

Mighty Silverfist and Sacrificial Heart: +2 passive skill points each.

Sandswept Marsh: A Lesser Jeweler’s Orb.

Ignagduk, the Bog Witch: +40 Spirits.

The Slithering Dead quest: Choose from three permanent buffs.

Blackjaw: +10% fire resistance.

For optimal efficiency, plan your route to collect these bonuses while progressing through main story objectives. Many rewards are located in areas you’ll naturally traverse, minimizing backtracking.

Prioritize skill point rewards early in your playthrough, as they provide compounding benefits throughout the campaign. Resistance bonuses become increasingly valuable as you encounter more elemental damage in later acts.

Common collection mistakes include: overlooking hidden areas like the Chapel of the Fallen, failing to farm sufficient snake enemies for relic drops, and making permanent stat choices without considering long-term build requirements.

Advanced players should coordinate their collection strategy with their build’s specific needs. For spellcasting builds, prioritize mana regeneration and spirit bonuses, while melee characters benefit more from stun threshold and life increases.

These permanent bonuses represent significant power increases that remain with your character throughout the entire game. The ability to collect missed rewards later provides flexibility, though early acquisition maximizes their benefit.

If you found this guide valuable, consider exploring our Class Guide for similar strategic insights.

No reproduction without permission：GameCDjnh » PoE 2: Locations for All Free Skill Points and Permanent Stat Bonuses Complete guide to finding all free skill points and permanent stat bonuses in Path of Exile 2 Acts 1-3