If you're diving into the endgame of Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt, then understanding Atlas Skill Points is absolutely essential. These points are the backbone of your Atlas progression, unlocking powerful passive bonuses that let you juice up maps, target-farm league mechanics, and control your loot and challenge level. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about how to get Atlas Skill Points in PoE 2, where to find them, and how to maximize their potential for a smoother and more rewarding grind.

Let’s not waste time—just like in PoE, efficiency is key. Whether you're a returning exile or new to Wraeclast, this is your one-stop guide.

What Are Atlas Skill Points in PoE 2?

Atlas Skill Points in Path of Exile 2 are a form of progression currency tied to the endgame Atlas system. By earning these points, you unlock passives on the Atlas Passive Tree, allowing you to specialize your mapping experience—more Expedition, better Strongboxes, juicier Azmeri Wisps, and beyond.

Think of it like this: If your build is the weapon, the Atlas Passive Tree is your battlefield control. You’re setting the terms, increasing the chance of specific encounters and loot types, and tuning difficulty and rewards to your liking.

How Many Atlas Passive Points Are There?

In total, you can get 40 base Atlas Passive Skill Points in PoE 2: Dawn of the Hunt. Here’s the breakdown:

• 30 Points from completing Nexuses of Corruption from Waystone Tiers 1–15 (2 points per tier)

• 10 Points from completing Unique Maps (2 points per map, max 5 maps)

Note: These are base points and don’t include additional points you can earn by specializing in mechanics like Delirium, Breach, or Ritual through other Atlas progression paths.

How To Get Atlas Skill Points in PoE 2

Let’s walk through how to get your Atlas Points efficiently. The grind is real, but if you know what you’re doing, it’s way smoother.

Step 1: Locate Areas of Corruption

Your first task is to locate an Area of Corruption on the Atlas. These corrupted areas are your gateway to earning Atlas Passives. Look for red tendrils at the edge of your Atlas fog of war—they’re a dead giveaway.

Press Alt on any Waystone to see how many modifiers it has. You’ll need a minimum of four modifiers on a Tier 1 Waystone to trigger a Nexus of Corruption event.

Pro Tip: Sometimes the game combines modifiers into hybrid lines, which can look like more mods than you actually have. Make sure you're counting them accurately.

Step 2: Clear the Nexus of Corruption

Once inside the corrupted zone, defeat the Map Boss (or the final Rare Monster). After that, a Corrupted Boss will spawn. This is your real target.

Take it down, and it drops a Crystalline Core of Knowledge. Right-clicking it gives you two Atlas Passive Points.

Just like that—you’re on your way.

Important: Failing the Nexus of Corruption means no points. You’ll have to find another Corrupted area to try again. This system rewards precision and planning.

Step 3: Continue Up the Waystone Ladder

To get all 30 points from Nexuses, you’ll need to clear one from each Waystone Tier from 1 to 15. That’s 15 clears, each granting 2 points.

After you complete a Nexus at a given tier, the surrounding nodes become Cleansed, which can spawn monsters altered by the Corruption. These zones are perfect for farming loot, and there’s even a chance to drop a Fracturing Orb—a big win for anyone chasing high-end crafts.

How to Spot More Corrupted Areas

Unfortunately, there’s no surefire way to force a Corrupted zone to appear, but you can increase your chances by paying attention to your Atlas progression.

Here’s what I do:

• Scan edges of the fog of war: Corruption often spawns near areas you haven’t explored.

• Use map density: More modifiers = higher chance of corruption spawning when Waystones get activated.

• Keep your Atlas clean: If you've failed a Nexus, keep moving outward to find new corruption points. Backtracking is usually a waste.

Unlocking the Extra 10 Points: Unique Maps

Once you’ve got your 30 points from corrupted Nexuses, your next stop is Unique Maps.

These maps are instantly recognizable by their orange icon on the Atlas. To get your last 10 Atlas Skill Points, you’ll need to complete 5 different Unique Maps. Each first-time clear grants 2 points.

Key reminders:

• Duplicates don’t count. Only the first completion of a specific Unique Map gives points.

• Some Unique Maps are rare—don’t expect to stumble into them naturally.

• Buy or trade for missing ones. If you’re stuck, check with other players or vendors.

This is also a good time to mention: if you’re running low on map currency or resources, it’s worth checking sites like SSEGold where you can grab cheap PoE 2 currency without grinding for hours.

Best Tips for Atlas Skill Point Farming

Here’s where the veteran experience kicks in. A few extra tips to make your grind less painful and way more profitable.

1. Don’t Rush Through Tiers

Clearing a Tier 1-15 Nexus one after another is tempting, but rushing can burn you out. Space them between farming sessions to keep your stash full and your interest high.

2. Juice Your Maps (Smartly)

Once you get some Atlas Passives, don’t forget to invest them. Early on, focus on pack size, map drops, and League Mechanics you enjoy. Targeted farming is always more rewarding than generic clearing.

3. Check Atlas Passives Regularly

Your tree can be accessed by pressing Ctrl + U. Keep it tuned to your goals. Switching from a Breach focus to Expedition? Respec accordingly.

4. Trade for Missing Unique Maps

If RNG isn’t on your side, use the market. You don’t have to wait forever to find your fifth Unique Map.

5. Focus on Efficiency

Try chaining corrupted zones in one region, and clear nearby Cleansed nodes for side loot. The fewer load screens and region swaps you do, the better.

Why Atlas Passives Matter

Let’s be real—Path of Exile 2 isn’t a game you beat. It’s a game you master.

And mastery starts with understanding your Atlas Passive Tree. Want more currency? Farm Expedition or Ritual. Want uniques? Focus on boss nodes. Want to print raw loot? Target Strongboxes and Scarabs. These passives let you steer your entire endgame path without rerolling your build.

It's not just power—it's identity. Your passive choices make your endgame feel yours.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're a returning vet or someone who's just touched red maps for the first time, learning how to get Atlas Skill Points in PoE 2 is crucial. It opens up the full depth of what the endgame can offer, letting you tailor your grind to your goals and playstyle.

And hey—if you're feeling overwhelmed, remember you're not alone. Join trade discords, watch farming guides, and consider boosting your stash with cheap PoE 2 currency from trusted sites like SSEGold. No shame in playing smart.