You're running through a dusty, wind-swept canyon in Path of Exile 2, dodging sand-skitterers and trying not to get pelted by projectile-vomiting insects, when you see it. It’s distinct. It’s gold. It’s the Maraketh Shrine. If you’ve played the first game, your instinct is to just click it and run. Don't do that. Honestly, if you treat Path of Exile 2 shrines like the "click-and-forget" buffs from the first game, you’re going to miss out on some of the best loot scaling in the early acts.
To venerate a Maraketh shrine, you aren't just touching a stone; you’re engaging in a mini-event that demands you actually clear the area. It's a flavor win for the Maraketh culture, sure, but for us, it's about the temporary power spike and the potential for better item drops.
Grinding Gear Games changed the pacing. It’s slower. It’s more deliberate. When you stumble upon one of these in the Vastiri desert regions or during specific side quests in the campaign, the game expects you to "prove" yourself. You'll see the prompt to "Venerate" appear when you get close. Click it. Now, the real work starts.
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Why You Can't Just Click and Run
In the original Path of Exile, shrines were basically a drive-by shooting. You clicked it, you got faster, you moved on. In PoE 2, the Maraketh shrines often tie into the local ecosystem of the zone. You’ll notice that once you click to venerate a Maraketh shrine, a specific pack of enemies—usually themed around the Maraketh warriors or the desert fauna—will behave differently. Sometimes they spawn directly from the sand; other times, they are already there, guarding the sacred site.
The "veneration" isn't instant. It’s a channel or a kill-count requirement depending on the specific shrine variation. If you get interrupted by a stun or a freeze, the progress bar resets. This makes positioning everything. You've got to use your new PoE 2 mobility—that dodge roll is your best friend here—to keep the mobs at bay while staying within the "holy" radius of the shrine. If you wander too far away because you're scared of a Rare mob, the shrine loses interest in you.
It’s kinda punishing if you’re playing a glass cannon build.
Most players get frustrated because they think the shrine is bugged. It’s not. It’s just that the Maraketh don’t respect cowards. You have to stay in the pocket. You have to fight.
Finding the Shrines in the Campaign
You’re mostly going to run into these during the Act 2 desert sequences. The Maraketh are a nomadic people, and their shrines reflect that—they aren't usually in the middle of a massive temple. They're tucked away in alcoves or placed on ridges overlooking the dunes.
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Keep an eye on your mini-map. The icon for a Maraketh shrine is slightly more ornate than the standard "buff" shrine. When you see it, clear the immediate area before you click it. There's nothing worse than starting the veneration process only to have a pack of elite archers open up on you from off-screen.
The Rewards for Your Trouble
So, why bother? Is the buff even worth the risk of a death penalty?
- Massive Speed Increments: The Maraketh are known for their wind-walking and horse mastery. Their shrines reflect this. You get a significant boost to movement speed and, more importantly in PoE 2, attack and cast speed.
- Gold Drops: Since gold is now a central currency for vendors and gambling in PoE 2, these shrines often have a hidden "bounty" effect. Enemies killed while the shrine is active or during the veneration process seem to drop higher stacks of gold.
- Quest Progression: In at least two instances during the early access/beta builds, "venerating" a specific named shrine is actually a side quest objective that rewards you with a permanent Spirit boost or an Attribute point. You literally cannot afford to skip those.
Common Mistakes People Make
Most people try to "cheese" the shrine by pulling enemies from three screens away. This backfires. The PoE 2 engine handles aggro differently than the old one. If those enemies weren't part of the "shrine's challenge," killing them won't help you complete the veneration. You need to focus on the mobs that have the golden "Venerated" glow around their feet.
Those are the ones that matter.
Another huge mistake is ignoring your mana. Since many PoE 2 builds rely on Spirit to keep auras active, and the shrines sometimes sap or test your resources, you might find yourself unable to cast your main skill halfway through the fight. Always have a mana flask ready before you click that stone.
Honestly, the hardest part is just the sheer density. PoE 2 loves to throw projectiles at you. If you’re standing still to venerate a Maraketh shrine, you are a sitting duck. Use your Frost Wall or whatever defensive utility you have. Even a well-placed Decoy Totem can take the heat off you long enough to finish the ritual.
Tactical Advice for High-Tier Maps
Later on, when you're in the endgame and encounter these in maps, the stakes are way higher. A Maraketh shrine in a Tier 10 map isn't a joke. The "Venerated" mobs will have multiple modifiers. You might see "Extra Fire Damage" combined with "Multiple Projectiles."
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At this stage, you don't just click the shrine. You scout.
If the shrine is surrounded by "On Death" explosive mobs, you might want to skip it unless your build is incredibly tanky. But if you can clear it, the loot multiplier for that specific pack is one of the highest in the game. It’s a high-risk, high-reward mechanic that keeps the gameplay from becoming a mindless click-fest.
The Maraketh don't give away their blessings for free. You have to earn them in blood. Usually yours, hopefully theirs.
Practical Next Steps
If you’re currently stuck on a quest involving a Maraketh shrine or just keep dying to them, here is exactly what you should do:
- Check your resistances: Most Maraketh mobs deal physical and lightning damage. If your lightning res is below 40%, you’re going to get stunned and fail the veneration.
- Clear the perimeter: Don't click the shrine the moment you see it. Circle it once, kill the "loose" mobs, and then start the event.
- Watch the floor: Maraketh shrines often trigger "sand traps" or "wind scars" on the ground during the fight. If you see a swirling animation, move.
- Focus the Glow: Kill the enemies with the golden aura first. They are the ones tethered to the shrine’s progress bar.
- Don't panic roll: You only have a few dodge charges. Save them for the big overhead slams from the Maraketh protectors, not just for moving around.
By the time you reach the end of Act 2, you'll have the rhythm down. It becomes a dance—dodge, strike, stay in the circle, collect your gold. It’s a far cry from the old PoE 1 shrines, but it makes the world feel much more alive.