TL;DR
- Colored mushrooms in Act 3’s Apex of Filth unlock hidden quests not shown in your journal
- Collect all three mushroom colors before defeating Grimescrabbler to access the Cauldron Keeper
- Brewing mushrooms grants random Life and Mana Flasks requiring identification
- The Cauldron Keeper offers superior gear unavailable in regular vendors
- Revisit the merchant periodically for refreshed high-quality equipment options
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During your journey through Act 3 of Path of Exile 2, you’ll discover vibrant colored fungi that initially appear to serve no practical function. These unique items consume valuable inventory slots but conceal a significant hidden purpose many players overlook. This comprehensive guide reveals the strategic value behind these mysterious mushrooms and how to leverage them for powerful rewards.
The Apex of Filth zone in Act 3 contains both red and blue mushroom variants that drop randomly from defeated enemies. Due to the procedurally generated nature of Path of Exile 2 maps, there are no fixed spawn locations, requiring thorough exploration of the entire area. Green mushrooms typically appear less frequently but are equally essential for completing the hidden objective. Experienced players recommend clearing all monster packs systematically rather than rushing through the zone.
These distinctive fungi in Path of Exile 2 activate a secret quest chain that remains completely hidden from your standard quest log interface. To initiate this clandestine mission, you must acquire specimens of all three mushroom colors before engaging with the quest NPC. Transport your collected mushrooms to the Cauldron Keeper character, whose location becomes accessible only after you’ve vanquished the Grimescrabbler, the Renowned boss encounter.
Approach the mystical Cauldron and interact with it to begin the alchemical process. Carefully add each colored mushroom to the witch’s brewing potion in any sequence. Upon completion, you’ll be awarded both a Life Flask and Mana Flask featuring randomly generated affixes. These magical items will require identification using Scrolls of Wisdom before equipping them to your character’s flask slots.
It’s crucial to recognize that the Cauldron Keeper functions as a specialized rare item merchant offering equipment superior to anything available through city vendors. Her inventory refreshes according to the game’s instance reset mechanics, making periodic revisits highly rewarding for players seeking optimized gear. Many adventurers miss this ongoing benefit by assuming the interaction concludes after obtaining the initial flasks.
Strategic inventory management becomes essential when collecting mushrooms. Since they occupy multiple slots, consider temporarily storing less critical items or utilizing stash access between collection sessions. The merchant’s stock typically includes exclusive modifiers and higher base item levels than standard Act 3 vendors, providing significant power spikes for your character progression. For more advanced character optimization, consult our comprehensive Class Guide to maximize your build potential.
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Action Checklist
- Thoroughly explore Apex of Filth while defeating all enemy packs to collect mushrooms
- Secure all three mushroom colors before battling Grimescrabbler
- Locate Cauldron Keeper after boss defeat and interact with the cauldron
- Identify obtained flasks and periodically return to merchant for gear refreshes
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » What are red, blue, green mushrooms for in PoE 2. Guide to mushroom secret quest in Act 3 of Path of Exile 2 Complete guide to finding and using colored mushrooms for secret flasks and rare merchant access in PoE 2 Act 3