How to Find and Cleanse a Corrupted Nexus in PoE 2

If you’ve just dipped your toes into the endgame of Path of Exile 2, one of the first roadblocks you're likely to slam into is finding a Corrupted Nexus. You’re grinding maps, upgrading Waystones, and trying to unlock those juicy Atlas passive points, but then the momentum dies because you can’t find another Corrupted Nexus. Sound familiar? Yeah, it happens to the best of us.

In this guide, we’re breaking down how to find a Corrupted Nexus in PoE 2, how to spot them in the Fog of War, and how to cleanse them for high-tier rewards. Whether you're just getting started or deep into the Waystone grind, this is your one-stop guide to everything Corrupted Nexus-related.

What is a Corrupted Nexus in PoE 2?

A Corrupted Nexus is a rare and essential map in Path of Exile 2’s Atlas endgame. These maps contain heavily corrupted monsters and one of three dangerous Beyond bosses. You can’t just stumble into them casually either. They only show up in areas tainted by coalesced corruption—and they’re critical if you want to earn the full set of Atlas passive points.

Unlike regular corrupted maps, Corrupted Nexus maps are identified by a neon red corruption icon on your Atlas. It’s brighter and more distinct than standard corruption, so if it’s on your screen, you’ll know it.

To enter a Corrupted Nexus, you’ll need a Waystone with at least four modifiers. Fail to complete it? Tough luck—it disappears. This isn’t a trial-and-error kind of deal; come prepared or get kicked out.

Why Corrupted Nexus Maps Matter

Here’s the deal: to max out your Atlas tree, you need to complete 15 individual Corrupted Nexus maps, each with increasingly higher-tier Waystones. You don’t get all 30 Atlas points in one go by finishing a high-tier map. Nope, GGG wants you to earn every inch of that progression.

Here’s how it breaks down:

• Clear a Corrupted Nexus with a Tier 1 Waystone: +2 Atlas Points

• Clear another with a Tier 2 Waystone: +2 Atlas Points

• Repeat until you hit 15 completions = 30 total Atlas Points

It’s a grind, but it’s worth it. And don’t forget: failing a Nexus means you lose it. So be tactical, especially as those Tier 10+ Waystones start to bring the pain.

How to Find a Corrupted Nexus in PoE 2

Now onto the real question—how do you actually find these things? Unlike the guaranteed first Nexus near the Ziggurat Refuge, the rest are randomly spread across the Atlas. They can feel impossible to locate if you don’t know what to look for.

But here’s what veteran players have figured out.

1. Use the Fog of War Like a Pro

The Atlas in PoE 2 is shrouded in Fog of War, and while it may look like dead space, it’s actually a goldmine of clues.

When you’re scanning the Fog, zoom in fully and look for:

• Black stone spires with red corruption leaking out. If you see this structure surrounded by red tendrils, that’s a Corrupted Nexus.

• Towers with red corruption surrounding them. These are harder to see unless you’re zoomed in, but they’re a dead giveaway that a Corrupted Nexus is nearby.

You might need to go a few screens without seeing anything—don’t panic. Keep pushing toward areas that show any signs of red, corrupted growth in the fog. That’s your best clue.

2. Don’t Skip Random Corruption Zones

Sometimes, you’ll enter a zone with partial corruption and no Nexus in sight. Don’t write it off just yet. Clear out that zone and check the maps around it. Often, corruption spreads, and the Nexus will be in the adjacent biome. Think of it as a breadcrumb trail.

3. Use Waystones Strategically

Before diving in, make sure you’ve got a Waystone with at least four mods ready. You’ll need it to activate a Corrupted Nexus. If you’re short on Waystones, try sustaining them efficiently (we’ve got a full guide on that too), or consider trading with other players.

Some players even stack Corrupted Nexus runs together. They scout multiple biomes, unlock all the Waypoints, and do a full clear session. It saves time and lets you chain progress.

Beyond Bosses in a Corrupted Nexus

Every Corrupted Nexus has one of three terrifying Beyond bosses waiting to ruin your day. Be ready:

• The Skittermind – High burst, lots of mobility. Don’t stand still.

• The Eater of Flesh – Tanky, summons corrupted minions. AoE builds thrive here.

• The Pale Angel – Ranged chaos and necrotic damage. Bring chaos res or get melted.

These aren’t your average bosses. They hit like trucks and can turn a successful run into a nightmare real fast. If you’re trying to push Tier 10+ Waystones, bring a solid build and stock up on flasks.

How to Cleanse a Corrupted Nexus in PoE 2

Alright, so you’ve found the Nexus, prepped your build, and took down the Beyond boss. What happens next? Cleansing the Corrupted Nexus is the final phase, and it comes with some big rewards.

When you defeat the boss in a Corrupted Nexus, the surrounding corrupted maps automatically convert into cleansed maps. These newly-cleansed zones feature unique monsters, new bosses, and—more importantly—they’re the only places where Fracturing Orbs drop.

If you don’t already know, Fracturing Orbs are some of the most valuable currency items in PoE 2. They let you fracture an item, locking a specific mod in place permanently. In an economy-driven game like this, that’s game-changing power.

So, not only do you get progress toward Atlas points, but you also unlock access to some of the most profitable mapping content in the game. Cleansed maps also tend to have better layout variety and are less punishing than their corrupted counterparts.

Pro Tip:

Some players run Nexus maps just to cleanse the area and then chain run the cleansed maps for loot. It’s a viable strategy, especially if you’re farming for Fracturing Orbs or looking to stockpile high-end crafting bases.

Final Thoughts: Make the Grind Work for You

Finding a Corrupted Nexus in PoE 2 is one of those tasks that feels brutal at first, but once you learn the signs, get a rhythm, and build around clearing them efficiently, it becomes one of the most rewarding loops in the game. With solid loot, high-end crafting currency, and Atlas progression on the line, it's not just busywork—it’s the heart of the PoE 2 endgame.

If you're ever struggling with Waystones, gear upgrades, or just want to get a leg up, don't be afraid to check out PoE 2 currency for sale at trusted stores like PVPBank. Sometimes a small boost in resources is all it takes to power through a frustrating tier and hit your next Corrupted Nexus milestone.