Path of Exile 2: A Deep Dive into the Moment of Zen
Path of Exile 2's endgame is centered around a vast, procedurally generated map that expands infinitely in all directions. Waystones are placed at map nodes, allowing players to access the map, clear it of monsters, and unlock connected nodes for further exploration. However, there are some map types that deviate from the norm, operating under an entirely different set of rules.
One such unique map type is the Moment of Zen. In this special atlas map in PoE 2, players don't engage in battles against hordes of monsters or face off against fearsome pinnacle bosses. Instead, they enter an empty map with just a single non - player character (NPC). Let's take a closer look.
How Does Moment of Zen Work in PoE 2
The Moment of Zen is a very compact map that features only one NPC, known as the Nameless Seer. This Nameless Seer is a special vendor who is exclusive to the Moment of Zen. He offers a selection of Unique items for sale.
Players have the opportunity to obtain one Unique item from the Nameless Seer's inventory at no cost. After choosing this free item, all other items in his stock will be removed. His inventory is filled with randomly selected Uniques that are part of the regular loot table. While many of these Uniques might not seem particularly valuable, there are some extremely powerful ones like Astramentis, Thief's Torment, and Headhunter. There's no way to influence the specific Uniques the Nameless Seer has. The inventory is determined the moment you first enter the map and remains fixed indefinitely.
It's important to note that you won't find boss - exclusive Uniques like Temporalis in a Moment of Zen.
Which Tier Waystone Should You Use For Moment of Zen
The only impact waystones can have on Moment of Zen maps is regarding the item level of the Uniques the vendor has. For example, a Tier 15 Waystone will result in Uniques with an Item Level of 79, and a Tier 16 Waystone will yield Uniques with an Item Level of 80.
Theoretically, it might be possible to apply the Irradiated modifier to the Moment of Zen by using a Precursor Tablet on a nearby Tower. However, this has yet to be successfully achieved. If it were possible, it would enable players to obtain Uniques with an item level of 81 from the Nameless Seer.
In Path of Exile 2, Uniques are the only item type that doesn't rely on item level. An item level 74 Unique and an item level 81 Unique will have identical stats and modifiers. Their affixes are set and don't have multiple tiers like Rare items do. This means you can freely use any random Waystone from your Stash tabs to trigger the Moment of Zen without worrying about the item level of the resulting Uniques. Everything is based on random chance.
Moreover, Waystone modifiers, Precursor Tablet modifiers, and Atlas skill tree points have no impact on a Moment of Zen map.