In Path of Exile (PoE), the "Strange Growths" quest introduces players to the Blight mechanic, a unique tower defense-style encounter that offers both challenges and rewards. This quest is tied to Sister Cassia, an eccentric yet brilliant character who tasks you with helping her cleanse Wraeclast of the corrupting influence of fungal growths. These growths threaten to overrun the land, and it’s up to you to stop them by activating her Ichor Pump and defending it from waves of monstrous attackers.
Objective: Activate the Ichor Pump to initiate the Blight encounter, build towers to defend the pump, and defeat the waves of Fungal Defenders.
Reward: Various rewards from the Blight encounter, including loot and potentially valuable crafting oils.
The "Strange Growths" quest begins when you encounter Sister Cassia in Act 3. She informs you about the Blight, a strange fungal infection spreading across Wraeclast, and asks for your assistance in cleansing it. The first step is to activate the Ichor Pump, a machine designed by Cassia to purify the corrupted mycelium.
The Ichor Pump is located near a pulsating growth, usually marked on your map. Once you reach the location, interact with the pump to start the Blight encounter.
As soon as the Ichor Pump is activated, fungal growths will begin to emerge, sending waves of monsters known as Fungal Defenders towards the pump. Your task is to prevent these creatures from reaching and destroying the pump.
To aid in your defense, you can build various types of towers along the paths leading to the pump. Each tower serves a specific purpose, such as slowing enemies, dealing elemental damage, or enhancing your abilities. The key to success is strategically placing and upgrading these towers to maximize their effectiveness.
Common tower types include:
Carefully consider the placement of these towers, as the waves will follow specific paths towards the pump. Effective use of your resources and quick decision-making are crucial to ensuring the pump’s survival.
Once the Blight encounter begins, waves of Fungal Defenders will emerge from the mycelium and make their way toward the Ichor Pump. These enemies vary in strength and abilities, and some may even have resistances or immunities to certain damage types.
Your goal is to defeat these waves before they can reach and damage the pump. As the encounter progresses, the difficulty ramps up, with more powerful enemies and faster waves. Keep an eye on the pump’s health and be prepared to adjust your tower placements or engage enemies directly if the situation becomes dire.
If the pump is destroyed, the encounter will fail, and you’ll need to speak with Sister Cassia to reset and try again. However, if you successfully defend the pump, you’ll be rewarded with loot and the satisfaction of helping Cassia in her mission.
After successfully defending the Ichor Pump, talk to Sister Cassia. She will praise your efforts (albeit somewhat reluctantly) and offer insights into the nature of the Blight and the challenges ahead. This conversation also marks the completion of the quest.
Cassia hints that this is just the beginning, as many more Blight-infested areas remain throughout Wraeclast. She offers to continue the partnership, meaning you’ll encounter more Blight encounters as you progress through the game.
While the "Strange Growths" quest itself doesn’t have a fixed reward, the Blight encounters it introduces are a valuable source of loot. Successful completion of these encounters can yield:
The loot from these encounters can be quite lucrative, especially if you manage to clear multiple waves without the pump taking significant damage.
The "Strange Growths" quest in Path of Exile is a thrilling introduction to the Blight mechanic, blending tower defense strategy with the game’s classic action-RPG gameplay. By assisting Sister Cassia in purging the fungal corruption, you not only help cleanse Wraeclast but also gain access to unique rewards and mechanics that can significantly enhance your character’s power.
As you continue your journey, you’ll encounter more Blight-infested areas, each offering greater challenges and rewards. Master the art of tower placement, stay vigilant, and you’ll be well-equipped to handle the growing Blight threat in Path of Exile.