"The Sceptre of God" is the climactic quest of Act 3 in Path of Exile (PoE), leading players to a final showdown with High Templar Dominus, the mastermind behind many of the atrocities you’ve encountered throughout Wraeclast. After defeating Piety and claiming a mysterious key from her, you’ll embark on a perilous journey to ascend the Sceptre of God, confront Dominus, and put an end to his reign of terror.
Objective: Ascend the Sceptre of God, find and kill Dominus, and prepare to move on to Act 4.
Reward: Access to Act 4 and further progression in the game.
The quest begins after you defeat Piety in her laboratory at the Lunaris Temple in the previous quest, "Piety’s Pets." Upon her death, Piety drops a hefty royal key. This key is crucial as it grants you access to the Sceptre of God, Dominus’s stronghold. Pick up the key and return to the Sarn Encampment to consult with Grigor.
Once you have the key, speak with Grigor in the Sarn Encampment. Grigor reveals that the key you’ve found unlocks the Sceptre of God, a towering structure located on the northern edge of the Blackguard encampment. This tower is where Dominus conducts his dark experiments, and it’s up to you to climb the tower, confront him, and put an end to his sinister plans.
Grigor warns you that Dominus’s laboratory is at the summit of the tower, and the way is fraught with danger. No one, not even Piety, dared to tread the lower levels of the tower, so be prepared for a fierce battle.
With the key in hand, make your way to the entrance of the Sceptre of God, which is located in the Imperial Gardens. The entrance is heavily guarded by Blackguards and other hostile creatures, so be prepared for a tough fight to gain access.
Use Piety’s Tower Key to unlock the entrance and step into the Sceptre of God.
The Sceptre of God is a multi-level tower filled with powerful enemies, traps, and dark rituals. As you ascend through the tower, you’ll encounter increasingly difficult foes, including Blackguard soldiers, necromancers, and abominations created by Dominus’s experiments.
The tower is divided into multiple levels:
Sceptre of God Level 1: The lower levels are crawling with Blackguards and various undead minions. Clear each room methodically, as rushing through can easily get you overwhelmed.
Sceptre of God Level 2: As you progress to the higher levels, the enemies become more numerous and dangerous. Be prepared to face tough mini-bosses and elite enemies as you make your way to the summit.
At the top of the Sceptre of God, you’ll finally come face-to-face with High Templar Dominus. The battle against Dominus is one of the most challenging encounters in Act 3, consisting of multiple phases:
Phase 1: Dominus begins the fight by summoning waves of minions and unleashing powerful area-of-effect (AoE) attacks. He uses a lightning strike that can deal massive damage if you’re caught in it, so keep moving and avoid standing still for too long.
Phase 2: After dealing enough damage, Dominus transforms into a monstrous form, where he gains new abilities and becomes even more dangerous. His blood rain attack is particularly deadly, dealing continuous damage over time if you remain within its area. Keep your distance and avoid his attacks while continuing to deal damage.
Final Phase: In the final phase, Dominus becomes increasingly aggressive, summoning even more minions and unleashing devastating attacks. Focus on avoiding his abilities and whittling down his health until he is finally defeated.
After defeating Dominus, you’ll find Dialla waiting at the summit. Speak with her to complete the quest and receive some important lore information that sets the stage for the events of Act 4. Dialla’s words also hint at the greater challenges that lie ahead.
With Dominus defeated, the top of the Sceptre of God now serves as the gateway to Act 4. Exit the tower and head to the Aqueduct, where your journey in Wraeclast continues.
"The Sceptre of God" is a defining moment in Path of Exile, concluding Act 3 with an epic battle against High Templar Dominus. The ascent through the tower is challenging and filled with powerful enemies, but the rewards are worth it. By defeating Dominus, you not only avenge the horrors inflicted upon Wraeclast but also unlock the path to even greater challenges in Act 4.
Prepare yourself, as the journey ahead will only grow more treacherous. But with the fall of Dominus, you’ve proven your strength and determination as you continue your quest for survival and power in Path of Exile.