Path of Exile 2: How to find the Seven Pillars in Qimah, and all buff rewards

In the vast, sun-scorched landscapes of Path of Exile 2's Interlude Chapter, few secrets offer permanent power boosts like the Seven Pillars of Qimah. Nestled in the level 56 region of Qimah, these ancient structures grant lasting buffs that shape your character's strength for the entire game.

Unlike temporary consumables or quest rewards, the buffs from the Seven Pillars are permanent-until you choose to switch them. This flexibility makes them a must-visit for any exile looking to optimize their build. Whether you prioritize survivability, damage, or utility, there's a pillar to match your playstyle. Let's dive into how to find them and what each has to offer. These will allow you to more easily obtain rewards such as POE 2 Currency in the game.

Locating Qimah and the Seven Pillars

First, you'll need to reach the Interlude Chapter titled "The Stolen Barya," which takes place in the Vastiri Desert. Qimah is one of the key regions in this interlude, connected to the Galai Gates and Qimah Reservoir. It's a dangerous area filled with Maraketh foes, risen arbalests, and lost-men zealots, so come prepared with level-appropriate gear.

To find the Seven Pillars, start by teleporting to Qimah via its waystone. Upon spawning, turn left and follow the outer wall of the area. This path will lead you to a small, easy-to-miss corridor. Don't rush-blitzing through Qimah often causes players to overlook this entrance.

Pass through the corridor, and you'll emerge in a secluded chamber housing three of the pillars. A checkpoint is available here, allowing you to fast-travel back later if you want to switch your buff. The remaining four pillars are scattered nearby in the same chamber, so take a moment to explore the area thoroughly to avoid missing any.

Pro tip: Clear the surrounding enemies before interacting with the pillars. The chamber can spawn bloodthief queens and desiccated liches, which can interrupt your decision-making or kill you mid-interaction.

All Seven Pillars: Buffs and Effects

Each pillar is named after a distinct figure and offers a unique boon (or curse, in one case). Activating a pillar grants its effect immediately, and you can only have one buff active at a time. Here's a breakdown of each pillar's power:

1. Halani's Boon: Cooldown Recovery Mastery

Halani's Pillar grants a 12% increased cooldown recovery rate. This is a top pick for builds reliant on skills with long cooldowns, such as spellcasters, summoners, or melee exiles using big-hit abilities.

More cooldown recovery means higher skill uptime-you'll cast your most powerful abilities more frequently, turning tough fights in your favor. It pairs exceptionally well with builds that use cooldown-dependent mechanics, like totem summoners or cyclone users.

2. Kochai's Boon: Attribute Boost

Kochai's Pillar gives +5 to all attributes (Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence). This is a versatile buff that benefits nearly every build in the game. Attributes boost damage, defense, and skill requirements, making this a safe choice for new players or hybrid builds.

For physical damage dealers, extra Strength increases melee damage and armour. Spellcasters gain more Intelligence for spell damage and energy shield. Dexterity-focused builds get a boost to evasion and attack speed. It's a jack-of-all-trades buff that never feels useless.

3. Tabana's Boon: Elemental Resistance

Tabana's Pillar provides +5% to all elemental resistances (Fire, Cold, Lightning). Elemental resistance is critical in Path of Exile 2, as many late-game enemies and bosses deal massive elemental damage.

This buff is ideal for builds struggling to cap their resistances (reach 75% for maximum protection). It's a lifesaver for low-level exiles or those using gear with minimal resistance rolls. Even endgame builds can benefit from the extra cushion against elemental bursts.

4. Orbala's Boon: Movement Speed

Orbala's Pillar offers 3% increased movement speed. While 3% may seem small, movement speed is a multiplicative stat that adds up quickly. It improves your ability to traverse maps, dodge attacks, and reposition in combat.

This is a favorite for speed-clearing builds, such as bow users or melee assassins who rely on mobility. It also helps with kiting tough enemies, buying time to heal or cast defensive skills. For players who hate feeling sluggish, Orbala's Boon is a perfect fit.

5. Ahkeli's Boon: Global Defenses

Ahkeli's Pillar grants 15% increased global defences. This buff boosts all your defensive stats, including armour, evasion, and energy shield. It's a straightforward choice for builds prioritizing survivability.

Tank builds, support characters, and exiles facing tough endgame content will love this buff. It provides a consistent defense boost across the board, reducing the damage taken from physical and elemental attacks alike. If you're tired of dying to random hits, Ahkeli's Boon is your answer.

6. Galai's Boon: Presence Area of Effect

Galai's Pillar increases presence area of effect by 20%. "Presence" refers to aura-like mechanics, such as buffs that affect your allies or debuffs that harm enemies in a radius.

This is a niche but powerful buff for aura builds, summoners, or support characters. It extends the range of your auras, allowing you to buff more allies or debuff more enemies without repositioning. If your build revolves around area control, Galai's Boon is irreplaceable.

7. Alima's Disgrace: Risky Experience Gain

Alima's Pillar is the black sheep of the Seven Pillars. It grants 5% increased experience gain but comes with severe penalties: -5% elemental resistances, 3% reduced movement speed, 15% reduced global defences, 12% reduced cooldown recovery rate, and 5% reduced attributes.

The trade-off is rarely worth it. The 5% experience boost is minimal, and the penalties drastically reduce your survivability and utility. Only consider this if you're power-leveling a new character and can offset the penalties with high-tier gear. For most players, Alima's Disgrace is best avoided.

How to Choose the Best Buff for Your Build

The "best" pillar depends entirely on your build and playstyle. Here's a quick guide to help you decide:

For aura/support builds: Prioritize Galai's Boon for extended presence range. If survivability is an issue, switch to Ahkeli's Boon.

For spellcasters/cooldown-reliant builds: Halani's Boon is a no-brainer. Kochai's Boon is a solid alternative if you need more attributes for skill requirements.

For melee tanks: Ahkeli's Boon (defense) or Kochai's Boon (attributes) are top choices. Tabana's Boon works if you need resistance help.

For speed-clearing builds: Orbala's Boon (movement speed) pairs well with Halani's Boon for faster skill cycles.

For new players: Kochai's Boon (versatile attributes) or Tabana's Boon (resistances) are safe, effective choices.

Final Tips for the Seven Pillars

Remember that you can switch your buff at any time by returning to the Seven Pillars. This means you can adapt to different content-use Ahkeli's Boon for tough bosses and Orbala's Boon for map clearing.

Qimah is a level 56 area, so visit it as soon as you unlock the Interlude Chapter. The earlier you get your chosen buff, the more value you'll get from its permanent effects.

Don't forget to activate the checkpoint near the pillars. This lets you fast-travel back without replaying the entire region. It's especially useful if you want to switch buffs before a major boss fight.

Conclusion

The Seven Pillars of Qimah are a hidden gem in Path of Exile 2's Interlude Chapter. Their permanent buffs offer meaningful power boosts that adapt to any build, and their flexibility lets you refine your playstyle as you progress. The same cheap Path of Exile 2 Orbs can help you become stronger faster.

By following the path left of Qimah's waystone and exploring the secluded chamber, you'll unlock these ancient boons in no time. Choose wisely based on your build, and don't hesitate to switch buffs as your needs change. With the right pillar active, you'll turn the tide of even the deadliest battles in the Vastiri Desert and beyond.

Now go forth, exile-claim your boon and carve your legacy in Path of Exile 2.