Path of Exile 2 is available in early access right now, and it has most of its systems gradually being implemented. One of the unique mechanics available within the Halls of the Dead is the way to get Ancestral Tattoos. They are little but important passive upgrades that grant either a core attribute gain or an elemental resistance.
The way works as follows:
- Completing a trial in the Halls of the Dead grants you a Blank Tattoo.
- These blanks can then be brought to Hinekora’s Totem in the Halls.
- Each blank provides you with two transformation options — one for an attribute, one for a resistance.
This makes tattoos a useful resource for adjusting your character, especially if you’re struggling with early-game stat requirements on equipment or capping out your elemental resistances.
All Blank Tattoos and Their Upgrades
The following are all the tattoos that are present in Path of Exile 2 early access right now:
| Blank Tattoo | Attribute Option | Resistance Option |
| Tawhoa | +5 Dexterity | +5% Lightning Resistance |
| Tasalio | +5 Intelligence | +5% Cold Resistance |
| Ngamahu | +5 Strength | +5% Fire Resistance |
Strategy & Usage
While each tattoo has a very small bonus, they can add up quickly — considering that attribute requirements and resistance ceilings are ever-lasting roadblocks in Path of Exile. Tips:
- Dexterity Tattoos (Tawhoa) are best for Dexterity-oriented classes like Rangers or evasion-based characters that rely on fast attack speed. The Lightning Resistance option addresses the common Act 2–3 vulnerability.
- Intelligence Tattoos (Tasalio) are good for casters and minion builds that often fall below INT requirements for gear and gems. Cold Resistance is particularly helpful against Act 2/3 bosses with high cold damage.
- Strength Tattoos (Ngamahu) are useful for Marauder-type builds and melee characters with life and armor stacking. Fire Resistance, however, is a requirement to get through bosses like the Act 3 fire-saturated encounters.
As tattoos are a repeatable reward for trials, you farm until you offset the build weaknesses.
Future Expansions
Since Path of Exile 2 is still being developed, it’s likely that additional Blank Tattoos will be added in later patches, possibly chaos resistance, critical chance, or hybrid bonuses. Currently, though, the three ancestral blanks Tawhoa, Tasalio, and Ngamahu are all that’s available.
