How to use the Golden Idol and others in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 Golden Idol - Alva investigating a soul core
(Image credit: Grinding Gear Games)

Confused about what to do with the Golden Idol in Path of Exile 2? You'll likely happen upon at least one of these idols while exploring Utzaal in act three, though it's most probable you'll discover the Golden Idol first, since it's found in a fixed location in Napuatzi's quarters. 

There are actually six idols overall scattered across the ancient city, including the Golden Idol, Grand Idol, Glorious Idol, Exquisite Idol, Elegant Idol, and Exceptional Idol. Some are located on altars in the city itself, guarded by enemies, while others are hidden in smaller rooms you can enter through doorways, such as Napuatzi's quarters. 

Similar to the Sacrificial Heart you also find in Utzaal, what you actually do with these items is a little confusing, so here's how to use the Golden Idol and its counterparts in act three of PoE 2.

Path of Exile 2 tipsPath of Exile 2 classesPath of Exile 2 multiplayerPath of Exile 2 AscendancyPath of Exile 2 Spirit

Path of Exile 2 tips: Get started in Wraeclast
Path of Exile 2 classes: Who to pick
Path of Exile 2 multiplayer: Play with pals
Path of Exile 2 Ascendancy: Advance your class
Path of Exile 2 Spirit: How to get more

How to use the Golden Idol and others

You can sell each of the idols to Oswald for gold (Image credit: Grinding Gear Games)

If you inspect the Golden Idol—or any of the others you find in Utzaal—it mentions that you can exchange it with Oswald in the Ziggurat Encampment. However, when you head on over to see him, you'll find there's no new dialogue option related to the idol you can choose. What you need to do is sell the Golden Idol to Oswald using the regular vendor menu. This is true for all the other idols you find in Utzaal as well.

You can find other idols by exploring Utzaal (Image credit: Grinding Gear Games)

It's a little confusing. Though each of these idols is labelled as a 'Quest Item' in its description, they are actually just loot that you can sell to Oswald for gold, and not even that much gold to be honest. Depending on which idol you sell, you'll get around either 500 or 1,000 gold. Still, if you're exploring Utzaal thoroughly, you may as well grab every idol you find, hawk them to Oswald, and get some extra currency for when you next need to respec or something.

Sean Martin
Senior Guides Writer

Sean's first PC games were Full Throttle and Total Annihilation and his taste has stayed much the same since. When not scouring games for secrets or bashing his head against puzzles, you'll find him revisiting old Total War campaigns, agonizing over his Destiny 2 fit, or still trying to finish the Horus Heresy. Sean has also written for EDGE, Eurogamer, PCGamesN, Wireframe, EGMNOW, and Inverse.