Path of Exile 2 (POE 2) promises to bring even more depth and complexity to the world of Path of Exile, building upon its predecessor's intricate systems. One of the most important aspects of both games, and what sets POE 2 apart from many other ARPGs, is its robust economy centered around Path of Exile 2 currency. Among the most vital items in this economy are the various orbs that players can use for crafting, modifying, and improving their gear.
In this article, we'll explore the many ways you can use orbs in Path of Exile 2 to enhance your character's progression, create powerful equipment, and shape the course of your adventure.
What Are Orbs in Path of Exile 2
In POE 2, orbs are an essential currency used primarily for crafting and upgrading gear. They come in many forms, each with a unique function, and they allow you to modify the properties of items, enhance their stats, or even completely change the way they perform. Unlike gold or other typical in-game currencies, orbs are items you actively use in the game world, making them a core part of the gameplay loop.
Some of the most common orbs in POE 2 include:
Orb of Transmutation: Converts a normal item into a magic item, granting it one or two random modifiers.
Orb of Alchemy: Upgrades a normal item to a rare item, adding more powerful modifiers.
Chaos Orb: Rerolls the random properties of a rare item, changing its modifiers.
Exalted Orb: Adds a new random modifier to a rare item, increasing its power.
These orbs are highly valuable and serve as the backbone of crafting in POE 2. Knowing how to use them effectively can dramatically improve your progression in the game.
1. Crafting with Orbs
The most direct use of orbs in POE 2 is crafting items. Whether you're seeking to enhance your weapons, armor, or accessories, orbs are the tools you'll need to modify your gear. Here's a breakdown of how different orbs can be used in crafting:
Orb of Transmutation
Function: Converts a normal item into a magic item.
How to Use: When you find a basic (normal) item that you want to upgrade, you can use the Orb of Transmutation to give it magical properties. Magic items have random modifiers, which can be helpful for low- to mid-tier gear.
Crafting Tip: Use the Orb of Transmutation on low-level base items to give them valuable magical properties that will help you through the early stages of the game. This is a great way to make your gear more effective early on.
Orb of Alchemy
Function: Upgrades a normal item into a rare item, adding more powerful modifiers.
How to Use: Once you've turned an item into a magic item using an Orb of Transmutation, you can then use an Orb of Alchemy to elevate it to a rare item. Rare items come with multiple modifiers, which are critical for late-game crafting.
Crafting Tip: Use the Orb of Alchemy on items that you want to heavily invest in, especially when you're aiming for rare gear with specific affixes. Keep in mind that these orbs are more expensive, so make sure you're crafting items that will benefit greatly from the upgrade.
Chaos Orb
Function: Rerolls the random properties of a rare item.
How to Use: If you've crafted or found a rare item that has poor modifiers or you want to try and get better stats, use a Chaos Orb to completely reroll its properties. This is a gamble, as you may end up with worse modifiers, but it can yield great rewards if you get the right affixes.
Crafting Tip: If you're attempting to create end-game gear, don't hesitate to use Chaos Orbs to fine-tune your rare items. However, it's important to remember that rerolling comes with risk, so it's advisable to use Chaos Orbs on high-value items you can afford to experiment with.
Exalted Orb
Function: Adds a new random modifier to a rare item.
How to Use: The Exalted Orb is one of the most coveted POE 2 currency items because it can enhance a rare item by adding an additional modifier. This is particularly useful when you have an item with good stats but want to increase its power by adding a complementary modifier.
Crafting Tip: The Exalted Orb is best used on high-quality rare items with good existing modifiers. Since adding an extra modifier can increase the item's value significantly, it's often used for min-maxing end-game gear.
2. Enhancing Gear with the Crafting Bench
In addition to using orbs, POE 2 features a Crafting Bench that allows players to apply specific modifiers to their gear. This bench provides a more direct way to enhance your items, especially once you've acquired more orbs and crafting materials. The Crafting Bench can be used in conjunction with orbs to add specific mods to items, giving you more control over your gear's stats.
Crafting Tip: The Crafting Bench can be useful when you want to apply specific, pre-defined modifiers to your gear without the randomness of Chaos Orbs. You'll need to gather crafting materials to unlock certain mods at the Crafting Bench, so be sure to farm these materials efficiently.
3. Trading Orbs for POE 2 Currency
In POE 2, orbs are also part of the game's economy, and they can be used to trade for other valuable items, POE 2 currency, and gear. The in-game trade market allows players to exchange orbs for a variety of items, which is an excellent way to acquire high-tier gear or rare crafting materials.
How to Trade: Use the in-game trade system or external trade platforms to find deals where you can exchange orbs for specific items you need. If you're sitting on an abundance of lower-tier orbs, such as Orb of Transmutation or Orb of Alchemy, you can often exchange these for more valuable orbs or end-game items.
Trading Tip: Keep an eye on the market to see which orbs and items are in demand. This will help you make profitable trades, allowing you to maximize the value of your orbs.
4. Using Orbs to Reroll Maps and Encounters
Some orbs in POE 2 can be used to modify the content of maps, which are randomized dungeons in Path of Exile 2. These maps contain valuable loot, but you can use orbs to alter their difficulty or rewards.
Orb of Scouring: Removes all modifiers from a rare item or map.
Orb of Horizon: Changes the map's tier but retains its layout.
By using orbs on maps, you can craft your own challenging encounters or improve the rewards you get from map clears. This is particularly useful for high-level players looking to maximize their loot while running end-game maps.
Conclusion
Orbs are the backbone of Path of Exile 2's crafting system and overall economy. Whether you're using them to upgrade gear, reroll properties, or trade for better items, mastering the use of orbs will be key to your success in POE 2. By learning when to use specific orbs and how to craft your gear for optimal stats, you'll be able to stay ahead of the curve in this challenging and rewarding game.
The POE 2 currency system adds a level of depth to the crafting and trading mechanics that makes every decision important, and orbs are central to that experience. So, start farming orbs, fine-tune your gear, and prepare yourself for the trials that await in Path of Exile 2.
MMOexp POE 2 Team