Ultimate Guide for Beginners: Crafting Strategies in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 has introduced a refined crafting system that differs significantly from its predecessor, Path of Exile, despite only a few notable changes. These adjustments are pivotal, reshaping the game’s economy and making it more accessible to new players. This comprehensive guide explores the intricacies of crafting in Path of Exile 2, equipping both novice and veteran players with essential knowledge.

A Complete Guide for Beginners: Crafting in Path of Exile 2 and Utilizing Currency Orbs

Currency Orbs in Path of Exile 2 — Image courtesy of Grinding Gear Games

In Path of Exile 2, the crafting system significantly influences the game’s overall economy across each league. The primary currencies for trading also play a critical role in preparing top-tier equipment. The foundational aspect of this crafting process involves currency orbs. Below is a summary of the primary orbs utilized in crafting:

Orb Type	Details
Transmutation Orb	Turns a normal item into a magic item with one extra affix.
Augmentation Orb	Adds one affix to a magic item.
Orb of Chance	Randomly transforms a normal item into a magic, rare, or unique item.
Alchemy Orb	Converts a normal item into a rare item, ensuring at least four affixes.
Regal Orb	Changes a magic item into a rare item, providing one additional affix.
Chaos Orb	Removes a random affix and substitutes it with another.
Exalted Orb	Adds an affix to a rare item.
Divine Orb	Randomizes the numeric values of an item.
Vaal Orb	Corrupts an item, leading to unpredictable changes. Corrupted items cannot be further crafted.
Orb of Annulment	Corrupts an item and prevents it from being crafted further.
Artificer’s Orb	Adds a Rune socket to a martial item or armor.
Mirror of Adventure	Creates a mirrored copy of an item, which cannot be altered again.

This diverse array of orbs is essential for crafting high-quality gear. Beginners should utilize a combination of the Orb of Transmutation and the Orb of Alteration to create basic items for their campaign journey. To start, acquire a standard base item and apply an Orb of Transmutation to upgrade it to magic rarity.

Upon transforming it into a magic item, you will gain an extra affix or modifier. If the affix is unsatisfactory, you can sell the item and progress to another. Conversely, if the affix is acceptable, you may then apply the Orb of Alteration to enhance it further. This process continues until you successfully acquire two desirable affixes for your character.

After achieving a magic item, an Orb of Alchemy can be employed to elevate it to a rare item, adding yet another affix. Achieving three beneficial affixes consecutively can be challenging, which is why other currencies become important. If the Orbs of Transmutation and Alteration are reasonably priced, they can be effectively used to secure two optimal affixes on magic items. Since the next crafting stages can be risky, it’s wise to adopt more deterministic methods for obtaining additional beneficial affixes, typically relying on essences found primarily in endgame content.

Fundamental Crafting Techniques in Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 Cinematic Shot — Image courtesy of Grinding Gear Games

As an example, let’s say you’re looking to roll the following stats on your helmet:

% Increased Armor and Evasion
% Chaos Resistance
% Any Resistance
Flat Maximum Life

To achieve this, follow these steps using a normal rarity item (preferably a good item level):

Apply an Orb of Transmutation to turn the item into a magic item, aiming for one of the desired affixes.
Utilize an Orb of Augmentation to introduce an additional affix to your magic item.
Transform the magic item into a rare item using a Regal Orb and gain another affix.
Enhance the rare item even further by using an Exalted Orb to add a further affix.

This crafting methodology lies at the heart of item crafting in Path of Exile, echoing methods from the original game. However, it is crucial to note that Path of Exile 2 does not feature two important orbs: the Orb of Scouring and the Orb of Alteration. The former eradicates all affixes from an item, while the latter allows you to re-roll the affixes on a magic item; both functionalities are missing in this sequel.

Given this change, your crafting or farming strategy will focus on identifying good base item types (white items) and employing the available currency orbs to create your items. If you fail to achieve the desired affixes during any step, it’s advisable to discard or sell that item.

As you progress to the third and fourth steps, caution is warranted, as these orbs are relatively rarer. Even if you secure the correct affixes, it’s wise to verify that those affixes roll at a “high”value before proceeding.

Additionally, crafting items that may not be useful to you could be attractive to other players. It’s essential to assess your rolls and consider selling them on the market. Keep in mind that some quality items can sell for as little as one Exalted Orb or even less. Often, it’s more beneficial to farm Exalted Orbs and seek items directly in the market.

However, there is a unique satisfaction in crafting your own gear and successfully hitting all the right affixes! If you’re transitioning from Diablo 4, be sure to check out this PoE 2 guide.

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