Path of Exile 2: Complete Currency Guide
Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), the highly anticipated sequel to Path of Exile, expands on the world and mechanics of its predecessor, offering new ways to craft, trade, and engage with the economy. As in the original game, currency plays an essential role in the PoE2 experience. It's how you craft your gear, progress through the endgame, and Poe 2 trade with other players for the best loot.
However, with new mechanics and systems introduced in PoE2, understanding how to manage and optimize your currency use is more important than ever. In this comprehensive guide, we'll take a deep dive into the currency system of Path of Exile 2, how to obtain, use, and save your precious resources, and the strategies you can use to thrive in the game's complex economy.
Understanding the Currency System in PoE2
Currency in Path of Exile 2 is not just a form of in-game money but a series of consumable items that serve different purposes within the game. These items help you craft, modify, and improve your equipment. Unlike traditional RPGs, PoE2 does not have a single "gold" currency. Instead, it uses a wide variety of different orbs, scrolls, and other items, each with its specific function.
Core Currency Items
Here's a look at the most essential currency items you'll interact with throughout your PoE2 journey:
Chaos Orbs – One of the most common forms of currency in the game. Chaos Orbs are used to re-roll the random properties (modifiers) on a piece of equipment. They are also frequently used as a standard form of exchange in player-to-player trades.
Exalted Orbs – Used to add a new, random affix (modifier) to an item that already has six affixes. These orbs are valuable for endgame crafting and generally have a high trade value due to their rarity.
Divine Orbs – These are used to re-roll the numerical values of an item's mods without changing the mods themselves. Divine Orbs are extremely valuable for refining high-end gear.
Vaal Orbs – Corrupts an item, adding or changing its properties in ways that cannot be undone. Corruptions may create powerful synergies or alter the item in unexpected ways, making Vaal Orbs popular for crafting endgame gear.
Fusing Orbs – These are used to link sockets on an item. Linking items is essential for building a powerful gear setup, as it allows you to fit in more skill gems and enhances the utility of your equipment.
Scouring Orbs – Used to remove all affixes from an item, essentially resetting it back to a white (normal) item. This is useful when you want to start over on an item you've been crafting or modifying.
Alteration Orbs – Used to reroll the random modifiers on a normal (white) item, making them a cheaper alternative to Chaos Orbs. They are commonly used early on in crafting when you want to roll budget gear.
Orb of Transmutation – Converts a normal (white) item into a magic (blue) item. It is typically used at the beginning stages of crafting to get an item with potential affixes.
Less Common Currency Items
In addition to the core currencies mentioned above, there are many other specialized currencies in PoE2:
Blessed Orbs – Used to re-roll the random values on an item's mod, similar to Divine Orbs, but can be used for both normal and rare items.
Orb of Annulment – Removes one random affix from a rare item, which can be particularly useful in high-tier crafting where you may want to remove unwanted mods.
Chromatic Orbs – Used to change the color of an item's sockets. This is essential for customizing your item's socket color to fit your skill gem requirements.
Jeweller's Orbs – These modify the number of sockets an item has, allowing you to craft gear with the appropriate number of sockets for your needs.
Essences – Special items used in crafting that guarantee certain affixes on an item. They are often highly sought after for specific builds.
Sacrifice Fragments – Used to open portals to special endgame content (like the Uber Elder or the Shaper). These are typically tied to highly sought-after content that can reward valuable loot.
How to Obtain Currency in PoE2
In PoE2, currency is earned through multiple avenues, including farming, trading, crafting, and special in-game mechanics. Below are the primary ways to obtain currency:
1. Farming Monsters and Bosses
One of the most direct ways to obtain currency is by slaying monsters and bosses across the world of PoE2. High-level bosses, like those in endgame content, often drop valuable currency items, and the higher the difficulty of the content you engage with, the more rewarding your loot will be.
Map Farming: Clearing higher-tier maps and endgame content is a reliable method for accumulating both valuable loot and currency. Map modifiers can increase the rarity of drops, which may include more rare currency items.
Boss Drops: Defeating endgame bosses, such as Sirus, Shaper, or Elder, can yield a substantial amount of valuable currency, including items like Exalted Orbs and Vaal Orbs.2. Trading
The PoE2 economy is player-driven, and trading with other players is one of the best ways to both save and generate currency. The market is dynamic and varies based on demand, rarity, and league mechanics.
Trade Items for Currency: Instead of using items you find directly, you can sell them to other players for currency. Use the trade interface to browse for pricing information on specific items.
Flipping: Buy items at a low price and sell them for a higher price. This requires knowledge of market trends and an eye for valuable items that can be resold at a profit.
Leverage League Content: Special league mechanics in PoE2 often introduce new items that can be highly valuable to other players. These unique items can be sold for a significant profit, allowing you to quickly amass wealth.
2. Crafting and Modifying Gear
Crafting is a critical component of PoE2, and currency is often used for modifying gear. While it can be expensive, strategic crafting can yield valuable items that can either be used for your own builds or sold for profit.
Craft High-Value Items: Crafting high-tier gear with rare mods and affixes is a great way to make money. If you have an in-depth knowledge of crafting, you can modify an item with the right modifiers to maximize its value and then sell it.
Using Essences and Fragments: Special crafting materials like Essences are often used to guarantee specific affixes, which can lead to high-demand items.
3. Leagues and Events
Special leagues and in-game events often offer new mechanics that can provide lucrative rewards. Whether it's farming for new league-specific items or grinding through events for special currencies, these are excellent opportunities to rack up cheap POE 2 Currency.
Seasonal Events: Many events offer bonuses that make currency farming more efficient or drop unique rewards that can be traded for high value.
League Mechanics: Some league-specific mechanics allow players to farm exclusive items, which may be worth more currency than regular items.
Best Practices for Currency Management
While earning currency is important, managing your currency wisely will ensure long-term success in PoE2. Here are some of the best strategies for managing and saving your currency:
1. Avoid Overspending Early On
It can be tempting to spend currency on high-end gear or crafting materials early in the game, but it's often more efficient to save your currency for later when it will make a more significant impact.
Focus on Basic Crafting First: Early on, focus on basic upgrades, like adding resistances and stats, rather than crafting the perfect item. You can always refine your gear later.
2. Invest in Your Build Efficiently
Prioritize investing currency in your core build requirements—damage, survivability, and movement speed—before spending it on luxury items or niche upgrades. Focus on upgrading your gear gradually, investing in better items only as you advance through harder content.
3. Save for Endgame Gear
Endgame gear is often expensive to craft, and the demand for certain high-tier affixes or items can drive their prices up. If you're working toward a high-end build or specific content, save your currency for the final stages of your character's progression. Consider reserving rare crafting materials, like Exalted Orbs, for top-tier gear.
4. Keep an Eye on Market Trends
PoE2's economy is dynamic, and prices for certain items and currency can fluctuate over time. Stay informed on market trends and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Use Trade Filters: When trading, use trade filters to quickly identify the value of items you want to sell or buy.
Know the Meta: Certain items, especially in the early stages of a league, can become highly sought after due to the meta. These can be flipped for high profits.
5. Don't Be Afraid to Farm Lower-Level Content
While high-level content is tempting, farming lower-level maps or bosses can sometimes yield more consistent drops of valuable items or currency, especially when factoring in the time it takes to complete them. Plus, the cost to run lower-tier content is often much cheaper.
Conclusion
Currency management in Path of Exile 2 is a critical skill that will define your success in the game. By understanding the various types of currency, how to farm it, and how to use it effectively, you'll be able to optimize your progress and get ahead in the game's complex economy.
Whether you're crafting endgame gear, trading with other players, or simply saving your resources for the long haul, being strategic with your currency will give you the tools you need to tackle PoE2's toughest challenges. Good luck on your journey, and may your inventory be full of valuable currency!