InIt's all about looting and leveling - as befits an action role-playing game. Like the first part of the series, Path of Exile 2 relies on an upgrade system with which you can craft your desired items yourself. Provided you are familiar with the system. This is where our guide comes into play!
The basis for this is the upgrade materials, the spheres. They are also called orbs in the community because most people agree on the English terms - which is why we use them synonymously with the German terms.
- Overview of crafting materials
- How do I start crafting?
- Improve your items with Orbs
- How do I adjust the affixes?
- Chance decides
- Further materials at a glance
Overview of crafting materials
In the following table you will find the basic materials you need to get started with Path of Exile 2.
| Object | Effect | Frequency & Use |
|---|---|---|
| Orb of Transmutation | Transforms a normal item into a magical item. | Often, you can also use them while leveling. |
| Orb of Augmentation | Grants a new affix to a magic item. | Often, you can also use them while leveling. |
| Sovereign Sphere (Regal Orb) | Upgrades a magic item to a rare item. | Rare, use it when you urgently need an improvement. |
| Exalted Orb | Grants a new affix to a rare item. | Rare, use this in the endgame if possible. |
How do I start crafting?
At the beginning of Path of Exile 2 you will mostly find normal, white objects. They're not just useful at the beginning, like in other action role-playing games. In PoE 2 they form the basis for the crafting system. So keep your eyes peeled for suitable white items for your build. For monks, for example, these are staffs, while mercenaries rely on crossbows.
Once you've found a suitable item, it's time to get down to business. Because you can now customize it further using the different orbs. Of course, you can also use a blue or magical item as a starting point if you find a piece that matches your character in terms of stats.
Improve your items with Orbs
If you have a normal object as a starting point, a transmutation orb or a conversion sphere comes into play. You combine the orb with the normal item of your choice and get a magical (blue) item. Due to the upgrade, the item now has a random affix, such as additional damage, life regeneration or the like - you know this from other role-playing games.
If you now want to further customize your magical item, you will need an augmentation orb or an upgrade sphere. This adds another affix to the item of your choice - up to two affixes fit on a magical item.
You then transform your beloved item into a rare (yellow) item using a sovereign sphere or shelf orb. This further strengthens it and grants another affix. This is the standard route you can take with normal items. But a lot can go wrong here, because affixes don't always fit your chosen build.
How do I change my items?
Your new, shiny item is finally ready - but the affixes are junk? Then you need a Chaos Orb or an Orb of Annulment. The first removes an affix and adds a new one at the same time - which, however, is selected at random. The Orb of Annulment, on the other hand, removes an affix from a magical or rare item. A Divine Orb or Divine Sphere also rerolls the numerical values on your item.
Chance decides
You will find other orbs in Path of Exile 2 that you can use to change your items. For example, an Orb of Chance or a Sphere of Possibility can transform your item into a magical, rare or even unique item.
The Alchemy Orb, or Sphere of Alchemy, safely transforms a normal item into a rare item - with four random affixes. Or you can use a Vaal Orb (Vaal Sphere). It changes your item randomly and you can't edit it afterwards. So if you enjoy gambling, this orb is probably your best choice.
You notice: Crafting in Path of Exile 2 has to do with a bit of luck, as many orbs change random values and affixes. But since you get various materials while leveling, you can experiment here and simply pick up promising items.
Further materials at a glance
Essences
Essences are a form of enhancement orbs, but they are assigned to a special category. For example, there are essences of the body or cold essences. They are also available in normal and stronger versions. You can also use the normal variant for normal items, such as the upgrade sphere. This is how you transform it into a magical item. With the stronger versions you will then get rare items.
The highlight: Depending on the essence, you automatically get an affix for the corresponding category. An essence of the body grants the item a life modifier, such as increased health regeneration.
Settings and runes
In addition to the rest of the upgrade materials, you will also get to deal with sockets and runes over the course of Path of Exile 2. The runes grant you various bonuses. These are simple buffs - you add cold damage to your sword or resistance to lightning damage to your helmet. However, they can only be used in items with rune sockets. In comparison: In Path of Exile 1 you still socketed your skills into the objects using the gemstones.
The Soul Cores provide even better bonuses. For example, your attacks can ignore resistances and you do significantly more damage.
More about Path of Exile 2
With this overview you can't go wrong when crafting when you start Path of Exile 2. You can find more articles about the new action role-playing game from Grinding Gear Games in the link box above. Feel free to write us in the comments which guides you would like for Path of Exile 2!
