Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) is an expansive online action RPG, where players journey through the brutal world of Wraeclast, battling monsters, uncovering secrets, and collecting loot. Among the most essential components in PoE 2 is currency. Unlike traditional RPGs where gold or some standard currency is used to purchase items and services, PoE 2 has a complex system of currencies that dictate everything from item crafting to trading. Mastering how to use and manage currency is key to progressing through the game and maximizing your potential.

This guide will break down the currency system in PoE 2, including the various types of currency, how to earn it, and how to use it effectively.

Understanding the Currency System in Path of Exile 2

The currency in PoE 2 operates on a system unique to the game, where nearly everything—whether it's crafting an item, enhancing your gear, or upgrading your skill gems—requires specialized currency. This differs from typical MMORPGs that use a singular form of gold or standard currency.

In PoE 2, the currency is split into two major categories:

Crafting Currencies

Trading Currencies

1. Crafting Currencies

Crafting currencies are used to modify, craft, and enhance items. These are the tools you'll need to shape your gear and make it suited for your playstyle or desired build. These Path of Exile 2 Currency range from common items that are used frequently, to rarer ones that serve highly specific functions.

Orb of Alchemy

One of the most common and sought-after currencies in PoE 2, the Orb of Alchemy is used to upgrade a normal item into a rare item (with three random affixes). This is one of the foundational currencies for crafting gear and can be invaluable in improving your equipment during your journey.

Chaos Orb

The Chaos Orb is a standard crafting currency that re-rolls a rare item's modifiers. This orb is a staple in crafting, as it gives you the freedom to randomly rework the affixes on rare items. The Chaos Orb is critical for fine-tuning your gear and can be used in crafting strategies, like chaos spamming, where players repeatedly re-roll an item until the right stats are achieved.

Exalted Orb

An Exalted Orb is used to add an additional affix to a rare item. This is a highly valuable currency, especially for high-level players, as it can significantly improve the power of your equipment. The Exalted Orb is often used in high-end crafting and can be traded for large sums of other currencies.

Regal Orb

A Regal Orb upgrades a magic item (with one or two affixes) into a rare item with three affixes. This currency is useful for those working with magic-tier gear that needs a significant upgrade.

Fusing Orb

The Fusing Orb is crucial for linking sockets on an item. Whether you want to add linked sockets to a piece of armor or weapon, this currency is essential. Players can use it to create 5- or 6-link items, which are highly prized for socketing skill gems in specific configurations.

Blessed Orb

A Blessed Orb re-rolls the random modifier values of an item's affixes. This is a great way to improve existing affixes on gear. While Exalted Orbs add affixes, Blessed Orbs modify them to roll better values, often used for endgame crafting.

2. Trading Currencies

While crafting currencies enhance the items you own, trading currencies are used for buying and selling items or services. These currencies often have a higher market value and can be traded for gear, crafting materials, and even currency itself.

Orb of Scouring

The Orb of Scouring is used to remove all affixes from a rare item and return it to its normal state. This is especially useful when trying to start crafting from scratch on a rare item. The Orb of Scouring is an essential part of the crafting cycle in PoE 2 and can be a valuable item when trying to remove unwanted modifiers from gear.

Orb of Regret

This orb allows you to refund skill points or passive skill tree nodes. It's valuable for players who wish to change their build mid-game or if they've made a mistake in their progression. Orbs of Regret are a necessity for experimenting with different skill tree builds, which is a fundamental part of PoE 2's customization.

Divine Orb

The Divine Orb allows you to re-roll the values of random modifiers on an item. It is a powerful currency, frequently used to refine high-level gear after crafting or as a way to improve the stats of rare and highly valued items.

Vaal Orb

A Vaal Orb is used to corrupt items, often making them much more powerful but at the cost of the ability to modify them further. Corrupting an item can result in extremely powerful effects, including new unique modifiers. This orb is vital for players looking to acquire items with powerful and rare stats, as corruption is a great tool to modify endgame gear.

How to Earn Currency in Path of Exile 2

Earning currency in PoE 2 is a multi-faceted process. While players can rely on drops from monsters, there are several key strategies to earn currency more effectively.

1. Farming and Trading

Monsters in PoE 2 drop a variety of crafting materials and base items, which can be used to craft or sell items for profit. The more challenging the content, the better the drop rates, so high-level areas and boss fights are essential to currency farming.

Boss Farming: High-end bosses can drop a large amount of currency or high-tier items that are valuable on the market. Regularly farming endgame bosses or stronghold areas can yield consistent returns.

Trading: The trading market in PoE 2 is robust. You can trade crafted items, rare gear, or even highly desired crafting materials for other valuable currencies. Learning to read the market and knowing which items are in demand is key for making a profit.

2. Mapping

As you progress through the game, you will gain access to the mapping system, where you can explore randomly generated maps. These maps will yield high-level rewards and often feature currency chests that drop currency, crafting materials, and even rare items.

3. Delve, Heist, and Other Special Content

Special content like Delve, Heist, and Breach zones can also yield valuable currencies. For example:

Delve offers you the chance to gather rare fossils that can be used in crafting.

Heist introduces special items that can be sold for currency or used to craft unique gear.

Breach zones and other league mechanics often have currency rewards based on the difficulty and challenge of the content.

4. Flipping and Crafting

Flipping involves purchasing items at a low price and selling them at a higher price. You can also craft gear using low-tier materials and upgrade them into higher-tier items to sell for a profit. These tactics require some market knowledge and an understanding of what's currently in demand.

Tips for Managing and Using Currency in PoE 2

1. Prioritize Essentials

As your character progresses, prioritize crafting resistance gear and weapon upgrades before using currency on cosmetic items or vanity projects. Focus on core gameplay mechanics and build optimizations.

2. Don't Over-Commit

Avoid using all your currency on a single item or crafting project. If an item's upgrade becomes too expensive or inefficient, it's better to look for new gear or focus on other parts of your build. Diversify your currency investments.

3. Know When to Sell or Hold

Market trends in PoE 2 can fluctuate, so keep an eye on the currency market. Sometimes it's better to hold onto a high-value item or currency for future opportunities. If an item or crafting material isn't in demand, sell it quickly before the market price drops.

4. Keep a Stash for Trading

Reserve a portion of your currency for poe2 trade with other players. Exalted Orbs, Chaos Orbs, and Divine Orbs are often used in player-to-player exchanges, so having a stash of high-demand currencies can help you leverage future trades.

Conclusion

Currency management is a core aspect of Path of Exile 2, shaping your crafting, upgrading, and trading strategies. Understanding the different types of crafting and trading currencies, knowing how to earn them, and using them efficiently will significantly enhance your experience in the game. Whether you're crafting powerful gear, participating in the marketplace, or taking on the most difficult content, mastering currency is the key to unlocking your full potential in the world of Wraeclast. Happy crafting, adventurer!