Mastering crafting in Path of Exile, particularly through the use of Exalted Orbs, is an essential skill for players aiming to create perfect, high-powered gear that can dominate endgame content. Exalted Orbs are among the rarest and most valuable crafting currencies in the game, primarily because they allow players to add a new random modifier to rare items, potentially turning a good piece of gear into a god-tier masterpiece.
The key to leveraging Exalted Orbs effectively starts with understanding their unique function: they add a random explicit modifier to an item that already has at least one open prefix or suffix slot. This means you must first prepare your gear to be ready for the exalted slam, which is the process of applying the Exalted Orb. Because of their rarity and high cost, using Exalted Orbs recklessly can lead to significant losses, so meticulous preparation is crucial.
The best gear to exalt is typically rare items with high item levels (usually above ilvl 85) to unlock the highest tiers of mods. It is also advisable to focus on bases that are desirable for your build and have the potential to roll the specific mods you need. Preparing such gear often involves using other crafting orbs and methods beforehand. For instance, players can use the crafting bench to add or remove specific mods before the exalted slam, or apply essences and other currencies that guarantee or improve certain mod rolls. This is where poe 2 currency systems may come into play, as they introduce additional ways to refine or reroll items more efficiently.
Advanced crafting strategies sometimes incorporate meta-crafting techniques such as "locking in" desirable mods before using an Exalted Orb. This is often done by crafting or bench crafting key mods that are essential for the item’s function, so when the Exalted Orb adds a sixth mod, it completes a powerful build-enhancing combination. Additionally, some newer game mechanics like the "Sinistral Anointing" system in Path of Exile 2 allow players to reroll or remove a prefix, thereby increasing the chances of perfecting the item before spending a precious Exalted Orb.
When deciding whether to farm Exalted Orbs, trade for them, or use them for crafting, consider your current gameplay status. Farming is optimal when you have a fast, high increased item quantity (IIQ) build in early leagues, as Exalted Orbs are more common and less expensive relative to other currencies. Trading becomes a better option if you have high-value items or access to favorable market conditions, such as after patches or during demand spikes. Crafting with Exalted Orbs is most sensible when you already have rare items with four or more tier-1 mods and aim to finalize your gear. Some players even buy poe 2 currency as a way to speed up this process and gain access to the orbs they need without extensive farming.
Farming Exalted Orbs involves efficient map running with high quantity and rarity modifiers, using fast builds that can clear content quickly. This ensures a steady flow of drops, including these orbs, which remain a cornerstone of high-end gear enhancement. For players unable or unwilling to farm extensively, accumulating wealth through trading unique items or crafting services can be a viable path to obtaining Exalted Orbs.
Mastering the use of Exalted Orbs requires a blend of patience, preparation, and knowledge of both crafting mechanics and market dynamics. By focusing on high base-level items, locking in essential mods, and strategically deciding when to farm, trade, or craft, players can leverage these powerful orbs to create perfect gear that pushes their characters into the highest tiers of Path of Exile’s content. This approach transforms crafting from a gamble into a calculated pursuit of power.
