The Orb of Chance in Path of Exile is a high-risk, high-reward currency used to “chance” a normal white item into a magic, rare, or even unique version of the same base item. The process is base-type specific, and the odds vary depending on the target tier of the item you’re hoping to obtain. In practice, it’s common to use an Orb of Chance on a low-to-mid tier white item when chasing particular unique versions, because the chance to land a desired high-tier unique is relatively small but still possible, whereas the expense of chasing via direct trades or more reliable paths can be prohibitive. For players low on resources, managing poe 2 currency efficiently can make these attempts far more sustainable.
What to know about chancing
Base-type focus: Orbs of Chance are applied to a specific base item type (e.g., a belt, ring, or weapon) with the aim of yielding a corresponding unique of that base type. Not every base type has a meaningful or desirable unique, so verify the potential outcomes before using one.
Tier and odds: The odds of hitting a desired unique drop as the base item’s tier increases (magic, rare, then unique) generally worsen for higher-tier targets. This makes chasing certain chase-unique items through chance orbs time-consuming and costly compared with direct acquisition.
Outcomes: The result can be magic or rare items, or in rare cases, a unique item from that base type. If the roll fails, the item vanishes and a part of the currency is consumed, so each use is an investment with a meaningful failure risk.
Practical tips for using Orbs of Chance
Budget and target: Set a clear target (which base-type and which potential unique you want) and restrict your budget to avoid burning through currency on futile attempts.
Use on predictable bases: Some bases historically yield more consistently useful outcomes or align with your build’s needs; these are safer starting points than chasing elusive high-tier uniques.
Consider alternatives: In many cases, direct trading for the exact item you want or using other currency to upgrade items (via alternate crafting methods) can be more efficient than repeated chance attempts.
Gather currency before attempting big rolls: Accumulate a chunk of Orbs of Chance and related currency shards to buffer declines in success rate and avoid stalling your progression. If needed, you can always buy poe 2 currency from trusted markets to speed up the process.
Common strategies
Target known, reliable outcomes: If a specific unique for a base type is highly desirable and within reasonable cost, you may reserve chancing for that scenario.
Bulk chancing for value: In some cases, chancing several items of a given base type can yield multiple returns, including unexpected upgrades or other valuable drops, though this approach increases overall risk.