Path of Exile 2: Crafting Guide and Overview

Crafting in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) is a deep and complex system that allows you to create the perfect gear for your character. Whether you're just starting or you're well into the game, understanding the basics of crafting will help you tremendously. Here's a complete guide to get you started with crafting in PoE 2, focusing on the early stages and how to craft items from Normal to Rare.

Understanding Item Rarity and Affixes

Before diving into crafting, it's important to grasp how item rarity and affixes (modifiers) work in Path of Exile 2. The rarities of items are categorized by the color of their names, and each rarity level determines the number and type of affixes the item can have.

Item Rarity

Normal: White items, no affixes.

Magic: Blue items, with up to 1 Prefix and 1 Suffix.

Rare: Gold items, with up to 3 Prefixes and 3 Suffixes.

Unique: Orange items, with any number of affixes.

Affixes: Prefixes and Suffixes

Affixes are modifiers that provide additional stats to items. They are divided into two categories:

Prefixes: The mods that appear first on an item.

Suffixes: The mods that appear after the prefixes.

Understanding the difference isn't always critical, but it can help when managing your gear, especially when you need to craft specific mods onto items.

The Role of Orbs in Crafting

Crafting in Path of Exile 2 revolves around Orbs, special currencies that are used to modify your items. These orbs can upgrade the rarity of items, add or modify affixes, and even re-roll the values of existing affixes. Here's a list of the most common orbs you'll use in crafting:

Common Crafting Orbs:

Transmutation Orb: Converts a Normal item into a Magic item with one random affix.

Augmentation Orb: Adds one random affix to a Magic item.

Alchemy Orb: Converts a Normal item into a Rare item with four random affixes.

Orb of Chance: Randomly converts a Normal item into a Magic, Rare, or Unique item.

Regal Orb: Converts a Magic item into a Rare item, adding one random affix.

Exalted Orb: Adds one random affix to a Rare item.

Orb of Annulment: Removes one random affix from a Magic or Rare item.

Chaos Orb: Replaces a random affix on a Magic or Rare item.

Divine Orb: Randomizes the numerical values of the affixes on an item.

Vaal Orb: Unpredictably alters an item and makes it no longer able to be crafted further.

How to Craft: Step-by-Step

Start with a Normal Item:

These items can be found easily early in the game, and you'll need to use Transmutation Orbs to upgrade them.

Transmute the Item:

Use a Transmutation Orb to turn your Normal item into a Magic item. This gives the item one random prefix and one random suffix.

Augment the Magic Item:

If you want to add another affix, use an Augmentation Orb. This will add one additional random affix to the Magic item.

Upgrade to Rare:

Once you're happy with the affixes on your Magic item, you can use a Regal Orb to upgrade it to a Rare item, which will add one more random affix.

Fine-Tune with Exalted Orbs:

If you want to add even more power to your Rare item, use an Exalted Orb to add another random affix to the item.

Modify the Item's Stats:

If you want to reroll the values of an affix, use a Divine Orb to randomize the numbers for the item's stats.

Alternatively, if you want to change or remove certain affixes, Chaos Orbs and Orb of Annulment are your go-to options.

Crafting Gear for Specific Classes

Each character class in Path of Exile 2 relies on different stats, and these stats will affect which types of items you want to craft. Here's a quick overview of how to craft gear that benefits your class:

Strength-based items often come with Armor affixes. Classes that rely on Strength and Armor include the Warrior and Mercenary.

Dexterity-based items typically have Evasion affixes. These are great for classes like the Ranger, Monk, and Mercenary.

Intelligence-based items often come with Energy Shield affixes. The Sorceress and Witch benefit the most from these affixes, although all classes use Energy Shield to some degree.

Make sure to craft items that align with your class's core attributes for the best results.

Conclusion

Crafting in Path of Exile 2 can be a daunting task, but with a solid understanding of the item rarities, affix system, and crafting orbs, you can improve your gear and enhance your character. Start with Normal items and work your way up to Rare and Unique items, using the appropriate Orbs to fine-tune your gear for maximum effectiveness. If you're already sitting on some PoE 2 currency and PoE 2 items, you're in a great spot to get started with crafting!