Crafting Basics

Spoiler

Formatting isn't always that easy for now (as of 2025-04-29) I'll leave the table with the orbs as is. But honestly it is quite annoying not to be able to use a block reference which isn't using the full width of the content. I might remove the description so it will only be available when hovering over the link (e.g. Exalted Orb) instead of being permanently visible. I don't like maintaining the same text in multiple places....

Let's talk about the basics of crafting. It might be overwhelming at first but with the right foundation it's easier.

What Is Crafting?

Crafting is merely adding a modifier to an item. Here we cover only the very basics of adding modifiers to items.

Item Rarities

Well, you cannot talk about crafting without talkig about item rarities. In Path of Exile 2 every item belongs to 1 of 4 rarities.

Normal: The item doesn't have a modifier
Magic The item has either 1 or 2 modifiers
Rare The item has between 3 and 6 modifiers
Unique The item has a predefined set of modifiers

Adding modifiers to an item can change the rarity of the item

How To Add Modifiers aka How To Craft?

Orbs the bread and butter for crafting.
The very basic ones are:

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Orb Of Transmutation

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Upgrades a Normal item to a Magic item with 1 modifier

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Orb Of Augmentation

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Augments a Magic item with a new random modifier

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Regal Orb

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Upgrades a Magic item to a Rare item, adding 1 modifier

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Exalted Orb

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Augments a Rare item with a new random modifier

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Orb Of Alchemy

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Upgrades a Normal item to a Rare item with 4 modifiers

Info

The Orb Of Chance is kind of a stand out, since it behaves a bit different than the ones I listed before. Where the Orbs I listed before will always add at least one random modifier, the Orb of chance may do nothing but destroy the item you smashed the orb onto. However, if it is not destroying the Base Item you used the orb on, your Base Item will turn into an Unique.

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Orb Of Chance

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Upgrades a Normal item to a Rare item with 4 modifiers

This is a basics guide, so I will cover only the basics, which are Orbs, Orbs and only Orbs.

Now we can start crafting our own items, can't we. Yes, we can but keep in mind, this article described only the very foundation of crafting. There is way more to crafting than only smashing Orbs on items and hopefully getting an item with stats worth using.

Attention

I'm working on this project so the in-depth guide will be published step by step in the upcoming days.