PoE 2 · Currency crafting
Know the next orb before you click.
For a basic step-by-step craft, Transmutation makes a Normal item Magic, Augmentation adds a Magic mod, and Regal upgrades Magic to Rare with another mod. Inspect the result between steps. Adding more mods is worthwhile only while the item still fits your goal and budget.
What each basic currency does
| Currency | Starting item | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Orb of Transmutation | Normal | Makes it Magic with one mod. |
| Orb of Augmentation | Magic with room | Adds one random mod. |
| Regal Orb | Magic | Makes it Rare and adds one mod. |
| Exalted Orb | Rare with room | Adds one random mod. |
| Chaos Orb | Rare | Removes a random mod and adds a new one. |
| Orb of Annulment | Eligible item with mods | Removes a random mod. |
Check the exact item and currency tooltip before applying anything. Greater and Perfect variants can have additional modifier-level rules. This guide covers the basic effects listed in PoE2DB’s currency reference, not every Omen, Essence or special crafting interaction.
Coming from PoE 1? Read the Chaos tooltip
PoE 2’s basic Chaos Orb removes a random modifier and adds another. Do not treat it as a way to wipe the whole Rare item and start over. If the item already has a mod you need, that mod may be the one removed.
Before using Chaos or Annulment, answer one question: am I willing to lose any eligible mod on this item? If the answer is no, stop and investigate the exact recipe you need. Hoping that the bad mod gets removed is a gamble, not a protected upgrade.
A real Waystone: one orb at a time
During our November 6, 2026 test, a Normal Tier 2 Waystone became Magic after one Transmutation. A separate one-Augmentation run added a second modifier. The copied item then showed:
- Shattering, a T1 prefix: monsters break armour equal to 17% of Physical Damage dealt.
- Of Flames, a T1 suffix: patches of Ignited Ground.
We then selected the existing suffix as the target. The next run stopped with zero currency used, and the item stayed in its inventory slot. This confirms that specific basic test; it does not establish that every currency strategy or multi-item run works.
See the annotated Waystone example for the full copied text and the difference between Waystone tier, item level and modifier tier.
Decide when to stop before the first orb
- Choose the item’s job. Name the mods or combination that would make it useful to you.
- Set a spending cap. Decide the maximum number of each orb you are prepared to use.
- Inspect each change. Check rarity, added or removed mods, and whether the result is already good enough.
- Stop on the target or the budget. A successful craft does not need every possible mod slot filled.
For a first test, use a disposable item and one orb. If you cannot explain why the next orb improves the item or advances a specific recipe, keep the currency until you can.
The crafting cost calculator can help record the result. It accepts your own currency values; it does not claim a particular recipe will earn a fixed amount.
Choose the right crafting workflow
Use the crafting mode that matches your game and item. Available modes depend on your installed version; check the feature guide before setting up a new workflow.
Desecration and Instilling are separate systems and are not covered by this basic currency recipe. Follow the Discord community for release news and setup help.