Crafting in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) is an essential part of character optimization and endgame progression. While the game is a sequel to the original Path of Exile, it maintains and expands upon the POE 2 Currency deep, intricate crafting system that fans have come to love. Whether you're a casual player looking to make basic upgrades or a hardcore player pushing for perfect gear, understanding crafting mechanics is vital.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of PoE 2 crafting, including the fundamental systems, new features, strategies, and tips to help players of all levels.

1. Introduction to Crafting in PoE 2
Crafting in Path of Exile 2 refers to a wide range of processes that allow players to modify, enhance, or completely transform their gear. From socket manipulation to affix alteration and gear upgrading, crafting is used to achieve specific stats or build-defining items.

While many foundational mechanics from PoE 1 remain, GGG (Grinding Gear Games) has introduced several new crafting options and improved existing ones to make crafting more intuitive and rewarding in PoE 2.

2. Types of Crafting in PoE 2
A. Currency-Based Crafting
This is the most common form of crafting, using various orbs and items that alter gear properties. Some essential orbs include:

Chaos Orb: Randomizes modifiers on a rare item.

Exalted Orb: Adds a new modifier to a rare item.

Divine Orb: Rerolls values of existing modifiers.

Orb of Alchemy: Converts a normal item to a rare item.

Orb of Scouring: Removes all modifiers from an item.

These items form the bedrock of most crafting processes.

B. Bench Crafting
Introduced in PoE 1 and retained in PoE 2, the Crafting Bench allows players to add a specific modifier to rare items. However, the options available are determined by your crafting progress and unlocks.

In PoE 2, the crafting bench is found in your hideout or specific NPC crafting hubs. Many of the crafting options must still be unlocked through gameplay—often by completing certain content or finding recipes in the world.

C. Essence Crafting
Essences are special currency items that add specific affixes to gear when used. These are ideal for semi-controlled crafting because each essence guarantees a particular prefix or suffix.

For example:

Screaming Essence of Wrath adds Lightning Damage to Weapons.

Wailing Essence of Fear adds Minion damage.

In PoE 2, new essences have been added, and drop rates have been balanced to make them a more viable early-game and mid-tier crafting strategy.

D. Fossil Crafting
Fossils and resonators allow more targeted crafting by narrowing the affix pool or boosting certain types of modifiers. While fossils are still part of the game, in PoE 2 they have been somewhat rebalanced to avoid excessive power early on.

E. New Crafting Methods (PoE 2)
PoE 2 introduces several new systems:

Linked Passive Crafting: Due to the overhaul of the passive skill tree and gem system, some crafting now ties into passive skill linkage or gem socketing synergy.

Wellspring Crafting: A new mechanic introduced in PoE 2 that allows players to transfer or replicate mods from one item to another through special currency and conditions.

Glyph Insertion: Similar to runewords in Diablo II, some items can be customized with glyphs for powerful effects, providing another crafting avenue that offers build-specific optimization.

3. Crafting Basics: How to Get Started
Step 1: Identify a Base Item
Item Level Matters: Only items of a certain item level can roll high-tier affixes. Check item level (by pressing Alt) before you begin crafting.

Item Type: Some item bases are inherently better than others due to implicit modifiers or socket possibilities.

Step 2: Decide Your Goal
Are you crafting for:

Life and resistances (early game)?

Spell damage and critical chance (caster)?

Minion bonuses (necromancer)?

Specific affix stacking (endgame)?

Having a goal makes crafting more cost-effective and strategic.

Step 3: Begin Crafting
Start with one of these approaches:

Essence Crafting for targeted early mods.

Alchemy and Chaos Spamming for randomization.

Fossil Crafting if you want more control and have access to cheap POE2 Currency resonators.