Path of Exile 2 is renowned for its depth and complexity, featuring a multitude of intricate systems that can overwhelm new players. With a wealth of information packed into the game, it often feels impossible to fully grasp, especially for those just getting started.
One particularly noteworthy system is that of Essences—unique crafting materials essential for enhancing endgame equipment. Unfortunately, their high market prices lead many players to overlook their potential benefits. This guide will explain how Essences function and the best ways to acquire them.
Acquiring Essences in PoE 2
Essences can be sourced through two primary methods:
- Defeating Essence Trapped Monsters: During your journey in both the campaign and the endgame, you will encounter monsters ensnared in stone prisons. Some of these creatures are Essence monsters, which guarantee an Essence drop upon their defeat. You can identify them easily by the prompt that appears above their heads, indicating the type of Essence you will receive.
- Currency Exchange: You can purchase Essences through the Currency Exchange by speaking to Alva in your hideout.
While Essence monsters appear within both campaign and endgame scenarios, their rarity means players often struggle to gather a substantial supply of Essences through standard gameplay.
For optimal farming, the Silent Cave unique map is the most advantageous location. This map features several guaranteed Essence monsters, as well as a formidable boss that grows stronger with each Essence monster you defeat, encouraging players to take calculated risks.
Understanding Corrupted Essences in PoE 2
Beyond the standard Essences, players can also find four Corrupted Essences, which are exclusively obtained by using a Vaal Orb on a Greater Essence monster prior to liberating it. These Corrupted Essences provide unique crafting opportunities, significantly increasing their value. The Corrupted Essences include:
- Essence of Hysteria: Transforms a normal item into a Magic item, adding one Item Rarity modifier. Usable only on Helmets, Rings, or Amulets.
- Essence of Delirium: Changes a normal item to Magic or a Magic item to Rare, with one random notable passive modifier. Usable exclusively on Body Armour.
- Essence of Insanity: Upgrades a normal item to Magic or a Magic item to Rare, guaranteeing one specific property. Applicable only to Belts, and upon corruption, the item gains two enchantments.
- Essence of Horror: Upgrades a normal item to Magic or a Magic item to Rare, ensuring one specific property. Usable solely on Gloves or Boots, with a 100% increase in the effect of Socketed Runes and Soul Cores.
Corrupted Essence monsters possess distinct combat mechanics, making them more difficult to defeat than standard Essence monsters.
Utilizing Essences in PoE 2
Aside from the unique Corrupted Essences, there are two essential categories of Essences:
- Essence: Utilized to enhance a Normal item to a Magic item, incorporating a specific tagged modifier.
- Greater Essence: Used to transform a Magic item into a Rare item, also incorporating a tagged modifier.
Every modifier in Path of Exile 2 includes one or multiple specific tags. For instance, the #% increased Movement Speed modifier exclusively appears on Boots, tagged as Speed. When using the Speed Essence (Essence of Haste) on Normal Boots, it guarantees the #% increased Movement Speed modifier without alternatives.
However, crafting isn’t always straightforward. When aiming for a +#% to Lightning Resistance, for example, using the Lightning Essence (Essence of Electricity) on Normal Boots can yield two outcomes: it might provide a +#% to Lightning Resistance or alternatively affect your character by applying a #% reduced Shock duration modifier, which also carries the Lightning tag.
For comprehensive insights into the tags and all possible modifiers associated with any specific item base, players can refer to Craft of Exile. This user-friendly platform allows players to search crafting bases and view all modifiers and their tags categorized into prefixes and suffixes.
In summary, Greater Essences operate similarly to standard Essences, but with the added function of transforming Magic items into Rare items, amplifying your crafting capabilities.