The launch of Path of Exile 2 in Early Access has seen item crafting remaining quite basic. However, with the arrival of its significant update, Dawn of The Hunt (patch 0.2.0), players can expect a revitalization. This update introduces several new crafting currency types, alongside enhancements to existing ones. While the game must navigate the complexities of deterministic crafting, Grinding Gear Games (GGG) appears to be striking a fine balance in this latest iteration.
This article outlines all of the exciting new crafting currencies and mechanics set to debut with the Dawn of The Hunt update on April 4.
New Crafting Mechanics in Path of Exile 2: Dawn of The Hunt (Patch 0.2.0)
Greater Runes: Expanding Options
Traditionally, Runes that offer flat stat increments have been overshadowed by percentage-based increases, especially in the mid to late game. For instance, Physical damage Runes often outperform Added Fire Damage Runes when selecting for martial weapons.
To elevate previously overlooked Runes, Path of Exile 2 is adding tiered Runes (Normal, Greater, etc.). This enhancement extends to existing meta Runes, introducing Greater Iron Runes which could potentially outperform their flat damage counterparts. Consequently, a bit of balance tuning may be necessary.
Excitingly, players can also look forward to new Greater Runes dropping from a unique boss-rush mechanic available exclusively in the Izomite Forest map.
Introducing Talismans: A New Socketable Item
In addition to Runes, the update unveils a new category of socketables known as Talismans. These items grant specific buffs and benefits based on their use. For example, the Rabbit Talisman provides immunity to Corrupted Blood ailments, while the Boar Talisman enhances a martial weapon by adding 1 Rage upon each hit.
Notably, Talismans can only be socketed into certain types of gear, similar to existing crafting items. These new socketables are linked to the headliner league mechanic of the update: Azmeri Wisps. Only rare monsters possessing Wisps in the campaign and endgame can drop these unique items.
New Item Base Types: Amulets and Rings
Players will experience a new crafting dimension with exclusive Amulet and Ring base types available in the Fractured Lake map. Here, adventurers will be rewarded with a Fragmented Mirror that allows for a unique crafting feature: these items can have additional Prefixes or Suffixes in exchange for limiting the opposite type.
For instance, Tenebrous Amulets can possess a single Prefix while accommodating five Suffixes, enabling unprecedented stat distribution possibilities that were previously unattainable. It’s important to note that this innovational mechanic is exclusive to trinkets—no enhancements will be applied to armor or weapon bases.
Exciting New Essences for Crafting
In a thrilling development, all Crystallized Essence monsters can now be corrupted using a Vaal Orb prior to extraction. This action presents a chance to upgrade regular Essences to their Greater counterparts, or even convert Greater Essences into one of four new pinnacle Essences:
- Essence of Hysteria
- Essence of Delirium
- Essence of Horror
- Essence of Insanity
These new additions provide valuable deterministic crafting options aligned with corruption mechanics, akin to existing Omens. For example, the Essence of Insanity guarantees that your next application of a Vaal Orb will yield two explicit Enchantments.
The introduction of Silent Cave, a unique map dedicated to Essences, further enhances the possibilities for acquiring these new crafting elements.
Fracturing Orbs: A Novel Crafting Currency
Following the cleansing of a Corrupted Nexus for producing Cleansed maps, players can obtain Fracturing Orbs from the designated boss. This marks another key addition to the crafting currencies available through the Dawn of The Hunt update.
Utilizing a Fracturing Orb allows players to lock a modifier on a Rare item in place, rendering it impervious to further alterations via methods like Chaos Orb rerolls. Such modifiers will stand out with a distinctive golden font.
Item Recombination via the Expedition League
The Expedition League introduces an exclusive crafting feature: item recombination. Players can engage with this mechanic by speaking to Gwennen, allowing them to fuse two distinct items of the same base type, aiming to capture the best modifiers from both.
Additionally, various changes will enhance the accessibility of crafting, including a notable increase in the frequency of crafting-related Omens appearing as Ritual drops throughout Path of Exile 2.
Explore More with Our Guides
Stay informed about the latest strategies and updates in Path of Exile 2. Check out our comprehensive guides for more insights.