The Secret to Cheap Crafting? Greater Jeweller’s Orb at U4GM

Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) features a crafting system centered around various crafting currencies (orbs) that modify items by adding, removing, or changing affixes. These currencies range from basic types like Scrolls of Wisdom and Orbs of Transmutation to more advanced ones like Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, and Vaal Orbs, each affecting items differently during crafting.

One notable change in PoE 2 crafting compared to the original game is the absence of Orbs of Scouring, which used to remove all affixes from items, making White (uncrafted) items much rarer and more valuable. Another change is that sockets now exist on Gems rather than gear, and these sockets are always linked by default, simplifying early gearing. Jeweller’s Orbs (Lesser, Greater, Perfect) add support gem sockets to gems with varying numbers of sockets, with the Greater Jeweller’s Orb used to add a socket to 3-socket gems specifically.

Crafting typically starts from a base item—White (normal), Magic, or Rare—with White items having no affixes, Magic items having one prefix and one suffix, and Rare up to three prefixes and suffixes. Players then use currency orbs to enhance these items. For example, Orbs of Alchemy turn a White item into Rare with four affixes, Regal Orbs upgrade Magic items to Rare with an additional affix, and Exalted Orbs add random affixes to Rare items.

A practical crafting approach involves starting with a solid base item (preferably Magic or unmodified White), and focusing on desirable affixes. Essences can be used to target specific affix tags for more controlled crafting. If you have undesirable affixes, you can try using Chaos Orbs or Orbs of Annulment to replace or remove them. The final step might use Vaal Orbs to corrupt the item with potentially powerful, though unpredictable, effects.

The Greater Jeweller’s Orb specifically is valuable for cheaply adding sockets to Gems that already have three sockets, which is essential for enabling support gem setups without spending much on more complex crafting. This makes it a secret to affordable and effective gem crafting in PoE 2.

In summary, PoE 2 currency crafting revolves around strategically using various orbs to start with a good base and gradually enhance it by adding or changing affixes, with the Greater Jeweller’s Orb being a notable tool for socketing gems cheaply. Crafting can be complex, but understanding the roles of these orbs and how to combine them affords players a cost-effective progression path.

If you want a deeper beginner’s guide or specific crafting tips for PoE 2 currency, those also exist in community resources and videos dedicated to efficient crafting strategies.