Crafting Recipes

Step-by-step techniques. Pick a budget tier, find a goal, follow the orbs.

Trans → Aug → Regal Chain (basic)

BeginnerCheap

Quickly turn a white item into a 3-mod rare.

What you need

Orb of Transmutation
Orb of Augmentation
Regal Orb

Steps

1
Pick a white base of correct iLvl for your level
Endgame target: iLvl 81+ for T1 mod access
2
Apply 1 Orb of Transmutation
→ Orb of Transmutation
Item becomes magic with 1 random mod
3
Bad mod? Re-Trans (cheap). Good mod? Apply 1 Orb of Augmentation for the 2nd.
→ Orb of Augmentation
4
If BOTH mods are good: apply 1 Regal Orb
→ Regal Orb
Upgrades to rare with a 3rd random mod (random!)
5
ONLY now consider quality if the item is keep-worthy after Regal
→ Armourer's Scrap / Whetstone / Bauble
Quality is a finishing touch: don't burn 20 scraps on test bases

Tips

Re-Trans is cheap: never Aug a bad single mod, reroll instead.
Don't Aug a magic with one mediocre mod hoping the Aug is the savior.
Quality LAST: apply only when you've committed to keeping the item. Quality boosts BASE STATS only (armour value, weapon damage, flask recovery). It does NOT affect mod tier rolls in PoE 2.

Pitfalls

Regalling a bad magic LOCKS the bad mods: Regal only on confirmed good 2-mod magic.
Don't burn quality currency on test items: it adds up fast at endgame.

Essence on Magic Item (guaranteed mod combo)

BeginnerModerate

Lock a guaranteed mod ON TOP of existing magic-item mods: the efficient way.

What you need

Magic item with already good prefix/suffix
Essence of [type]

Steps

1
Get a Magic item with ONE great mod already (via Transmutation/Augmentation)
This is the key trick: don't waste Essences on plain white bases
2
Apply the chosen Essence on the Magic item
→ Essence of [type]
The Essence upgrades it to Rare AND adds its guaranteed mod. Your magic-item mods are KEPT.
3
(Optional) Apply Exalted Orb to fill the rest if the result is exceptional
→ Exalted Orb
Only on items already showing 4+ good mods

Tips

★ Real trick: Trans/Aug a magic item until you have a good base 2-mod magic, THEN Essence it. The essence adds its mod on top.
Greater Essence = T1-ish guaranteed mod. Save for confirmed-good magic items.
Perfect Essence works on already-Rare items and REPLACES a mod. Different use case.
Test essences on JUNK first if you're unsure of the outcome.

Pitfalls

Applying Essence on a bad magic item locks the bad mods.
Essences are limited: don't burn them on test bases.

Alchemy Spam (test bases fast)

BeginnerModerate

Quickly try many bases hoping for a great mix: accept it's pure RNG.

What you need

Orb of Alchemy ×20+
Stack of identical white bases

Steps

1
Stack 10-20 identical bases of good iLvl (81+ for endgame)
Don't quality these: quality is for items you decide to keep
2
Apply 1 Orb of Alchemy per base
→ Orb of Alchemy
Each becomes rare with 4 random mods
3
Inspect each: most are garbage, look for 3+ good mods
4
On keepers: apply quality (Whetstone/Scrap), then refine via Exalt / Omens / Essence

Tips

Don't waste quality on Alchemy tests: quality is for keepers only.
Batch crafting: 10+ bases at a time, then sort the keepers.
Cheap base from vendor + Alchemy spam = solid early-progression strategy.

Pitfalls

Zero control over mods: pure RNG: accept many failures.
Find an « almost perfect » 4-mod? STOP: don't Chaos it, Exalt-spam (with Omens) to fill the rest.
Don't spam Alchemy on iLvl 50 bases for endgame: you can't roll high tiers.

Catalyst Quality Up (jewelry)

IntermediateModerate

Boost a ring/amulet/belt's quality for a specific mod type.

What you need

20× Catalyst (of the right type)

Steps

1
Pick the Catalyst matching your main mods
2
Apply 1 Catalyst at a time (max 20 → 20%)
→ Catalyst
E.g., Carapace Catalyst boosts defensive mods
3
Matching mods' values increase with quality

Tips

Adaptive = resistances/attributes; Carapace = defenses; Flesh = life; Neural = mana/int
Reaver = attack; Sibilant = caster; Skittering = speed/evasion
Elemental: Esh=Lightning, Tul=Cold, Xoph=Fire, Uul-Netol=Phys, Chayula=Chaos

Chaos Spam (rerolling a rare)

IntermediateModerate

Improve a rare by replacing bad mods one at a time.

What you need

Rare item
Stack of Chaos Orbs (10-50+)

Steps

1
Identify what you're targeting BEFORE you start
Spamming blindly burns currency. Decide « I want T1 life » or stop.
2
ALWAYS use Omen of Whittling first if available: removes the LOWEST-tier mod
→ Omen of Whittling
Most efficient: targets the worst mod automatically
3
Apply 1 Chaos Orb
→ Chaos Orb
Removes 1 mod (random or Omen-targeted), adds 1 random mod
4
Inspect after EACH Chaos: stop if the item is going downhill

Tips

★ Real strategy: Chaos with Omens. Raw Chaos spam is 50/50. Omens shift odds.
Omen of Dextral/Sinistral Erasure = target suffix/prefix specifically.
If you keep losing good mods, STOP. Fracture your best mod first, then Chaos.

Pitfalls

Chaos Orb is surgical NOT brute force in PoE 2: every spam is a coin flip.
Spamming without Omens on expensive items = fast brick.
Consider trading the item instead: sometimes selling a 4-mod rare beats 20 Chaos in gambling.

Targeted Exalted Slam (Omen)

AdvancedExpensive

Add a mod in a specific category (prefix or suffix): the finishing move for great items.

What you need

Rare item with 4-5 ALREADY excellent mods
Omen of Dextral / Sinistral Exaltation
Exalted Orb

Steps

1
Pre-check: is the item worth the Exalt's market price?
On a mid-tier item, selling the Exalt + buying a finished item is often cheaper.
2
Identify: more open prefix or suffix slots?
3
(Optional but recommended on expensive items) Apply Hinekora's Lock first
→ Hinekora's Lock
Lets you PREVIEW the Exalt result and revert if bad: saves you from bricks
4
Activate the appropriate Omen BEFORE the Exalt
→ Omen of Dextral/Sinistral Exaltation
Dextral = suffix, Sinistral = prefix
5
Apply the Exalted Orb
→ Exalted Orb
New mod will be in the chosen category
6
Apply quality NOW if you haven't yet (finishing touch)
→ Whetstone / Scrap

Tips

★ Slam only on 4-mod rares with EXCELLENT mods: Exalt is a finishing tool, not a gambling chip.
Omen of GREATER Exaltation = adds 2 mods at once: burst slam.
Hinekora's Lock is the safety net for slams worth > 10 Exalts.
Save Omens for items that justify their cost.

Pitfalls

Omen doesn't guarantee the SPECIFIC mod, just the category. Still RNG within category.
Slamming a mediocre item = wasted Exalt. Sell the Exalt instead.
Don't slam without identifying open slots: the Exalt could add the only mod-type you don't want.

Perfect Essence (guaranteed mod swap)

AdvancedExpensive

Replace a mod with a guaranteed specific mod, no other changes.

What you need

Rare item
Perfect Essence

Steps

1
Rare with mostly good mods, one to replace
2
Apply the Perfect Essence
→ Perfect Essence
Removes 1 mod + adds essence's guaranteed mod

Tips

Ideal to finalize an almost-perfect item.
Combine with Omen of Crystallisation Dextral/Sinistral to target the category.

Pitfalls

Perfect Essence removes a random mod (not targeted) unless combined with Crystallisation Omen.

Targeted Annul (remove specific mod)

AdvancedExpensive

Remove ONE specific mod from a rare.

What you need

Orb of Annulment
Omen of Dextral/Sinistral Annulment

Steps

1
Identify the mod to remove (prefix or suffix?)
2
Activate the appropriate Omen
→ Omen of Dextral/Sinistral Annulment
3
Apply Orb of Annulment
→ Orb of Annulment
Removes a random mod WITHIN the targeted category

Tips

Omen of Greater Annulment removes 2 mods (random category).

Pitfalls

If multiple bad mods in the targeted category, the Omen doesn't specify WHICH.

Rune / Soul Core (guaranteed mod via socket)

BeginnerCheap

Add a permanent guaranteed mod without touching existing mods.

What you need

Artificer's Orb (adds socket: works for both Runes and Soul Cores)
Chosen Rune or Soul Core

Steps

1
Apply Artificer's Orb to add a socket
→ Artificer's Orb
Adds a socket on the item. Works on Martial Weapons, wands, staves, and Armour.
2
Insert your chosen Rune or Soul Core
Permanent, guaranteed effect

Tips

Useful for specific missing stats: resist, attribute requirement, etc.
Soul Cores > Runes in power but much rarer.
The mod is usually WEAKER than a natural same-type mod: but it's guaranteed.

Fracture + Chaos Spam (endgame)

EndgameLuxury

Lock the best mod, then reroll the rest risk-free.

What you need

Rare with 5-6 good mods
Fracturing Orb
Stack of Chaos

Steps

1
Confirm: at least 4-5 good mods already present
2
Apply 1 Fracturing Orb
→ Fracturing Orb
Locks ONE random mod (hope it's the best)
3
If good mod fractured: Chaos spam the rest
→ Chaos Orb
Fractured mod can no longer be removed
4
If bad mod fractured: sell/recycle the item

Tips

Tactic only on high-tier items.
Combine with Catalyst quality for jewelry.

Pitfalls

Fracturing Orb = RANDOM which mod is fractured. You might lock the worst mod.
Very expensive: Fracturing Orb is very rare.

Hinekora's Lock (preview before commit)

EndgameLuxury

Preview the next craft result before committing.

What you need

Hinekora's Lock
The next currency you want to apply

Steps

1
Apply Hinekora's Lock to the item
→ Hinekora's Lock
The item is now in preview mode
2
Apply your next intended currency (Exalt, Chaos, etc.)
You SEE the result without it applying permanently
3
Choose: ACCEPT (it sticks) or REJECT (item reverts)

Tips

Best paired with Exalt or Chaos on expensive items.
Combine with Omens for max determinism.

Pitfalls

Single-use: once accepted OR rejected, the lock is consumed.
Doesn't work on corrupted items.

Soul Core / Rune extraction

AdvancedExpensive

Recover a Rune/Soul Core embedded in an item.

What you need

Item with a socketed Rune or Soul Core
Orb of Extraction

Steps

1
Apply Orb of Extraction to the item
→ Orb of Extraction
Returns the socketed item to your inventory, frees the socket
2
Re-insert in a new item: use Artificer's Orb on the new base to add a socket, then insert

Tips

Useful when upgrading base: recover your investment instead of leaving it behind.
Especially valuable for rare Soul Cores.

🎯 Target: Movement Speed boots

IntermediateModerate

Craft boots with high MS + Life + 2 resists for endgame mapping.

What you need

White boot base, iLvl 81+
Stack of Orb of Transmutation
Orb of Augmentation
Regal Orb
Exalted Orb × 1-2 (with Omens ideally)

Steps

1
Pick a boot base matching your defense type (Armor / Eva / ES) at iLvl 81+
iLvl 81+ is needed to unlock the highest MS tier
2
Trans-spam the base until you hit Movement Speed as the prefix
→ Orb of Transmutation
MS is a prefix: keep rerolling Trans until you see it. Cheap.
3
Once you have MS as the Magic mod, optionally Aug to add a suffix (e.g., a resist)
→ Orb of Augmentation
4
Regal Orb to upgrade to Rare with a random 3rd mod
→ Regal Orb
MS is locked in; you get a random new mod
5
Exalt with Omen of Dextral Exaltation to force a suffix (resists)
→ Exalted Orb + Omen of Dextral Exaltation
6
Optional: insert a Rune via Artificer's Orb for a guaranteed resist or attribute
→ Artificer's Orb

Tips

MS is a PREFIX: Trans-spam is the cheapest way to find it.
★ Don't waste Exalts on a boot that lacks MS yet: get MS first.
Sub-25% MS boots are leveling-only: endgame target is 30%+.

Pitfalls

Don't Regal a Magic boot that lacks Movement Speed: you'll lock yourself out of the MS prefix slot.
Don't quality boots until they're confirmed keepers: waste of Scraps.

🎯 Target: Multi-resist amulet

IntermediateModerate

Amulet that covers multiple missing resistances + Life + attributes.

What you need

Amulet base: pick the implicit you need (Bloodstone=Life, Stellar=All Attrs, Amber=Str, Pearlescent=All Ele Res, etc.)
Orb of Transmutation
Orb of Augmentation
Regal Orb
Exalted Orb × 1-2

Steps

1
Pick the AMULET BASE matching your missing implicit (Bloodstone if you need Life, Stellar for attrs, Pearlescent for all ele res)
This is the most important decision: the implicit is permanent
2
Trans → Aug until you have 2 good suffix-type mods (resistances or attrs)
→ Orb of Transmutation / Augmentation
3
Regal: adds 3rd mod (random)
→ Regal Orb
4
Exalt with Omen of Dextral Exaltation: forces a suffix slam (another resist)
→ Exalted Orb + Omen of Dextral Exaltation
5
If you missed a resist, use Perfect Essence of that element with Omen of Dextral Crystallisation
→ Perfect Essence + Omen
Targets a suffix swap to add the missing resist

Tips

Stellar Amulet implicit = +5-7 to all Attributes: covers requirements for many builds at once.
Pearlescent Amulet = +7-10% to all Elemental Resistances: great filler for tri-res problems.
Aim for 2 elemental resists (40%+) + 1 attribute on suffixes.
Save final Exalt for Life or +Skill Level prefix when ready.

🎯 Target: High-DPS physical weapon

AdvancedExpensive

Craft a weapon with T1 % Physical Damage + flat Phys + Attack Speed + Crit.

What you need

Martial weapon base iLvl 81+ (mace 1H/2H, quarterstaff, spear, bow, crossbow)
Blacksmith's Whetstone × 20 (apply only on a keeper)
Greater Essence of Battle (guaranteed Accuracy prefix)
Regal Orb
Exalted Orb × 2-3
Omen of Sinistral Exaltation (for targeted prefix)

Steps

1
Pick a base iLvl 81+: base damage matters more than rarity at this stage
Note: as of patch 0.4, neither 1H/2H Swords nor Axes are implemented yet.
2
Trans → Aug → Regal until you have % Physical Damage as the leading prefix
→ Orb of Transmutation + Augmentation + Regal Orb
% Phys has no dedicated essence in PoE 2: you have to find it via re-rolls.
3
(Optional) Apply Greater Essence of Battle to lock Accuracy as a guaranteed suffix
→ Greater Essence of Battle
Battle = Accuracy on Martial Weapons, not %Phys. Useful to free a suffix slot for crit/speed.
4
Use Omen of Sinistral Exaltation + Exalted Orb to add another prefix (flat Phys)
→ Exalted Orb + Omen of Sinistral Exaltation
5
If suffix slots open, Exalt with Omen of Dextral Exaltation for Attack Speed
→ Exalted Orb + Omen of Dextral Exaltation
6
NOW apply 20% Quality with Blacksmith's Whetstone
→ Blacksmith's Whetstone × 20
Quality multiplies your % phys gain: apply after big mods are locked
7
Optional: Insert a damage-themed Soul Core (use Artificer's Orb first to add the socket)
→ Artificer's Orb + Soul Core

Tips

% Phys is a PREFIX: Sinistral Exalt with Omen forces prefix.
Attack Speed is a SUFFIX: Dextral Exalt with Omen forces suffix.
Crit chance is a suffix too: same Omen for both.
★ Quality LAST: multiplies the % phys mod's local DPS gain.

Pitfalls

Don't Trans-spam without an Essence start on a high iLvl base. Too random.
Don't skip Omens on an Exalt slam if the base is worth > 5 Exalts.

Recombinator: merge 2 items into 1 (REMOVED in 0.5)

AdvancedExpensive

Combine the best mods from two items into a single new item. ★ Removed in 0.5 « Return of the Ancients » (2026-05-29). Use Verisium Runeforging instead post-launch.

What you need

★ Only usable in 0.4 league until 2026-05-29 league swap
Two Magic or Rare items of the SAME base type (e.g., both rings)
Access to the right Recombinator (Armor / Weapon / Jewelry)
Expedition Artifact currency (cost scales with chosen mods count)

Steps

1
Complete an Expedition encounter to unlock Recombinator access
First-time only: keep doing Expeditions to farm Artifacts
2
Get two items of the SAME base type, each with at least one mod you want to keep
Must be Magic or Rare: White and Unique items cannot be recombinated
3
Open the right Recombinator (Armor / Weapon / Jewelry)
4
Place both items inside
5
Select 1+ mods from each item, max 6 total across both
Cannot pick the same mod type twice (no two « Adds Lightning Damage »)
6
Check the success % displayed: higher tier mods = lower success
7
Pay the Expedition Artifact cost shown, then Recombine. If success: new item has the chosen mods. If fail: result is degraded or items consumed.

Tips

Endgame strategy: collect many items each with ONE great mod, recombinate to stack them.
Higher tier = harder to merge: start at moderate tiers, ramp up later.
Often cheaper than buying mirror-tier finished items if you put the time in.

Pitfalls

Failure consumes both items: only recombinate when the items aren't your last copies.
Locked to SAME base type: can't mix a wand and a sceptre, for example.
Selecting 6 mods at high tier = very low success rate. Trade off carefully.

Vaal Corruption (final gamble)

EndgameModerate

Try for a bonus implicit or +1 socket on a finalized item.

What you need

Finished perfect item
Vaal Orb

Steps

1
Perfect item ready to corrupt
2
Apply 1 Vaal Orb
→ Vaal Orb
Outcomes: bonus implicit, +1 socket, transform unique, downgrade, destruction

Tips

Use as the LAST step.
In 0.5 the Omen of Corruption is no longer obtainable, so corruption is pure chance.
+1 socket Rune chance is ~1/4.

Pitfalls

PERMANENT. No currency can decorrupt.
Item can be destroyed with no recourse.