Path of Exile 2: Artificer's Orb Guide and How to Get

Dec 18

*Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games, Path of Exile 2 (PoE2)*

In Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), the Artificer's Orb is a valuable currency item that adds a socket to your martial weapons or armor. Sockets are needed for inserting runes, which grant your character different skills and abilities. Therefore, increasing the number of sockets on your gear can significantly enhance your build's effectiveness.

Here’s a simple guide to understanding, getting, and using the Artificer's Orb in PoE2.

What Is an Artificer's Orb?

What it does: Adds a socket to a martial weapon or armor piece.
Why it’s useful: More sockets allow you to equip additional runes, enhancing your character's abilities and customization options.

For example:

A sword with one socket can be upgraded to have two sockets, allowing for more skill runes.
A chest armor piece can gain an extra socket, providing space for additional support runes.

How to Get Artificer's Orbs

1. Salvaging Equipment

Salvage Bench: In Act One, complete the "Finding the Forge" side quest to unlock the Salvage Bench by recovering Renly's Tools and bringing them back to him.
Process: Use the Salvage Bench to break down equipment with sockets to obtain Artificer's Shards.
Conversion: Collect 10 Artificer's Shards to automatically combine them into one Artificer's Orb.

2. Drops from Monsters

Loot: Artificer's Orbs can occasionally drop from enemies, chests, and destructible objects as you progress through the game.

3. Trade

Player Trading: You can trade with other players to acquire Artificer's Orbs, offering other valuable items or currency in exchange.

How to Use an Artificer's Orb

Applying an Artificer's Orb to your gear is straightforward:

Right-click the Artificer's Orb in your inventory.
Left-click on the martial weapon or armor piece you wish to add a socket to.
The item will gain an additional socket, up to its maximum allowed number.

Note: Two-handed weapons and body armor can have up to two sockets, while other equipment pieces can have one socket.

When to Use Artificer's Orbs

Enhancing Gear

Early Game: Use Artificer's Orbs to add sockets to your primary weapons and armor, allowing for more runes and increased skill versatility.

Customizing Builds

Skill Synergy: Adding sockets enables you to equip additional runes, enhancing your character's abilities and tailoring your build to your playstyle.

Tips for Using Artificer's Orbs

Plan Ahead: Consider which items will benefit most from additional sockets based on your current build and available runes.
Maximize Potential: Use Artificer's Orbs on high-quality gear to fully utilize the added sockets for powerful rune combinations.
Resource Management: Since Artificer's Orbs are valuable, use them strategically to enhance gear that will significantly impact your gameplay.