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POE 2

Path of Exile 2 currency guide: what every orb does

Updated 3 min read By the ItemGG team

Path of Exile 2 currency ladder from Orb of Transmutation to Mirror of Kalandra

In Path of Exile 2, currency items are both crafting tools and money. Exalted Orbs are the everyday trade unit, Divine Orbs pay for big trades, and the Mirror of Kalandra is the rarest item in the game. Each orb also does something specific to an item: adding a modifier, rerolling one, or perfecting its numbers. This guide explains each one and the order to use them.

Which currency do players trade with?

Exalted Orbs for everyday prices and Divine Orbs for expensive items. Most listings on the trade site and the in-game Currency Exchange are priced in one of the two. Chaos Orbs are a middle step. The rate between them moves every hour, especially in the first week of a league, so always check a live rate before a big trade.

The trade currencies

  • Exalted Orb: adds a new random modifier to a rare item, up to six in total. Because everyone needs it to fill their gear, it is the main everyday trade currency.
  • Divine Orb: rerolls the number values of the modifiers on an item without changing the modifiers themselves. Use it last, to perfect an item you are happy with. It is the high-value trade currency.
  • Chaos Orb: removes one random modifier from a rare item and adds a new one. Good for fixing a weak line without starting the item over.
  • Mirror of Kalandra: makes an exact copy of a non-unique item, and the copy can never be changed again. Players use it to duplicate the very best crafted gear.

Crafting currency, in the order you use it

  1. Orb of Transmutation: turns a normal item into a magic item with one modifier.
  2. Orb of Augmentation: adds a second modifier to a magic item.
  3. Regal Orb: turns a magic item rare and adds one modifier, keeping the ones it has.
  4. Exalted Orb: fills the empty modifier slots on the rare item.
  5. Chaos Orb or Orb of Annulment: fix or remove a bad modifier. Annulment removes a random one, so it can hit a good line too.
  6. Fracturing Orb: locks one random modifier on a rare item with at least four, so later crafting cannot remove it.
  7. Divine Orb: perfects the numbers at the end.

Shortcut: an Orb of Alchemy turns a normal item straight into a rare with four random modifiers, which is a fast way to get a base to work on.

Greater and Perfect orbs

Transmutation, Augmentation, Regal, Exalted and Chaos Orbs also come in Greater and Perfect versions. They work the same way, but the new modifier has a higher minimum modifier level (for example, at least level 35 for a Greater Exalted Orb and 50 for a Perfect one). Use them on endgame bases where a low roll would waste the item.

Sockets and skill gems

  • Artificer’s Orb: adds a socket to a weapon or armour piece, for one more rune or soul core.
  • Jeweller’s Orbs: give a skill gem more support gem sockets: 3 with a Lesser, 4 with a Greater and 5 with a Perfect Jeweller’s Orb. Spend your Perfect one on the skill your build depends on.

Gambling currency

  • Vaal Orb: corrupts an item with an unpredictable result. A corrupted item can no longer be changed with most currency, so use it last.
  • Orb of Chance: has a small chance to turn a normal item into its unique version, and destroys it otherwise.
  • Hinekora’s Lock: lets you see the result of the next currency you use on an item before you commit. Rare and expensive.

Will currency change in 1.0?

Path of Exile 2 leaves early access on December 11, 2026, and 1.0 adds reforging: Forgemarked modifiers can be reforged at the Reforging Bench into new fractured modifiers. The orbs above stay, but everyone starts the 1.0 leagues with an empty stash, so expect Exalted and Divine Orbs to be worth the most in the first days. See what is in PoE 2 1.0. We will update this guide when the 1.0 patch notes are out.

Get the items

See all PoE 2 currency.

FAQ

What is the main currency in Path of Exile 2?

Exalted Orbs for everyday trades and Divine Orbs for expensive items.

What does a Divine Orb do in PoE 2?

It rerolls the number values of an item's modifiers without changing which modifiers it has.

What is the rarest currency in PoE 2?

The Mirror of Kalandra, which makes an exact, unchangeable copy of a non-unique item.

What does a Chaos Orb do in PoE 2?

It removes one random modifier from a rare item and adds a new one.

In what order should I use crafting orbs?

Transmutation, Augmentation, Regal, then Exalted to fill the item; Chaos or Annulment to fix bad lines; a Fracturing Orb to lock a good line; and a Divine Orb last.