What Does the Artificer’s Orb Do? A Complete Overview for PoE2
 

The Artificer’s Orb in Path of Exile 2 is a crafting currency used to modify gear by adding rune sockets. It is designed to expand build customization by increasing the number of rune slots available on items such as martial weapons and armor, enabling you to equip more runes and tune your abilities more precisely. This system ties closely to resource efficiency and smart poe 2 currency management for long-term progression.

What it does

Adds sockets to gear: The primary function is to create one or more rune sockets in eligible equipment, allowing you to slot runes that grant various effects or bonuses.

Socket capacity and limits: The Orb is typically used to increase the socket count on items, with practical limits tied to game design (for PoE 2, the exact maximum sockets per item and how many sockets can be added by a single orb may depend on item type and progression stage).

Rune-based customization: Sockets enable the use of runes, which are modular bonuses or abilities that can dramatically shift how a piece of gear performs in combat and synergy with other items.

How to obtain and use

Acquisition paths: Artificer’s Orbs can be obtained through salvaging socketed gear, farming as drops in the world, or via currency exchanges in the game’s economy. They may also appear from chests or rewards tied to specific acts or regions.

Crafting workflow: To apply an Artificer’s Orb, open your inventory, select the orb, and apply it to a valid piece of equipment (e.g., martial weapons or armor) to add or modify rune sockets. The process typically consumes the orb and updates the item with new socket slots.

Rune placement: After sockets are added, use runes to populate those sockets, thereby customizing the item’s active effects and passives to suit your build.

Practical considerations

Build impact: Consider whether your current and planned runes will benefit from additional sockets. More sockets provide greater flexibility, but require careful planning to avoid inefficient rune setups.

Resource management: Artificer’s Orbs are a valuable resource; weigh their use against other crafting paths and currency needs. Avoid over-expanding sockets on items that won’t be central to your build.

Progression context: The availability and impact of Artificer’s Orbs can scale with progression, acts completed, and party or solo play benefits. Plan socketing around milestones to maximize return on investment, or consider alternative methods to buy poe 2 currency if socket crafting demands exceed your current supply.