Knowing when to use Orbs of Augmentation effectively can significantly enhance your gear and crafting efficiency in *Path of Exile*. These orbs add a second random affix to a magic (blue) item that currently has only one modifier, completing its mod pool and boosting its power.
When to Use Orbs of Augmentation:
On Magic Items with One Excellent Affix: If you find a magic item that already has a very strong single modifier but lacks a second affix, using an Orb of Augmentation is ideal. This can turn a good item into a great one by adding a complementary stat, increasing its overall value and effectiveness.
Early-Game Gear Improvement: In the early stages, upgrading white items with an Orb of Transmutation to magic, then augmenting them with an Orb of Augmentation, provides a quick and affordable way to boost your gear without relying on rare drops. This is especially helpful if you’re working with limited poe 2 currency and want maximum value from each item.
Preparing Items for Further Crafting: Orbs of Augmentation are a crucial step in the crafting progression. After augmenting a magic item to have two affixes, you can use a Regal Orb to upgrade it to rare, adding even more modifiers. This stepwise approach allows for controlled crafting and better gear optimization.
Tailoring Items for Vendor Recipes and Quests: Some vendor recipes or quest requirements call for magic items with specific affixes. Using Orbs of Augmentation can help you meet these conditions by adding the necessary modifiers, enabling you to complete recipes or quests efficiently.
Enhancing Flasks: Magic flasks with two affixes can provide powerful utility and survivability bonuses. If you have a magic flask with one good mod, augmenting it can add a second useful affix, improving your overall effectiveness in combat.
When Not to Use Orbs of Augmentation:
On Items Already Having Two Affixes: Orbs of Augmentation cannot add a third modifier to magic items. Using them on fully affixed magic items is ineffective and wastes the orb.
On Rare or Unique Items: These orbs only work on magic items with one affix. Rare and unique items either have multiple affixes or cannot be augmented this way, so save your orbs for appropriate magic gear.
On Low-Quality or Soon-to-Be-Replaced Gear: Avoid augmenting items that you plan to replace quickly or that have poor base stats. Focus your orbs on gear pieces with good potential to maximize value.
Additional Tips:
Orbs of Augmentation are relatively common and can be farmed through monster drops, chests, and vendor recipes, so use them regularly to maintain a steady gear upgrade pace.
Combine augmentation with Orbs of Alteration to reroll affixes if the added modifier isn’t ideal, allowing you to fine-tune magic items before further crafting. Players who
buy poe 2 currency often follow this practice to get optimal results without wasting premium orbs.
Use Orbs of Augmentation primarily to add a second affix to magic items with one strong modifier, especially during early-game gearing and as part of a stepwise crafting process. Avoid wasting them on fully affixed, rare, or low-quality items. This strategic use maximizes their value and helps you build powerful gear efficiently.
Maximizing Value: When to Use Orbs of Augmentation
