The Orb of Chance has undergone notable changes from Path of Exile 1 to Path of Exile 2, reflecting the developers’ efforts to evolve crafting mechanics while maintaining the core excitement of chancing items. While the fundamental concept remains the same—using the orb to upgrade a normal (white) item into a magic, rare, or unique item—the mechanics, risks, and acquisition methods have been refined in the sequel.
In the original Path of Exile, the Orb of Chance was a relatively straightforward currency: applying it to a white item would upgrade it unpredictably, with a small chance to produce a unique item. The process was safe in the sense that the item would never be destroyed; it would simply upgrade or remain unchanged. This made chancing a popular, low-risk way to gamble for unique items, especially early in the game or league.
Path of Exile 2 introduces a significant twist to this mechanic. While the orb still functions to upgrade normal items, there is now a high risk that the item will be destroyed upon use. This added risk transforms the Orb of Chance from a mostly safe gamble into a high-stakes choice, where players must weigh the potential reward of obtaining a unique against the possibility of losing the base item entirely. This change adds tension and forces more strategic decision-making when using the orb.
Another evolution is in how Orbs of Chance are obtained. In PoE 1, orbs dropped from monsters, chests, and could be traded or crafted through vendor recipes. PoE 2 introduces a recycling system where disenchanting duplicate unique items yields Chance Shards, and ten shards combine into a single Orb of Chance. This system encourages players to manage their unique items carefully, deciding which to keep and which to sacrifice to generate more orbs. The shard mechanic adds a layer of resource management that was less pronounced in the original game.
The drop rates and sources of Orbs of Chance have also been adjusted. In PoE 2, orbs and shards drop more frequently from magic and rare enemies, and containers like chests and urns have a slightly higher chance to yield these currencies. The game stages—normal, cruel, and endgame maps—also influence drop rates, with higher difficulties offering better chances. This tiered drop system encourages players to progress and farm strategically for orbs. For players aiming to accelerate progress, many opt to buy poe 2 currency to acquire Orbs of Chance directly instead of grinding lower-level zones.
Path of Exile 2 features a Currency Exchange system accessible early in the cruel difficulty, allowing players to trade other currencies for Orbs of Chance. This system provides an alternative to farming and disenchanting, giving players more flexibility in how they acquire orbs.
The Orb of Chance in Path of Exile 2 retains its core function of upgrading normal items with a chance at unique rewards but introduces a higher risk of item destruction, a new shard-based crafting economy, adjusted drop mechanics, and a currency exchange system. These changes deepen the strategic complexity of chancing items, making the orb a more thrilling and resource-conscious tool compared to its original incarnation. Players must now carefully balance risk and reward, manage their unique item inventory, and choose the best method to acquire orbs—even turning to sources offering
poe 2 currency for sale when chasing high-end crafting goals.
Comparing PoE 1 vs PoE 2: How the Orb of Chance Has Evolved
