To power up your early game gear in Path of Exile 2 with the Artificer’s Orb, you’ll want to understand both how to efficiently collect this currency and how it upgrades your equipment many players even buy poe 2 currency to experiment with socketing strategies. The Artificer’s Orb is used to add rune sockets to weapons and armor, allowing you to slot powerful runes and tailor your gear to your build’s needs.
You can acquire Artificer’s Orbs in two primary ways. The first is by salvaging socketed gear. Throughout the early acts, you’ll frequently encounter weapons and armor pieces with one or more sockets. Salvage gear that already has sockets at the Salvage Bench to receive Artificer’s Shards—collect ten shards and they combine into a full Artificer’s Orb. Unlocking the Salvage Bench by completing the early quest “Finding the Forge” should be a priority, since it opens up this reliable method. Always be on the lookout for socketed drops while exploring, fighting bosses, and especially when opening blue or yellow chests.
The second acquisition method is by direct item drops from enemies, but this is much less common in the early stages—salvaging is far more consistent. Target loot-heavy areas and repeat boss runs to increase your haul of socketed gear, maximizing your shard income—especially if you’ve spent
cheap poe 2 currency to speed up the process.
Once you have an Artificer’s Orb, using it on a piece of early-game gear will add a socket, up to the gear’s maximum. Sockets are the key to slotting runes, which grant extra elemental damage, resistances, or other useful bonuses. Even a single rune can dramatically boost early damage or survivability, so prioritize adding sockets to weapons and main armor pieces as soon as possible.
For the best results, follow this process: equip magic or rare gear with good mods, then use the Artificer’s Orb to add sockets. Don’t waste your Orbs on inferior gear wait for a base with solid stats so you maximize your investment. Once a socket is added, slot in a rune that complements your skill setup or covers a needed stat, such as boosting your main attack type, topping off resistances, or granting extra life.
Every upgrade matters. By focusing Artificer’s Orbs on your best available gear and filling sockets with runes that enhance your playstyle, you’ll notice substantial improvements in power. Salvage unnecessary socketed items rather than ignoring them, since every shard steadily brings you closer to another valuable Orb. Between careful targeting of potential gear, frequent salvaging, and wise orb use, you can fully leverage Artificer’s Orbs to build a strong, rune-powered foundation for your character as you progress through the campaign.
How to Use the Artificer’s Orb to Power‑Up Early Game Gear
