0PoE 2 Beginner Guide (Part 3): Currency, Exchange and Trade
- Alphonse
- Share
- Path of Exile 2
- 01/10/25
- 361
In PoE 2 Beginner Guide Part 3, we will learn about the in-game currency, how to exchange it, and the basic information of trading.Knowing all of this is crucial when crafting powerful gear, upgrading items, or acquiring resources. This guide will walk you through the basics of acquiring currency, trading with other players, and utilizing the currency exchange system to maximize your efficiency.
↖ Currency
PoE 2 Currency is used for crafting, trading, upgrading your equipment and accessing certain in-game services.
Key Points:
- Sources: Monsters that you defeat drop Currency Orbs more often if they are bosses. Disenchanting items at vendors will also give you Currency Shards which combine into full orbs.
- Functions: Crafting gear, modifying item properties, trading with other players, and upgrading items.
- Types: They include Orbs, Scraps, Whetstones, Baubles, Etchers Prisms Mirrors ,and Shards.
Common Currency Types and Their Uses:
| Currency | Purpose | How to Use | Tips/Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orb of Transmutation | Converts a normal (white) item into a magic (blue) item with one modifier. | Apply it to a white Sapphire Ring to add a stat, such as +23 Strength. | Use this for early-game crafting when you need basic stat boosts. |
| Orb of Augmentation | Adds a random modifier to a magic item. | Enhance a magic ring with an additional stat like +86 Mana. | Use after applying an Orb of Transmutation to maximize stats on magic items. |
| Regal Orb | Upgrades a magic item to a rare (yellow) item, adding one more modifier. | Transform a magic ring into a rare item with additional stats like +22 Evasion Rating. | Use cautiously, as the added modifiers are random. |
| Exalted Orb | Adds a random modifier to a rare item. | Continue enhancing rare items with new stats until all modifier slots are filled. | Save these for high-value items due to their rarity. |
| Orb of Alchemy | Upgrades a normal item directly into a rare item with four modifiers. | Apply it to a white item like a map or gear piece for instant upgrades. | Skip early crafting steps and commit to rare upgrades when you find good base items. |
| Vaal Orb | Modifies an item unpredictably, potentially adding or removing stats or corrupting the item. | Use on gems to add sockets or modify unique items for unique outcomes. | Once corrupted, the item can no longer be modified. |
| Divine Orb | Randomizes numeric values on an item's modifiers while keeping the stats intact. | Re-roll low damage or health values on an otherwise ideal item. | Use only when the item's stats are perfect, but the values are suboptimal. |
| Orb of Annulment | Removes one random modifier from an item. | Remove undesirable stats from an item to make room for better ones. | May remove valuable stats, so use carefully. |
| Orb of Chance | Randomly upgrades a normal item into any rarity, including unique items. | Attempt to turn a white two-handed mace into a specific unique weapon. | Best used when targeting specific unique items with known base types. |
| Mirror of Kalandra | Creates an exact duplicate of an item. | Reserved for duplicating perfect, high-value items. | Extremely rare. |
| Material | Purpose | Application | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacksmith's Whetstone | Improves weapon quality (increases damage). | Weapons | Boosts damage from 108–146 to 111–149 with increased quality by 2%. |
| Armourer's Scrap | Improves armor quality (increases defenses). | Helmets, Gloves, Boots, Armor | Increases armor, evasion, or energy shield values on gear. |
| Type | Purpose | Application | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificer's Orb | Adds sockets to items. | Weapons, Armor, Gloves, Boots | Adds one socket per use (e.g., gloves go from 2 sockets to 3). |
| Lesser Jeweler's Orb | Adds support gem sockets to skills. | Skill Gems | Adds another socket to support gems in skills like Cluster Grenade. |
| Greater/Perfect Jeweler's Orb | Adds higher-tier sockets. | Skill Gems | Rarely found; adds up to six sockets for high-end builds. |
| Material | Purpose | Application | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gemcutter's Prism | Improves quality of skill gems (varies by gem). | Skill Gems | Increases cooldown recovery or ignite magnitude based on the gem type. |
| Glassblower's Bauble | Improves flask quality (better recovery). | Flasks | Boosts life recovery from 920 HP/3s to 938 HP/3s with improved quality. |
| Purpose | How to Use | Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Upgrades normal items into magic items with guaranteed modifiers based on the essence type. | Essence of Contempt guarantees physical damage modifiers on weapons. | Use on high-level base items for controlled crafting outcomes. |
↖ Trading / Buy and Sell Items
The trading system provides an efficient way for players to exchange items and currency.
1. Go to the Trade Website:
- Go to [Path of Exile Trade](https://pathofexile.com/trade).
- Confirm that you are looking for stuff in the right league (i.e., Standard or your active league).
2. Filter according to Your Needs:
- Choose the item type (e.g.: Helmet).
- Refine using filters:
- Level Requirement - Equal character's level or lower than it.
- Maximum Price - Set a budget in terms of currency (for example, 2 Exalted Orbs).
- Desired Stats - Such as Maximum Life or Fire Resistance.
3. Sort Results Based on Most Important Stat :
Click on the stat most important to you to sort items accordingly.
4. Select an Item:
Review options and choose one that fits your requirements and budget.
5. Initiate Trade:
Through the trade site, use "Direct Whisper" button to communicate with seller in game.
6.Trade is Complete:
Get into seller's hideout via party invite, Verify item's stats before finalizing transaction.
Example Search Table:
| Filter | Example Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Item Type | Helmet | Select based on the slot you need. |
| Maximum Level Requirement | 50 | Match your character's level or lower. |
| Maximum Price | 2 Exalted Orbs | Set your budget to avoid overspending. |
| Stats | +50 Life, +15 Fire Resistance | Focus on stats that fill your build's gaps. |
Selling Items:
Prepare Your Premium Stash Tab: Check if you have a premium stash tab (it's necessary for item listing on the trade site).
- Price Your Items: Look at similar goods on the trade site for pricing guidance.
- List Your Item for Sale: Right click on an item in your Premium Stash Tab and set the price eg 1 Chaos Orb.
- Respond to Buyers: When someone who wants to buy the thing sends you a message, tell them to join you in your hideout which is where trading happens.
- Verify Trade Details: Ensure that what this customer has offered coincides with what you stated as your price.
↖ Exchange
Currency exchange enables players to barter for the currency they lack using the surplus. It's a necessary tool for faster progression.
Unlocking Currency Exchange:
- Finish Act 3: This is only available on early access.
- Change to Cruel Difficulty: After clearing Act 3 you then go with cruel mode (unlocks automatically in early access).
- Find an NPC: Speak with the Item Vendor in any town, eg Finn in Clearfell Encampment, this will be called Giovanni at level 49+ The Ridge.
- Access Anywhere: When unlocked the Currency Exchange will be present at all towns as well as your hideout.
How does the Exchange work?
- Talk to the Merchant and choose "Currency Exchange".
- Select what you want under "I want" from the drop down menu.
- What do you have? Select your offering from "I have".
- You can look into Open Orders or create your own Trade Request.
1. Getting into Currency Exchange
To start making use of the Currency Exchange system,
- Meet Alva in your hideout.
- Open up The Currency Exchange UI
This interface allows you to select which currency you would like to exchange for another one.
2. How to Trade Currency?
Follow these steps to exchange currencies:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Select Currency | Choose the currency you want to trade from your inventory (e.g., Regal Orbs, Chaos Orbs). |
| 2. Choose Target | Specify the currency you need (e.g., Exalted Orbs, Jeweler's Orbs). |
| 3. Confirm Rates | Check the exchange rate displayed (e.g., 1 Exalted Orb = 8 Regal Orbs). |
| 4. Acknowledge Trade | Tick both acknowledgment boxes confirming the trade details. |
| 5. Place Order | Click "Place Order" to finalize the exchange. |
3. Key Features of Currency Exchange
- Instant Transactions: Once the trade is confirmed, the exchange is completed immediately.
- Gold Cost: A small amount of in-game gold is required for every transaction.
- Versatility: Trade for any type of currency, including rare ones like Chaos Orbs, Divine Orbs, or Gemcutter's Prisms.
4. Practical Use Cases
The Currency Exchange system is particularly useful in scenarios such as:
- Crafting Needs: Running low on a specific currency required for crafting? Exchange excess or unused currencies to get what you need.
- Stash Management: Convert surplus currencies into more valuable ones to free up stash space and improve resource efficiency.
- Market Adjustments: Adapt to fluctuating in-game market values by trading currencies strategically.
5. Example Scenarios
| Scenario | Solution |
|---|---|
| You need a Perfect Jeweler's Orb for crafting but can't find one. | Trade Exalted Orbs for Jeweler's Orbs through the Currency Exchange system. |
| Your stash is overflowing with Regal Orbs, but you need Exalted Orbs. | Use the exchange rate (e.g., 1 Exalted Orb = 8 Regal Orbs) to convert excess Regal Orbs. |
| You require Chaos Orbs for vendor recipes but have too many Alchemy Orbs. | Trade Alchemy Orbs for Chaos Orbs to balance your inventory for crafting needs. |
↖ Trading as the Seller
The trade system is one of the most crucial things to know about economy. It does not matter if you are looking for specific gear or selling valuable items for profit, mastering trading process is very key.
Trading With Other Players:
- Right click on another player's character.
- Click on "Trade" to start a trade request.
Trading through Chat:
- Whisper them via Global Chat or PMs.
- Invite them in your party and teleport to their instance.
- Right click their character to initiate a trade and choose "Trade".
Set Up a Premium Stash Tab
To sell items, you must have a premium stash tab. This is a requirement for making your items visible on the trade website. Here's how to set it up:
| Step | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Purchase a premium stash tab from the microtransaction shop. | Premium stash tabs are often on sale. Prices typically start at 30 coins (~$3). |
| 2 | Right-click on the stash tab and select the option to make it public. | This allows others to view your items on the trade website. |
| 3 | Choose the pricing method: individually priced is recommended for most sellers. | Avoid using "negotiable pricing" for simplicity. |
List of Items to Sell
Once you have made your stash tab public, you can start to list some items for sale. The following steps should be followed:
- 1. Right-click the item in your public stash tab.
- 2. Select the Exact Price and type in the number of exalted orbs (the main trading currency). Example: If you would like to sell an item for one exalted orb, set the price as 1 exalt.
- 3. Make sure that the item remains in your public tab because then it will appear on the trade website so that potential buyers can see it
Complete the Trade
In a case where there is a buyer for your item, they usually send you whispers through the trade website. Here are important steps that must be followed while completing such:
- Invite the buyer into your party by right-clicking their name in chat and selecting ‘Invite to Party'.(PC)
- Go to the hideout where trades occur.
- Locate an item outlined with purple color in your stash tab (the purple outline indicates that this is the item being traded).
- Right-click on the buyer's portrait and choose Trade from drop-down menu.
- Put your item inside the trade window and check whether or not the buyer offers the correct currency i.e., exalted orbs.
- Finish off by clicking the Accept Trade button.
Related: PoE 2 Beginner Guide (Part 2): Skill Gems, Support Gems and Spirit Gems!
That's it for PoE 2 currency, exchange, and trading systems, which are essential for optimizing character and progression efficiency. By managing your resources effectively, you can acquire powerful gear, adapt to market trends, and ensure smooth play through Path of Exile 2's challenging content.
Most Popular Posts
- Path of Exile 2 Witch Class Overview: Blood Mage vs Infernalist
- Path of Exile 2 Mercenary Overview: Witchhunter vs Gemling Legionnaire
- Path of Exile 2 Warrior Class Overview: Titan vs Warbringer
- PoE 2 Passive Tree Guide: Classes and Builds Application
- PoE 2 Leech Mechanics: Types, Statistics, Example and Keypoints
- PoE 2 Monk Class Guide: Skills, Ascendancies and Viable Combos
Popular Category Lists
- Monopoly Go / (91)
- Path of Exile / (28)
- CoD: BLACK OPS 6 / (24)
- Path of Exile 2 / (9)
- FFXIV / (8)
- Cookierun Kingdom / (2)
- Watcher of Realms / (2)
- AFK Journey / (2)
- AFK Arena / (1)
- Nikke / (1)
- Solo Leveling: ARISE / (1)
- Zenless Zone Zero / (1)
- Arena Breakout / (1)
- Pokemon TCG Pocket / (1)
- Marvel Rivals / (1)
