Welcome, Exiles! If you're looking for a rewarding and accessible farming strategy in PoE 3.26, Delve might just be the answer. Many Delve-specific items are surprisingly valuable, even the more common ones. This guide breaks down how Delve works, navigates Delve effectively, avoids common pitfalls, and farming a reliable source!

• Delve Works
• Pros & Cons
• How To Farm Profitably In Delve?
• Quick Live Example: How It Works?
• How To Start Delving For Profit?
• Selling Loot For Maximum Currency

↖ Delve Works

Delve is an infinite-scaling mechanic where you descend into the Azurite Mine, encountering increasingly difficult enemies and more rewarding loot the deeper you go. 

• Starting Point: You begin at a shallow depth and progress downward.
• Scaling Rewards: Deeper levels (250+ depth) yield better rewards but also tougher enemies.
• Sulfite Management: To delve, you need sulfite, which is collected by running maps with sulfite scarabs.

Recommended Depth Range

• Beginner-Friendly Depth: 250–300
  
• Optimal Depth for Profit: 280–340
  

Key to Profitability

• Target Specific Nodes: Random delving is inefficient. Focus on valuable nodes like fossils, resonators, and currency caches.
• Efficiency Matters: Time spent navigating unrewarding areas reduces your overall profit. Plan your path wisely!

↖ Pros & Cons

↖ How To Farm Profitably In Delve?

Farming profitably in Delve revolves around speed, node selection, and knowing what to ignore. 

1. Optimize Your Character for Speed

Use a character with high AoE clear and movement speed or a fast movement skill. The faster you travel between nodes, the more profitable your runs will be. Cutting down travel time from 2 minutes to 1 minute can double your efficiency.

2. Target the Right Nodes

Not all nodes are created equal. Focus on these high-value nodes for maximum returns:

• Crystal Spire: Look for fossils that add abyss sockets to items. These are consistently valuable on the market.
• Time-Lost Cavern: Essences from this node are highly sought after and can be sold for a divine each.
• Magma Fissure: Faceted fossils sell for a solid price, depending on market demand.

3. Ignore Low-Value Nodes

While some fossils and loot from other nodes might seem tempting, they often aren't worth the time investment. For example:

• Fossils worth only 15–20 Chaos.
  
• Most city chambers (e.g., Primeval, Ruin, Abyssal) as they rarely yield valuable loot.
  

4. Hunt for Big-Ticket Items

• Minion/Aura Nodes: These nodes often drop +1 Spectre body armors or other items that sell instantly for multiple divines.
• Mana/Curse Nodes: Rings with increased curse effect duration are incredibly valuable right now, fetching 5–6 divines or more. These items are currently in demand for crafting builds with soul eater stacks.

5. Be Quick and Efficient

Efficiency is crucial in Delve farming:

• Avoid unnecessary fights or exploring side areas.
• Skip bosses with immunity phases unless they drop guaranteed high-value items.
• Focus on traveling sideways to reveal more nodes on the map and open up profitable areas.

↖ Quick Live Example: How It Works?

1. Start with Sulphite:

Gather enough sulphite before heading into the Delve. Sulphite fuels your cart and determines how far you can travel.

2. Node Selection:

• Skip time-consuming Azerite nodes unless they're on your path.
• Prioritize nodes with high-value rewards such as fossils, resonators, and currency.
• Avoid "trash" nodes like weapon and armor ones unless there are no better options.

3. Efficient Navigation:

• Don't wait for the cart; run ahead to save time.
• Backtrack only if the cart takes a different route.
• Stay close to the cart to avoid damage from darkness.

4. Target Biomes:

Certain biomes yield specific high-value fossils:

• Magma Fissure: Drops Faceted Fossils (valuable for crafting).
• Frozen Hollow: Drops Essence Fossils.
• Abyssal Depths: Drops Abyss Fossils.
• Primeval Ruins: Offers a chance for all types of fossils.

Profitability of Nodes

Link:  https://tinyurl.com/4v4cds85

↖ How To Start Delving For Profit?

Step 1: Stock Up on Sulfite

To start delving, you'll need sulfite. 

• Run T16 Maps: Add Niko to your map device and prioritize Niko nodes on your Atlas passive tree.
• Rush Sulfite Nodes: Skip unnecessary mobs or objectives—just grab the sulfite and portal out.
• Time Investment: It takes about 3-4 maps (a few minutes) to fully stock up on sulfite.

Step 2: Spend Azerite Wisely

• Upgrade Sulfite Capacity: Increase your capacity to make delving more efficient. This upgrade doesn't cost much but improves quality of life.
• Buy Primitive Resonators: Purchase resonators from Niko using Azerite and sell them on the trade market.

Step 3: Target the Right Nodes

Not all Delve nodes are created equal. 

• Fossil Biomes: Look for Magma Fissure, Abyssal Depths, and Frozen Hollow biomes.
• Primordial Ruins: Target these for valuable loot like fossils and resonators.
• Special Items: Keep an eye out for mana, curse, and minion-related items—they often sell well.

↖ Selling Loot For Maximum Currency

Fossils and Resonators

Selling fossils and resonators is a key part of this strategy. 

1. Avoid Flooding the Market: Sell in small batches (e.g., 50 resonators at a time). Overloading the market can lower prices.
2. Be Patient: Prices fluctuate frequently—don't undercut by too much or sell in a rush. Wait 10-15 minutes if necessary for a fair price.
3. Monitor Market Trends: Check trade sites regularly to find the best time to sell high-value items like Glyphic Fossils or Hollow Fossils.

Example Pricing Table

Delve farming in PoE 3.26 offers a great balance of accessibility and profitability. While it may require some initial setup and planning, the rewards are well worth the effort. So grab your sulfite scarabs, light up those flares, and start delving for profit! Have fun and good luck!