PoE2 Currency and Economy Guide - Trading and Orbs
Complete guide to Path of Exile 2 barter economy. Learn what each currency orb does, how to trade, and how to build wealth in patch 0.5.
PoE2 Currency and Economy Guide
Path of Exile 2 has no gold. The economy runs on a barter system using crafting currency orbs as both materials and trade medium.
How the Barter Economy Works
Every transaction is direct player-to-player trading. Currency orbs serve dual purposes: crafting materials and medium of exchange. Values shift with each new league.
Complete Currency Reference
Core Crafting Orbs
| Orb | Function | Relative Value |
|---|---|---|
| Chaos Orb | Rerolls Rare item modifiers | Base (1:1) |
| Divine Orb | Rerolls numeric values | 100-200x Chaos |
| Exalted Orb | Adds modifier to Rare | 30-50x Chaos |
| Orb of Annulment | Removes random modifier | 15-25x Chaos |
| Regal Orb | Magic to Rare, adds one mod | 1:1 Chaos |
Basic Orbs
| Orb | Function |
|---|---|
| Orb of Transmutation | Normal to Magic item |
| Orb of Alteration | Rerolls Magic item modifiers |
| Orb of Alchemy | Normal to Rare item |
| Orb of Scouring | Removes all modifiers |
| Gemcutter’s Prism | Splits gem into quality and base |
| Vaal Orb | Corrupts item unpredictably |
| Orb of Regret | Grants 1 passive respec point |
| Blessed Orb | Rerolls implicit modifiers |
| Orb of Chance | Normal to random quality item |
How to Earn Currency
Mapping Strategy
- Kill monsters for currency drops
- Complete map bonus objectives for rewards
- Sell valuable rare drops to other players
- Farm league-specific mechanics for bonus returns
Economic Cycles Per League
Day 1-3: Chaos Orbs extremely valuable. Everything expensive. Leveling gear inflated. Week 1: Prices stabilize. Mid-tier currency accessible. Build-defining uniques drop. Week 2-3: Economy matures. Crafting becomes cost-effective. Week 4+: High-end crafting is main currency sink. Specialized farming targets emerge.
Trading Tips
- Check recent sales of similar items before pricing
- Fair quick sale beats holding forever at inflated price
- Always verify items and currency counts before confirming
- Use community trade sites for price reference
- Never do trust trades - always simultaneous exchange
Crafting Budget Example
Crafting a Rare Weapon:
- Good weapon base: ~5 Exalted Orbs
- Orb of Alchemy to make Rare: ~1 Alchemy
- Chaos Orbs for desired modifiers: ~20-50 Chaos
- Exalted Orb for crucial modifier: ~1 Exalted
- Divine Orb to perfect rolls: ~1 Divine Total estimate: 6 Exalted + 50 Chaos + 1 Divine
Always have a backup plan if crafting goes wrong.
Related Guides
Updated for patch 0.5 Return of the Ancients. Last verified: June 2026.