Artificer’s Orb vs. Jeweller’s Orb: When to Use Which
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Artificer’s Orbs and Jeweller’s Orbs serve very different but complementary roles in Path of Exile 2’s gear customization. Knowing when to use each is essential for efficiently optimizing your equipment, especially as you chase the perfect socket setup for your build. Some players who want a faster start even explore poe 2 currency for sale to acquire extra orbs without grinding.
Artificer’s Orbs specialize in adding extra rune sockets to martial weapons and armor. Their key purpose is socket expansion—enabling you to fit more runes into your favorite endgame pieces. Each use of an Artificer’s Orb can add one socket (sometimes two for specific items like two-handers and body armor), unlocking additional skill and support opportunities. You should use Artificer’s Orbs when you have a piece of gear that you intend to keep long-term and want to maximize its potential by increasing its rune socket count. This is best reserved for high-quality, endgame, or build-defining items—using them on gear you may soon replace is usually wasteful.
Jeweller’s Orbs, on the other hand, are classic currency used to reroll the number of sockets on an item. Their primary function is not to increase the maximum sockets beyond an item’s limit, but to change the current number of sockets (within the item’s cap) or to try for an optimal number/layout for linking gems. Use Jeweller’s Orbs when you receive an item with too few sockets and need to find the right setup for your skill links, typically before investing with Artificer’s Orbs. They’re most efficient early and mid-game or on items where the socket configuration is suboptimal. Players on a budget sometimes supplement orb farming by trading for cheap poe 2 currency to accelerate this step.
The ideal progression is to use Jeweller’s Orbs first to reach your desired base socket arrangement on a good item. Once you’re satisfied and have settled on an endgame piece, use Artificer’s Orbs to further expand the socket count above the standard cap, if your build and the item allow for it.
Use Jeweller’s Orbs to get the right socket count and layout on gear, particularly while leveling or before finalizing your sockets.
Save Artificer’s Orbs for your top-tier equipment to unlock extra rune sockets for stronger build synergy—only after you’re confident the base item is worthy of the investment.
Knowing when and how to use each orb ensures you build smarter, not harder, and get the most from your gear and crafting currency in Path of Exile 2.