Regal Orb vs Exalted Orb: When to Use Which for Crafting
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Regal Orbs and Exalted Orbs may both be crafting currencies in Path of Exile 2, but they occupy very different positions in the crafting hierarchy. One is a mid-tier tool used for early structure-building, while the other is a premium currency reserved for some of the most ambitious and expensive crafting projects in the game. Knowing when to use each one and just as importantly, when not to use them can save you an enormous amount of resources while ensuring that your item upgrades remain meaningful. Understanding their roles is key to navigating PoE 2’s deeper crafting layers.
Regal Orbs are most valuable in the early and mid stages of crafting. Their job is straightforward: take a magic (blue) item with two strong affixes and upgrade it to rare, adding one more random affix. This simple step is foundational because it sets the stage for more advanced manipulation. A Regal Orb is what moves your project from the “setup” phase to the “growth” phase. You’re establishing a rare item that can now interact with more advanced crafting mechanics, such as meta-mod crafting, reforges, and influence crafts.
Because they’re cost-effective and drop frequently, Regal Orbs are ideal for experimentation and for any item where you’re testing potential affix combinations. They’re also perfect for crafting when resources are limited—especially early league, when every piece of poe 2 currency matters and players must be cautious about overspending. The low risk and moderate reward make them one of the most approachable tools in the entire system.
Exalted Orbs, by contrast, belong to the top tier of crafting. Their purpose is to add an entirely new random affix to a rare item, but due to the high value of an Exalted Orb, they are almost never used casually. Using an Exalt makes sense only when your item already has incredibly strong affixes and only needs one or two more specific mods to reach perfection. Even then, many players avoid raw Exalt usage unless the prefixes or suffixes are locked, or unless deterministic crafting modifiers limit the possible outcomes enough to justify the cost.
Because Exalted Orbs are so expensive, players typically reserve them for endgame gear items intended to last through pinnacle encounters or to be sold for major profit. A single wasted Exalt can represent hours of farming or a huge chunk of cheap poe 2 currency, making precision and planning absolutely necessary.
So when should you use which? If your item is still being shaped meaning you’re building the base, isolating good affixes, or exploring potential combinations—you should almost always use a Regal Orb. Only after the item has a strong foundation and a clear crafting path should you even consider upgrading to Exalted Orbs. A good rule of thumb is this: Regal for starting the journey, Exalted for finishing it.
Both currencies serve essential but distinct roles. Regal Orbs help you establish control; Exalted Orbs help you chase perfection. Mastering when to use each one is what separates casual crafters from players who create truly top-tier gear in Path of Exile 2.