In Path of Exile 2, one major change that affects all players is the removal of socket-related orbs. These orbs, like the Jeweller's Orb, Chromatic Orb, and Orb of Fusing, were used in the first game to adjust how many sockets an item had, what colors the sockets were, and how they were linked. But now, in PoE 2, these socket mechanics are completely gone. This change simplifies gear customization and helps players focus more on building strong characters rather than dealing with confusing socket RNG (randomness).
So how does this connect with PoE 2 currency and crafting? In the past, socket-related orbs were a big part of your currency stash. You needed to use a lot of Jeweller’s Orbs just to get six sockets on an item. Then you had to use even more Orbs of Fusing to link them. If you wanted specific colors for your skill gems, you had to use Chromatic Orbs over and over. It took time, planning, and a lot of currency. Now, all of that is much simpler. In PoE 2, skills are no longer attached to gear sockets. Instead, you upgrade your skill gems directly, and support gems link to them in the new skill gem system.
Because of this, players no longer need to spend huge amounts of currency on socket crafting. This makes other PoE 2 currency items even more important. For example, Orbs of Transmutation, Orbs of Alchemy, Chaos Orbs, and Exalted Orbs now play a bigger role in gear upgrades. You can focus on using these to improve the actual stats and bonuses on your gear, instead of worrying about socket layouts.
Here’s a helpful strategy for solo players in mid-game:
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Focus on stats, not sockets. Since you no longer have to worry about linking or coloring sockets, look for armor and weapons with strong base stats like life, resistances, or damage boosts. Use a Transmutation Orb to turn white gear into magic gear with one bonus. Then, use an Augmentation Orb to add a second bonus. This is a great way to get helpful gear early on without needing socket orbs.
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Save your Chaos Orbs for rares. Chaos Orbs are a key PoE 2 currency. They can reroll rare items to change their mods. Once you find a good rare item with the right base type, but not-so-good bonuses, try using Chaos Orbs to roll better ones. You can also buy PoE 2 currency like Chaos Orbs if you need more. Sites like U4GM offer safe and quick options to get the currency you need.
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Use Orbs of Alchemy smartly. Alchemy Orbs upgrade white items into rares. This is a quick way to try for strong gear if you already have a good item base. Use them on gear types your build relies on most—like weapons for damage dealers or armor for tanks.
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Craft instead of gamble. With sockets removed, more players can enjoy simple and direct gear improvements. For example, if you’re using a bow with high physical damage, look for a bonus that adds flat physical damage or increases attack speed. Use Essences, Regal Orbs, or Exalted Orbs when you want to take your gear to the next level without relying on links or colors.
The removal of socket-related orbs has also made trading easier. Since you don’t need to buy items just for their socket setups anymore, you can focus on trading for actual stats that help your character. If you ever feel stuck or short on progress, you can always buy PoE 2 currency to get the orbs you need for crafting. Many players use services like U4GM to safely purchase currency and keep their builds moving forward without wasting time.
In conclusion, the removal of socket-related orbs in PoE 2 is a great step toward a smoother, easier crafting system. You no longer have to worry about colors or links. Instead, you can concentrate on what really matters—getting strong, useful bonuses on your items using important PoE 2 currency. Whether you craft slowly by hand or choose to buy PoE 2 currency to speed things up, this new system gives everyone a fair and fun chance to build powerful gear.