Path of Exile 2 Items Strategy: Craft or Sell?
Time: 2025-05-10 by mmojugg Game: Path of Exile 2 Guide
Navigating the economy of Path of Exile 2 can feel like a high-stakes gamble, especially when deciding whether to craft or sell your items. With every drop, you have a choice: invest resources to enhance an item or cash it in for currency? To help you make smarter decisions, we've broken down a straightforward, step-by-step approach to evaluating your items. If you find this guide helpful, consider bookmarking our site for more Path of Exile 2 tips and checking out our store for in-game essentials to boost your journey.
General Rules for Crafting vs. Selling
Low Item Level (Below 78)? Sell It
Items with an item level below 78 rarely justify crafting. These items can't roll the highest-tier modifiers, making them poor candidates for expensive crafting resources like Omens or Divines. Unless it's a focus item for a mage build, your best bet is to sell these to someone else willing to take the risk. The market often has comparable items at a lower cost than crafting would demand.
Unsure About White Bases? Sell Them
White (normal) bases, like a high item-level spear, might seem tempting to craft, but they're often a trap for beginners. For example, a level 82 spear on a good base might fetch 5 Exalted Orbs. Crafting it further could burn through resources with no guaranteed return. Unless you're an expert crafter, sell these bases and let someone else roll the dice.
Understand the Meta and Market
The Path of Exile 2 economy shifts with each patch, so staying informed about meta builds and desirable modifiers is crucial. Items with high-demand stats (e.g., accuracy for Amazon builds or physical/lightning damage in an attack meta) are likelier to sell well. Always check market demand before sinking resources into crafting.
Item-Specific Decision-Making
Boots
Boots with a single strong modifier, like 35% movement speed, but weak secondary stats (e.g., stun threshold or freeze duration) are usually better sold. These are low-value in the endgame, where players prioritize resistances, rarity, or attributes. However, if the cost to craft is low (e.g., using a Regal Orb), you might take a cheap shot at improving them. If the result is still lackluster, sell and move on.
Crossbows
Crossbows are a prime example of where base and item level matter. A level 80 Desolate Crossbow with a T9 physical damage roll might look promising, but it's not on a meta base like a Siege or Gemini Crossbow, and it's not level 82. Sell these to avoid wasting resources. However, a must-craft candidate is a level 82 Siege Crossbow with multiple high-tier rolls (e.g., T8 physical damage, T9 elemental damage). Focus on fixing weaker suffixes (e.g., replacing strength with crit rate) to create a mirror-tier item.
Chest Armor
Rare chest pieces with unique anointments, like one granting Explosive Impact, can be tricky. Even with solid stats (e.g., T13 maximum life, high evasion/energy shield), test the market first. List it reasonably priced (e.g., 1 Divine + 30 Exalted) to gauge demand. Without interest, it's likely not worth crafting further due to high costs and niche appeal. But if buyers are biting, consider crafting to capitalize on the demand.
Amulets
An amulet with a high roll like +3 to minion skills but mediocre secondary stats (e.g., low-tier rarity or mana) is usually complete as is. Crafting further requires significant investment with little upside unless most modifiers are already max-tier. For example, if only one low-tier stat (e.g., maximum mana) drags down an otherwise perfect amulet, use an Omen of Whittling to reroll it, as the potential value increase outweighs the risk.
Breach Rings
Breach rings are complex due to their many modifiers. A ring with low-tier attack stats (e.g., T8 physical, T5 fire) and no max rolls is a clear sell, especially if catalysts are too pricey. However, a ring with high rolls (e.g., T9/T7 attack stats, max cold resistance) might only need a catalyst (Reaver for attacks or Attributes for selling) to be market-ready. Unless you're one roll away from perfection, avoid Omens and sell.
Decide when to Craft:
Crafting is worth it when an item has:
High Item Level (82+): Ensures access to top-tier modifiers.
Meta Base: E.g., Siege Crossbow for grenade builds.
Multiple High-Tier Rolls: E.g., T8/T9 physical and elemental damage.
Clear Upgrade Path: Weak suffixes can be replaced with high-value stats like crit rate or projectile skills.
For instance, a level 82 Siege Crossbow with T8 physical damage and T9 elemental damage is a prime crafting target. The prefixes are near-perfect, but suffixes like strength or mana gain can be rerolled for crit or projectile bonuses. This is a long-term project, but the upside could be a 900+ DPS weapon worth significant currency.
Risk vs. Reward: Core Philosophy
Crafting in Path of Exile 2 is gambling, and the key is to minimize risk while maximizing reward. Always evaluate:
Downside: What do you lose if crafting fails? (E.g., cost of Omens, loss of a decent modifier.)
Upside: What's the potential value if you hit the right rolls? (E.g., a mirror-tier item vs. a marginal upgrade.)
Market Fit: Does the item align with current meta demands?
For example, fracturing an amulet to lock in maximum life and reroll a low-tier mana stat can be low-risk if the cost (10 Exalted) is small and the potential (e.g., hitting rarity or energy shield) is high. But chasing perfection on a near-complete item, like boots with one suboptimal resistance, rarely pays off.
Tools and Resources
Use sites like Craft of Exile to check modifier tiers and item levels, but be cautious—patch changes can render data outdated. Monitor the in-game market to understand pricing trends, and consider catalysts to boost value before selling.
FAQs About Crafting and Selling in Path of Exile 2
When should I sell an item instead of crafting it?
Sell items with low item levels (below 78), non-meta bases, or low-tier modifiers with no clear upgrade path. If the market shows demand, selling is often safer than crafting.
What makes an item worth crafting?
Items with item level 82+, meta bases (e.g., Siege Crossbow), and multiple high-tier rolls (e.g., T8/T9) are prime crafting candidates, especially if weak stats can be easily improved.
How do I check market demand for an item?
List the item reasonably priced (e.g., 1 Divine) in your stash and monitor interest. If buyers message you, crafting or raising the price may be worth it.
Should I use Omens of Whittling on every item?
No, reserve Omens for items with one or two low-tier stats and high potential value. Using them on mediocre items is too risky and costly.
What's the best catalyst to use before selling?
Reaver catalysts are ideal but expensive for attack-focused items. Attribute catalysts are cheaper to sell and appeal to buyers searching for high stat numbers.
Thanks for Reading
Making informed decisions about crafting or selling in Path of Exile 2 can transform your gameplay, turning drops into serious currency or game-changing gear. Keep an eye on the meta, weigh risks carefully, and use the market to your advantage. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more guides to dominate Wraeclast's economy.
Table of Content
Buy PoE2 Currency
PoE2 Boosting