PoE2 Reforging Bench Guide for Patch 0.2.0

With Grinding Gear Games (GGG) set to reveal the details of Path of Exile 2 patch 0.2.0 on 27 March 2025, and the Dawn of the Hunt league set to launch on 4 April, it's crunch time for players preparing their league starters. One mechanic too many overlook - or misuse - is the Reforging Bench. This underrated tool can transform your poe2 experience, turning junk gear into gold and scarce resources into crafting wins. Let's break down how to use it properly, avoid common pitfalls, and gear up for 0.2.0 like a pro.

What's the Reforging Bench in poe2?

Introduced in PoE2's early access, the Reforging Bench lets you toss in three items of the same type and rarity—like three expert scale mails or three essences—and spit out a new one with fresh mods. It's not chaos orb gambling; it's a controlled reroll that keeps your base intact. But here's the kicker: screw it up and you're flushing potential down the drain. Done right, it's a game-changer for players hunting decent gear or rare crafting mats.

Reforging Gear: The Three Rules You Can't Skip

Before you slam that reforge button, lock these in:  

Same Item Type: All three must match—scale mails with scale mails, crossbows with crossbows. Mix a helmet in there, and it's a no-go.  

Same Rarity Tier: Normal, advanced, expert—keep 'em consistent. Three expert items will give you an expert result.  

Item Level Matters Most: The item level of the output is the lowest of your inputs. Throw in an 82, 81 and 82 level mail? You're stuck with an 81. Why care? High-level buffs (like +100% armour) require high item levels - 82 for top rolls, per PoE2DB. A low-level result caps your mod ceiling.

Example: Got an expert scale mail with 202 max life (tier 13, awesome) but trash like stun threshold? Pair it with two other expert scale mails (say, item level 82). Reforge, and you might snag fire resistance or evasion instead—keeping that 82 cap for juicy mods. Shard the junk; reforge the keepers.

Beyond Gear: Reforging Essences and More

Gear's just the start—this bench flexes harder:  

Essences: Stuck with six Essence of the Body you don't need? Reforge three into a random new one - maybe a Greater Essence for that clutch craft. I've built an stash of greaters this way. Trade them in for 5-6 Exalted Orbs.

Runes and Catalysts: Turn three Mine Runes into a Rebirth Rune, or Catalyst of Ul-Nal into Catalyst of Zof. Stockpile what you don't use, reforge what you do.  

Distilled Emotions: Cycle Distilled Ire into Guilt, Greed, Paranoia, Envy - chase the buff you want.

Note: Standard currencies (Chaos, Exalted) can't be reforged - only items with tiers or variants will work. Corrupted stuff's off-limits too; it'll scream “Target is corrupted” if you try.

Why It's a League Starter Must

For Dawn of the Hunt, where April 4 drops you into a fresh economy, reforging shines. You're not drowning in Chaos Orbs early—vendor gear and map drops are your lifeline. That mediocre level 81 crossbow with lightning res? Forge it with two others (same tier, same level) for a shot at +shot damage. Essences piling up? Turn junk into crafting fuel. It's not about perfect rolls - it's about squeezing value out of what you have.

Pro tip: Check item levels on PoE2DB (poe2db.com). Want +92-100% armor/evasion? You need item level 82+. Reforge smart, then roll Divine Orb high later - crafting doesn't get any friendlier than that.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mixing Item Levels: An 82, 81, 80 mix spits out an 80—kissing high-tier mods goodbye. Sort your stock first.  

Reforging Blind: Three expert daggers with bad mods can still roll junk - know what your build needs (e.g. spell damage for witches, stun for warriors).  

Sharding too early: That "useless" scale mail with the life regeneration? Reforge it, don't trash it - save those shards for emergencies.

Patch 0.2.0 Context: Why Reforging's Your Edge

Tomorrow's livestream might tweak crafting—rumors of an Orb of Alteration leak (rerolling magic items) are swirling. But even if that happens, the Reforging Bank remains king for flexibility. Patch 0.2.0's armour buffs (15% better) mean high-level bases matter more - reforge wisely to hit those 82+ thresholds. Whether you're a Ranger zapping with Lightning Arrow or a Monk freezing with Ice Strike, this bank will keep your gear competitive without having to beg the trade market.

Gear Up for Dawn of the Hunt

Experiment—three expert rings into a resist roll, three essences into a greater, three runes into a rare catalyst. It's low risk, high reward, and beats hoarding junk. Pair this with a solid league starter (witch summons, warrior stuns - pick your poison) and you're ready to crush Acts 1-6 and beyond. PoE2 is brutal, but the Reforging Bench is your secret weapon - use it and stop wasting your grind.

Thanks for Reading

Patch 0.2.0 drops tomorrow, and Dawn of the Hunt's right around the corner—keep this bench in your toolkit. Stay tuned to MMOJUGG for more PoE2 prep as we dive into league madness! What's your reforging trick? Drop it below - let's get crafty together.

Special Pack for Your Endgame:

Also, we made some packs for your endgame! Easy Trading (Divine x50, Exalted x400), All-in-One Quality Pack (Etcher, Whetstones, Scraps, Baubles), and Ultimate Skill Pack (Gemcutters and Jewellers). Awesome, right? Check them Out!