U4GM- How to Earn Your First POE 2 Currency as a Beginner
Starting out in Path of Exile 2 can be overwhelming. With so many mechanics, systems, and currencies to understand, new players often find themselves asking the same question: how do I earn my first POE 2 currency? Fortunately, there are reliable and effective ways to build up your resources even as a beginner.
This guide will walk you through the early steps to making currency in POE 2, based on practical experience and proven strategies used by players who’ve successfully navigated the learning curve.
Understand What POE 2 Currency Is
Before you jump into farming, it's important to understand that Path of Exile 2 doesn’t use gold or coins like traditional RPGs. Instead, it features a wide range of currencies that serve both as trade items and crafting tools. Items like Chaos Orbs, Orbs of Alchemy, and Exalted Orbs are all considered valuable POE 2 currency. Each one has a different function and market value, and understanding their uses will help you make smarter decisions about what to keep, use, or sell.
Start With the Campaign: Pick Up and Identify Everything
During your first playthrough of the campaign, pick up rare (yellow) and magic (blue) items and identify them using Scrolls of Wisdom. Some may have decent value if they roll desirable stats. Vendor the rest for crafting materials like Transmutation Shards, Alteration Shards, and Alchemy Shards. While this won’t make you rich, it helps build a foundation.
Use the Vendor Recipes
Vendor recipes are one of the most underappreciated ways to earn early POE 2 currency. For example:
Selling a full set of unidentified rare items (one of each gear slot) gives you a Chaos Orb.
Selling a full set of rare items with item level 60-74 earns a Regal Orb.
Even as a beginner, once you reach Act 9 or 10, this becomes a realistic and repeatable method to generate currency without needing to engage in trade.
Explore the Economy and Start Trading
When you're ready, one of the fastest ways to earn currency is by trading with other players. Sites like the POE Trade Marketplace let you buy and sell items for currency. You can start by selling leveling uniques, skill gems with good quality, or items with desirable modifiers. Always price-check items you find using trade sites or in-game tools to avoid missing a valuable drop.
Run Maps and Complete League Mechanics
Once you enter the endgame, maps become your primary activity. Each map can include league mechanics like Harvest, Expedition, or Ritual, which often reward POE 2 currency directly or provide valuable loot you can sell. Focus on mechanics that suit your playstyle and build, and specialize in one or two to become more efficient.
Use Your Crafting Bench and Currency Wisely
Early on, avoid wasting high-value currency like Chaos Orbs or Exalted Orbs on random crafting. Save those for future gear upgrades or trading. The crafting bench offers low-cost improvements like adding resistance or life to gear, which is often better than gambling with valuable currency.
Final Tips
Play the market: Buying low and selling high is risky but profitable if you’re patient and informed.
Join a guild or community: Veteran players are often willing to help newcomers understand the economy.
Watch experienced streamers or guides: You’ll learn strategies and techniques to farm and trade more effectively.
Earning your first POE 2 currency may feel daunting at first, but by focusing on the core mechanics, using vendor recipes, engaging with trade, and playing smartly, you’ll steadily build up your wealth. Stick with it, and you’ll soon find yourself with enough resources to power up your build and enjoy everything Path of Exile 2 has to offer.