How to get and use Artificer's Orbs in Path of Exile 2

Modified Jan 06, 2025 00:23 IST

path of exile 2 artificer — Artificer's Orbs are an important tool (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Artificer's Orbs are a crafting tool that remain relevant throughout your Path of Exile 2 journey, all the way to the endgame. They poke holes into your items, opening them up to greater strength thanks to the Runes system. The more gear-dependent you are, the more Artificer's Orbs you'll need in due course. Thankfully, they're not all that difficult to get.

If you've come across an Artificer's Orb in Path of Exile 2 and aren't sure what they do, this guide should help.

What do Artificer's Orbs do in Path of Exile 2?

All of these Runes need sockets (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Artificer's Orbs create sockets in items that support them in Path of Exile 2. This includes all weapons and off-hand gear, as well as armor pieces except for Amulets, Belts, and Rings. Two-handed weapons and chestpieces (body armour) can hold up to two sockets by default, achievable by using two Artificer's Orbs.

Corrupted items can potentially increase this limit by one. For example, a corrupted two-hander can have up to three sockets. This is not guaranteed with item corruption, as an additional socket is one of many possible outcomes.

These sockets can be filled with Runes in Path of Exile 2. Based on their type and whether you've put them on a weapon or armor piece, Runes provide various types of offensive and defensive bonuses. Sockets can also hold Soul Cores, which offer more niche bonuses.

How to get Artificer's Orbs in Path of Exile 2

You'll need to hoard Artificer's Shards (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

Like any other crafting currency, Artificer's Orbs can drop from any monster in Path of Exile 2. However, they are fairly uncommon, to the point where you're likely to have less than a dozen natural Artificer's Orb drops by the time you hit endgame.

On the other hand, the demand for Artificer's Orbs are much higher than this natural supply. Your best bet is to look at the alternate method of getting them: the Salvaging bench.

Naturally socketed gear of all types can drop often in Path of Exile 2. They sell for a slightly higher Gold value than their non-socketed counterparts, although they have another use: they can be Salvaged. Take them to the Salvaging Bench, click the hammer icon, and then on the socketed gear. This will destroy the gear, but give you one or two Artificer's Shards (based on how many sockets it had).

10 Artificer's Shards will combine into one Artificer's Orb. So whenever you see socketed gear drop, carry them back to the base and salvage them to hoard Artificer's Shards – if you don't intend to use the gear in question, that is.

A third way of getting Artificer's Orbs are via the currency exchange in Path of Exile 2. This will require you to give up some other crafting currency in exchange, and the rate may vary.

Check out our other guides on the game:

Edited by Dinesh Renthlei