Path of Exile 2: How to identify items

In the early hours of Path of Exile 2, it might get expensive to identify items. This is because there’s only one obvious way to do it. However, after a bit of time in the main story, players will uncover a second, much cheaper way to sort this out, though they’ll have to return to their hub to do so. This option may or may not be obvious, but fans of classic ARPGs like Diablo 2 can likely guess.

No matter what class or ascendancy you use in Path of Exile 2, you must identify magical items to get better gear. While you could play the game without that type of equipment, it would only slow you down.

Note: This article contains minor spoilers for Path of Exile 2's first act.

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Path of Exile 2 has two options to let you identify items

When Path of Exile 2 starts, you can only identify items with a Scroll of Wisdom. These often drop from enemies but can also be found in pots, chests, and other breakable items. Conversely, you can purchase them from Una in Clearfell Encampment. These cost 25 gold a piece, which can feel incredibly expensive in the early game.

Scrolls of Wisdom are always going to be handy (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

To use them, much like in the previous game, select the Scroll of Wisdom, then the object you want to identify in Path of Exile 2. Controller players can also highlight a piece of equipment in their inventory and press the Square button (PS4/PS5) or X button (Xbox) to use one of their Scrolls of Wisdom to identify.

However, once you get to around the halfway point or so in Act 1 of Path of Exile 2, you gain another option for identifying items. Once you free the Hooded Man from his imprisonment and take him back to your camp, he will identify all of your items for free. He can also reset your passives for you, should you wish.

The Hooded Man is a cheaper option, especially if you want to identify in bulk (Image via Grinding Gear Games)

You can come back to him anytime by teleporting back to Clearfell Encampment, and he will offer to identify any items you’re carrying. Just interact with him and select “Identify items,” and he’ll do this for you. You’ll even see a prompt on the screen of how many items were identified in this trip back home in Path of Exile 2.

It’s still worth it to carry a stack of Scrolls of Wisdom with you into dungeons and other dangerous places — that way, you can swap gear on the fly if you feel like it’s worth it. It’s simply faster to do this than to go back to town, but both methods do work.

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Check out our other Path of Exile 2 guides and features:

• How long will Path of Exile 2 campaign take to beat?
• All Path of Exile 2 Keystone Passives (known so far)
• How Path of Exile 2 combat differs from the first game: A primer for returning players