What is the function of scouring orbs?
In Path of Exile (PoE), Scouring Orbs are a type of currency item with an essential function in the crafting and itemization process. They are used to remove all modifiers from a rare or magic item, essentially resetting the item to a base state while preserving its item level. Understanding how Scouring Orbs work and when to use them is crucial for navigating PoE's complex crafting system, especially when working with high-value gear or experimenting with item modifications.
1. How Scouring Orbs Work
When you use a Scouring Orb on a rare or magic item, it removes all affixes (the magical or rare properties that an item might have) and reverts the item to a white base item with no prefixes or suffixes. This process does not affect the item’s level, and the item still retains its base type. However, the affixes that may have been added to the item through previous crafting or random drops are completely wiped out.
Magic Items: If you apply a Scouring Orb to a magic item, it removes the two affixes (one prefix and one suffix) and reverts it to a basic white item.
Rare Items: For rare items, which can have multiple prefixes and suffixes (up to 6 modifiers), the Scouring Orb will remove all of these modifiers while keeping the base item intact. The item returns to a basic white version, and you are free to reroll the affixes using other currency like Orb of Alchemy, Essences, or Fossils.
The function of the Scouring Orb is powerful because it allows you to start over with an item that you have invested in but want to try a new approach with. This makes Scouring Orbs extremely useful for players who engage in item crafting and min-maxing, especially when pursuing specific affix combinations.
2. When to Use Scouring Orbs
Scouring Orbs are most effective when you want to recraft an item without losing its base type or item level. Several scenarios make Scouring Orbs particularly useful:
a. Incorrect Affixes or Poor Results
One of the most common situations in which players use Scouring Orbs is when they craft or upgrade an item but end up with undesirable affixes. If you use an Orb of Alchemy to turn a white item into a rare one and it results in bad affixes, or if you’re trying to craft a specific set of mods on an item but fail, a Scouring Orb is the tool to wipe those affixes clean. This allows you to re-roll the item and attempt crafting with a fresh start.
b. Crafting a Perfect Item
For high-end crafting, players often need to min-max their gear to have very specific prefixes and suffixes. If you’re trying to craft an item that has perfect affixes (e.g., the highest possible tier of life, resistances, and damage mods), and you end up with less-than-ideal results, using a Scouring Orb is a way to reset the item and try again. This is particularly common when crafting endgame gear or items meant for trading in the PoE economy, where the desired affixes can make an item much more valuable.
c. Improving Magic Items
In some cases, you may have a magic item with useful mods but want to change one of the mods. If you are looking for a better modifier and do not want to discard the item entirely, you can use a Scouring Orb to remove all the affixes and turn it back into a basic white item. This allows you to reapply a different mod or use other crafting techniques like Essences or Fossils to influence the new result.
d. Item Alteration Strategies
Players might use Scouring Orbs as part of more advanced crafting strategies, particularly when trying to control specific affix outcomes. For example, if you are using Fossils to modify an item’s affixes, you may first use a Scouring Orb to reset the item’s affixes to make the crafting process more predictable. This is often used in Delve or Synthesis crafting, where you want to influence the outcome based on a specific crafting strategy.
e. Disenchanting Items
If you receive an item that is rare or magic but contains no valuable mods, or you want to “disenchant” a previously crafted item, using a Scouring Orb is a straightforward way to erase the previous craft and free up the item for further use. The reset allows players to start the crafting process from scratch, which is valuable when trying to experiment with different crafting tools.
3. Scouring Orbs in cheap poe 2 currency
In Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), the role of Scouring Orbs is expected to continue, though it’s possible that the game will introduce new crafting mechanics that could change the way players interact with them. While many aspects of the crafting system in poe 2 currency sale are set to evolve, it’s likely that resetting or modifying items will remain a core part of the crafting process.
a. Crafting System Changes
PoE2 introduces new currencies and crafting methods, which might include more targeted ways to reset or modify affixes. However, given that affix manipulation is a staple of PoE's crafting, it’s likely that Scouring Orbs will either remain in the game with a similar functionality or be replaced with new currencies designed to fit the game’s updated crafting systems.
b. Evolving Crafting Methods
With buy poe 2 currency’s expanded crafting tools, players may have more direct control over affixes, potentially lessening the need for Scouring Orbs in some crafting scenarios. However, given how crucial it is to reset or remove undesirable mods from an item, Scouring Orbs (or their equivalents) are likely to remain a key currency for players wishing to min-max gear or try new affix combinations.
4. Value in the Economy
In terms of economic value, Scouring Orbs are not as valuable as Exalted Orbs or Chaos Orbs, but they are still considered important for crafting. They are generally used in large quantities by those who engage heavily in the crafting system, especially those looking to trade high-end crafted items. Since Scouring Orbs are often used to reset items that may be too costly or difficult to re-roll manually, they are a common part of the crafting workflow for advanced players.
Scouring Orbs also hold a relatively stable value because they play an important role in high-level crafting and min-maxing, even if they are not as sought-after in the early stages of a league. Many players will still need them for specific crafting resets, especially when attempting to craft for high-tier endgame gear.
Scouring Orbs are essential tools in Path of Exile for resetting items and starting over with crafting or affix modification. By removing all modifiers from a rare or magic item, players can try new crafting strategies or remove unwanted affixes. They are a crucial part of the min-maxing process, allowing players to recraft or optimize gear for more effective builds. While Scouring Orbs may evolve in poe 2 currency, they will likely remain an important tool in the crafting system, as item modification and affix manipulation are central to the Path of Exile experience. Whether used to reset items, improve item quality, or experiment with crafting strategies, Scouring Orbs continue to be a key currency for players at all stages of the game.
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