Crafting a powerful axe in Path of Exile (POE) requires knowledge of various mechanics and strategic use of resources. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
Crafting Stages:
Acquiring a Base Axe:
White Item: Ideal starting point for maximum control over crafting. Look for axes with high base physical damage.
Rare Axes: Consider axes with desirable implicit modifiers like increased physical damage, elemental damage (Fire/Cold/Lightning), or critical strike chance.
Crafting with Essences and Orbs:
Essences: Apply powerful prefixes (implicit modifiers) like increased physical damage, attack speed, or specific elemental damage based on the chosen Essence type:
Deafening Essences: These add high tiers of elemental damage. Choose specific essences based on your desired element (Hatred for Cold, Wrath for Lightning, Anger for Fire).
Alterations/Augmentations: Re-roll existing modifiers or add a new random modifier. Use cautiously to avoid removing beneficial mods.
Refining with Advanced Techniques (Optional):
Fracturing Orbs: Guarantee a specific prefix or suffix, allowing targeted crafting. (Requires significant resources and game knowledge)
Harvest Crafting (Remnants): While Harvest crafting is a past league mechanic, remnants of its influence might exist in the current game. These remnants can be used to add specific modifiers to your axe.
Adding Suffixes:
Crafting Bench: Craft valuable suffixes like increased attack speed, critical strike chance, or elemental penetration.
Exalted Orbs (High Risk): Attempt to roll a powerful endgame modifier, but be prepared for potentially undesirable outcomes.
Crafting Strategies:
Early Levels: Focus on acquiring a decent base with good physical damage through Essences. Prioritize attack speed for smoother leveling.
Mid-Game: Aim for higher tiers of elemental damage prefixes using higher tier Essences. Consider crafting critical strike chance or attack speed on the Crafting Bench.
End-Game: Utilize advanced techniques like Fracturing and potentially remnant Harvest crafting (refer to disclaimer below) for greater control over the process.
Important Considerations:
Crafting Involves Risk: Currency like Alterations or Exalted Orbs have a random effect.
High-Tier Orbs are Rare: Use them strategically and consider buying specific crafted axes from other players if crafting yourself proves too costly.
Understanding Modifiers: Crucial to know how prefixes, suffixes, and implicit modifiers impact your desired build (physical damage, elemental damage, critical strike build).
Additional Tips:
Plan Your Crafting Path: Research the specific modifiers you want and strategize how to achieve them efficiently.
Consult Online Resources: Utilize build guides and crafting calculators for recommendations and planning your crafting process.
Start with a Good Base: A high physical damage axe with a relevant implicit modifier is ideal.
Consider Alternatives: Purchasing a well-crafted axe from other players might be more efficient than crafting yourself, especially for beginners.
Disclaimer: Remnant Harvest crafting mechanics mentioned earlier may not be entirely relevant as they are from a past league system. Consult reliable Path of Exile resources for the latest information on crafting techniques.
Here’s an example crafting process for a mid-game Physical Damage Axe:
Acquire: A white axe with high physical damage.
Craft: Use a Deafening Essence of Loathing (Physical Damage) to add a high tier of increased physical damage prefix.
Craft: On the Crafting Bench, add increased Attack Speed or Critical Strike Chance suffix.
Remember: Crafting a top-tier axe requires knowledge, strategic planning, and potentially a significant investment. By understanding the core mechanics, utilizing advanced techniques when possible, and considering alternative options like buying crafted axes, you can acquire an axe that significantly enhances your character’s damage output in Path of Exile.