How to Farm Exalted Orbs in Path of Exile 2: Tips and Strategies
- Ray Kasen
- Feb 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 11
Are you struggling to gather enough Exalted Orbs in Path of Exile 2? Since the Early Access launch in December, many players have found it challenging to accumulate this valuable currency. It often feels like Grinding Gear Games (GGG) is being overly stingy, with Exalted Orbs dropping only once every couple of maps. But don’t worry—there’s hope!
In this guide, we’ll share some proven tips and strategies to help you farm Exalted Orbs more efficiently. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to PoE 2, these methods will boost your currency gains and make your gameplay experience much smoother.

What is an Exalted Orb?
Before diving into farming strategies, let’s first understand what an Exalted Orb is and why it’s so valuable.
The Exalted Orb is one of the most sought-after currencies in Path of Exile 2. Its primary function is to add a random modifier to a rare item, whether it’s a weapon, armor, accessory, or Waystone. Rare items can have up to six affixes (three prefixes and three suffixes), and the Exalted Orb is often used to fill the final affix slot after using a Regal Orb or Orb of Alchemy during crafting.
Beyond crafting, Exalted Orbs are also the primary currency for trading in PoE 2. Their rarity and utility make them highly desirable, especially in the endgame. On the trade website, most high-quality items are priced in Exalted Orbs, ranging from one or two for decent gear to 30-50 or more for top-tier items.
Where to Find Exalted Orbs
Exalted Orbs can drop randomly from various sources, including:
Defeating monsters
Opening chests and urns
Killing bosses
Many players overlook chests and urns, assuming they don’t contain valuable loot. However, these can sometimes yield Exalted Orbs, so it’s worth checking every container you come across. Additionally, certain modifiers on Waystones and other mechanics can increase your chances of finding this coveted currency.

Top Tips for Farming Exalted Orbs
Now, let’s dive into the best strategies to farm Exalted Orbs efficiently. These methods are designed to maximize your currency gains, whether you’re running low-level content or tackling endgame challenges.
1. Run Low-Level Ultimatums
If you’ve completed your first two Trials of Ascendancy, consider revisiting the Trial of Chaos. This trial rewards Soul Cores, which are highly valuable items that can be sold for Exalted Orbs.
For example, the Soul Core of Tacati (which grants +7% chaos resistance) sells for around five Exalted Orbs, while the Soul Core of Azcapa can fetch a Divine Orb—a currency even rarer than Exalts. With 15 different Soul Cores in the game, you have a 1 in 15 chance of getting the highly valuable Azcapa core.
To farm efficiently, use low-level Inscribed Ultimatums (area level below 50) to minimize risk and maximize rewards. Focus on defeating the bird boss in the fourth trial and looting the reward cache at the end.
2. Juice Your Waystones
“Juicing” your Waystones means adding modifiers to increase their difficulty and rewards. Using an Orb of Alchemy is a simple way to add random modifiers, but look for specific ones that boost your chances of finding Exalted Orbs:
Increased Quantity of Items Found
Increased Rarity of Items Found
Increased Number of Rare Monsters
Increased Magic Monsters
These modifiers increase monster density and loot quality, making your maps more rewarding. Ensure your build can handle tougher enemies, as juiced maps will be more challenging.
3. Use Distilled Emotions
Distilled Emotions are consumable items that enhance your Waystones. For farming Exalted Orbs, prioritize Distilled Greed, which increases item rarity by up to 24% when applied to your Waystone. This significantly boosts your chances of finding valuable currency and gear.
4. Invest in Increased Rarity Gear
Almost every piece of gear (except weapons and body armor) can roll the “Increased Rarity of Items Found” (IIR) modifier. This stat not only improves the quality of dropped items but also increases the likelihood of finding currency like Exalted Orbs.
Stacking IIR on your gear is incredibly powerful in the current meta. While GGG may balance this mechanic in the future, it’s a reliable way to boost your currency gains for now.
5. Load Up Precursor Tablets
Precursor Tablets are items that modify nearby maps when placed in Lost Towers. Look for tablets with prefixes like “Plundering,” which increase item quantity, or those that add mechanics like Breach or Delirium for higher monster density.
Focus on areas of the Atlas where Lost Towers are close together to maximize the impact of your Precursor Tablets.
6. Farm Expedition Encounters
Expedition is an endgame mechanic that can yield valuable rewards, including Exalted Orbs and Expedition Logbooks. When placing explosives in Expedition encounters, prioritize Unearthed Remnants that increase item quantity or logbook drop rates. These remnants influence all subsequent monsters, making them highly rewarding.
7. Allocate the Right Atlas Passives
Your Atlas Passive Tree can significantly impact your farming efficiency. Look for nodes that increase item quantity, rarity, or currency drop rates. For example:
Lucky Pillage: Increases item quantity and rarity.
Local Knowledge: Boosts basic currency drops in swamp and water biome maps.
Allocating these passives will make your farming runs more profitable.
8. Sell Items on Trade
Trading is one of the fastest ways to earn Exalted Orbs. To sell items, you’ll need a Premium Stash Tab, which can be set to public. List your items with prices in Exalted Orbs, and wait for buyers to contact you. This method is especially effective for selling rare gear, unique items, or valuable crafting materials.

When to Use Exalted Orbs
While Exalted Orbs are primarily used for crafting, the current RNG-heavy crafting system in PoE 2 makes them more valuable for trading. Save your Exalted Orbs to purchase high-quality gear from other players or to juice your Waystones for more rewarding maps.
Using Exalted Orbs to fill affix slots on gear is optional, but given the randomness of crafting, it’s often better to spend them on guaranteed upgrades through trade.
Final Thoughts
Farming Exalted Orbs in Path of Exile 2 doesn’t have to be a grind. By following these tips—whether it’s running low-level Ultimatums, juicing your Waystones, or optimizing your Atlas passives—you can significantly increase your currency gains. Remember to adapt these strategies to your playstyle and build, and don’t forget to check the trade market for lucrative opportunities.
