Path of Exile 2 (POE 2) continues to grow as one of the most complex and rewarding action role-playing games (ARPG) available. The game is known for its deep systems, intricate mechanics, and the ever-expanding challenges it throws at players. For many, the endgame represents the true test of skill and knowledge, where every decision can have a significant impact on the success or failure of their journey. After completing the early acts and progressing through the Cruel campaign, players enter the endgame, which introduces new content, mechanics, and difficulty levels.

While many players find themselves overwhelmed by the wealth of new systems, there are several advanced techniques that can make navigating the endgame content much more manageable. In this article, we’ll explore key strategies, including how to use loot filters, optimize gear selection, make the most of portals, manage elemental resistances, and effectively utilize the Atlas skill tree to maximize loot and progression in Path of Exile 2.

1. Utilizing Loot Filters to Improve Efficiency

One of the first significant changes when entering the endgame of Path of Exile 2 is the increase in the amount of loot that drops from enemies. This is particularly evident in the Atlas of Worlds, where the sheer volume of items can become overwhelming. In such a loot-rich environment, sorting through items manually can slow down your progress and make it harder to focus on the important upgrades.

To address this, loot filters become a crucial tool for improving efficiency. Loot filters allow players to automatically hide or highlight specific items, making it easier to focus on the most valuable drops. By using loot filters, you can filter out low-value items like basic potions, low-level weapons, or unnecessary flasks, and instead focus on more valuable drops such as unique items, currency, and gear with high quality or rune sockets.

In high-level maps, such as Way stone maps, the loot can cover the entire screen after a battle, making it essential to have a loot filter in place. Without a filter, you risk missing valuable items or wasting time sorting through hundreds of drops. It's highly recommended to regularly update your loot filters to include gear with rune sockets, high-quality items, and any other valuable gear you might need.

2. Picking Up Gear with Rune Sockets or High Quality

When filtering loot, the gear with rune sockets or high quality should always be a priority. These items are not only useful for crafting and upgrading your own gear, but they also have significant trade value within the player economy. If you find gear with rune sockets or high-quality modifiers, these items can be recycled into Armorer’s Scrap, Blacksmith’s Whetstone, and Shards, which can be used to add rune sockets to your equipment, or traded for other valuable items such as POE 2 Orbs.

Rune sockets are critical for building specific synergies within your character’s abilities, and being able to add sockets to a piece of gear means you can customize it to suit your needs. Additionally, the Exalted Orb is one of the more commonly used orbs in crafting, allowing you to add high-value mods to your gear. Keep an eye on gear with rune slots and always make sure your loot filter is set to highlight these items.

If you're unable to set up a specific loot filter for rune-docketed gear, remember that items with rune slots are often marked with a small white square next to their name when they drop. This symbol is easy to spot and can help you identify useful gear in the heat of battle.

3. Mastering the Timing of Using Portals

During the endgame phase of Path of Exile 2, you’ll be spending a lot of time in the Atlas completing high-level maps. When you activate the Way stone on the map, it will spawn a series of portals in the Ziggurat Refuge. Each portal provides a chance to return to the refuge, refill your flasks, clear your inventory, and optimize your build for the next challenge.

It’s tempting to hold on to these portals for as long as possible, thinking you might need them later. However, it's important to understand the timing of using these portals. Once you die in the map, all portals will close, and you will have to use another waystone to try again. This can be especially detrimental in high-level maps where deaths can be common, and losing portals might result in a significant loss of progress.

Therefore, it is best to use portals strategically. Don’t wait for a crisis before using them—use them proactively when you have completed a significant portion of the map or when you feel your gear or flasks need replenishing. This ensures that if you do encounter a tough challenge or boss, you are well-prepared to face it head-on with everything at your disposal.

4. Keeping Extra Gear with Elemental Resistances

One of the key elements of progression in Path of Exile 2 is the management of elemental resistances. As you progress through the game, your elemental resistances naturally decline, especially as you enter more difficult areas like the Atlas. This becomes particularly problematic in Brutal difficulty and beyond, where elemental damage from enemies and bosses becomes far more punishing.

To deal with this, it is essential to keep extra gear with high resistances in your inventory. Certain maps and enemy types are focused on specific elemental types, and your resistances must be adjusted accordingly. For example, fire-resistant gear is a must for maps filled with fire-based enemies, while poison-resistant gear is invaluable in poison-heavy areas.

By proactively managing your elemental resistances, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for any type of map or boss fight. Keep an eye out for gear that boosts specific resistances and save them for future use. Even if the gear doesn’t immediately fit your build, it could come in handy in the right situation.

5. Leveraging Way stone Rarity and Drop Chance with Atlas Skills

The Atlas of Worlds is an essential part of the Path of Exile 2 endgame. Completing the first 10 Way stones of level 1 or higher in Atlas will grant you a book that provides 2x Atlas passive skill points. These passive skills allow you to customize your map draws and affect the drop rates of loot, as well as enhance your experience with other unique modifiers. However, one key area to focus on is Way stone rarity and drop chances.

To increase the number of Way stones and maximize their drop rate, it’s essential to invest in specific passive skill nodes in the Atlas passive skill tree. These nodes, particularly those located near the bottom right and right-hand side of the tree, will significantly enhance the rarity and drop chance of Way stones, which are crucial for progressing through high-level maps.

By focusing on passive skills that increase the rarity and drop chances, you will be able to gather Way stones at a much faster pace, which will, in turn, grant you access to more challenging and rewarding content. These passive nodes can make a big difference in how efficiently you progress through the endgame, as they boost the value of loot drops and provide more opportunities to improve your build.

6. Conclusion: Conquer Path of Exile 2’s Endgame with Skill and Strategy

The endgame of Path of Exile 2 is designed to challenge even the most experienced players. With its intricate mechanics, complex loot systems, and demanding enemies, it requires players to constantly adapt and refine their strategies. However, by utilizing the right tools and techniques, players can make their journey through the Atlas and beyond more manageable and rewarding.

To excel in the endgame, remember to:

Use loot filters effectively to focus on valuable items and avoid wasting time on junk drops.

Prioritize gear with rune sockets or high quality, as these items provide essential upgrades and trading value.

Time your portal usage wisely to maximize your chances of success and avoid losing progress.

Keep extra gear with elemental resistances to prepare for different types of enemies and challenges.

Invest in Atlas passive skills that increase Way stone rarity and drop chances to maximize loot potential.

With these advanced techniques in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to handle the toughest challenges that Path of Exile 2 throws at you. The endgame can be daunting, but with knowledge, strategy, and preparation, you can conquer it and continue your journey to greatness. Happy adventuring, POE2 Currency and may your loot be plentiful!