How To Farm Gear Early In Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 2, while the gameplay has become more action-packed with added mechanics, loot remains the driving force of progression. If you’re struggling to clear content, upgrading your gear is often the key to overcoming challenging encounters. However, acquiring solid equipment in the early game can be tricky.

A strong set of gear can make a world of difference, helping you tackle tough fights even if your Weapon Set Points or build aren’t fully optimized yet. But gearing up isn’t always straightforward. If you’re hitting a wall and need better equipment, this guide covers some of the best methods and areas to farm early in Path of Exile 2. Let’s dive in!

How To Farm Early Game Gear in PoE 2

Farming gear in the early stages of Path of Exile 2 can feel like a grind, but focusing on bosses is one of the most effective ways to gear up. Early game drop rates for equipment and crafting materials like Orbs of Alchemy and Blacksmith’s Whetstones can be relatively low, but bosses offer a higher chance of dropping these valuable items. Thankfully, many minor bosses can be farmed repeatedly, making them a reliable source of loot and crafting materials.

How to Refresh Instances and Farm Bosses Efficiently

To farm bosses effectively, you’ll need to reset map instances. This process allows you to refresh enemy spawns, chest contents, and boss fights within a specific area. Here’s how you can reset an instance:
1. Use a Waypoint: Open the map and interact with any active Waypoint.
2. Select a Location: Choose the zone you want to reset.
3. Reset the Instance: On PC, press Ctrl + Left Click on the desired location. For controller users, hold A (Xbox) or X (PlayStation).
4. Choose a New Instance: A pop-up window will appear with options for a new instance. Select one to refresh the map.

Resetting an instance re-rolls the zone’s layout, spawns, and loot opportunities. This includes respawning most bosses, giving you another chance to farm better gear and crafting items. By cycling through instances in this way, you can steadily improve your character’s equipment early in the game.

Best Locations to Farm Gear Early in Path of Exile 2

If you find yourself struggling with a challenging boss or zone that’s above your current power level, there are a couple of excellent farming spots in Acts I and II that can help you gear up and push past those obstacles. These areas offer reliable opportunities to farm gold, loot, and crafting materials.

Act I - Mausoleum of the Praetor (Draven)

One of the best farming spots in Act I is the Mausoleum of the Praetor, where you’ll face the ghost of Praetor Draven. While his fight may seem intimidating at first, learning his attack patterns and upgrading your gear can make this encounter much easier over time. Draven himself drops decent loot, but the real treasure lies in the Mausoleum’s hidden riches.

As you explore the Mausoleum, keep an eye out for a special point of interest called Forgotten Riches. This secret room contains two coffins and a statue, along with a treasure horde. Look for a hidden switch on one of the nearby pillars to unlock the room. Inside, you’ll find approximately 400 gold and loot chests that may contain valuable gear. If you don’t see a switch, reset the instance and try again until the treasure horde appears.

If this farming method feels tedious, you may have better success farming enemies and loot in the Count’s Manor, which can also yield valuable drops.

Act II - Mawdun Mine (Rudja, the Dread Engineer)

In Act II, the Mawdun Mine is an ideal location for farming gear and crafting materials. The Miners in this area often drop Blacksmith’s Whetstones and Armorer’s Scraps, both of which are useful for upgrading your gear. Additionally, the area’s layout frequently offers a straightforward path to the boss, Rudja, the Dread Engineer.

Rudja is a challenging boss, particularly due to her devastating swinging melee attack, but defeating her can be worth the effort. She has a good chance of dropping rare (yellow) items and valuable crafting materials such as Exalted Orbs and Regal Orbs. These currencies are essential for enhancing your gear:
• Regal Orbs upgrade Magic (blue) items to Rare (yellow) tier.
• Exalted Orbs add an additional random affix to Rare gear.

Spending time in the Mawdun Mine can help you acquire both upgraded equipment and the resources needed to further improve your build.

Conclusion

Farming gear early in Path of Exile 2 can make all the difference in overcoming tough bosses and progressing through the campaign. By focusing on areas like the Mausoleum of the Praetor in Act I and the Mawdun Mine in Act II, you can maximize your chances of acquiring better equipment and valuable crafting materials. Remember to reset instances to re-farm bosses and loot, and prioritize areas with high drop rates for rare items and currencies. With patience and persistence, you’ll equip your character with the gear they need to conquer Wraeclast’s challenges and set yourself up for success in the later acts. Happy farming!