What Are Soul Cores And How to Obtain Them In Path of Exile 2

Path of Exile 2 introduces many exciting features to engage both newcomers and veterans of the ARPG genre. While the game offers a more accessible experience for new players, it still retains complex mechanics and currencies that appeal to seasoned fans. One such intricate feature is the Soul Core, a powerful resource that can significantly enhance weapons and armor.

Soul Cores are a vital part of character progression in Path of Exile 2, offering players the ability to push their builds to new heights. However, obtaining these items isn’t straightforward and requires knowledge of specific activities and methods within the game. For players looking to maximize their potential, understanding how to use and acquire Soul Cores is essential.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Soul Cores, including their role in crafting and progression and the best ways to farm them efficiently. Whether you’re just starting your journey in Wraeclast or are a veteran looking to optimize your build, this article has you covered.

What Are Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2?

Soul Cores are powerful, socketable items in Path of Exile 2 that provide permanent enhancements to weapons and armor. These upgrades can vary widely, offering benefits such as converting attribute requirements, boosting elemental resistances, or increasing critical damage. Once a Soul Core is equipped, players can remove or replace it, but doing so requires careful consideration as these upgrades are impactful and designed for long-term use.

Unlike standard runes, which offer moderate gear modifiers, Soul Cores are significantly stronger and only become available in the endgame. Their ability to push builds to the next level makes them a crucial resource for optimizing high-tier content. Understanding how and when to use them effectively is key to maximizing their potential.

How to Get Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2

There are two primary methods to acquire Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2:

1. Trial of Chaos

The Trial of Chaos is an endgame challenge that rewards players with Soul Cores upon successful completion. To begin a Trial of Chaos, players need to acquire Inscribed Ultimatums, rare items that can drop from enemies. The number of Soul Cores rewarded depends on the trial’s difficulty, with higher-level trials offering more substantial rewards.

For instance, completing a level 76+ Inscribed Ultimatum guarantees three Soul Cores as a reward. However, players must successfully complete the entire trial to claim the rewards, making preparation essential for tackling these challenging encounters.

2. Currency Exchange

Players can also obtain Soul Cores through the Currency Exchange system, where they can trade specific resources based on market ratios. To do this, visit the designated NPC and place an order for Soul Cores. Keep in mind, however, that this method can be expensive and complicated, making it less suitable for beginners.

For newer players or those lacking the required currency, using a trusted marketplace like 1v9 Path of Exile 2 marketplace can simplify the process. By purchasing the necessary currency through the marketplace, players can bypass tedious grinding and obtain the resources they need to trade for Soul Cores, streamlining their progression and enhancing their gameplay experience.

Whether you choose to take on the Trial of Chaos or leverage the Currency Exchange, obtaining Soul Cores requires careful planning and effort. These methods cater to both veterans seeking a challenge and newer players looking for a more accessible path to powerful gear upgrades.

How to Use Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2

Soul Cores are powerful socketable items that can be inserted into gear with empty sockets to activate their effects. The effects vary depending on the type of Soul Core used and the gear it’s applied to. These enhancements are tailored to specific playstyles, allowing players to optimize their weapons and armor for their builds. For instance, the Soul Core of Atmohua converts 20% of attribute requirements to Strength when equipped in martial weapons or armor, while the Soul Core of Azcapa boosts item rarity when used in armor and adds Spirit when used in weapons.

Below is a list of notable Soul Cores and their respective effects:
• Soul Core of Atmohua: Converts 20% of requirements to Strength for both weapons and armor.
• Soul Core of Zantipi: Converts 20% of requirements to Intelligence for weapons and armor.
• Soul Core of Jiquani: Recovers 2% of Life on Kill when used on weapons, and increases Maximum Life by 2% on armor.
• Soul Core of Azcapa: Adds +15 Spirit when equipped on weapons and increases item rarity by 10% on armor.
• Soul Core of Xopec: Increases Shock chance by 30% for weapons and grants +1% Maximum Lightning Resistance on armor.
• Soul Core of Cholotl: Converts 20% of requirements to Dexterity for both weapons and armor.
• Soul Core of Opiloti: Grants a 15% chance to cause Bleeding on Hit with weapons and increases Charm Charge gain by 10% on armor.
• Soul Core of Quipolatl: Provides 5% increased Attack Speed on weapons and reduces the slowing potency of debuffs on armor by 10%.
• Soul Core of Tacati: Adds a 15% chance to Poison on Hit with weapons and 7% Chaos Resistance on armor.
• Soul Core of Ticaba: Increases Critical Damage Bonus by 12% on weapons and reduces incoming Critical Damage Bonus by 10% on armor.
• Soul Core of Zalatl: Recovers 2% of Mana on Kill with weapons and increases Maximum Mana by 2% on armor.
• Soul Core of Puhuarte: Increases Ignite chance by 30% on weapons and grants +1% Maximum Fire Resistance on armor.
• Soul Core of Topotante: Allows weapon attacks to penetrate 15% of Elemental Resistance and increases Elemental Ailment Threshold by 15% on armor.
• Soul Core of Tzamoto: Boosts Freeze buildup by 20% on weapons and adds +1% Maximum Cold Resistance on armor.
• Soul Core of Citaqualotl: Increases Elemental Damage with Attacks by 30%.

By carefully selecting and equipping Soul Cores, players can customize their gear to enhance specific stats or effects that align with their build. Whether you’re looking to amplify elemental damage, improve survivability, or optimize your critical damage output, Soul Cores offer a versatile and impactful way to elevate your gear to the next level.

Gear Sockets and Adding Sockets in Path of Exile 2

Gear sockets are essential for equipping Soul Cores and runes, making it important to maximize the number of sockets on your equipment. The total number of sockets an item can have depends on the gear type. For example, chest armor and two-handed weapons can have up to two sockets, while smaller gear pieces like helmets and gloves are limited to one socket.

Most gear drops without any sockets, so players will need to add them manually using Artificer’s Orbs. These orbs are crafted by combining ten Artificer’s Shards, which are obtained by dismantling socketed items at a crafting station. Once you have an Artificer’s Orb, simply apply it to the gear to add a socket.

For players looking to increase the socket count beyond the standard maximum, Vaal Orbs offer an option to add an additional socket. However, using a Vaal Orb comes with significant risk, as there’s a chance it will corrupt the item, potentially ruining its usability. To avoid unnecessary losses, it’s recommended to only use Vaal Orbs on expendable or easily replaceable items.

Proper socket management and cautious use of socketing items can significantly enhance your gear’s potential, allowing you to fully utilize Soul Cores and runes to optimize your build.

Conclusion

Soul Cores are a vital part of Path of Exile 2’s endgame progression, offering powerful enhancements that can significantly boost your build’s performance. Whether you’re looking to improve critical damage, elemental resistances, or Spirit capacity, Soul Cores provide flexible and impactful upgrades for both weapons and armor. By mastering activities like the Trial of Chaos and navigating the Currency Exchange, players can effectively acquire and utilize these items to elevate their gameplay.

Understanding how to use Soul Cores, manage gear sockets, and handle high-risk resources like Vaal Orbs ensures you make the most of these powerful tools. Whether you’re a veteran player fine-tuning your build or a newcomer exploring the complexities of Wraeclast, investing in Soul Cores is a key step in optimizing your character and conquering the challenges of Path of Exile 2.