Orb of Augmentation 101: A Beginner’s Guide

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The Orb of Augmentation is a fundamental crafting currency in Path of Exile that allows you to add a random affix to a magic (blue) item that currently has only one modifier. This simple yet powerful function makes it an essential tool for beginners looking to improve their gear and understand the crafting system.

What Does the Orb of Augmentation Do?
When you use an Orb of Augmentation on a magic item with a single affix—either a prefix or a suffix—it adds a second random modifier of the opposite type. For example, if your magic sword has only a prefix, the orb will add a suffix, and vice versa. This effectively completes the item’s mod pool for magic items, which can have up to two affixes: one prefix and one suffix. This upgrade often results in a significant boost to your item’s power and usefulness.

How to Use the Orb of Augmentation
To use the orb, simply right-click it in your inventory and left-click on the magic item you want to enhance. If the item has only one affix, it will gain a second random affix. If the item already has two affixes or is not magic rarity, the orb cannot be used.

A common crafting sequence involves first using an Orb of Transmutation to upgrade a normal (white) item into a magic item with one affix, then applying an Orb of Augmentation to add a second affix. This stepwise process is a cornerstone of crafting, allowing you to systematically improve gear before potentially upgrading it further with other currency like Regal Orbs. Many players looking to *buy poe 2 currency* rely on this technique as an early path toward optimized gear creation.

Where to Get Orbs of Augmentation
Orbs of Augmentation are relatively common and can be found as drops from monsters, chests, and destructible objects throughout the game. They also appear as rewards from strongboxes and league mechanics. Additionally, you can obtain them through vendor recipes by selling specific combinations of items, such as a full set of rare items of the same base type.

Why Beginners Should Use Orbs of Augmentation
For new players, Orbs of Augmentation offer an affordable and straightforward way to increase the power of their gear without relying on rare or unique items. By adding a second affix, you can tailor your equipment to better suit your build’s needs, improving damage, defenses, or utility. This makes leveling smoother and prepares you for more advanced crafting later.

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Tips for Effective Use

Use Orbs of Augmentation primarily on magic items with only one affix to maximize their benefit.
Combine them with Orbs of Transmutation to upgrade white items and then augment them for a quick power boost.
Save them for gear pieces that you plan to keep or further craft.
Consider vendor recipes to maintain a steady supply without relying solely on drops.

The Orb of Augmentation is a beginner-friendly crafting currency that adds a second random modifier to magic items with a single affix. It plays a critical role in early and mid-game crafting, enabling players to enhance their gear incrementally and tailor equipment to their build. Understanding and utilizing Orbs of Augmentation effectively sets a solid foundation for mastering Path of Exile’s complex crafting system.