Path of Exile 2: A Complete Guide to Acquiring and Enhancing Waystones

In Path of Exile 2, Waystones play a crucial role as players navigate the endgame. Once you complete the main storyline and transition into the endgame phase, you will unlock the Atlas of Worlds, a new gameplay mechanic often referred to as mapping. This system allows you to explore a network of areas corrupted by enemies that need to be defeated. To advance further into the endgame quest titled “Cataclysm’s Wake”and to access higher-tier maps, you will need to obtain special items known as Waystones.

Waystones are essential for progressing in the endgame, making it important to familiarize yourself with how to locate, upgrade, and utilize these items efficiently. Additionally, each Waystone possesses unique effects that influence the maps they unlock, such as enhancing enemy difficulty and increasing the likelihood of rare item drops.

Acquiring Waystones

Random Drops from Enemies

One of the most prevalent methods to obtain Waystones is through random drops from enemies found throughout the game world. Much like many items in Path of Exile 2, the acquisition of Waystones relies heavily on chance. Thus, there is no specific strategy to guarantee drops from particular foes. Players should focus on high-level and endgame zones to improve their chances of finding these valuable resources.

Utilizing a high-tier Waystone to unlock a map not only grants access to new nodes but also boosts the probability of discovering additional Waystones during your adventures. Therefore, if you find yourself low on Waystones, it’s advisable to spend a high-value Waystone with multiple modifiers. This strategy could lead to acquiring more stones while clearing the new area. If you lack sufficient high-tier Waystones, consider following the upgrading processes detailed below.

Purchasing from Doryani

If hunting for Waystones yields little success, you have the option to purchase them from Doryani, who consistently stocks Waystones in his shop. At the onset of the endgame, you can buy a single Tier 1 Waystone for 5,000 gold.

As you progress and clear more areas of the Atlas, Doryani’s inventory will expand, offering higher-tier and pricier Waystones. However, remember that the Waystones available directly from Doryani are typically devoid of modifiers and may not match the quality of those dropped by enemies. Upgrading these purchased Waystones before use is generally recommended.

Enhancing Waystones

Upgrading with a Reforging Bench

Upgrading Waystones can be achieved through two primary methods: utilizing a Reforging Bench to elevate their tier and employing Orbs or Distilled Emotions to apply new modifiers. By the time you reach the endgame, you will likely be familiar with the Reforging Bench, a crafting station that allows you to combine three identical items into a higher-tier version. Notably, Waystones can also be upgraded using this bench.

When using the Reforging Bench, the output will always be one tier higher than the Waystones you insert. It’s important to note that this is the sole method for upgrading a Waystone’s tier; Orbs only serve to add modifiers.

Adding Modifiers with Orbs & Distilled Emotions

In addition to tier upgrades, Orbs – a common loot upgrade mechanism – can also enhance your Waystones by introducing new modifiers. While Orbs do not affect the tier of the Waystone, they can be employed to add various beneficial conditions. Simply use them as you would on other items.

Similarly, Distilled Emotions can be used to modify your Waystones, but keep in mind that one of the modifiers will invariably be Delirium. Unlike Orbs, Distilled Emotions guarantee certain effects on modifiers. The following table summarizes how each type of Distilled Emotion impacts Waystone modifiers:

Distilled Emotion	Waystone Modifiers
Distilled Despair	20% Delirious 30% increase to Simulacrum Splinter drops
Distilled Disgust	18% Delirious 30% increase to Precursor Tablet drops
Distilled Envy	15% Delirious 30% increase to Waystone drops
Distilled Fear	22% Delirious Rare monsters may have extra modifiers
Distilled Greed	10% Delirious 8% increase in item rarity
Distilled Guilt	9% Delirious 8% increase to monster pack size
Distilled Ire	7% Delirious 20% increase in Magic monster spawns
Distilled Isolation	50% Delirious
Distilled Paranoia	12% Delirious 15% increase in Rare monster spawns
Distilled Suffering	25% Delirious Unique monsters will have extra modifiers

With these strategies in mind, you’re equipped to optimize your Waystones, enhancing their tiers and modifiers effectively. Mastering their usage is vital for succeeding in the endgame of Path of Exile 2.

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