What is the difference between orb of augmentation and orb of alteration?
In Path of Exile (PoE), Orb of Augmentation and Orb of Alteration are both currency items used to modify magic items, but they serve distinct purposes within the crafting process. Understanding the difference between these two orbs is essential for players who are diving into crafting, whether in PoE or the upcoming cheap poe 2 currency. Each orb provides a different approach to modifying the affixes (modifiers) on an item, and knowing when and how to use them can help players optimize their gear for both performance and value in the game’s complex economy.
1. Orb of Augmentation: What It Does
The Orb of Augmentation is a currency item used to add a random suffix to a magic item that already has one prefix and one suffix. In essence, it allows you to augment the item with an additional modifier, expanding its potential. When used on a magic item, it will not change any existing affixes, but instead adds a new suffix, randomly selecting from the pool of available suffix modifiers that are appropriate for the item’s base type.
Function: When you apply an Orb of Augmentation to a magic item that already has one prefix and one suffix, it adds a new suffix. The result is a magic item with two prefixes and one suffix or one prefix and two suffixes, depending on the item. This process does not alter or replace any existing modifiers.
Usage Context: The Orb of Augmentation is useful when you want to add specific affixes to an item that already has one prefix and one suffix, especially if you are looking to fill in gaps in the item’s modifiers. For example, if you craft a magic item with high life and resistances, you can use an Orb of Augmentation to add a damage modifier or another useful suffix, thereby enhancing the item without removing the existing stats.
Important Notes: If the item already has two prefixes or two suffixes, applying an Orb of Augmentation will not work because the item is already maxed out on the number of affixes it can have.
2. Orb of Alteration: What It Does
The Orb of Alteration is another currency item that is used to reroll the affixes of a magic item. Unlike the Orb of Augmentation, which only adds a new modifier, the Orb of Alteration allows you to completely change the prefixes and suffixes on a magic item. This orb randomizes the affix values, potentially improving or degrading the item’s stats.
Function: The Orb of Alteration rerolls the affixes on a magic item. If your magic item has specific modifiers that are not useful for your build or need to be optimized (e.g., if your item has low-tier affixes or undesirable mods), the Orb of Alteration provides a way to change those affixes to potentially better ones. The result is a magic item with different modifiers, which could be more valuable depending on the outcome of the reroll.
Usage Context: The Orb of Alteration is often used when you are crafting a magic item and want to change the affixes to improve the item. For example, if your item has a low-tier resistance modifier, you might use an Orb of Alteration to reroll the affix and hope for a higher-tier resistance or a different modifier that fits your build. It is also useful for farming items that may be useful in trade or for specific crafting projects.
Important Notes: Unlike the Orb of Augmentation, the Orb of Alteration can change both prefixes and suffixes on the item. As a result, it provides more flexibility and is often used in crafting strategies where you want to experiment with different affixes until you find the ideal combination for the item.
3. Key Differences Between Orb of Augmentation and Orb of Alteration
While both orbs modify magic items, they serve very different roles in the crafting process:
a. Primary Function
Orb of Augmentation: Adds a new suffix to a magic item that already has one prefix and one suffix, increasing the number of affixes on the item without affecting the existing ones.
Orb of Alteration: Rerolls the affixes of a magic item, changing both prefixes and suffixes to completely new ones, making it a more flexible and powerful tool for modifying an item’s stats.
b. Impact on the Item
Orb of Augmentation: Adds an affix, but does not alter the existing ones. This is a less risky and more targeted approach, as you can increase the number of affixes while keeping existing beneficial modifiers intact.
Orb of Alteration: Completely randomizes the affixes, which means it carries more risk. The result could be better or worse affixes, depending on the outcome of the reroll.
c. Usage Strategy
Orb of Augmentation is ideal when you want to complete an item’s affix set by adding a specific modifier without changing existing stats. It’s useful for fine-tuning items that already have good base stats.
Orb of Alteration is typically used when you are looking to reroll the item’s stats and are okay with potentially losing good affixes in exchange for a chance at better ones. It’s useful for upgrading a low-value magic item into a more useful or powerful item.
d. Risk vs. Reward
Orb of Augmentation is a low-risk operation because it adds an affix without modifying existing ones.
Orb of Alteration is higher risk, as it rerolls both the prefixes and suffixes, potentially ruining a good item but also offering the chance to create a much better one.
4. Orb of Augmentation and Orb of Alteration in PoE2
As crafting evolves in poe 2 currency sale, Orb of Augmentation and Orb of Alteration will likely retain their roles but may be modified by the new systems being introduced. Given that buy poe 2 currency will include additional crafting mechanics and new types of items and modifiers, both orbs could see new synergies or restrictions based on these changes. The core concepts, however, are expected to remain relatively consistent.
In PoE2, Orb of Alteration will likely still be the go-to orb for randomizing an item’s affixes, while Orb of Augmentation could still be used to expand the item’s potential by adding an additional modifier to an already magic-tier item.
5. Economic Impact
Both Orb of Augmentation and Orb of Alteration play important roles in the crafting economy of PoE. However, the Orb of Alteration is typically more sought after because it allows for greater flexibility and offers the potential for more powerful outcomes. As such, Orb of Alteration tends to hold a higher value in the market, while Orb of Augmentation is more commonly used in bulk, especially when crafting for specific affixes or tradeable items.
In poe 2 currency, their economic impact will depend on how the crafting system is reworked and whether new, more powerful crafting currencies are introduced. However, it is likely that Orb of Alteration will remain a key crafting tool in the game, given its broad applications and ability to change an item’s attributes significantly.
In summary, Orb of Augmentation and Orb of Alteration are both important tools in Path of Exile’s crafting system, with Orb of Augmentation being used to add a new suffix to a magic item, while Orb of Alteration is used to reroll all affixes of a magic item. Each orb serves a different function in the crafting process, with Orb of Augmentation being a more precise and less risky tool, while Orb of Alteration offers greater flexibility and potential rewards, albeit at a higher risk. Understanding when to use each orb is essential for both optimizing items and crafting efficiently in the game’s complex economy.
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