<p class="" data-start="53" data-end="531">Essences are a vital component of crafting in <em data-start="99" data-end="116">Path of Exile 2, offering players a way to guarantee specific modifiers on their gear. Whether you're a seasoned player or a newcomer trying to understand the complex economy of PoE 2 currency, mastering essences can significantly improve your character's power and gear progression. In this guide, we'll cover the best practices for using essences effectively, when to use them, and how they fit into the broader currency system.

<h3 class="" data-start="533" data-end="555">What Are Essences?</h3>
<p class="" data-start="557" data-end="866">Essences are a type of crafting currency in PoE 2 that can be used to upgrade normal items to rare while also guaranteeing a specific mod, depending on the type of essence used. Each essence has a particular effect and can be found by encountering and defeating imprisoned monsters called "Essence Monoliths."

<p class="" data-start="868" data-end="1113">There are several tiers of essences, ranging from common ones like <em data-start="935" data-end="967">Whispering Essence of Contempt to more powerful ones such as <em data-start="998" data-end="1017">Essence of Horror. Some higher-tier essences also have unique modifiers that cannot be found through other means.

<h3 class="" data-start="1115" data-end="1139">When to Use Essences</h3>
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<p class="" data-start="1144" data-end="1418"><strong data-start="1144" data-end="1175">Early Game Gear Progression: During leveling, essences are a reliable way to craft gear with specific damage types, resistances, or utility. Since they upgrade white items directly to rare with a guaranteed mod, you can quickly create useful gear without relying on RNG.

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<p class="" data-start="1423" data-end="1665"><strong data-start="1423" data-end="1444">Targeted Crafting: In the endgame, use high-tier essences on bases with good item level to target specific builds. For example, <em data-start="1555" data-end="1572">Essence of Zeal can be used on weapons for attack speed, which is essential for certain melee or bow builds.

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<p class="" data-start="1670" data-end="1902"><strong data-start="1670" data-end="1689">Profit in Trade: Some essences are highly valuable and can be sold to other players for PoE 2 currency. Watch the market to identify which essences are in demand and either sell them directly or use them to craft in-demand gear.

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<h3 class="" data-start="1904" data-end="1922">Best Practices</h3>
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<p class="" data-start="1926" data-end="2090"><strong data-start="1926" data-end="1956">Choose the Right Base Item: Always use essences on base items that suit your build and have a high item level, especially if you're aiming for endgame crafting.

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<p class="" data-start="2094" data-end="2262"><strong data-start="2094" data-end="2116">Use on Clean Bases: Essences work best on white (normal) items. Using them on already crafted gear can yield unpredictable results or even waste a valuable essence.

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<p class="" data-start="2266" data-end="2432"><strong data-start="2266" data-end="2284">Stack and Sort: Organize your stash to group essences by type and tier. This helps with managing inventory and recognizing which ones are most useful or valuable.

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<p class="" data-start="2436" data-end="2695"><strong data-start="2436" data-end="2476">Combine with Fossils or Metacrafting: Some advanced players use essences in combination with other crafting methods. For example, applying a high-tier essence followed by using metacrafting mods from the crafting bench allows for more controlled outcomes.

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<h3 class="" data-start="2697" data-end="2739">Essences in the PoE 2 Currency Economy</h3>
<p class="" data-start="2741" data-end="3088">In PoE 2, currency is not just about Chaos Orbs or Exalted Orbs&mdash;essences play a crucial role. They act as both a crafting tool and a tradeable item. Certain essences have become a form of niche currency within specific build communities. Keeping an eye on market trends can turn your essence collection into a significant source of PoE 2 currency.

<p class="" data-start="3090" data-end="3293">Additionally, the utility of essences for deterministic crafting makes them more reliable than random orb spam. This value has only increased in PoE 2 as players seek more control over their itemization.

<h3 class="" data-start="3295" data-end="3309">Conclusion</h3>


<p class="" data-start="3311" data-end="3708">Essences are an essential tool in the arsenal of any PoE 2 player. Whether you're trying to improve your gear, create tradeable items, or simply make the most of your crafting resources, understanding how to use essences effectively will set you apart. As you progress through Wraeclast, keep experimenting and pay attention to the ever-evolving PoE 2 currency landscape to stay ahead of the game.