The Orb of Transmutation is a vital crafting currency in Path of Exile 2, primarily used to upgrade normal (white) items into magic (blue) items by adding a single random modifier. This transformation is often the first step in improving your gear, making these orbs invaluable for beginners and experienced players alike.

One of the smartest ways to use Orbs of Transmutation is to carefully select the base item you want to upgrade. Since the orb adds only one modifier, it’s best applied to white items that have good base stats or fit your character’s build. This initial upgrade can significantly boost the item's effectiveness early in the game, allowing you to progress more smoothly.

Orbs of Transmutation are relatively easy to obtain. They frequently drop from monsters throughout the game, especially in areas with dense monster populations. Additionally, you can craft them by collecting 10 Transmutation Shards, which are earned by disenchanting unwanted magic (blue) items at specific vendors located in various acts. This method is particularly useful for recycling gear you no longer need, turning it into valuable poe 2 currency.

Beyond simply upgrading white items, Orbs of Transmutation have several clever uses. For example, they can be used in vendor recipes to create two-stat magic amulets by combining specific base amulets with the orb. This allows you to craft items with desirable attribute combinations, such as Strength and Intelligence or Dexterity and Intelligence, which can be tailored to your character’s needs.

After upgrading a white item to magic with an Orb of Transmutation, you can further enhance it by using an Orb of Augmentation to add a second modifier. This stepwise crafting approach is efficient because it allows you to build up powerful magic items without immediately investing rarer orbs like Regal or Chaos Orbs. If the modifiers are not ideal, you can always try again on another base item, since the results are random.

It’s also worth noting that Orbs of Transmutation can be sold to vendors for Scrolls of Wisdom, which helps manage inventory space, though holding onto them is generally recommended for crafting purposes. Moreover, you can use these orbs at the crafting bench in your hideout to apply low-level affixes, providing a cost-effective way to improve your gear during early and mid-game stages.

A practical tip is to farm areas with many easy-to-clear monsters to accumulate Orbs of Transmutation quickly. Creating new instances of maps resets monster spawns and loot, increasing your chances of gathering these orbs. This farming strategy, combined with disenchanting unused magic items, ensures a steady supply of cheap poe 2 currency without relying solely on random drops.

Smart use of Orbs of Transmutation involves upgrading carefully chosen white items to magic rarity, leveraging vendor recipes for specialized gear, and combining them with other crafting orbs to build powerful equipment. Efficient farming and disenchanting practices help maintain a healthy stockpile, enabling continuous gear improvement and smoother progression through Path of Exile 2’s challenging content.