The Orb of Chance in Path of Exile 2 is a special currency item used to transform a normal (white) base item into a magic, rare, or unique item through a process called "chancing." This mechanic offers players a way to potentially obtain powerful unique items by gambling on the outcome, with the orb consumed regardless of success or failure.
The core mechanic requires the Orb of Chance to be applied specifically to a normal rarity item that corresponds exactly to the unique item you are aiming to get. For example, if you want the unique belt Ryslatha’s Coil, you must use the orb on a normal Ornate Belt base. Not all base items have unique counterparts, so confirming that the base item has a unique version is essential to avoid wasting orbs. Additionally, the item level of the base must meet the minimum requirement for the unique to be obtainable.
When you use an Orb of Chance on a valid base item, the result is most often a magic item, less frequently a rare item, and only rarely a unique item. The odds of obtaining a unique depend on the rarity tier of the unique item, with common uniques having significantly higher chances than rare or high-tier uniques. Because of this, chancing is often most effective for acquiring early-game or moderately valuable uniques rather than extremely rare or expensive ones. Many players even look to buy poe 2 currency to support early crafting strategies.
Some base items can yield multiple unique outcomes, but the orb tends to favor the more common unique among those options. Certain unique items are restricted by league or event and cannot be obtained through chancing in standard gameplay. Moreover, advanced or expert base types cannot be chanced into uniques, only normal bases.
A strategic approach to using Orbs of Chance involves targeting high-value or build-essential uniques with reasonable odds, verifying base item validity, and gathering a bulk of appropriate base items before chancing to improve efficiency. Avoiding chancing on bases without unique versions or on very rare uniques with poor odds helps conserve orbs. In some cases, it may be smarter to explore cheap poe 2 currency offers and buy rare uniques directly rather than risk low-success gambles.
There is also a technique called "scour-chancing," where an Orb of Scouring is used to remove modifiers from magic or rare items, turning them back into white bases to chance again, but this is more situational and complex.
The Orb of Chance is a gamble with no guarantees. Its mechanics revolve around matching the correct base item, understanding the rarity and restrictions of the desired unique, and managing expectations about the low probability of success for rare uniques. Proper knowledge and preparation can maximize the chances of turning a simple white item into a valuable unique, adding excitement and potential profit to the gameplay experience.