Path of Exile 2: Maximizing Their Potential Waystones Guide

Waystones are a vital component of Path of Exile 2's endgame progression system, playing a key role in accessing and modifying maps in the Atlas of Worlds. Understanding how Waystones function, how to enhance them, and how to efficiently upgrade them is crucial for maximizing loot and progression.

What Are Waystones?

Waystones are special items that open portals to maps within the Atlas of Worlds. These maps are your primary method of advancing through PoE 2's endgame, tackling challenging content, and farming valuable loot.

Key Characteristics of Waystones:

Tiers: Waystones come in 16 tiers - higher tiers unlock more dangerous and rewarding maps.

Rarities: Waystones can be normal, magic, or rare, with more modifiers appearing on higher rarities.

Modifiers: These effects increase map difficulty and improve rewards, often adding mechanics like increased monster packs or additional loot drops.

How to Use Waystones

Select a Map Node: Open your Atlas of Worlds and pick a map node you wish to explore.

Insert the Waystone: Place your Waystone in the designated box for that node.

Activate the Portal: Click Traverse to open a portal to the selected map.

Map Modifiers Display: While exploring, you can check the map's active modifiers in the top-right corner of the minimap.

Enhancing Waystones

Enhancing Waystones is essential for improving loot quality and maximizing efficiency.

1. Using Orbs to Modify Waystones

Orb of Transmutation - Upgrades a normal Waystone to a magic Waystone.

Orb of Alchemy - Upgrades a normal Waystone directly to a rare Waystone.

Chaos Orb - Rerolls modifiers on a rare Waystone for better synergy with your build.

Vaal Orb - Corrupts the Waystone, potentially upgrading it to Tier 16 if it's already Tier 15.

2. Understanding Waystone Drop Chance

Each Waystone has a Waystone Drop Chance stat (0% to 700%).

Higher drop chance values significantly increase the likelihood of finding additional Waystones within maps.

Adding modifiers like "Increased Pack Size" or "Monsters are Evasive" enhances the drop rate even further.

3. Using Distilled Emotions

Found in Delirium encounters, these consumables provide powerful enhancements to Waystones.

You can apply up to three Distilled Emotions on a single Waystone.

Example effects include:

Ire: Adds +20% magic monsters peruse.

Despair: Reduces monster resistance.

Dread: Increases boss health but boosts map rewards.

Upgrading Waystones

Waystones can be upgraded to improve their tier and overall power.

Reforging Waystones

At the Reforging Bench, combine three Waystones of the same tier and rarity to create one Waystone of the next tier.

This method only works up to Tier 15 - Tier 16 Waystones must be obtained via corruption.

Corrupting Waystones

Use a Vaal Orb on a Tier 15 Waystone for a chance to create a Tier 16 version.

Corruption is unpredictable - successful outcomes can greatly boost map rewards, but the Waystone may also be destroyed or downgraded.

Waystone Farming Tips

Target Maps with High Monster Density: Maps with modifiers like "Increased Pack Size" improve your chances of obtaining additional Waystones.

Prioritize Stronger Modifiers: Invest in powerful combinations of mods to improve loot and XP efficiency.

Use Distilled Emotions Strategically: Combining multiple Ire or Dread effects can supercharge your map farming.

Focus on Reforging Efficiency: Regularly combine lower-tier Waystones to push toward higher tiers.

Master Corruption Tactics: Save your Vaal Orbs for your best Tier 15 Waystones to maximize your shot at obtaining Tier 16.

Recommended Builds for Waystone Farming

Minion Builds: Efficient for clearing dense packs with minimal micromanagement.

Totem Builds: Great for sustaining damage in heavily modified maps.

AoE-Centric Skills: Abilities like Explosive Arrow, Lightning Tendrils, or Ice Nova can efficiently clear tightly packed mobs.

Conclusion

Mastering Waystones in Path of Exile 2 is essential for maximizing your endgame progress. By strategically enhancing, upgrading, and modifying these PoE 2 items, you can access more challenging content while ensuring your maps remain lucrative. Farming the right PoE 2 currency, upgrading your gear, and enhancing your Waystones, you'll ensure you have the tools necessary to face the most challenging content in Path of Exile 2.