Mastering Orbs of Chance in Path of Exile 2

 

In Path of Exile 2, POE2 Currency usage is both an art and a science. Among the myriad orbs available to exiles, the Orb of Chance stands out for its alluring promise: the ability to transform a normal item into a random unique version of the same base. While this may sound simple, strategic usage is anything but. The vast majority of attempts yield lackluster results, but for those who understand what to chance and why, the reward can be game-changing—both in terms of power and potential market value.

Whether you're racing through the campaign, grinding endgame maps, or playing Solo Self-Found (SSF), knowing which base items to target with your Chance Orbs is key to making meaningful progress or securing trade-worthy loot. This guide explores the best base items to chance, the uniques tied to them, and key considerations before you commit to gambling your hard-earned orbs.

What is an Orb of Chance and How Does it Work in PoE 2?

The Orb of Chance is a basic yet deceptive currency item. When used on a white (normal) base item, it has a small chance to upgrade it directly into a random unique item of the same base type. The chances vary dramatically depending on:

Number of unique items available for that base.

Rarity of the target unique.

Whether the unique is boss-drop exclusive (those cannot be obtained via chancing).

Because of the vast pool of unique items, your chances of hitting something valuable are very slim without a plan. But with targeted strategies, especially around high-value base items, Orbs of Chance can become a serious tool for profit or progression.

Top Base Items Worth Chancing in Path of Exile 2

1. Stellar Amulet → Astramentis

Value Tier: Insane Value

Why Chance It: Astramentis remains one of the most desirable attributes-based uniques due to its ability to boost all stats significantly. It’s used in strength-stacking, dex-stacking, and intelligence-stacking builds.

Rarity: Extremely rare.

Tip: Consider if the Stellar Amulet has intrinsic value before using a Chance Orb; sometimes it's better to sell the base than gamble.

2. Sapphire Ring → Dream Fragments

Value Tier: Insane Value

Why Chance It: Dream Fragments is a cold resistance ring that grants complete freeze immunity, making it ideal for bosses or hardcore environments.

Rarity: Very rare, but more common than Astramentis.

SSF Use: Excellent pickup for builds vulnerable to freeze.

3. Heavy Belt → Headhunter

Value Tier: Very High Value

Why Chance It: Headhunter is the iconic chase unique in Path of Exile. It steals rare monster mods, providing extreme power boosts in clear-speed metas.

Rarity: Rare but achievable with large quantities of Chance Orbs.

Tip: Only chance in maps or zones where the base item is not corrupted or influenced.

4. Emerald Ring → Thief's Torment, Death Rush

Value Tier: Moderate to High

Why Chance It: While not as game-breaking as Headhunter, both these rings offer solid build-enabling effects. Death Rush grants Adrenaline on kill, and Thief’s Torment is great for leveling or life-on-hit builds.

Value Consideration: Lower risk, decent return; great for SSF chancing.

5. Gold Ring → Ventor’s Gamble, Andvarius

Value Tier: Variable

Why Chance It: Ventor's Gamble can roll extremely well with high quantity and rarity bonuses. Andvarius is known for quantity stacking.

Roll Importance: Rolls determine value—bad Ventor’s can be vendor trash, while perfect ones can be exalt-worthy.

Tip: Chance in bulk and identify carefully.

6. Ornate Belt → Ryslatha’s Coil

Value Tier: Moderate to High

Why Chance It: Ryslatha’s Coil is valued in builds that rely on high physical damage variance, especially two-handed melee builds.

Meta Sensitivity: Value fluctuates depending on league mechanics and ascendancy popularity.

7. Solar Amulet → Fireflower

Value Tier: Variable

Why Chance It: Fireflower becomes extremely valuable when corrupted for a specific implicit. Solar Amulet itself is useful for caster crafting.

Tip: Try this only when you need the base anyway for a caster build.

8. Moulded Mitts → Atziri’s Acuity

Value Tier: Moderate

Why Chance It: These gloves grant instant life leech on crit, which can be core to crit-based builds. Once a powerhouse, it’s now a niche pick depending on the league meta.

Important: Ensure you're using the correct base; the item level must be sufficient.

9. Gold Amulet → Eye of Chayula, Serpent's Egg

Value Tier: Low to Moderate

Why Chance It: Eye of Chayula is niche but essential for certain CI (Chaos Inoculation) builds due to its stun immunity. Serpent's Egg can occasionally see use in specific exotic builds.

SSF Consideration: More useful if you're already specced into stun vulnerability or ES stacking.

10. Attuned Wand (iLvl ≤ 5) → Lifesprig

Value Tier: Moderate

Why Chance It: A top-tier leveling item for spellcasters. Lifesprig provides cast speed, life, and spell damage early on.

Important: Only works on item level 5 or lower. Great for SSF leveling characters.

Key Considerations Before Using Orbs of Chance

1. Check Unique Drop Restrictions

Not all uniques can be chanced. If a unique is a boss-drop, league-specific, or only found in special chests, you cannot obtain it with an Orb of Chance.

2. Base Item Availability

Make sure you’re using the correct base. For example, you won’t get Astramentis by chancing a Gold Amulet—it must be a Stellar Amulet. Some bases may be zone-locked or drop-locked, so gather them before chancing.

3. Rarity and Success Rate

Chancing a Headhunter or Astramentis can take thousands of orbs. Don't attempt these unless you’re in for the long haul or are doing it as a side gamble while mapping.

4. Market Prices and Meta

The value of uniques can rise or fall depending on what builds are popular in the current league. A unique worth 50 chaos in one league might shoot up to multiple divines in another due to ascendancy reworks or new support skills.

5. SSF vs Trade League Strategy

In Solo Self-Found, prioritize items that boost your own build. In Trade League, you might opt to chase expensive items to sell. Know your goal before spending your Orbs.

6. Don’t Forget the Opportunity Cost

Sometimes, the base item itself is valuable due to crafting potential or scarcity. For example, a Stellar Amulet may be worth more as a base than the odds of hitting an Astramentis justify.

Bonus Tip: Buying PoE 2 Currency to Speed Things Up

While many prefer to grind everything themselves, PoE 2 Currency can be bought from reputable sources to save time. If you're gunning for that Headhunter or trying to build a powerful alt, buying bulk Orbs of Chance or Divine Orbs can drastically reduce the time spent farming.

Conclusion: Know Before You Roll

The Path of Exile 2 Currency Orbs of Chance is one of the most deceptively powerful currencies in Path of Exile 2. While its random nature may scare off some players, informed usage—especially with the base items and insights listed above—can lead to huge power spikes and economic wins. Whether you're playing SSF, racing in trade league, or just looking to fill your stash tab with legacy uniques, the key is to target smart, track the market, and know your odds.

Happy chancing, exile—and may your next roll be a Headhunter.