Path of Exile Currency: How to Get the Orb of Augmentation

 In Path of Exile, the vast and intricate crafting system is powered by a range of currency items, each serving a unique purpose. Among the most foundational is the Orb of Augmentation—a small yet vital component in both early-game and advanced item crafting. Despite its humble appearance, this orb plays a crucial role in customizing gear, completing vendor recipes, Path of exile currency and participating in early progression crafting. In this guide, we’ll explain what the Orb of Augmentation does, how to farm it efficiently, and how it fits into both crafting and trading in PoE’s 2025 economy.

 

What is an Orb of Augmentation?

The Orb of Augmentation is a basic currency item used to add a new random modifier to a magic (blue) item that currently has only one affix. This may seem simple, but it is a critical tool for shaping gear and progressing through the crafting tiers. It’s frequently used in the early steps of crafting gear, flasks, and maps, and it pairs directly with Orbs of Transmutation and Orbs of Alteration in low-tier and mid-tier crafting.

 

Primary Uses of the Orb of Augmentation

Before diving into how to farm them, it’s important to understand why you’d want a stockpile of Augs:

 

Adding a second mod to Magic items after using an Orb of Transmutation or Alteration.

 

Crafting flasks with beneficial effects (e.g., increased movement speed, bleed removal).

 

Preparing base items for Regal Orb upgrades.

 

Completing crafting bench recipes that require a specific number of affixes.

 

Vendor recipes, such as upgrading a Magic item to a Rare item.

 

Though Augmentation Orbs become less relevant at the very endgame, they are indispensable in the early to mid-game phases.

 

How to Obtain Orbs of Augmentation

1. Monster and Container Drops

Augmentation Orbs are part of the general currency drop pool and can be found from:

 

All monster types (normal, magic, rare, and unique)

 

Strongboxes (especially Artisan's Strongboxes)

 

Chests and destructible containers (like urns or crates)

 

League encounters like Breach, Abyss, Delirium, and Delve

 

Because they are low-tier currency, their drop rate is relatively high, especially in the early game. By Act 3, most players have already seen several.

 

Best content for passive drops:

 

Delirium mirrors (add monster density)

 

Breach or Legion encounters (spawn lots of monsters)

 

Low-tier maps with “increased monster pack size”

 

2. Vendor Recipes

One of the most consistent and reliable ways to earn Orbs of Augmentation is through the vendor recipe system. Here's the most important one:

 

Vendor Recipe: Sell a full set of identified Magic items (all item slots)

→ Rewards 1 Orb of Augmentation

 

This is distinct from the Orb of Alteration recipe, which also rewards Alterations depending on item rarity and level.

 

Items needed (all must be Magic and identified):

 

2 Rings

 

1 Amulet

 

1 Belt

 

1 Helmet

 

1 Body Armour

 

1 Gloves

 

1 Boots

 

1 Weapon (or 2H weapon)

 

1 Shield or second weapon

 

Use item filters to highlight Magic gear and farm areas like the Blood Aqueducts, Dried Lake, or low-tier maps to collect full sets. Vendors like Clarissa or Lilly Roth will take your sets and give you Aug Orbs in return.

 

3. Trading

If you’re in a rush or need a bulk amount of Augmentation Orbs, trading is a viable option. Since they’re low-value currency, you can trade for them very cheaply.

 

Typical exchange rates:

 

1 Chaos Orb = 20–40 Orbs of Augmentation (depends on the league economy)

 

1 Divine Orb = 300–400 Aug Orbs

 

Consider trading in bulk for crafting sessions, especially if you're rolling gear or maps

 

Use the official PoE Trade website or in-game trade chat to find deals quickly.

 

4. Delve and Azurite Mines

Delve nodes that reward currency can yield Orbs of Augmentation, especially in cities and side paths. Even if the main reward is Fossils, there's often bonus loot with currency sprinkled in.

 

Tips for Delve farming:

 

Stick to shallow depths (depth 40–70) to farm low-tier currency fast.

 

Target currency nodes or jewelry/weapon/armour nodes.

 

Equip Sulphite Scarabs to fund more frequent Delves from maps.

 

5. Heist Contracts

Certain Heist contracts and blueprints, particularly those focused on Lockpicking, Perception, and Currency Rooms, contain numerous containers that can reward Orbs of Augmentation.

 

Grand Heists with currency-focused wings are particularly valuable.

 

Use Rogues with high skill levels for max loot access.

 

Loot every side room—even “junk” chests often contain currency.

 

6. Harbinger Encounters

Harbingers drop currency shards, including Augmentation Shards. You’ll need 20 shards to create 1 Orb of Augmentation.

 

Use Harbinger Scarabs in maps or run maps with Harbinger encounters enabled (via Kirac).

 

Harbingers are fast to kill and frequently drop shards in bulk.

 

7. Expedition Logbooks and Vendors

Expedition encounters can be tailored to reward currency, especially if you target the right Remnants and monsters. You can also interact with Tujen, the haggler, who may offer Aug Orbs in exchange for artifacts.

 

Look for Remnants like “Monsters drop additional currency”

 

Plan explosives to maximize high-density areas

 

Tips for Efficient Augmentation Farming

Don’t pick up every Magic item — focus on vendor recipes or items with high base value.

 

Use an Item Filter that flags Magic items for full vendor sets.

 

Don’t waste Augs on junk mods — combine with Transmutation and Alteration for better value.

 

Combine with Alterations to prepare gear for the Regal process or crafting bench enhancements.

 

When to Use Orbs of Augmentation

You should use Orbs of Augmentation when:

 

Crafting Flasks: For example, add “Of Heat” (remove freeze) or “Of Staunching” (remove bleed) to Magic flasks.

 

Crafting Blue Gear: You get one good affix via Transmute or Alteration, then use Aug to add a second before using a Regal Orb.

 

Preparing for Crafting Bench Recipes: Some modifiers require the item to have two suffixes or prefixes.

 

Creating Magic Maps: Reroll with Alteration, then Aug for dual affixes before using Vaal Orb or going Rare.

 

Conclusion

The Orb of Augmentation is a small but essential crafting tool in Path of Exile, especially during the leveling and early endgame phases. From flask crafting to map rolling and gear progression, this orb allows players to gain precise control over Magic items. While it’s common and cheap, understanding how to farm, trade, and use it efficiently ensures smooth progression and optimized crafting.

 

Whether you’re spamming recipes in town, clearing Harbinger-filled maps, or cracking open Grand Heists, the POE orbs of Augmentation remains a cornerstone of PoE’s intricate currency system. Keep your stash full—you’ll be surprised how often you reach for one.