In Path of Exile 2 (POE 2), Solo Self-Found (SSF) is one of the most challenging and rewarding ways to experience the game. The essence of SSF lies in its restriction: players cannot trade with others, and all the gear and currency they acquire must come solely from their own efforts. While the game offers the opportunity to progress through vast amounts of content, the challenge of amassing wealth in SSF is much more intricate than in other modes. For those looking to reach the coveted Mirror of Kalandra, one of the highest-value items in the game, the journey requires not only skill and patience but also a deep understanding of currency accumulation and strategic gameplay. In this blog, we will explore the core rules of currency accumulation in SSF for solo players and the mindset needed to go from zero to Mirror.
The Basics of SSF Currency
In SSF, players are completely reliant on what they find during their travels. This means that crafting, farming, and trading for currency are all based on personal effort. Currency items such as Chaos Orbs, Exalted Orbs, and Divination Cards are the backbone of progression, but without the ability to trade with other players, it becomes imperative for SSF players to maximize their own methods of earning these resources.
The first step to accumulating currency in SSF is understanding the various types of currency and their roles in crafting and progression. Chaos Orbs, for example, are used to re-roll the properties of items, while Exalted Orbs add new modifiers to an item. These currency items are essential for crafting high-quality gear, which is necessary for surviving tougher content. Additionally, crafting materials like Fossils and Essences play a significant role in creating powerful items, and understanding how to use them efficiently will speed up the process.
Early Game Currency Strategies
In the early stages of an SSF playthrough, currency accumulation can be slow and steady. Without access to trading, the focus should be on maximizing resource gain from every part of the game. One of the most effective ways to accumulate currency early on is by focusing on farming high-reward areas and maximizing the value of your loot drops.
Farming Divination Cards is an excellent early-game strategy for building up currency. Divination Cards can be turned into specific items or currency upon collection of a full set, and many of these sets offer high rewards in the form of Chaos Orbs or even Exalted Orbs. While collecting Divination Cards is largely a matter of chance, the more you farm and explore the game’s many areas, the greater the odds of discovering valuable sets.
Another early-game approach to currency accumulation is focusing on the vendor recipe system. By following the rules for the most profitable vendor recipes, players can convert low-tier items into valuable currency. For example, collecting items with specific modifiers such as +% to Fire Damage or +% to Attack Speed can be sold to vendors for Chaos Orbs. This is especially useful early on when crafting and trading gear are more limited.
Mid-Game and Crafting Strategies
As players progress through the middle stages of SSF, the challenge becomes finding ways to efficiently craft high-value gear that can either be used by the player or traded for more valuable currency. At this stage, players will have accumulated a small amount of high-tier currency and crafting materials, but their focus should now shift toward optimizing these resources.
One of the key strategies for currency accumulation during this period is crafting items that can either be used for your character or sold to a vendor for currency. Players can utilize crafting systems like Essences, Fossils, and the crafting bench to create items with desirable affixes. These crafted items often fetch a premium price in the marketplace, even without the ability to trade directly with other players. Knowing which affixes and item types are most desirable to endgame players is a useful skill, as these items can often be sold for large amounts of currency if the player decides to use their items as “currency makers” rather than personal upgrades.
In the mid-game, focusing on high-value targets like Bosses, Breaches, and Delve will also yield valuable drops that can be converted into currency. Defeating these challenges often provides rare items and crafting materials that can be used for powerful gear. This gear, when enhanced with crafting materials, can be used to build your character or to trade for additional currency in the form of higher-tier currency or even other valuable items.
Late Game and High-End Crafting
Reaching the endgame in SSF is a long and difficult journey, but it is also where the opportunity to amass substantial currency comes into play. In the later stages of the game, players will need to focus on high-end crafting and utilizing high-tier currency effectively.
One of the best methods for currency accumulation in the late game is to utilize the Chaos Orbs and Exalted Orbs for crafting high-value gear. At this stage, players should aim to craft powerful items, such as high-end weapons, armor, or accessories, with desirable mods and affixes. These crafted items can serve as excellent upgrades for your own character, but they can also be sold in the marketplace for a substantial amount of currency, allowing players to continue progressing toward their ultimate goal.
Additionally, players should focus on acquiring high-value drops, such as Divination Cards with high-end rewards or unique items with high demand. While SSF doesn’t allow direct trading, players can still use these drops to enhance their progression or to sell for large amounts of currency when possible.
Reaching the Mirror
The Mirror of Kalandra is one of the most coveted items in POE 2. It allows players to duplicate any item they have, creating a perfect copy with the same modifiers and affixes. To achieve this, players must accumulate an immense amount of currency, particularly Exalted Orbs and Chaos Orbs. This will require an intense focus on crafting and item farming, as the process of earning enough currency for a Mirror can take dozens or even hundreds of hours of dedicated play.
Farming specific Divination Cards, such as those that reward a Mirror of Kalandra or high-tier currency, is one of the most efficient ways to gather the necessary resources. Players will need to farm high-level areas and bosses to secure these valuable cards, then turn them in for the much-needed rewards. Along the way, players will likely craft and upgrade powerful items, steadily progressing toward their goal.
In conclusion, accumulating enough currency to reach the Mirror of Kalandra in SSF is no small feat. It requires a focused and strategic approach to farming, crafting, and resource management. Through dedication, patience, and a deep understanding of POE 2’s economy, solo players can gradually work their way from humble beginnings to reaching the ultimate goal. Whether it’s through farming Divination Cards, optimizing crafting strategies, or focusing on high-end drops, SSF players can slowly but surely amass the currency necessary to achieve the Mirror and reach the pinnacle of POE 2’s wealth system.
U4GM has a history of satisfied customers, with thousands of positive reviews from POE players who have successfully purchased currency. Their reputation in the gaming community reinforces their reliability as a top-tier currency seller.
Recommended Article:PoE 2 Perfection Support – Path of Exile 2