The Reforging Bench – A New Approach to Crafting in POE2

Crafting in Path of Exile has always been one of the most complex and exciting aspects of the game. With Path of Exile 2 bringing several changes, one of the standout additions is the Reforging Bench. This new system gives players more control over their items and allows for a smoother path to higher-tier gear. In this article, we’ll dive into how the Reforging Bench works, how it compares to PoE 1’s crafting system, and why it’s such a valuable tool in PoE 2.

What is the Reforging Bench in Path of Exile 2?

The Reforging Bench is a new crafting system introduced in Path of Exile 2 that allows players to combine multiple lower-tier items into a single higher-tier item. This makes it easier to upgrade gear as you progress, reducing the randomness found in the previous crafting system.

Here’s how it works:

• Combining Items: You need three items of the same tier to craft a higher-tier item. For example, if you have three Tier 1 Waystones, you can combine them at the Reforging Bench to create a Tier 2 Waystone.
• No Mixing Tiers: You can't combine items from different tiers. All three must be of the same tier for the reforge to work.
• Upgrades: While it doesn't directly modify the item’s rarity or stats, the upgraded tier often comes with better modifiers, giving you access to stronger gear as you push through tougher content.

The Reforging Bench is unlocked during Act 3, after completing the quest related to the Forgemaster. Once unlocked, it becomes an essential tool for improving your gear, especially when tackling tougher maps and bosses.

How Does It Work?

Using the Reforging Bench is simple, but strategic. You start by gathering three items of the same tier. These could be Waystones or other types of items that you need to upgrade. Once you have your three, head to the Reforging Bench, place them in the crafting slots, and press the reforge button.

The result will be a single item of the next tier up, often with improved modifiers. You can continue to upgrade your gear by using other crafting materials, such as Orbs of Transmutation or Exalted Orbs, to tweak the stats of the newly created higher-tier item.

This system provides a predictable upgrade path, which is a welcome shift from the pure RNG mechanics that Path of Exile 1 used.

The Reforging Bench Compared to PoE 1’s Crafting System

Crafting in PoE 1 was all about randomness and risk. Players would use currency like Orbs of Fusing, Chaos Orbs, and Exalted Orbs to modify items, but the process was often frustrating. You could spend hours rerolling stats on a piece of gear, only for it to come out completely different than what you wanted. While this randomness created excitement for some players, it also led to a lot of wasted resources and frustration.

In PoE 2, the Reforging Bench changes this by offering a more controlled crafting system. Instead of relying on luck, players now have a clearer path to upgrading their gear. The ability to combine three items of the same tier into a higher-tier item allows for more predictable results. This gives players more agency in crafting, especially in the endgame when you need better gear to face stronger bosses and tougher maps.

One key difference is that in PoE 1, you could keep rerolling items indefinitely, trying to hit the perfect stat combination. In PoE 2, the Reforging Bench is about upgrading tiers rather than endlessly modifying the same item. While you still have the option to fine-tune your items later, the tier upgrade is a solid first step to improving your gear.

Benefits of the Reforging Bench

• Predictability: Unlike the highly random system in PoE 1, the Reforging Bench lets you combine items to create a better version with higher stats.
• Tier Upgrades: The ability to upgrade items in tiers means you’re always moving forward, making your gear progressively better without endless rerolls.
• Time and Resource Efficient: The Reforging Bench offers a more efficient crafting process. Instead of grinding for orbs and hoping for the best, you can focus on obtaining items to upgrade.

How the Reforging Bench Affects Endgame Progression

In PoE 2, crafting becomes a more integrated part of your overall progression strategy. Upgrading your Waystones is a good example of how the Reforging Bench fits into the endgame. As you take on higher-level maps, you’ll want to upgrade your gear to make it easier to handle more challenging content.

If you need to purchase specific items to help in your upgrades, you can always visit SSEGOLD for a reliable source of high-quality items, making it easier to craft the gear you need for the late-game grind.

The Reforging Bench works well alongside other crafting tools in the game, such as the Atlas Passive Tree, which can increase the chances of finding better items. When combined, these systems allow for targeted upgrades rather than relying purely on luck.

Conclusion

The Reforging Bench in Path of Exile 2 provides a much-needed upgrade to the crafting system, offering more control and predictability than PoE 1’s random mechanics. By allowing players to upgrade items tier-by-tier, PoE 2 makes crafting a smoother and more rewarding process, especially in the later stages of the game. This system simplifies the crafting experience while still offering plenty of opportunities for fine-tuning your gear. As you progress in PoE 2, the Reforging Bench will undoubtedly become a cornerstone of your crafting toolkit.

Whether you’re upgrading Waystones or other gear, the Reforging Bench is your gateway to better, more powerful items. For those looking to know more about the crafting in POE 2, make sure to check our guide about Salvage Bench.