Path of Exile 2 (POE 2) promises a gripping, challenging experience for players, just like its predecessor. Known for its intricate mechanics, deep character progression, and a massive endgame, POE 2 builds on the foundations of POE 1 and introduces fresh concepts for both veterans and newcomers. One of the key elements in sustaining progression through the endgame is Waystones—a resource crucial to unlocking maps and progressing in the Atlas of Worlds.

While Waystones are a necessary part of the journey, their management becomes a challenge, particularly in the later stages of the game. This article will explore effective ways to farm and sustain Waystones, so you can continue mapping, earning currency, and acquiring loot without interruptions.

1. Understanding Waystones in POE 2

In POE 2, Waystones are a core mechanic tied to the endgame mapping system. These items are used to unlock and upgrade maps in the game’s Atlas, where players can explore regions, fight powerful bosses, and earn loot. To keep progressing, Waystones are required to enter new maps or reach higher-level regions of the Atlas. As you advance into harder content, the required amount of Waystones increases, making their farming critical to maintaining momentum in the game.

Given the high cost of Waystones at higher levels, it’s essential to manage and farm them efficiently. Fortunately, there are several ways to sustain your Waystone supply without running out and halting your mapping grind.

2. Explore the Boss Map of Atlas First

The Atlas is divided into different tiers, with the endgame content locked behind specific bosses. While exploring these higher-level maps, you’ll encounter powerful endgame bosses whose defeats may drop Waystones as part of the loot.

Strategy:

Use rare Waystones to unlock these high-level boss maps.

Focus on completing boss nodes on the Atlas, which can increase your chances of getting Waystones from kills.

When you run out of higher-level maps, drop down to lower-level ones but prioritize reaching the boss node and defeating the bosses.

After defeating these bosses, there's a high chance that you will receive Waystones of equal or higher level, potentially replenishing your stock.

This method ensures you maintain a steady supply of Waystones while progressing through the game’s higher difficulty levels.

3. Utilize POE 2 Orbs for Waystone Enhancements

In POE 2, Orbs play a crucial role in upgrading and enhancing items, including Waystones. While many players hoard Exalted Orbs or Regal Orbs for crafting or trading, they can also be used to improve Waystones, increasing their effectiveness and drop rate.

Enhancing Waystones Using Orbs:

Tier 1-5 Waystones: Use Orb of Augmentation or Orb of Transmutation to upgrade them into Magic items. These enhancements will make the Waystone drop rates higher and increase the possibility of receiving valuable drops.

Tier 6-10 Waystones: Use Regal Orbs to upgrade these Waystones into Rare items. At this level, Waystones can drop higher-tier rewards and more frequent resources.

Tier 11-16 Waystones: These high-level Waystones can be enhanced with Exalted Orbs, Vaal Orbs, and Delirium Instills, giving you the best possible rewards from mapping.

By investing currency into enhancing your Waystones, you’ll increase the returns on your mapping efforts, ensuring a more efficient farming cycle.

4. Unlock Waystone Drop Chance Nodes in the Atlas Skill Tree

The Atlas skill tree is an important part of POE 2’s endgame progression. As you unlock new nodes and gain bonuses, you can focus on improving your Waystone drop rates and the overall sustainability of your mapping activities.

Key Nodes for Waystone Farming:

Constant Crossroads: This node increases the number of Waystones that drop by 20%, making it easier to sustain your supply during long mapping sessions.

Fortunate Path: This node increases the rarity of Waystones dropped by 100%. It helps you acquire higher-level Waystones more frequently.

The High Road: This node increases the chance of finding higher-level Waystones by 20%, ensuring that your dropped Waystones are more valuable.

Unlocking these nodes early on will provide you with a steady stream of Waystones as you progress through your mapping journey. These bonuses synergize well with the additional POE 2 mechanics like Precursor Tablets, making it easier to sustain mapping without running out of Waystones.

5. Perfect Your Builds Before Entering Tier 5+ Maps

One of the most common reasons players run out of Waystones is that they die frequently in higher-level maps. A poorly optimized build or an inadequate defense setup can quickly deplete your stock of Waystones, as each death costs precious resources.

Solution:

Review your current build and make adjustments to ensure you can survive longer in higher-level maps.

Look up build guides for your class and ensure your gear and passive skill tree choices are tailored for the endgame content.

Focus on improving your survivability, either by adding more life leech, damage mitigation, or enhancing your defensive layers.

Surviving longer in these higher-level maps will help conserve your Waystones, ensuring that you don't waste them on unnecessary deaths. Perfecting your build is a crucial part of maintaining an efficient mapping cycle.

6. Use Precursor Tablets to Increase Loot and Waystone Drops

Precursor Tablets are valuable items in POE 2 that provide several buffs to help with farming. These tablets can enhance your mapping experience by increasing the number of monsters that spawn, their rarity, and the drop rates of important items—including Waystones.

How to Use Precursor Tablets:

Stack multiple Precursor Tablets in a single map to get the maximum benefits.

Monsters and loot rarity: Precursor Tablets increase the rarity of loot and monsters within the map, providing better chances for Waystones to drop.

Modifiers on towers: Use Precursor Tablets on towers to add extra effects, such as increased loot drops or additional monster density, which can help you farm Waystones more efficiently.

When using Precursor Tablets, focus on areas with high monster density to maximize the amount of loot you can gather, including Waystones. These tablets provide a boost to your farming, helping you replenish your stock of Waystones.

7. Trade for Waystones on the Official Trading Website

If you find yourself running low on Waystones and can’t seem to replenish them through farming, trading is always an option. Trading is an essential part of the POE 2 economy, and it provides a direct way to acquire resources you might need, including Waystones.

How to Trade for Waystones:

Use the in-game trading channel by typing /trade 1 in the chat box to connect with sellers offering Waystones.

Waystones are typically traded for Exalted Orbs at a rate of 1 Exalted Orb per Waystone. This gives you a way to get back on track with your mapping efforts if your farming methods aren’t producing enough Waystones.

Keep an eye on the trading listings, as some players may offer bulk discounts or package deals for larger amounts of Waystones.

Trading is a convenient solution for players who want to keep mapping without worrying about running out of Waystones. Whether you’re looking for just a few or many, trading can be a great way to keep your progression steady.

Conclusion

Sustaining your Waystone supply is a key aspect of succeeding in Path of Exile 2’s endgame mapping system. By exploring boss maps, using POE 2 Orbsto enhance your Waystones, unlocking Atlas skill tree nodes, perfecting your builds, and utilizing Precursor Tablets, you can significantly increase your chances of maintaining a steady supply of Waystones.

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to rely on trading websites to keep your Waystone stock up. By combining these strategies, you can efficiently farm Waystones and continue progressing through the game’s complex Atlas of Worlds.

So gear up, perfect your build, and dive into the maps—you’ve got this!