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When diving into Path of Exile 2, it's tempting to spend every piece of currency the moment you get it. But if you want to progress efficiently and avoid regret, it's crucial to know what not to use early on. Many new players rush to use powerful PoE 2 currency like Chaos Orbs, Divine Orbs, and Exalted Orbs as soon as they drop. However, in most cases, this leads to wasted resources and slower progression. Here's how to use your currency wisely and build a strong foundation for the late game.

First, let’s talk about crafting with Chaos Orbs and Exalted Orbs. While these currencies can reroll item modifiers or add new affixes, using them too early—especially on leveling gear—is not recommended. In the early game, you outgrow gear quickly, so investing valuable orbs into low-level items is a poor choice. Save these powerful currencies for endgame gear when you’re ready to min-max your build. The same goes for Divine Orbs, which reroll the values of existing affixes. They’re much more useful when you have high-tier gear you plan to keep long term.

Another common mistake is using Orb of Alchemy to upgrade every blue (magic) item into a rare. While it seems like a good idea, rares can be flooded with unwanted stats, especially if you don’t yet have a good understanding of mod pools. Instead, use Alchemy Orbs sparingly on high-item-level bases that can be turned into viable gear later. It’s much better to focus on movement, resists, and raw life during leveling, rather than perfect stats.

Instead of wasting your PoE 2 currency early, try to collect and store it. You'll need a good stockpile when the real crafting begins—usually around level 70+. That’s when you can start investing in gear that will last you into maps and boss fights. Until then, use vendor recipes and cheap items from the market to fill in your gear gaps. Buying good rares from trade or platforms like u4gm is often cheaper and more effective than trying to craft your own early on. You’ll find that you can buy PoE 2 currency at better rates, making your resources go much further if you’re patient.

Furthermore, avoid spending high-tier currencies on jewels and flasks in the early stages. These slots often change frequently as you unlock new nodes or find better flask types. Instead, use low-tier currencies like Orb of Transmutation or Orb of Augmentation to craft basic mods.

Also, resist the urge to constantly reroll your maps or use Scarabs and Sextants early on. These are best saved for when you have a solid build and want to maximize rewards from map farming. Running simple white or yellow maps is enough in early Atlas progression. Later, when your gear is solid, and you have Atlas passives in place, then you can start investing more to boost returns.

In conclusion, hoarding PoE 2 currency in the early game is not a sign of being too cautious—it's a smart move. Use low-tier resources for minor upgrades, buy PoE 2 currency when you find good deals, and only start heavy crafting or investing when you hit late-game content. That’s how seasoned players stretch their resources, make consistent progress, and build endgame-dominating characters.