Crafting The Perfect Elder Phys Axe In Path Of Exile

by Felix Dubois 53 views

Crafting in Path of Exile (PoE) can feel like navigating a labyrinth, but the rewards – godly gear tailored to your build – are well worth the effort. For those aiming to create a physical damage-focused axe with a specific Elder suffix, the journey can be particularly intricate. This comprehensive guide breaks down the process, offering insights and strategies to help you succeed in crafting that perfect weapon. So, if you're ready to dive deep into the world of PoE crafting, grab your crafting bench and let's get started!

Understanding the Goal: The Elder Suffix

Before we even think about slamming orbs, it's crucial to understand what makes an Elder suffix so desirable on a physical axe. Elder items, distinguished by their unique influence, can roll modifiers that are simply unavailable on regular items. These mods often provide significant boosts to damage output, making them highly sought after by players. When it comes to physical axes, specific Elder suffixes, such as increased physical damage, attack speed, or critical strike chance, can drastically amplify your character's damage potential. But why Elder influence specifically? Well, the Elder influence mods often synergize exceptionally well with physical damage builds, offering raw damage increases or enhancing critical strike capabilities, which are crucial for scaling damage in Path of Exile. Furthermore, certain Elder suffixes are not available on other influenced items, making them exclusive and highly valuable. Knowing exactly which suffix you're targeting is the first step in crafting your dream axe.

Targeting a specific Elder suffix on your physical axe involves a multi-faceted approach, beginning with a clear understanding of available affixes. The Elder influence offers a range of powerful suffixes beneficial for physical damage builds. Identifying the most impactful suffix for your build, such as increased attack speed, critical strike chance, or a hybrid physical damage and accuracy modifier, is paramount. This knowledge dictates the subsequent crafting steps, influencing the selection of base items, fossil combinations, and crafting strategies. Examining the trade market for similar items can provide insights into the value and desirability of different suffixes, guiding your crafting goals. Thorough research into the potential outcomes minimizes wasted resources and maximizes the chances of achieving a valuable, build-defining axe. So, before you start throwing currency at your crafting bench, take the time to understand the Elder suffix pool and pinpoint the mod that will truly elevate your physical damage output. This targeted approach is the cornerstone of efficient and successful crafting.

Once you've identified your desired suffix, you need to consider the base item you'll be working with. The item level of the base is critical, as it dictates the tiers of modifiers that can roll. To roll the highest tier of most desired suffixes, you'll need a base item level of 85 or higher. This means farming high-level areas or purchasing a suitable base from other players. Beyond item level, the base type of the axe itself matters. Some axe types have inherent implicit modifiers that are beneficial for physical builds, such as increased critical strike chance or attack speed. Choosing a base with a synergistic implicit modifier can further enhance your final product. For example, a Karui Axe has a higher base critical strike chance, making it an excellent choice for a critical-focused build. Furthermore, consider the potential for crafting multiple desirable mods on the item. A base with strong implicit and potential for multiple high-tier affixes offers the best chance to create a truly exceptional weapon. The base item is the foundation of your crafting project, so choose wisely to set yourself up for success.

Step-by-Step Crafting Process

1. Acquiring an Elder-Influenced Base

The first hurdle is obtaining a base axe with the Elder influence. There are several ways to achieve this. You could get lucky and have an Elder-influenced axe drop from monsters in maps with Elder influence active. Alternatively, you can use an Orb of Dominance on a normal base item to have a chance to make it an Elder-influenced item. If you prefer a more direct approach, you can purchase an Elder-influenced base from other players via trade. This is often the fastest and most reliable method, especially if you're targeting a specific base type. When buying, carefully inspect the item level to ensure it meets the requirements for your desired suffix.

2. Isolating the Desired Suffix

Now comes the trickiest part: isolating your target suffix. Ideally, you want an item with only the desired suffix and as few other modifiers as possible. This maximizes your chances of success in the subsequent steps. There are several strategies for achieving this, each with its own pros and cons.

  • Fossil Crafting: Fossils are special currency items that can be used in resonators to modify the possible outcomes when crafting. Certain fossils increase the likelihood of rolling specific mod types while blocking others. For example, using a Metallic Fossil increases the chance of rolling physical modifiers while reducing the chance of rolling elemental modifiers. By combining appropriate fossils, you can significantly increase your odds of hitting your desired suffix. This method is generally considered one of the most efficient for targeting specific mods.
  • Essence Crafting: Essences guarantee a specific mod on the item, but they also add a random prefix and a random suffix. While this can be risky, it can also be a viable option if the guaranteed mod is desirable and the risk is manageable. This method can be particularly useful if you're aiming for a combination of specific mods.
  • Annulment Orbs: Annulment Orbs remove a random modifier from an item. This is a crucial tool for cleaning up unwanted mods. However, using Annulment Orbs is always a gamble, as you risk removing your desired suffix. Use them strategically and with caution.

3. Refining the Prefixes

Once you have your desired suffix isolated (or at least a high probability of it remaining), it's time to address the prefixes. The ideal scenario is to have open prefix slots, allowing you to craft the prefixes you need later. If you have unwanted prefixes, you can use a combination of strategies to remove them.

  • Prefixes Cannot Be Changed Craft: This is a powerful metamod that can be crafted at the crafting bench for two Divine Orbs. It prevents any prefixes from being changed when using certain currency items, such as Scouring Orbs or Chaos Orbs. This allows you to safely remove unwanted suffixes without affecting your prefixes.
  • Scouring Orbs: Scouring Orbs remove all non-influenced modifiers from an item, leaving only the influenced mods. This is a great way to clean up unwanted suffixes after applying the "Prefixes Cannot Be Changed" metamod.
  • Annulment Orbs (Again): As before, Annulment Orbs can be used to target specific prefixes, but the risk of removing your desired suffix remains.

4. Crafting the Desired Prefixes

With your desired suffix intact and open prefix slots, you can now craft the prefixes you need. The best prefixes for a physical axe typically include increased physical damage, flat physical damage, and attack speed. There are several ways to acquire these prefixes:

  • Crafting Bench: The crafting bench offers a variety of prefixes that can be crafted directly onto the item for a fee. This is the most straightforward and controlled method, but it may not offer the highest tiers of modifiers.
  • Exalted Orbs: Exalted Orbs add a random modifier to an item. This is a high-risk, high-reward method. You could potentially roll a very high-tier prefix, but you also risk adding an undesirable mod. It's generally not recommended to use Exalted Orbs unless you're feeling lucky or have a way to mitigate the risk, such as using the "Prefixes Cannot Be Changed" metamod.

5. Final Touches and Divine Orbs

Once you have your desired prefixes and suffix, the final step is to refine the rolls using Divine Orbs. Divine Orbs reroll the values of existing modifiers within their tiers. This allows you to maximize the values of your desirable mods. Keep in mind that Divine Orbs can be expensive, so use them strategically. It's often wise to only Divine your item once you're satisfied with the overall mod setup.

Advanced Techniques and Considerations

Metamod Crafting

Metamod crafting involves using specific crafting bench options to control the outcome of currency usage. The "Prefixes Cannot Be Changed" metamod, mentioned earlier, is a prime example. Other useful metamods include "Suffixes Cannot Be Changed" and "Cannot Roll Attack Modifiers." Mastering metamod crafting is crucial for high-end crafting projects.

Influence Combinations

While this guide focuses on Elder influence, it's worth noting that combining different influences (e.g., Elder and Shaper) can unlock even more powerful crafting possibilities. However, this approach significantly increases the complexity of the crafting process.

Budget and Risk Management

Crafting can be an expensive endeavor. It's essential to set a budget and manage your risk. Don't spend more than you can afford to lose, and be prepared for the possibility of failure. Sometimes, it's more cost-effective to purchase a finished item from other players than to craft it yourself.

Conclusion: The Thrill of the Craft

Crafting a specific Elder suffix on a physical axe in Path of Exile is a challenging but rewarding endeavor. It requires a deep understanding of crafting mechanics, strategic planning, and a bit of luck. But with patience, persistence, and the knowledge gained from this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating a truly exceptional weapon. So, go forth, Exiles, and craft your dream axe! The thrill of holding a self-crafted masterpiece in your hands is an experience like no other in the world of PoE. Remember, the key to successful crafting lies in meticulous planning, understanding the intricacies of the crafting system, and a healthy dose of patience. Happy crafting, guys, and may your axes strike true!