In many role-playing games (RPGs) and action RPGs like Path of Exile 2, Diablo, or Lost Ark, crafting currency is a vital component of character progression. It can empower gear, enhance abilities, and even shift gameplay strategies entirely. But knowing when to use these resources — and when to hold back — is the difference between seasoned efficiency and reckless waste.
Understanding Crafting Currency
Crafting currency refers to items used to upgrade, reroll, or modify equipment and other in-game assets. These currencies can range from basic enhancement stones to rare orbs that alter item properties in powerful ways. Players often gather these through drops, trade, or rewards. Each currency has a unique function, but not all are worth using the moment you get them.
When to Use Crafting Currency
1. Early Gear Gaps:
In the early-to-mid game, upgrading your equipment with low-tier crafting materials like enhancement shards or basic upgrade orbs can give you a significant power boost. Using common currency at this stage is wise, especially when it enables smoother progression through tougher areas.
2. High-Value Base Items:
When you obtain a high item level base or rare drop with good affixes, this is a smart time to invest crafting currency. Using mid- to high-tier currencies to reroll or augment this gear can potentially result in a powerful piece that lasts well into endgame content.
3. League Starts or Fresh Seasons:
At the beginning of a new season or league, crafting can bridge the gap while the economy is still developing. Since items are scarce, using crafting currency to create your own gear is often more cost-effective than trading.
4. Personal Upgrades vs. Trading:
If you are not planning to sell your currency, and a piece of gear could drastically improve your build or survivability, that’s a valid reason to craft. Always weigh the upgrade potential against what you'd gain from selling or saving.
When to Save Crafting Currency
1. Endgame Optimization:
High-end crafting, like meta-mod crafting or mirror-tier items, demands a large pool of resources. Saving your rarest currencies — especially those used in deterministic or multi-step crafts — is essential if you’re planning high-stakes crafting later.
2. Uncertain Builds or Gear Paths:
If you're still experimenting with builds or unsure of your final gear setup, it's better to save crafting currency. Using valuable materials on temporary gear is wasteful, especially when progression might render those items obsolete.
3. Market Volatility:
In games with player economies, crafting currency can fluctuate in value. If you anticipate price spikes — for example, due to an upcoming patch — holding onto your currency can lead to better trades or profits.
4. Group or Guild Strategy:
In multiplayer environments, pooling resources for shared crafting goals can be more efficient. Holding your currency for guild projects or endgame crafting sessions may benefit the whole group more than solo upgrades.
Final Thoughts
Crafting currency is one of the most strategic tools in a gamer’s arsenal. Knowing when to use it for a meaningful upgrade and when to hoard it for future opportunities takes both discipline and game knowledge. Monitor the meta, track your own progression goals, and always ask yourself: Is this the right time to craft, or is it better to wait? Master that, and you'll stay one step ahead of the grind.