In the latest Path of Exile 2 patch, several once-popular unique items have suddenly fallen out of the meta. Players who relied on these uniques for builds are now scrambling to adapt. If you’ve been holding onto legacy gear or planning your next build, it’s time to take a closer look at what changed—and how you can adjust. Let’s talk about how this affects PoE 2 items, and what you can do to stay ahead.
One of the biggest surprises was the nerf to Death’s Oath. Once a go-to for chaos DoT builds, its damage over time has been toned down significantly. Many players used to buy PoE 2 items like this early on because they offered instant power with little investment. Now, Death’s Oath just doesn’t deliver the same punch, and it’s falling off even in early maps. If you’re looking to replace it, consider switching to crafted rare chests with chaos damage mods. Using Chaos Orbs to reroll suffixes can give you more control over stats and even outperform some nerfed uniques.
Another item hit hard is Starforge, which lost a chunk of its flat physical damage. This used to be a beast for melee builds, but now it’s being shelved in favor of rare swords that can roll high tier damage and crit mods. If you’re still holding onto a Starforge, don’t panic—try selling it while it still has some demand, then buy PoE 2 items like a high-tier Vaal Greatsword and use Exalted Orbs or Regal Orbs to craft a weapon suited to your build.
But not all hope is lost. The meta shift opens doors to explore different gear options. For example, Replica Dreamfeather is gaining popularity due to its synergy with evasion scaling. These items weren’t widely used before, but now they’re shining. This is a good time to experiment with builds that make use of hidden gems. Don’t be afraid to buy underpriced PoE 2 items that have potential—you might discover the next big thing.
If you’re on a budget and don’t want to spend a lot of chaos or divine orbs, here’s a tip: start your crafting journey with Orb of Alchemy and Essences. These allow you to convert normal base items into rare items with decent stats. It’s a low-cost way to replace nerfed uniques and still maintain your power level. For example, a basic Steel Ring crafted with an Essence of Wrath can outperform some old meta uniques now.
In short, while some uniques have crashed out of the spotlight, this patch actually opens up more room for creativity. Players who adapt quickly can profit by flipping rare items or making builds around overlooked gear. Don’t just rely on old favorites—look into newly buffed base types, try out fresh combinations, and keep a stash of useful currency like Orb of Binding and Fusing Orbs to enhance your gear.
Remember, the meta always changes, but your knowledge and flexibility are your strongest weapons. So keep watching the market, buy PoE 2 items smartly, and test out new ideas. You might just stumble onto a broken combo before everyone else does!