How to Get & Upgrade Soul Cores in PoE 2
Soul Cores are a fundamental mechanic in Path of Exile 2, providing players with powerful tools to enhance their characters, refine gear, and unlock specialized abilities. These consumables offer deep customization by allowing players to fine-tune their builds with unique buffs and modifiers. Whether earned through defeating enemies, participating in events, or crafting, acquiring and upgrading Soul Cores is essential for optimizing gameplay and progressing through the game's most challenging encounters.
What Are Soul Cores?
Soul Cores are a crucial resource in Path of Exile 2, acting as potent consumables that grant temporary or permanent enhancements to character abilities, weapons, and armor. These cores provide unique buffs, skill modifications, and increased damage output, allowing for tailored builds suited to different playstyles. Each Soul Core has distinct properties, and strategically obtaining and upgrading them is essential for creating optimized characters and advancing efficiently through the game’s toughest challenges.
In addition to their role in upgrading equipment, Soul Cores can influence skill interactions and elemental affinities. Some cores specialize in boosting elemental damage, while others focus on defensive enhancements such as resistances and regeneration. Understanding the types of Soul Cores available and their effects is vital for any player looking to refine their character for high-tier content.
How to Get Soul Cores
1. Trial of Chaos
The Trial of Chaos is an intense endgame activity designed for high-level players looking for substantial rewards. It consists of multiple waves of powerful enemies that progressively increase in difficulty. As players advance through the trial, they face mini-bosses and elite monsters, each dropping Soul Cores of varying rarity. Successfully completing later waves significantly increases the chances of obtaining Legendary Soul Cores with unique modifiers that cannot be found elsewhere.
The further a player progresses through the trial, the greater the rewards. Completing additional challenges within the trial, such as time-based objectives or boss eliminations, can further boost the likelihood of obtaining rare Soul Cores.
2. Currency Exchange
Soul Cores can also be acquired through currency exchange, a system where specific NPC merchants allow players to trade lower-tier currency items in return for Soul Cores. This method is particularly useful for players who have accumulated excess tradeable currency but have had little success obtaining Soul Cores through direct combat. Higher-tier Soul Cores may require rare or exalted currencies, making this an option best suited for experienced players with substantial resources.
Exchanging currency provides a more controlled way of obtaining Soul Cores without relying on random drops. Some vendors also offer limited-time exchanges for high-rarity Soul Cores, so players should frequently check available trades to maximize their benefits.
3. Trade With Other Players
Due to their value, Soul Cores have become a sought-after commodity in Path of Exile 2’s player-driven economy. Many players prefer buying Soul Cores directly from others rather than relying on farming or RNG drops. Trading provides the opportunity to acquire specific Soul Cores that best suit a player’s build, saving time and effort. Prices fluctuate depending on market demand, with rarer and high-tier Soul Cores often commanding a premium price.
Additionally, some players engage in Soul Core crafting and resell them at a profit, making trading a viable strategy for players looking to accumulate wealth and build an optimized character setup.
Soul Core Effects and Modifiers
Soul Cores provide a range of effects that can significantly impact gameplay. These effects apply to both weapons and armor, allowing for greater customization in character builds. Below is a detailed breakdown of different Soul Cores and their associated benefits.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Soul Cores
- Using Soul Cores Without Build Synergy - Players often slot in random Soul Cores without considering if they align with their build. Always check if a Core benefits your stats before equipping it.
- Wasting Soul Cores on Temporary Gear - Since Soul Cores are rare, avoid using them on low-tier weapons or armor you’ll replace quickly.
- Ignoring Elemental and Ailment-Based Cores - Some players overlook elemental effects like Ignite, Shock, and Freeze. These can provide significant bonuses if matched correctly.
- Not Running High-Tier Trials - Sticking to lower-tier Trials of Chaos leads to weaker Soul Core drops. Always aim for harder trials for better rewards.
- Overpaying in the Currency Exchange - Prices fluctuate, so compare market rates before purchasing to avoid spending too much.
By understanding these mistakes, players can use Soul Cores more effectively and maximize their character’s potential in Path of Exile 2.
Conclusion
Soul Cores play an integral role in character progression in Path of Exile 2. These powerful enhancements, whether obtained through battles, crafting, or trading, offer players an array of benefits when used strategically. Acquiring high-quality Soul Cores and refining them with the right upgrades can drastically improve character strength, resilience, and combat efficiency.
Players who master the art of Soul Core management will have a significant advantage in the game’s most difficult encounters. By effectively acquiring, upgrading, and utilizing Soul Cores, players can optimize their builds for any challenge Path of Exile 2 presents.
FAQ
You can obtain Soul Cores through various methods, including Trial of Chaos, currency exchange, and trading with other players. Some of the most powerful Soul Cores drop from high-tier endgame activities.
Yes, Soul Cores are tradeable, making them a valuable commodity in the game’s economy. However, prices fluctuate based on rarity and demand.
Players often make mistakes like using Soul Cores without considering their build, applying them to temporary gear, or ignoring elemental effect cores that could enhance their playstyle.
Change Log
- 10.03.2025 - How to Get & Upgrade Soul Cores in PoE 2 published.