A Guide to Using the Reforging Bench in POE 2

Dec-31-2024

 

In Path of Exile 2, managing your inventory and making the most of your equipment can become a challenge. Often, you'll accumulate items that are either not suited for your current character or simply have suboptimal properties. Instead of selling, disassembling, or storing these items, there's a more resourceful way to make use of them: the Reforging Bench.

 

The Reforging Bench allows players to combine three items of the same type and rarity to create a new item with potentially better properties. This feature is perfect for anyone looking to optimize their gear without relying solely on purchasing or crafting new items. Here's everything you need to know about unlocking and using the Reforging Bench in POE 2.

 

 

When and How to Unlock the Reforging Bench

The Reforging Bench isn't available from the start of the game, so you'll need to progress to Act 3 before you can access it. Once you reach the Drowned City, follow the questline that leads you to the Legacy of the Vaal quest. This quest will introduce you to a new area and guide you through the necessary steps to unlock the Reforging Bench.

 

After completing the quest, you'll meet Oswald in the Ziggurat Encampment (found near the northwest corner of the screen). Speaking to Oswald will start the Treasures of Utzaal quest, which sends you to the Molten Vault, a dungeon filled with fire-based enemies.

 

The key boss in this dungeon is Mektul, the Forgemaster. Mektul deals massive fire damage but has a slow attack speed. The battle is timed—if you fail to defeat Mektul before the room fills with lava, you'll perish. Use cold damage to exploit Mektul's weakness and avoid the lava by dodging his attacks. Once defeated, Mektul drops the Hammer of Kamasa, which is required to unlock the Reforging Bench.

 

Using the Reforging Bench

Once the Reforging Bench is unlocked, you can find it in any town or set one up in your hideout. To use it, simply interact with the bench and follow these steps:

 

1. Choose Three Items of the Same Type and Rarity: You must use three items that match both in type (e.g., weapons, armor, accessories) and rarity (e.g., magic, rare). The Reforging Bench will only work with items that meet these requirements.

 

2. Insert the Items: Place your three items into the designated slots on the bench. These can be weapons, armor, accessories, or even special items like unique gear, catalysts, essences, and more.

 

3. Reforge the Items: Once the items are placed, hit the Reforge button. The Reforging Bench will randomly combine the properties of the three items into a new piece of gear of the same type, but with different modifiers.

 

Things to Keep in Mind

- Rarity and Type Matter: The three items you use must all have the same rarity and type for the process to work. For example, if you want to reforge a rare item, you'll need two other rare items of the same type.

 

- Random Reforging: The properties of the new item are randomized, so there's no guarantee that the result will be better than the items you put in. However, if you have a surplus of gear you don't need, this can be an excellent way to experiment with potentially improving your equipment.

 

- Output Level: The level of the new item will be the same as the lowest-level item used in the process. To ensure you don't waste high-level items, try to use three items of similar level.

 

- Damage and Restrictions: Damaged items cannot be used for reforging, and you won't be able to see the full properties of most new items until you identify them using the Hooded One or a Scroll of Wisdom.

 

- Item Destruction: Keep in mind that the three original items will be destroyed during the process, so make sure you no longer need them before using the Reforging Bench.

 

The Reforging Bench in Path of Exile 2 is an invaluable tool for players looking to maximize their resources. By combining items of the same type and rarity, you can potentially re-roll their properties and create better gear from your surplus items. While the process is random, it's a great way to make use of unwanted equipment and clear out space in your stash. Just be sure to carefully consider the items you put in and weigh the potential rewards.