The Ultimate Maps Guide for Path of Exile 2

[Jannick]

Maps are the cornerstone of Path of Exile 2’s (PoE 2) endgame content. Once you finish the campaign, the real adventure begins in the Atlas of Worlds, where you’ll explore an expansive map system filled with challenging encounters, valuable loot, and opportunities to build your fortune in PoE currency. Mastering the map system is essential to progressing through the endgame and maximizing your character’s power.

In this ultimate PoE 2 maps guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about maps, how to use them effectively, and strategies for optimizing your farming. Whether you’re a new exile or a seasoned veteran, this guide will help you make the most of your mapping experience.

What Are Maps in Path of Exile 2?
Maps in Path of Exile 2 are items that drop in the endgame and serve as gateways to randomly generated zones filled with monsters, bosses, and loot. Maps come in various tiers, with higher-tier maps offering increased difficulty and rewards. They are the primary way to earn PoE currency, rare items, and experience in the endgame.

Maps are used in the Map Device, which you’ll find in your hideout or endgame areas. By placing a map into the device, you open a portal to the associated zone. Each map is unique, featuring its layout, enemy types, and modifiers.

Understanding the Atlas of Worlds
The Atlas of Worlds is the overarching system that organizes maps. As you progress, you’ll unlock new maps, encounter powerful bosses, and influence the Atlas to shape your endgame experience.

Key Features of the Atlas
Map Tiers: Maps are divided into tiers, with higher tiers offering greater challenges and better rewards. Tier 1 maps are the easiest, while Tier 16 maps are the most difficult.

Regions: The Atlas is divided into regions, each containing a selection of maps. Progressing through these regions allows you to unlock and upgrade maps.

Watchstones: Watchstones are items you place in the Atlas to increase the tier of maps in a specific region. They are critical for advancing to higher-tier maps.

Influence and Bosses: Certain regions of the Atlas may become influenced by powerful bosses, such as the Elderslayers or Maven, offering additional challenges and rewards.

How to Obtain Maps
To run maps, you first need to acquire them. Here are the primary ways to obtain maps in PoE 2:

1. Drops from Enemies
Maps can drop from enemies, bosses, and loot chests in the endgame. Higher-tier maps are more likely to drop from tougher enemies and bosses.

2. Vendor Recipes
You can trade three maps of the same type and tier to a vendor in exchange for one map of the next tier. This is a useful way to progress if you’re stuck with lower-tier maps.

3. Map Device
The Map Device sometimes allows you to open unique maps or special encounters. You can also use currency items like Sacrifice Fragments to enhance your map drops.

4. Trade with Other Players
If you’re missing specific maps or want to speed up your progression, consider trading with other players. Use PoE currency to purchase maps that fit your needs. Trusted platforms like SSEGold can provide you with the currency you need to build your map collection quickly.

How to Upgrade Maps
Upgrading your maps is essential for increasing your rewards and accessing tougher content. Here’s how to upgrade maps in PoE 2:

1. Use Orbs of Alchemy
Applying an Orb of Alchemy to a white (normal) map will turn it into a rare map with modifiers, increasing its difficulty and rewards.

2. Use Chisels
Cartographer’s Chisels improve the quality of a map, increasing the quantity of items dropped within. Always use chisels on high-tier maps for maximum efficiency.

3. Influence the Atlas
As mentioned earlier, placing Watchstones in the Atlas increases the tier of maps in a region, allowing you to access higher-tier content.

4. Use Sextants
Sextants apply temporary modifiers to maps within a region of the Atlas. These modifiers can boost rewards or add unique challenges.

Best Mapping Strategies in PoE 2
To maximize your profits and progress efficiently, consider the following strategies:

1. Chain Your Maps
Running maps in a chain ensures that you maintain a steady supply of maps. Always collect and save maps to avoid running out.

2. Focus on Map Modifiers
Certain map modifiers, such as increased item quantity or additional pack size, boost your rewards significantly. Use currency like Chaos Orbs to reroll maps until you get favorable modifiers.

3. Explore Influenced Regions
Regions influenced by bosses like the Elderslayers or Maven offer additional rewards. Farming these regions can yield unique items, fragments, and other valuable loot.

4. Run Unique Maps
Unique maps provide special challenges and exclusive rewards. While they can be harder than regular maps, the potential rewards are often worth the effort.

5. Trade Excess Maps
If you have duplicates or maps you don’t plan to run, trade them for other maps or PoE currency. Platforms like SSEGold can help you acquire the currency needed to buy specific maps or other items to enhance your mapping experience.

Using Currency to Enhance Maps
Currency plays a vital role in map progression. Here’s how to use PoE currency to optimize your maps:

Chaos Orbs: Reroll modifiers on maps to improve rewards.
Cartographer’s Chisels: Increase map quality for better drops.
Orbs of Alchemy: Upgrade maps to rare quality.
Exalted Orbs: Occasionally used for crafting or trading rare maps with specific modifiers.
By investing in your maps with PoE currency, you can significantly boost your returns and make your mapping sessions more profitable.

Common Mapping Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players can make mistakes when running maps. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Ignoring Map Modifiers: Some modifiers can be extremely challenging for certain builds. Always read map modifiers carefully before running them.

Skipping Map Quality: Running low-quality maps reduces your rewards. Always use Cartographer’s Chisels on high-tier maps.

Neglecting Boss Encounters: Many maps have bosses that drop unique items or fragments. Don’t skip these encounters—they’re often the most rewarding part of the map.

Running Out of Maps: Avoid running out of maps by maintaining a steady supply through drops, trades, and vendor recipes.

Conclusion
Mapping is at the heart of the PoE 2 endgame, offering endless opportunities to challenge yourself, farm valuable loot, and earn PoE currency. By understanding how maps work, upgrading them effectively, and using smart farming strategies, you can maximize your rewards and take your character to new heights.

If you’re ever short on resources, consider trading for maps or purchasing PoE 2 orbs from a trusted platform like SSEGold. With a little preparation and the right tools, you’ll be well-equipped to conquer the Atlas of Worlds and dominate the Path of Exile 2 endgame.

Good luck, Exile, and may your maps be bountiful!

[amorapotter]

The problem with corridor maps in PoE2 is that we don't have too many builds that excel in running them. Walls eat spells, prevent blinking, minions get stuck in doorways, etc. In PoE1, something like Righteous Fire works extremely well in that environment. Probably going to stay that way until they add more skill gems to the game.

[NicklausStamm]

Cartographer’s Chisels improve the quality of a map, increasing the quantity of items dropped within. Always use chisels on high-tier maps for maximum efficiency.
Is an extremely important issue that needs to be addressed at the present time.