Today we’re diving into an in-depth trading guide for Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2). I know many of you might already be familiar with the basics of trading, but this guide will offer advanced tips, tricks, and third-party tools that will help you buy and sell items more efficiently in the game.
Trading is a crucial part of PoE 2, as it allows players to acquire powerful gear, currency, and items to progress in the game. However, navigating the marketplace, especially with the intricate mechanics and fluctuating prices, can be a bit daunting. Whether new to trading or looking to refine your techniques, this guide will provide valuable insights into buying, selling, and price-checking.
The Basics of Currency Exchange
Currency Types and Conversion
In Path of Exile 2, POE2 Currency exchange becomes available as you progress through the game, particularly once you reach the Cruel difficulty. At this stage, you’ll gain access to the gambling merchants who allow you to exchange different currencies. Most of these exchanges involve swapping crafting or currency items, with Divine Orbs, Exalted Orbs, and Mirrors being the most prominent examples.
To exchange currencies, simply go to a merchant in the game, select the currency you wish to swap, and choose what you’d like in return. For instance, you could swap Divine Orbs for Exalted Orbs. The ratio typically follows something like 1 Divine Orb for 284 Exalted Orbs. Once the trade is set, the transaction will go through as long as the exchange rate is reasonable and your currency is available.
While this is a convenient method for acquiring high-value currency items, keep in mind that not all items can be exchanged. Gear, for instance, is excluded from the exchange system, which brings us to the next step: selling gear.
Selling Gear: The Essentials
To sell items, you’ll need to make sure you have a premium stash tab. The premium stash tab allows you to list items for sale and set prices. You can upgrade one of your existing tabs to a premium tab or, preferably, buy the premium quad stash tab, which provides significantly more space and allows you to list multiple items. These tabs are often on sale during weekends, so be sure to wait for discounts before making a purchase.
Setting Prices and Listing Items
Once you have your premium stash tab, you can list items by setting their price. The most important options here are:
- Exact Price: Set an unnegotiable price for the item.
- Negotiable Price: Allow other players to negotiate the price.
Here’s a quick breakdown of how to set the price for an item:
- Select an item from your stash and right-click on it.
- Choose whether to set it as an “exact price” or “negotiable.”
- Enter the price in Exalted Orbs (or whatever currency you prefer).
- Once done, your item will be listed in the trade market.
To help determine the fair price for your item, use websites like poe2 trade. This platform allows you to search for similar items, compare stats, and adjust your price accordingly. By using the site, you can filter items based on attributes like rarity, minions, resistances, and other valuable stats.
However, be mindful of a common issue in PoE’s trade system: bots. You’ll often encounter items priced ridiculously low due to bot accounts trying to trick inexperienced players. These bots may list valuable items at a low price, causing other players to undervalue their gear.
Price Checking and Avoiding Scams
Price Checking
The PoE marketplace is notoriously dynamic, and prices can fluctuate quickly. To make informed decisions, use PoE Trade to check the price of your item before listing it. Enter the key stats (such as item rarity, resistances, and mods) and search for similar items.
Once you’ve entered the required stats, PoE Trade will provide you with a price range. Typically, you’ll find multiple pages of listings for each item. Be cautious when you see a very low price for an item—this could be a scam bot trying to manipulate the market.
Additionally, some players intentionally list their items at lower-than-market-value prices to draw in unsuspecting buyers. If you engage with a seller and realize that their offer is not genuine (e.g., the price doesn’t match their listed one), you can report them for attempting to scam you.
Avoiding Scams
The trading interface in PoE 2 requires you to confirm the items in a trade by hovering over them before accepting. This step is essential to ensure you’re getting the item you agreed upon. Unfortunately, scammers often use misleading listings or set prices that don’t reflect the true value of the item, hoping to catch new players off guard.
If you spot a scam, report it and avoid engaging with players who consistently list items underpriced to attract unwitting buyers.
Third-Party Programs to Enhance Trading
There are several third-party programs available that can make trading more streamlined and efficient. One of the most popular tools is Path of Exile TradeMacro, which simplifies the process of price-checking, listing items, and even contacting sellers.
Another helpful tool is POE-Trade—a browser extension designed to help you compare your items with those listed in the marketplace. The software is simple to install and enables you to view prices of similar items directly from your stash.
Using Sidkick for Price Checking
If you’re looking for a more advanced program, Sidkick is an excellent option. It integrates directly with PoE 2 and provides real-time pricing data for your items. When you hover over an item in your inventory, Sidkick will automatically compare it with items listed on the trade market and suggest a reasonable price based on the current trends.
Sidkick is a lightweight, easy-to-use tool that allows for quick price comparisons with just a click. Here’s how to use it:
- Hover over an item you want to sell.
- Press Ctrl+D to activate Sidkick.
- Sidkick will show you a price comparison with other listed items.
- Based on the comparison, you can adjust your price and list your item for sale.
By using Sidkick, you can ensure that you’re not undervaluing or overpricing your gear, making the trading process much easier and more profitable.
Buying Items
Buying items in PoE 2 can be just as tricky as selling them, especially when you’re looking for something specific. Whether it’s a piece of armor with certain resistances or a weapon with a specific set of mods, the first step in the buying process is to search for items using the PoE Trade website.
How to Search for Items
To find items, you’ll need to filter them based on your requirements. For example, if you’re looking for boots with high movement speed, resistance, and magic find, you would:
- Go to PoE Trade.
- Enter the keywords (e.g., “boots,” “35% movement speed,” “chaos resist”).
- Set your desired price range.
- Search the listings.
Once you’ve found a suitable item, click on it to view the details. If you wish to purchase it, you’ll need to whisper the seller directly through the game’s chat interface. To make this easier, use Sidkick to automatically send a message to the seller in their native language.
Trading Etiquette: How to Close a Deal
When it comes to completing a trade, you should always be mindful of the other player’s time. Once you’ve found a suitable item and agreed on a price, follow these steps:
- Send a whisper: Directly message the seller to confirm the price and availability.
- Join their hideout: Most players will expect you to join their hideout to complete the trade. Make sure you’re prepared and have the necessary Path of Exile 2 Currency in hand.
- Confirm the items: Hover over the items to verify they match the description before accepting the trade.
- Complete the transaction: Once everything checks out, accept the trade, thank the seller, and kick them from your party.
By following these guidelines, you’ll minimize the risk of misunderstandings and make the trading process much smoother.
Conclusion
Trading in Path of Exile 2 can be both exciting and challenging. By following the tips outlined in this guide—such as setting up premium stash tabs, using third-party programs like Sidkick, and being cautious of scam attempts—you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of trading. Whether you’re buying or selling, being informed and vigilant is the key to success.