In Path of Exile 2, loot is king. The game is built around the thrill of finding powerful gear, crafting optimized builds, and farming the best POE2 items to push your character to new heights. And among the vast catalog of unique items, one belt stands tall as one of the most sought-after pieces of loot in the game—the Headhunter.

Whether you're a long-time PoE veteran or new to Path of Exile 2, chances are you've heard whispers about this infamous belt. Coveted for its insane power and game-changing mechanics, Headhunter has become an endgame staple. But what makes it so good, and more importantly — how do you get your hands on one?

Let's dive in.

What Is the Headhunter Belt?

The Headhunter is a unique heavy belt with both solid stat bonuses and a special mechanic that transforms how your character plays. It provides randomized bonuses within a range—typically +40 to 60 maximum life, +20 to 40 strength, and +20 to 40 dexterity. Solid numbers, but that's not what makes it legendary.

What sets Headhunter apart is its signature ability: whenever you kill a rare monster, you gain that monster's modifiers for 20 seconds.

This means every rare enemy you slay can grant you buffs like Haste, Frenzy Charges, Life Regeneration, or other powerful traits. The result? A constantly evolving, chaotic power-up system that rewards aggressive, high-speed gameplay—especially useful when running maps or farming content with high monster density.

It's no wonder this item is considered meta-defining for certain builds. But getting your hands on it? That's a whole different story.

How to Obtain Headhunter in Path of Exile 2

There's no one guaranteed method for securing this belt. Like most top-tier loot in PoE, Headhunter is a rare drop, and obtaining it can take serious effort, smart strategy, and a lot of POE 2 currency. Here are the most viable ways to find—or buy—this iconic item.

1. Random World Drops (High-Level Areas Only)

Headhunter can technically drop as part of the general loot pool, but only from monsters level 50 and above. This means you need to be in late-game zones—think Cruel difficulty and higher—to even have a shot.

The bad news? It's extremely rare. Most players go dozens or hundreds of hours without ever seeing one drop naturally. The good news is that certain high-density farming zones and league mechanics can increase your chances.

If you're hunting Headhunter the old-fashioned way, run maps frequently, focus on high pack-size areas, and target mechanics like Delirium, Legion, and Harbinger that flood the screen with rare enemies.

2. Orbs of Chance (Gambling Method)

One alternate way to get Headhunter is by using Orbs of Chance on a base Heavy Belt item. These orbs upgrade normal items into random rares or uniques, with a very slim chance of hitting the jackpot.

While the odds are tiny, the method is simple: stockpile Orbs of Chance, apply them to Heavy Belts, and hope the RNG gods bless you. You can also farm Chance Shards and convert them into Orbs of Chance to increase your supply.

This is a grind-heavy, low-odds path—but it doesn't cost Divine Orbs or Exalts, so it's a more approachable gamble for mid-tier players trying to turn POE 2 currency into a miracle.

3. Ultimatum Trials and Inscribed Chaos Runs

Another way to potentially obtain Headhunter is by participating in Trials of Chaos, high-level gauntlets accessed via Inscribed Ultimatums. These are multi-stage dungeon encounters with increasing difficulty and escalating rewards.

The catch? Loot from these events is often corrupted, which means it might have strange modifiers—or be unusable depending on your build. However, the loot pool is better than average, and some players have reported getting Headhunter from these events.

The best strategy here is to run Ultimatums that offer unique belts as potential rewards. You'll need strong gear and a solid build to survive the higher tiers, but the risk could lead to the ultimate reward.

4. Trade Marketplace (If You Have the POE 2 Currency)

If you've been stockpiling POE 2 currency, especially Divine Orbs, Exalted Orbs, or even the rare Mirror of Kalandra, you might be able to buy Headhunter from another player on the official trade marketplace.

Prices fluctuate wildly depending on league, demand, and how early it is in the season. At the time of writing, you might expect to pay:

    500–1,000 Exalted Orbs

    2–5 Divine Orbs

    Or one Mirror of Kalandra, the rarest currency in the game

Most players work their way up by selling mid-tier gear and flipping items until they can afford one. It's a long path—but definitely more reliable than hoping for a random drop.

Is It Worth It

Absolutely—if your build can make the most of it. Headhunter doesn't just boost your stats; it completely shifts the way you play the game. Builds that prioritize speed, clear efficiency, or map farming thrive with this belt equipped. It's the go-to for endgame content and currency farming strategies.

However, more defensive or single-target-heavy builds might not benefit as much from its effect. Always weigh the investment cost against your actual gameplay needs.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're farming high-tier maps, gambling with Orbs of Chance, or grinding POE 2 Currency to buy it outright, Headhunter remains one of the most iconic and powerful items in Path of Exile 2.

It takes patience and persistence—but for players chasing that endgame rush, it's the ultimate reward.

MMOexp POE 2 Team