How to Get Transmutation Shards in Path of Exile 2
In Path of Exile 2, crafting and item upgrades play a massive role in character progression, and one of the earliest currencies you'll encounter is the Transmutation Shard. By stacking 10 of these shards, you can create an Orb of Transmutation, a low-tier but extremely useful currency item. Orbs of Transmutation allow you to upgrade Normal (white) items into Magic (blue) items, giving them one or two random modifiers. This mechanic makes them a key part of early crafting and gear optimization.
While Orbs of Transmutation drop often in the game, knowing how to farm Transmutation Shards efficiently will ensure you always have enough for your crafting needs, especially if you're focusing on building a strong foundation in the early game. In this guide, we'll break down the best ways to get Transmutation Shards, when to use them, and how they fit into the larger POE 2 Currency system.
What Are Transmutation Shards
Transmutation Shards are a fragment-type currency in Path of Exile 2. Like many other shard currencies in the game, they can be combined to create a full currency item: in this case, the Orb of Transmutation. Ten shards make one orb, and these POE2 orbs can then be used to:
Upgrade Normal (white) items into Magic (blue) items.
Prepare base items for additional crafting or modification.
Because they drop frequently, it's easy to underestimate their value. However, in the early game, Orbs of Transmutation are one of the fastest ways to improve your gear without relying entirely on random drops.
How to Get Transmutation Shards
There are two main ways to acquire Transmutation Shards in Path of Exile 2: direct drops from enemies and vendor disenchanting.
1. Disenchanting Magic Items at Vendors
The fastest and most reliable way to get Transmutation Shards is to vendor Magic (blue) items you no longer need. Whenever you sell a Magic item to a vendor, you'll receive a certain number of Transmutation Shards in return. The number of shards you get depends on the item type and quality.
This makes farming for shards extremely easy: simply pick up unwanted Magic gear while you explore, and sell it off in bulk once your inventory is full. This method is particularly effective when running zones with high monster density or farming maps with guaranteed Magic monster packs.
Tip: Early in the game, you might want to hold onto your Magic gear to experiment with crafting and modifiers. But once you start finding better gear, vendoring the old pieces is the most efficient shard source.
2. Looting from Monsters, Chests, and Strongboxes
While less consistent than vendoring, Transmutation Shards also drop naturally from enemies and containers. Strongboxes, in particular, have a high chance of containing multiple Magic items, which can either be used directly or sold for shards.
If you're farming shards in the early acts, focus on areas with:
High monster density (e.g., large open maps or zones with extra monsters from league mechanics).
Strongboxes or special chests (increased loot volume means more chances for Magic item drops).
3. Indirect Farming via Party Play
If you're playing in a group, coordinate with your party to collect unwanted Magic items. Instead of leaving them on the ground, your teammates can pass them to you so you can vendor them for shards. This can drastically speed up your Orb of Transmutation stockpile.
When Should You Use Your Orbs of Transmutation
While it's tempting to upgrade every Normal item you find, it's best to use Orbs of Transmutation selectively:
On good base items: Focus on items with high implicit stats or item level that suits your build.
When lacking upgrades from drops: If RNG isn't giving you better gear, transmuting a solid base can fill the gap.
Before further crafting: Magic items can be crafted further with Orbs of Alteration or Augmentation, allowing you to fine-tune your gear.
By being strategic with your Orbs of Transmutation, you'll avoid wasting them on low-value items that will be replaced quickly.
Transmutation Shards in the Larger POE 2 Currency Economy
In Path of Exile 2, currency items aren't just for trading: they are the backbone of crafting, item progression, and the in-game economy. Transmutation Shards may seem low-tier compared to high-value items like Exalted Orbs or Chaos Orbs, but they serve as an entry point into the crafting system.
A healthy stockpile of Transmutation Shards and Orbs of Transmutation ensures that you can:
Continuously improve your leveling gear.
Prepare high-quality Magic bases for later rare crafting.
Participate in low-tier currency trades early in a league.
In trade leagues, Orbs of Transmutation can sometimes be used in bulk trades for other POE 2 Currency items, making them indirectly valuable even after you've moved past needing them for crafting.
Farming Strategy Summary
If you want to farm Transmutation Shards efficiently:
Pick up all Magic items you find during mapping or questing.
Vendor unwanted Magic items as your primary shard source.
Target dense areas with strongboxes or elite monsters for more Magic drops.
Coordinate in groups to collect more Magic loot for vendoring.
Use Orbs of Transmutation strategically on worthwhile bases.
Following this approach will keep your Transmutation Shard supply healthy without requiring dedicated farming sessions.
Final Thoughts
Transmutation Shards might be one of the most common currencies in Path of Exile 2, but they're far from useless. They are the first step in the crafting ladder, allowing you to turn basic items into functional, modifier-equipped gear. By efficiently farming shards: primarily through vendoring unwanted Magic items: you'll always have the Orbs of Transmutation you need to keep your gear competitive as you progress through the game.
Whether you're a casual player upgrading your leveling gear or a seasoned trader looking to optimize every piece of POE 2 Currency you acquire, keeping an eye on your Transmutation Shard stockpile will pay off in the long run.
MMOexp POE 2 Team