Path of Exile 2 is shaping up to be a thrilling evolution of Grinding Gear Games' iconic ARPG, bringing with it refined mechanics, a new campaign, and an expansive loot system. Among the many weapons players can pursue early on is the Slim Mace, a one-handed powerhouse that fits perfectly into strength-based builds. While the weapon itself may seem simple, getting your hands on it, and making the most of it requires a solid grasp of game mechanics, especially when it comes to managing your POE 2 currency.

Here's a detailed breakdown of what the Slim Mace is, how to obtain it, and how POE 2 currency can be used effectively to enhance this early-game weapon and your overall build.

What Is the Slim Mace

The Slim Mace is a base-type one-handed mace designed for early to mid-level characters who focus on physical damage and strength scaling.

Slim Mace Stats:

    Weapon Type: One-Handed Mace

    Physical Damage: 11–17

    Critical Strike Chance: 5.00%

    Attacks Per Second: 1.55

    Weapon Range: 1.1 meters

    Requirements: Level 10, 25 Strength

At level 10, the Slim Mace offers solid base damage and attack speed for melee players. It works well with skills like Ground Slam, Sunder, or even the new melee abilities introduced in POE 2.

How to Obtain the Slim Mace in POE 2

There are several paths to acquiring the Slim Mace during your campaign playthrough. While loot drops are randomized, POE 2 introduces more reliable acquisition methods than its predecessor.

1. Natural Loot Drops

Slim Maces begin dropping once players hit level 10 content zones. Watch for enemies with weapon-based drops, especially in early Act 2 areas or specific weapon caches. Bosses and rare monsters are more likely to drop base-type weapons, including maces.

2. Weapon Vendors

Vendors in POE 2, much like in POE 1, refresh their inventories regularly. Around level 10, vendors in Act 1 towns will occasionally stock Slim Maces. Make sure to check each time you return from a quest.

Tip: Use Scrolls of Wisdom or Orb of Transmutation—basic POE 2 currency items—to identify and upgrade white-quality maces into magic ones right away if you buy them from a vendor.

3. Crafting with POE 2 Currency

If you find a normal Slim Mace (white rarity), you can elevate its power significantly through crafting. Here's where your understanding of POE 2 currency really comes into play.

Using POE 2 Currency to Upgrade the Slim Mace

The currency system in Path of Exile is central to both item progression and economic strategy. Here's how to use it effectively with a Slim Mace:

1. Orb of Transmutation

Use this to turn a normal (white) Slim Mace into a magic (blue) item with one or two affixes. This is the first step toward customizing your mace with increased physical damage, attack speed, or accuracy.

2. Orb of Alteration

Don't like the affixes? Use Orbs of Alteration to reroll the mods on your Slim Mace. This is an efficient way to search for desirable stats early on.

3. Essence Crafting

Essences are powerful single-use crafting currencies that guarantee one specific modifier. An Essence of Contempt, for instance, can add flat physical damage to a weapon—a perfect synergy for a mace build.

4. Orb of Augmentation

Once you have one mod you like, use an Orb of Augmentation to add a second random affix to a magic Slim Mace. This gives you a chance to boost it even further before investing in a rare upgrade.

5. Regal Orb (Advanced)

Want to take your Slim Mace to rare quality? Use a Regal Orb to add a third mod and turn it into a rare item. This is best done once you're confident the base stats are worth keeping.

When Is the Slim Mace Worth Upgrading Further

While the Slim Mace is primarily an early-game weapon, it can serve well into mid-level play if you enhance it with the right modifiers. Look for affixes like:

    Increased Physical Damage

    % to Global Critical Strike Multiplier

    +X to Strength

    +X% to Attack Speed

With good rolls and clever crafting, a basic Slim Mace can outperform some unique weapons at the same level.

Farming POE 2 Currency Efficiently

To support your weapon upgrades and broader gear goals, currency farming is essential. Here are a few efficient methods available in POE 2's early acts:

    Clear High-Density Zones: Look for areas with fast respawns and high mob counts.

    Repeat Vendor Recipes: Certain recipes, such as selling a magic weapon + orb = transmutation shard combo, can yield useful currency early on.

    Identify and Sell Blue Gear: Scrolls of Wisdom are easy to find, and identifying gear for vendor sales can return Alteration orbs or crafting bases.

Conclusion

The Slim Mace might not be the flashiest weapon in Path of Exile 2, but with the right application of POE 2 Currency, it can become a reliable companion through your early progression. Its synergy with physical damage builds, its ease of acquisition, and the potential for meaningful upgrades make it a solid foundation for melee characters.

As POE 2 continues to unfold, mastering its economic systems, especially crafting currency, will be just as important as mastering combat. And if you start by learning how to upgrade something as simple as a Slim Mace, you'll be well-prepared to handle the legendary gear that awaits.

MMOexp POE 2 Team