Path of Exile 2: How To Unlock and Use the Reforging Bench

As you venture through Path of Exile 2, you'll inevitably collect equipment that doesn't quite fit your character or playstyle. While options like selling, dismantling with the Salvage Bench, or stashing items for other characters exist, these methods don't always address every piece of "almost useful" loot. When you encounter equipment that your character can use but find its stats lacking, the Reforging Bench offers a unique way to transform these Path of Exile 2 items into something potentially better.

In this guide, we'll explain how to unlock the Reforging Bench, and how it works.

Unlocking the Reforging Bench

The Reforging Bench is not available from the start of the game. You'll need to progress to Act 3 of Path of Exile 2 and complete a series of quests to unlock it. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

    Complete the "Legacy of the Vaal" Quest

    During Act 3, you'll embark on a quest called "Legacy of the Vaal," which leads you to a new location known as The Drowned City.

    Meet Oswald in the Ziggurat Encampment

    After completing "Legacy of the Vaal," return to the Ziggurat Encampment and locate an NPC named Oswald in the northwest corner of the encampment. Speak with him to receive a new quest called "Treasures of Utzaal."

    Enter the Drowned City and the Molten Vault

    Follow the quest marker to the Drowned City, where you'll encounter a dungeon called The Molten Vault. Equip fire-resistant gear and ice magic to prepare for the challenges ahead.

    Defeat Mektul, The Forgemaster

    Inside the Molten Vault, you'll face Mektul, The Forgemaster, a challenging boss who deals devastating fire damage. His attacks are powerful but slow, and he has significant cooldowns between moves. Focus on dodging his attacks, use cold damage when possible, and make the most of his recovery windows.

    Keep in mind, this fight is on a four-minute timer—if you fail to defeat Mektul in time, the room will fill with lava, resulting in instant death. With practice, you'll recognize his patterns and secure victory.

    Claim the Hammer of Kamasa

    Once Mektul is defeated, claim the Hammer of Kamasa and return to Oswald in town. Completing this quest unlocks the Reforging Bench and grants you an Uncut Skill Gem as a reward.

Using the Reforging Bench

Once unlocked, the Reforging Bench becomes a staple crafting tool. You'll find one in every town, and you can also place one in your hideout for convenience. Here's how to use it effectively:

    Interact with the Reforging Bench

    Approach the bench and open its interface.

    Insert Items

    Place three items of the same type and rarity into the input slots. For example, you might use three normal axes, three rare rings, or three pieces of unique armor.

    Reroll the Items

    The Reforging Bench will destroy the input items and produce one new item of the same type but with completely randomized stats.

    Understand the Item Level Rule

    The resulting item's level will match the lowest item level of the three inputs. To avoid wasting high-level gear, ensure all three items are of similar level.

Items Usable with the Reforging Bench

The Reforging Bench supports a wide variety of items, making it an incredibly versatile crafting tool. You can reroll the following:

    Weapons, armor, or accessories (same type and rarity)

    Unique items

    Catalyst

    Essence

    Soul Core

    Precursor Tablets

    Distilled Emotion

    Runes

    Relics

    Waystones of the same tier

However, some restrictions apply. For instance, corrupted items cannot be reforged. Additionally, while most rerolls are random, specific items like Waystones or Distilled Emotions yield higher-tier results when reforged.

Maximizing Reforging

To get the most out of the Reforging Bench, you'll want to integrate POE 2 Currency into your strategy. Currency items in Path of Exile 2 are vital for crafting, upgrading, and modifying gear. Here's how they pair with the Reforging Bench:

    Essence and Catalyst: Use POE 2 Currency items like Essences or Catalysts to enhance the stats of items before rerolling. This increases the chances of crafting powerful gear.

    Orb of Scouring and Orb of Alchemy: Use these POE2 orbs to modify items before combining them, ensuring you get the most value from your reforging attempts.

    Chaos Orbs: These can be used to test multiple reroll results, helping you fine-tune your gear's stats.

By strategically using your currency, you can maximize the potential of the Reforging Bench and create gear that complements your build.

Tips for Using the Reforging Bench

    Save Your Resources

    Don't use high-value items unless you're certain the output will benefit your build.

    Plan Around Item Level

    Avoid sacrificing high-level items alongside low-level ones to prevent downgrading the output item's level.

    Experiment and Learn

    The Reforging Bench offers endless possibilities. Experiment with different inputs and track the results to refine your crafting strategy.

Conclusion

The Reforging Bench is a game-changing feature in Path of Exile 2, allowing you to breathe new life into otherwise subpar loot. By understanding its mechanics and combining it with POE 2 Currency, you can create powerful gear that aligns with your build and playstyle.

Whether you're chasing high-tier Waystones, reforging unique items, or optimizing your Distilled Emotions, the Reforging Bench offers unparalleled flexibility. Unlock its potential, experiment fearlessly, and dominate the world of Path of Exile 2.

MMOexp POE 2 Team