PoE 2: How to Farm Regal Shards

In Path of Exile 2, crafting and upgrading gear is a critical part of progression, and Regal Orbs play a major role in that process. These orbs upgrade a Magic item (blue) into a Rare item (yellow), adding an additional affix and making the item significantly stronger. However, Regal Orbs are quite rare in POE 2, and the best way to obtain them is by collecting Regal Shards.

Ten Regal Shards can be combined to create one Regal Orb. But how do you efficiently farm these shards when they seem so elusive? In this guide, we'll walk you through the best methods to collect Regal Shards, how they fit into the larger POE 2 currency economy, and how to maximize your loot efficiency along the way.

What Are Regal Shards

Regal Shards are a fragmented form of currency in POE 2. Collecting 10 of them automatically forms a complete Regal Orb, which you can use to enhance gear. These shards are not commonly found, and the drop rate is low, especially from regular mobs.

While some players may be tempted to wait for full orbs to drop, farming shards is far more efficient and accessible, particularly in the early and mid-game phases.

Where Do Regal Shards Drop

Yes, enemies can drop Regal Shards, but this is extremely rare. Your best chance of farming them comes from bosses and elite enemies, which have higher drop rates for valuable currency items. Even so, don't expect to walk away from every boss fight with a shard in hand.

Here's a breakdown of where to look:

1. Bosses in Earlier Acts

Returning to bosses from early game Acts is surprisingly effective, especially once you've out-leveled the area. When you're significantly stronger than the enemies in a zone, you can breeze through bosses in just a couple of minutes. While the drop rate for shards is still low, the efficiency of each run improves due to the speed at which you can farm.

Focus on bosses that are quick to access and fast to defeat. Run through several different Acts, test out drop rates, and prioritize the most rewarding routes.

2. Creating New Map Instances

Each time you enter a zone in Path of Exile 2, the game creates an instance, a unique version of that map. You can reset this instance to farm bosses again by using the Instance Manager:

    Enter a map or area with a boss.

    Exit through the orange portal to the world map.

    Hold the interact key on the portal icon to bring up the Instance Manager.

    Select "Create New" to reset the area.

This allows you to repeatedly farm a specific boss or mini-boss without having to progress through other content. It's one of the best farming techniques for players hunting for rare POE 2 currency drops like Regal Shards.

Efficient Farming Tips

Farming efficiently is key to making the most of your time in POE 2. Here are some tips to speed up your shard collection:

Reset Often

Use the instance reset feature generously. Farming the same boss repeatedly gives you the best chance to force a shard drop.

Clear Fast

Speed is crucial. Equip movement and mobility skills to cut down travel time between boss fights. Use AoE and burst damage skills to clear rooms quickly.

Target High-Yield Zones

Some maps and dungeons naturally contain more elite enemies and mini-bosses. Focus on areas with denser enemy populations to increase the number of potential shard sources per run.

Stack Rarity Modifiers

Items and skills that increase item rarity or quantity may slightly improve your chances of getting shards and other useful drops. These modifiers are more effective in the endgame, but can still help earlier if you have the right gear.

Disenchanting Rare Items

If a boss doesn't drop a Regal Shard, there's still a silver lining, Rare items often drop in place. These can be disenchanted using crafting tools or vendor recipes to potentially yield POE 2 currency. While not guaranteed to give Regal Shards, this process can contribute to your overall currency pool and make crafting more accessible.

Selling rare items to vendors can also help you acquire other useful shards or ingredients, which further support your long-term item upgrades.

POE 2 Currency and the Role of Regal Shards

In the vast economy of POE 2 Currency, Regal Shards play a mid-tier role. They're not as valuable or rare as Exalted Orbs, but they are significantly more impactful than early-game currencies like Orbs of Transmutation. As you get deeper into crafting and item optimization, Regal Orbs become crucial for transitioning from strong magic items to powerful rares.

Farming Regal Shards is an excellent way to stockpile value without relying on pure RNG to drop full orbs. For players who want full control over their builds and crafting, these shards represent currency efficiency at its best.

Final Thoughts

While Regal Shards in Path of Exile 2 are rare, they are not impossible to farm if you know where to look and how to optimize your routes. Focus on farming bosses in zones you've out-leveled, reset map instances regularly, and don't neglect the value of rare item drops. Even if you don't get a shard, you're progressing your currency economy in other ways.

And remember, whether you're crafting the perfect weapon or saving up for gear trades, managing your POE 2 Currency wisely will set you up for long-term success.

MMOexp POE 2 Team