Top Rare Item Bases to Keep After Patch 0.2.1

In Path of Exile 2, Patch 0.2.1 introduced several balance changes that affected item drops, crafting, and currency interactions. One of the most important takeaways for players is knowing which rare item bases are worth keeping. Whether you’re crafting, trading, or planning your next upgrade, holding on to the right bases can make a huge difference—especially if you want to make the most of your PoE 2 currency or get great value when you buy PoE 2 currency from trusted platforms.

For players who don’t want to miss out on profit or power, here are some of the top rare item bases to keep after this patch, along with specific strategies on how to use them effectively.

1. Spine-Forged Gloves (Str/Int Hybrid)
This base type received a silent buff to its defensive implicit values. With more players seeking high-block or hybrid defenses, crafting rare gloves with Eldritch orbs or Exalted Orbs has become a solid method to multiply your value. Don’t vendor these—even a low-item-level version can be the start of a powerful build. Use Orb of Alchemy to get them rare quickly, then invest with Regal orbs if it rolls potential.

2. Obsidian Tower Shield
After the update, Obsidian Tower Shields now roll higher base armor and can combine well with new mod pools. If you get one with good suffixes like “+Chance to Block” or “+Maximum Life,” use a Chaos Orb to reroll prefixes and aim for high resistance or recovery mods. Keep these bases in your stash—they’re a hot commodity. It’s smart to buy PoE 2 currency early if you plan to craft multiple versions, as crafting prices go up fast after a patch.

3. Royal Staff (High-End Spellcasters)
This staff base is now meta for spell builds. Due to changes in spell scaling, Royal Staffs with increased spell damage and crit chance are worth keeping even if their item level isn’t maxed. Use Orb of Annulment carefully when fine-tuning your prefixes. When trying to complete the build, Divine Orbs and Chromatic Orbs help maximize the potential. These staves are ideal for players wanting to flip gear for profit. For easier crafting, you can buy PoE 2 currency like Fossils and Essences from reliable sites such as u4gm to save time and effort.

4. Opal Ring Base
The Opal Ring remains one of the most valuable ring bases due to its implicit elemental damage mod. Now that elemental builds are more popular post-patch, these rings are more valuable than ever. Use Essence of Anger or Essence of Wrath to force elemental damage prefixes and build around that. A great base with two open suffixes can sell quickly, especially to crit builds using Elemental Overload.

5. Conqueror’s Chainmail (Hybrid Armor/Energy Shield)
Perfect for tanky caster builds. This body armor base now has increased crafting potential because of new mod interactions. It’s ideal for high-end crafts using Awakened Orbs or Fractured mods. Use Orb of Scouring to reset bad rolls and hit better affix combinations. Don’t ignore the crafting bench—combining this with Catalysts can create big upgrades. If you’re running low on materials, it’s smart to buy PoE 2 currency like Exalted Orbs or Divine Orbs from platforms like u4gm to keep your progress smooth.

Helpful Tips for Crafting with These Bases

• Use Fusing Orbs and Chromatic Orbs early in your process to set up links and colors.
• Augmentation Orbs are perfect for adding one final mod when you’re one stat short.
• Always check trade prices before investing heavy PoE 2 currency into crafting. Some bases fluctuate fast post-patch.

With so many new changes in Patch 0.2.1, the right rare base can become your biggest source of power—or profit. Keep an eye out, save the best bases, and don’t hesitate to buy PoE 2 currency if you’re aiming to speed up your crafting or gear upgrade process. Sites like u4gm are fast, secure, and used by many experienced players. Investing wisely now can give you the edge needed for both solo progression and competitive trading.

Remember: currency is only as powerful as your planning. Hold onto the right item bases, and your PoE 2 journey will be smoother, richer, and way more exciting.