PATH OF EXILE 2
Equipment without surprises
Compare requirements, weapon sets, local item properties and the full character change.
Introduction
Compare requirements, weapon sets, local item properties and the full character change.
Before replacing an item
- 01
Check the base
Match the slot and weapon pairing. A bow uses a quiver; other setups have their own restrictions. Inspect both weapon sets rather than assuming the inactive set inherits the current weapon’s properties.
- 02
Check the requirements
Review the final item’s level, Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence requirements. Check dependent skills too. Removing an attribute can make an otherwise stronger armour piece unusable.
- 03
Check the result
Compare the item’s final local properties, then character totals. Local Armour, Evasion or Energy Shield modifiers improve that item; character-wide modifiers affect the combined values. Do not count a local increase twice.
- 04
Keep the whole trade-off
WDguide advice: compare Life, resistances, attributes, resources and the relevant damage property together. Fix a newly broken requirement before calling the replacement an upgrade.
Inspect the catalogue
Inspect before choosing modifiers. Separate base damage and attack speed from skill, support and conditional effects.
Inspect alongside the bow. Read its implicit and requirements; it is a separate equipped item, not another bow damage roll.
Buying and comparing
Base and rarity
A base establishes the equipment type and underlying properties. Rarity and actual modifiers describe the item made on that base. A trade search needs to reflect both.
Use the item you own
Paste copied in-game item text into the comparison when available. Review parsed properties and modifiers. Unsupported lines need review rather than silently becoming zero.
Unique rolls vary
A Unique name does not guarantee identical rolls. Plan a requirement or defensive threshold using the recorded values or ranges.
Keep experiments reversible
A bow and quiver example
The bow
Start with . Read its required level and Dexterity, then compare its damage and attack speed with the bow you actually use.
The quiver
Inspect separately. Its bonuses complement the bow; it does not replace the equipped bow or its requirements.
The swap
WDguide advice: after changing either piece, check that the active skills still work and that the rest of your gear remains equipped.