Game-Changing Unlocks in Path of Exile 2
Beyond stat bonuses, some side quests in Path of Exile 2 unlock essential game mechanics, features, and POE2 Currency abilities that can significantly enhance your experience and effectiveness. These unlocks provide access to powerful crafting systems, new skills, or even additional character capabilities. Below are some of the most critical game-changing unlocks you should prioritize.

1. Crafting Bench Access
Unlocks: The ability to modify and enhance your gear using the Crafting Bench.
Location: Act 1 – The Artisan’s Refuge
Why It’s Important:
Allows you to fine-tune gear with specific modifiers.
Helps fill in stat gaps (e.g., resistances, life, or damage).
Reduces reliance on randomized drops.
2. Ascendancy Class Unlock
Unlocks: The ability to choose an Ascendancy specialization.
Location: Act 3 – The Trial of Power
Why It’s Important:
Provides access to a powerful subclass that enhances your playstyle.
Grants new passive abilities that define your build.
Essential for maximizing character potential in endgame content.
3. Gem Socketing & Secondary Skill Bar
Unlocks: The ability to access secondary skill slots and better manage skill gems.
Location: Act 2 – The Arcane Vault
Why It’s Important:
Expands skill usage options, allowing for better situational abilities.
Helps manage multiple active skills more efficiently.
Greatly improves mobility and combat versatility.
4. Map Device for Endgame Mapping
Unlocks: The Atlas of Worlds and the ability to use maps for endgame content.
Location: Act 5 – The Cartographer’s Challenge
Why It’s Important:
Unlocks the main endgame progression system.
Allows farming of high-tier maps and Pinnacle Bosses.
Essential for obtaining the best loot and upgrading your character further.
5. Eternal Laboratory Access (Crafting and Modifying Gear)
Unlocks: Advanced crafting, meta-modifiers, and item enhancements.
Location: Act 4 – The Forbidden Sanctum
Why It’s Important:
Enables late-game crafting techniques.
Lets you reroll modifiers on high-end gear.
Allows for item synthesis and optimization.
6. Templar’s Blessing (Increased Flask Efficiency)
Unlocks: Permanent buffs to the effectiveness and duration of flasks.
Location: Act 3 – The Temple of the First Light
Why It’s Important:
Enhances survivability through stronger health and mana recovery.
Extends the uptime of powerful utility flasks.
Essential for high-speed, sustain-based builds.
Final Thoughts
These unlocks are game-changing because they provide access to mechanics that dramatically improve your gameplay experience, efficiency, and cheap POE 2 Currency power. Prioritizing these side quests will ensure you gain the most important tools as early as possible.