So what are Essences?
Essences are special type of Currency that can be used to get specific type of Modifier on items, can be obtained from special Rare Mobs in Maps, or simply bought from other players.
Two types of Essences:
- Regular, which used on Normal item, to add modifier and make it Magic.
- Greater, which add modifier to Magic item, making it Rare.
Greater essences are much more rarer than regular, as result more expensive.
List of available Essences:
- Essence of the Body (Life modifier).
- Essence of the Mind (Mana modifier).
- Essence of Enhancement (Defence modifier).
- Essences of Flame/Electricity/Ice (Fire/Lightning/Cold modifiers).
- Essence of the Infinite (Attribute modifier).
- Essence of Torment (Physical modifier).
- Essence of Battle (Attack modifier).
- Essence of Sorcery (Caster modifier).
- Essence of Ruin (Chaos modifier).
- Essence of Haste (Speed modifier).
Each of those Essences will guarantee specific Modifier on item when used.
What are Caster, Attack or other types Modifiers are?
Some of Modifiers on all Gear have one or multiple tags.
For example Physical Damage Modifiers on Weapons have "Physical" and "Attack" tags, so Essence of Torment and Essence of Battle can roll those Physical Damage Mods.
But, Weapons also have Elemental Damage Modifiers, which also have "Attack" tag, so using Essence of Battle is bad idea if you looking to hit Physical Damage Modifier.
Also, some Modifiers have no tags meaning they can't be obtained with Essences.
You can see those tags, kind of, in game by hovering cursor on tier of Modifier. But it's not really practical, because you can't see modifier on item that has no modifiers before you used Essence.
So as more practical solution there's Craft of Exile, best tool for crafters, that has all list of Modifiers for all items, with each tier and probabilities of getting each Modifier.
Plus other good stuff like crafting Simulator where you can check if your crafting method is correct before you do it in game.
https://www.craftofexile.com/?game=poe2
List of best uses for each Essence:
1. Essence of the Body (Life modifier)
No items have only one Life modifier so it has no guaranteed outcomes.
- Body Armor and Helmet (~53% chance for +# Life mod).
- Gloves and Boots (~40% chance for +# Life mod).
- Amulet (~40% chance for +# Life mod, and ~ 6.6% chance for %Life mod).
- Ring (~42% chance for +# Life mod).
- Belt (~56% chance for +# Life mod).
In most cases i'd rather use Chaos essence for Chaos Resistance for all those item types, instead of Life Essence.
2. Essence of the Mind (Mana modifier)
Essence mostly for Mana stacking builds. Decent option to craft Mana stacking Rings, especially if used on
Breach Rings.
- Boots (Guaranteed Mana roll, not the best Essence for Boots).
- Helmet (~66% for +# Mana mod, ~33% for hybrid +# Mana mod/defensive mod).
- Gloves (~55% for +# Mana mod).
- Amulet (~61% for +# Mana mod, ~6% for %Mana mod).
- Rings (~50% for +# Mana mod).
- Belt (~75% for +# Mana mod).
3. Essence of Enhancement (Defense modifier)
Only good use is Energy Shield Gear (Helmets/Gloves/Boots/Body Armor).
- Energy Shield Gear (Guaranteed Energy Shield Mod, either +# to maximum Energy Shield, %increased Energy Shield or one of hybrid Energy Shield Mods).
- Belt (Guaranteed Armor).
- Rings (Guaranteed Evasion).
- Amulet (Either %increased Energy Shield/Evasion/Armor or +# to maximum Energy Shield).
- Good to use on Evasion/Energy Shield Body Armor for one of Evasion/Energy Shield Mods, as its fairly popular choice for Energy Shield based builds.
Using on Jewellery is kinda meh. Only good use is Armor. Energy Shield bases for selling good crafts, or any type if you playing SSF.
4. Essences of Flames, Ice and Electricity (Fire, Cold and Lightning Modifier)
- Wands and Staves (~57% chance to get +# to Level of Fire/Cold/Lightning Skills).
- All Armor and Belt (Guaranteed Resist).
Probably best use of all 3 elemental essences, is getting +# level to Fire/Cold/Lightning skills on Caster Weapon, or getting Resists early on Gear.
5. Essence of the Infinite (Attribute modifier)
One of better Essences, especially during current Attribute Stacking Meta.
Breach Ring (BEST USE, as Attribute Stacking is very popular, this ring can worth A LOT with good attributes).- Armor (Guaranteed Str/Dex/Int depending on type of Armor).
- Hybrid Armor (50% chance for one of two Attributes depending on type of Armor).
- Rings (~31% chance for each of Str/Dex/Int, ~6% chance for All Attributes).
- Amulet (~24% chance for each of Str/Dex/Int, ~27% chance for All Attributes).
- Belt (Guaranteed Strength).
Best use is on
Breach Ring if you on Trade League. Or any of options above if you on SSF.
6. Essence of Torment (Physical modifier)
Mostly for weapons, maybe for jewellery.
- All Martial Weapons (~70% to roll one of 3 Physical Damage modifiers, remaining ~30% is either Life or Mana Leech).
- Rings (~62% for added Physical Damage, remaining 38% either Life or Mana Leech).
Only good use is on Martial Weapons (Mace, Quarterstaff, Bow, Crossbow, and Sword, Axe, Flail in future).
7. Essence of Battle (Attack modifier)
A lot of mods have Attack tag, so in most cases its not good Essence to use, except for Amulet.
- Amulet (~14% chance to roll +# level to All Melee Skills, remaining 86% is Accuracy.)
So basically it has good use on amulet if you playing melee build, to hit +# Levels to all Melee Skills.
8. Essence of Sorcery (Caster modifier)
Same as Essence of Battle, many mods have Caster tag so it has very few uses.
- Amulet (~10% chance to roll +# to Level of all Spell Skills)
- Rings (Guaranteed Cast Speed).
9. Essence of Ruin (Chaos modifier)
Probably best overall essence. Simply because it guarantee Chaos resistance on few equipment types. And Chaos resist is really valuable mod.
Best to use on:
- Amulet and Belt (Guaranteed Chaos Resistance).
- Helmet, Boots and Gloves (Guaranteed Chaos Resistance).
- Staff and Wand (~57% chance for +# level to all Chaos skills).
Other decent uses:
- Rings (~30% chance for Chaos Resistance, or 70% chance for Chaos Damage).
- Body Armor (50/50 either Chaos Resistance or reduced Poison Duration on You).
Chaos resist is valuable mod, so making Amulet, Belt, Helmet, Boots or Gloves with guaranteed Chaos Resistance as first mod, might result in potentially good item. Especially useful in SSF.
10. Essence of Haste (Speed modifier)
- Boots (BEST USE, Guaranteed Movement Speed).
- Weapons (Guaranteed Attack/Cast Speed).
Boost is by far best usage.
That's all for now, guide will be updated in future if something changes. If you find it informative, feel free to share!