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Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) offers players a wealth of customization options for their gear, and one of the most exciting features is the ability to enhance your jewelry with Catalysts. Catalysts are special items in PoE 2 that can be used to upgrade the quality of rings, amulets, and belts, boosting their effectiveness and providing unique bonuses. If you’re looking to enhance your jewelry in PoE 2, this guide will help you understand how Catalysts work and how you can use them to improve your gear.

What Are Catalysts in PoE 2?

Catalysts are a special category of consumable items in PoE 2. These items can be applied to your jewelry to improve its quality, which in turn boosts its stats. Unlike traditional currency items, Catalysts don't modify the actual affixes on your jewelry. Instead, they increase the base quality of the item, leading to enhanced benefits from its modifiers. Each Catalyst is associated with a different type of jewelry enhancement, focusing on specific attributes such as increased damage, life, resistances, or other defensive stats.

Types of Catalysts

There are various types of Catalysts in PoE 2, each designed to improve different aspects of your jewelry. Here’s a breakdown of the main types you’ll encounter:

1. Pristine Catalyst – This Catalyst is primarily used to improve jewelry that grants bonuses to life and life regeneration. If you’re focusing on survivability or building a life-based character, Pristine Catalysts are an essential tool.

2. Aurora Catalyst – This Catalyst improves jewelry with resistance bonuses. If your build requires specific resistances (like Fire, Cold, or Lightning), using Aurora Catalysts can help boost these stats and make your character more durable.

3. Corruption Catalyst – The Corruption Catalyst improves the overall damage output on your jewelry. For damage-focused builds, this is an essential Catalyst to increase your total damage potential.

4. Sacred Catalyst – Known for enhancing defense-based jewelry, the Sacred Catalyst boosts armor and energy shield modifiers on your rings and amulets, making it a crucial tool for tanky builds.

5. Divine Catalyst – This Catalyst focuses on improving other aspects of jewelry, such as energy shield or mana regeneration. It’s ideal for builds that focus on energy shield and mana sustain.

How to Use Catalysts

Using Catalysts is relatively simple, but it’s essential to approach it strategically. Here’s how you can use them effectively:

1. Choose the Right Catalyst – Before applying a Catalyst, you need to determine which one will benefit your build the most. For example, if you need more life or energy shield, choose the Catalyst that enhances those stats. If your build requires specific resistances or damage boosts, pick the corresponding Catalyst.

2. Apply the Catalyst – Once you’ve chosen the right Catalyst, go to your jewelry and open the “Crafting Bench.” From there, you’ll be able to apply the Catalyst to your ring, amulet, or belt. Keep in mind that applying a Catalyst will increase the item’s quality, but it may not always result in a significant improvement if the base stats of the jewelry are already weak.

3. Consider Your PoE 2 Currency – Catalysts are an investment in your build, and like many PoE 2 enhancements, they can require significant amounts of PoE 2 currency. Depending on the rarity and type of Catalyst, the price may fluctuate, so make sure you have enough currency to afford the upgrades you need.

4. Maximize Catalyst Usage – You can combine Catalysts to enhance multiple pieces of jewelry at once. If you’re working with several rings or amulets, experiment with different combinations of Catalysts to achieve the ideal balance of stats.

Important Considerations

While Catalysts are an excellent way to improve your jewelry, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Quality Cap – Every piece of jewelry has a maximum quality cap. Applying too many Catalysts might not give you further improvements once you hit that cap, so it’s important to keep track of the quality levels.

• Costs of Catalysts – Catalysts may vary in price based on their rarity and the specific attributes they enhance. Keep an eye on the PoE 2 currency market to ensure that you’re getting the best value for your investment.

• Choosing the Right Jewelry – Some jewelry pieces may benefit more from Catalysts than others, so be strategic about which pieces you’re enhancing. Focus on the jewelry that aligns with your build’s strengths.

Using Catalysts for jewelry enhancements in PoE 2 is a powerful tool to elevate your build and gain an edge over other players. Whether you're focused on survivability, damage, or specific resistances, applying the right Catalyst can provide significant benefits. Keep in mind the costs associated with enhancing your jewelry and consider how these upgrades can complement your overall build strategy. With the right planning, you can make the most of Catalysts and take your character to new heights in PoE 2.

For more tips on how to succeed in PoE 2 and how to manage your PoE 2 currency, keep exploring guides and strategies to enhance your gameplay.