U4GM - PoE 2’s Greater Essence of the Body: Crafting Tank-Focused Defensive Gear
In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), crafting plays a crucial role in character development, especially when it comes to creating powerful defensive gear for tank builds. Among the many crafting materials available, the Greater Essence of the Body stands out as a key resource for players looking to build high-endurance characters capable of withstanding brutal encounters. This article will explore how to best utilize this essence and how it ties into the broader poe 2 currency ecosystem.
Understanding the Greater Essence of the Body
The Greater Essence of the Body is a crafting essence that guarantees a specific defensive modifier when used on gear. In PoE 2, essences are part of the currency system and provide a reliable way to target particular stats, making them valuable for players who want more control over the outcomes of their crafting attempts. When used on body armour or shields, the Greater Essence of the Body grants increased maximum life or additional flat life, essential for tank-focused builds.
These essences are especially useful in the mid to late stages of the game, where enemies hit harder and survivability becomes a key concern. By stacking high life and defensive affixes, tank builds can absorb significant damage while supporting allies or dealing sustained damage over time.
Crafting Strategies for Defensive Gear
To effectively use the Greater Essence of the Body, start by selecting an appropriate base item with naturally high defensive values—such as Armour or Hybrid Armour/Energy Shield body armour. Once you apply the essence, you'll receive the guaranteed life modifier. From there, you can use other poe 2 currency like Chaos Orbs or Exalted Orbs to further enhance the item with resistances, regeneration, or additional defensive mods.
Here are a few crafting tips:
Use the essence on high item level gear to open up access to top-tier modifiers.
Combine the essence with bench crafting to fill in missing stats.
Consider using Eldritch currency or veiled mods if you're targeting specific endgame affixes.
Where to Find the Greater Essence of the Body
You can acquire Greater Essences by encountering essence monsters throughout Wraeclast or through specific league mechanics and vendor recipes. These monsters are typically locked in ice crystals and require you to free them before combat. Once defeated, they drop essences including the Greater Essence of the Body. Trading with other players using poe 2 currency is also a viable way to get your hands on the essence if you’re having trouble finding it yourself.
The Greater Essence of the Body is an invaluable asset for players aiming to construct resilient, tanky characters in PoE 2. Its guaranteed life mod offers a strong foundation upon which to build highly durable gear. As the meta continues to evolve, investing in smart crafting and understanding the value of various poe 2 currency items like essences will be key to staying ahead in both PvE and PvP.
Whether you're preparing for ruthless boss fights or surviving deep in the endgame, crafting with the Greater Essence of the Body is a smart move for any tank-focused build.