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Path of Exile 2 continues to build on the foundations of its predecessor with new systems, mechanics, and items that keep the game engaging and challenging for veteran players and newcomers alike. One of the notable additions to the loot pool in Poe 2 trade is the Artificer's Shard, a powerful crafting material that plays a significant role in upgrading and improving gear. If you're aiming to harness the full potential of your gear through crafting, understanding how to obtain this elusive item is key.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about Artificer's Shard in Path of Exile 2. From its uses to where and how you can obtain it, this guide will help you master its acquisition and make the most of it for your character's development.

What is the Artificer's Shard?

The Artificer's Shard is a crafting material introduced in Path of Exile 2. It is used primarily for high-level crafting purposes and can be applied to rare and unique items to enhance their attributes. The shard has significant importance in the game's crafting system, allowing players to:

Enhance Item Modifiers: You can use Artificer's Shard to re-roll modifiers on your gear, granting more powerful or tailored bonuses.

Upgrade Item Quality: The shard can also be utilized to improve an item's base quality, which has a direct effect on its effectiveness and performance in combat.

Custom Crafting: It allows players to perform some of the more advanced custom crafting techniques, adding a new layer of control and flexibility to the crafting system.

This item is highly sought after for endgame players who want to craft optimized gear for late-stage content or highly competitive encounters. However, obtaining it can be challenging, and this guide will explain the best methods to farm and acquire the Artificer's Shard in Path of Exile 2.

How to Obtain Artificer's Shard: Farming Methods

There are several ways to acquire Artificer's Shard in Path of Exile 2. Some methods are reliable and repeatable, while others may require some luck. Understanding each method's strengths and weaknesses will help you decide the best strategy for your needs.

1. Endgame Boss Encounters

One of the most reliable methods for obtaining Artificer's Shard is by defeating endgame bosses in Path of Exile 2. These bosses are typically found in high-level content, such as Searing Exarch, The Maven, or the Uber Elder encounters. As part of the game's progression, you will eventually face these difficult challenges, and in return for your victory, you will be rewarded with powerful loot-including Artificer's Shard.

Maven: Completing the Maven's invitation encounters can yield high-tier rewards, including Artificer's Shard as a drop. These encounters involve fighting powerful bosses from the Atlas of Worlds, and defeating them will grant you a chance to obtain the shard.

Uber Elder: Another endgame challenge that may reward you with Artificer's Shard is the Uber Elder fight. This fight is a significant step up from the regular Elder encounter, offering an array of powerful rewards, including crafting materials like the shard.

Searing Exarch: After progressing through the Endgame Atlas and unlocking these powerful bosses, Searing Exarch is another prime target for Artificer's Shard drops. Many players recommend this fight due to its high chances of rewarding useful crafting materials.

1. Delve Exploration

The Delve mechanic, where you journey into the depths of Wraeclast's mines, also offers a reliable method for acquiring Artificer's Shard. Delving into the mine layers and exploring deeper sections of the Azurite Mine can drop valuable crafting materials, including the shard. To maximize your chances:

Delve Depth: The deeper you delve, the higher the chance of encountering valuable rewards, including Artificer's Shard. Higher-tier delve areas typically drop more crafting materials as well as unique items.

Azuriite Nodes: As you explore the mine and unlock new areas, look for Azuriite Nodes that may contain shards and other valuable materials. The rewards increase with the depth of the mine you are exploring.

Delving is also an enjoyable activity for many players, as it involves building your own path through procedurally generated maps, facing off against unique bosses, and encountering a variety of Path of Exile 2 Currency for sale challenges that can drop high-level loot.