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As Path of Exile’s 3.25 league draws to a close, many players are looking to maximize their gains and prepare for the upcoming league reset. Here’s an in-depth guide ranking the top six farming strategies to help you optimize your currency gains, based on extensive testing throughout the league. From simple Path of Exile currency farming to advanced loot explosions, these strategies will give you an edge whether you’re a casual player or a seasoned veteran. Each strategy has its own unique strengths and is viable depending on your build, gear, and patience.

1. Essence and Map Farming Strategy (Best Overall)

This strategy has been a consistent moneymaker, combining efficiency with high returns by focusing on maps and currency items. Here’s why it’s a top pick:

· Map Drops: By stacking map modifiers and utilizing Shrine nodes, this strategy gives players a chance at high-quantity and high-rarity map drops. This setup has proven profitable on almost every map run.

· Currency Farming: Essences and Shrines boost currency drops dramatically, so even an average run yields decent returns. In some cases, eight-mod Delirious maps or similar boosts can provide insane loot explosions.

· Reliability: Unlike some riskier setups, you’re almost guaranteed a return on every map, with steady gold and currency item drops. This strategy alone contributed over 50% of many players' profits, making it ideal for steady progression.

2. Titanic Wisp Farming Strategy (Big Hits)

This setup focuses on maximizing your chance for massive currency drops and is especially lucrative if you’re after those rare, game-changing items.

· Big Drop Potential: Many players report finding Mirrors and Divine Orbs through this strategy, making it a popular choice for those aiming to hit the jackpot.

· Investment vs. Return: Although this strategy requires moderate investment in scarabs (about 50 Chaos Orbs per map), the returns can be monumental if luck is on your side.

· Build Requirements: This setup can be challenging without a high DPS, tanky build, as Rogue Exiles and bosses are frequent. But if your character is strong enough, it can generate highly rewarding loot explosions from unique item drops.

3. Strongbox Strategy (Mid-Game Investment)

For players willing to invest in higher-level maps, the Strongbox strategy offers massive rewards, especially if you’re using high-tier maps.

· High Reward Potential: Using the Tier 17 Strongbox strategy with Scarab of Containment can yield double Divine Orbs or other rare items, especially on runs with Valors or special boxes.

· Investment Consideration: Each Tier 17 run requires a minimum investment of around 2-2.5 Divines, so this strategy is best suited for players with some starting capital.

· Consistency: If you’re running dozens of maps in succession, this strategy is statistically likely to turn a profit. However, for those with limited playtime, the returns may feel inconsistent due to the reliance on large, lucky drops.

4. Ultimatum and Legion Strategy (For Fun and Profit)

This combination strategy, while not as profitable as others on average, is incredibly enjoyable and can be highly rewarding if you’re lucky.

· Fun Factor: This setup doesn’t require an extreme build but can be enhanced with high DPS and AoE, making it a blast to farm hordes of enemies in quick succession.

· Loot Volume: By combining Ultimatum and Legion, you’re maximizing enemy count and loot drops, yielding plenty of currency and item rewards.

· Quick Pace: The Atlas skill tree notes help speed up monster spawns and make the fights shorter, which is excellent for players looking to farm efficiently. However, the returns can be unpredictable, with most drops consisting of low-tier items.

5. Gold and Unique Farming Strategy (Gold Rush)

If you find yourself constantly running out of gold, this strategy offers an easy solution while adding a few unique items to your stash.

· Gold Farming: With gold now more valuable in PoE due to the new trading system, this method lets you stock up on gold coins quickly and easily.

· Auction House Compatibility: With Path of Exile’s improved exchange system, having ample gold allows you to shop comfortably from your hideout, often saving time on manual trading.

· Uniques for Dust: This setup generates a steady stream of uniques that can be disenchanted for dust, a valuable resource for mapers. However, this strategy works best for lower-level Tier 16 maps, so it’s a great mid-game option.

6. Blight Farming Strategy (Risky, But Rewarding)

Blight farming can yield tremendous rewards but requires a top-tier build due to the risk factor.

· High Yield on Blight Maps: Blighted maps often yield Divines and valuable oils. When lucky, you can experience loot explosions that deliver several Divines worth of value in a single run.

· Build Requirements: This strategy demands a strong character capable of withstanding numerous high-level Blight bosses. Even well-geared builds may struggle due to the map density and enemy damage output.

· Risk Factor: Blight maps are notorious for their Rippy nature, meaning the risk of death and item loss is significant. Additionally, the high number of enemies may crash lower-end PCs due to the volume of particles and projectiles on-screen. However, for players with a powerful build and PC, this strategy can be very rewarding.

Tips for Optimizing Each Strategy

1. Consider Your Build: These strategies range in difficulty, so ensure your build can handle the map tier and enemy density. For example, Blight and Strongbox farming require tanky, high-DPS builds, while Gold and Unique farming can be managed with mid-level builds.

2. Utilize Scarabs Wisely: Scarabs, especially for Strongbox and Blight farming, can make a massive difference in loot returns. However, avoid overspending on scarabs unless you’re sure your build can handle the investment.

3. Invest in the Atlas Skill Tree: The Atlas skill tree offers nodes that boost your returns, especially for strategies that focus on specific map types or events like Ultimatum and Blight. Pick nodes that align with your chosen farming strategy for the best returns.

4. Check Your PC Specs: Blight maps and Ultimatum events can overwhelm lower-end computers. If your PC is struggling, consider dialing back enemy density or sticking to lower-tier maps to prevent overheating or crashing.

5. Experiment with Lower Tiers: If you’re hesitant to sink currency into Tier 17 maps for Strongbox or Blight farming, start with Tier 16 maps. While lower-tier maps won’t yield as many high-value items, they require a smaller investment and can be profitable when managed correctly.

6. Monitor the Economy: Prices fluctuate frequently, so keep an eye on the current cost of scarabs, currency items, and uniques. Strategies like Strongbox and Titanic Wisp farming are especially affected by the cost of scarabs and map modifiers.

7. Track Your Profitability: Record your runs to determine your profitability. Some strategies like Ultimatum and Legion farming may yield higher returns over many runs, while strategies like Blight farming can swing wildly from run to run.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a Path of Exile veteran or a new player looking to maximize your end-league earnings, these strategies offer something for everyone. The top spot goes to the Essence and Map Farming strategy for its consistency and reliable returns, while the more risk-oriented Blight and Strongbox strategies can yield fantastic rewards for those with the right gear and patience. Remember, PoE is all about experimentation and adapting strategies to fit your playstyle, so try each of these methods to find the perfect farming setup for your character and budget.

Good luck, Exiles, and may your maps be ever profitable!