Fossil crafting in Path of Exile offers a unique and powerful way to manipulate the modifiers on your gear, allowing you to target specific properties and craft valuable items. Here’s a comprehensive guide to unleashing the full potential of this exciting mechanic:
Understanding Fossils:
Fossil Types: Each fossil has a specific set of "weighting tags" that influence the types of modifiers that can roll on an item when used in a resonator. Some examples include Jagged Fossil (physical tags), Prismatic Lacewing (gem modifiers), and Metallic Fossil (no physical tags).
Fossil Combinations: Fossils can be combined in a resonator to create a unique weighting pool for modifier rolls. Mixing and matching fossils allows you to target specific combinations of desired and undesired mods.
Fossil Tiers: Fossils come in tiers (regular, sanctified, faceted, fractured). Higher tiers often have stronger weighting effects and additional crafting options.
Crafting Process:
Gather Fossils: Identify the desired set of modifiers you want to craft and select the appropriate fossils based on their weighting tags. Consider using tools like PoEDB or Path of Building to plan your fossil combinations.
Prepare your Resonator: Choose a resonator with the desired number of sockets (1-4) based on the number of fossils you want to use.
Socket the Fossils: Place the chosen fossils in the resonator sockets. Remember, overlapping sockets combine their weighting effects.
Use the Resonator: Right-click the resonator on the item you want to craft, applying the combined weighting effects to the next modifier roll(s).
Advanced Techniques:
Blocking Modifiers: Certain fossils can completely block specific modifier tags from rolling on the item. This allows you to focus on desired rolls and avoid unwanted outcomes.
Adding Specific Modifiers: Fossils like Sanctified Fossils have a chance to directly add powerful modifiers to the item, bypassing the regular roll pool.
Fractured Fossils: These unique fossils create a split copy of the item, allowing you to experiment with different fossil combinations without risking the original.
Tips and Tricks:
Start Small: Experiment with fossil crafting on cheap items before moving on to valuable gear.
Research and Plan: Carefully plan your fossil combinations based on the desired mods and understand the potential risks of conflicting tags.
Utilize Resources: Online tools like PoEDB, Path of Building, and community forums offer valuable information and crafting guides.
Embrace the RNG: Fossil crafting is inherently probabilistic. Be prepared for some successful rolls and some unexpected outcomes.
Remember: Fossil crafting is a powerful tool, but it requires knowledge, planning, and sometimes a bit of luck. By understanding the mechanics, experimenting strategically, and embracing the element of chance, you can unlock the full potential of this exciting crafting method and create powerful custom gear in Path of Exile.