There are four main ways to get white sockets on gear in Path of Exile (POE):
Vorici Research Bench Crafting:
Safehouse Investment: This is a reliable method, but it requires some investment. You’ll need to rank up Vorici, the master associated with the Research safehouse, to level 3.
Crafting Option: Once Vorici reaches level 3 in your Research safehouse, a new crafting option will become available. This allows you to add 1-3 white sockets to a non-unique armor or weapon piece.
Random Results: It’s important to note that this crafting option is random. While it guarantees at least one white socket, you might get more depending on luck and the item’s base number of sockets.
Vaal Orb Corruption (Risky):
Unpredictable Change: Using a Vaal Orb on an item is a risky gamble. It can potentially add white sockets, but it can also completely change the item’s properties or even destroy it.
25% Chance: The chance of getting white sockets from a Vaal Orb corruption is only 25%. This method is not recommended for valuable items unless you’re willing to accept the risk.
Temple of Atzoatl’s Altar of Corruption (Risky):
Unlocking the Room: This method requires access to the Locus of Corruption within the Temple of Atzoatl. You’ll need to upgrade the Corruption Chamber in your Temple twice to unlock this area.
Corrupting the Item: Place the item you want white sockets on in the Altar of Corruption and interact with it. Similar to Vaal Orbs, this process is random and can potentially add white sockets, change the item entirely, or destroy it.
Unique Items with Inherent White Sockets:
Specific Uniques: A few specific unique items in Path of Exile have white sockets as part of their base properties. Popular examples include Tabula Rasa (chest armor) and Skin of the Loyal (body armor).
Limited Options: While this method is reliable, you’re restricted to the specific stats and functionality of the unique item itself.
Here are some additional points to consider:
Chromatic Orbs vs. White Sockets: If you only need to change a few socket colors, using Chromatic Orbs might be a more efficient approach compared to the randomness of acquiring white sockets.
Item Value: For valuable items, using crafting benches or guaranteed methods like Vorici research is preferred to avoid the destruction risk associated with Vaal Orbs or the Temple’s Altar.
By understanding these methods and their associated risks, you can make informed decisions on how to acquire white sockets for your gear in Path of Exile.