In Path of Exile, the strategic depth of gameplay allows for numerous ways to approach endgame content, especially when it comes to maximizing currency earnings. One method that has recently garnered attention involves leveraging Inscribed Ultimatums, a mechanic introduced in Path of Exile 2 that adds a unique and lucrative twist to the game’s Ultimatum encounters.
In this article, we will dive deep into how players can utilize this mechanic efficiently for POE2 Currency farming and explore the tools, strategies, and outcomes that make this method so profitable. Drawing inspiration from personal experiences with this strategy, we will break down the setup, the mechanics behind it, and tips for success.
The Discovery
While grinding tier 17 Scarab maps, I stumbled upon an interesting synergy by accident. My idols were dropping with a 100% chance to gain an Ultimatum, which I hadn’t fully explored at that point. Running with glittering scarabs, I decided to test the mechanic out of curiosity. After all, there were many monsters in the Ultimatum encounters, and a couple of rares could be an opportunity for profitable drops.
As I began running more and more Ultimatums, I realized just how many mods could be applied to these encounters via idols, opening up new possibilities. One important mod that stood out was the 25% chance to duplicate Ultimatum rewards, so I decided to stack that with four idols for maximum benefit.
The next step was finding a way to juice up the Ultimatum encounters further. I realized that the Catalyzing Scarab, a high-tier scarab that transforms all rewards in an Ultimatum into catalysts, combined with the Scarab of Inscription, which turns these catalysts into Inscribed Ultimatums, could be a game-changer. This pair of scarabs could turn a seemingly ordinary run into something far more lucrative.
What Are Inscribed Ultimatums?
Inscribed Ultimatums are a special type of Ultimatum that gives significantly enhanced rewards, often in the form of valuable currency items. The rewards are typically boosted by a mod that duplicates items (in this case, the 25% chance to duplicate rewards via idols), making it possible to acquire higher amounts of divines, exalts, or other valuable resources.
The Inscribed Ultimatum comes with an additional risk-reward factor: the more difficult the challenge, the better the payout. This system allows players to gamble their way into potentially massive profits if they can survive the increasingly challenging waves of enemies.
The Catalyst to Inscribed Strategy
The combination of the Catalyzing Scarab and Scarab of Inscription ensures that your Ultimatum rewards are turned into Inscribed Ultimatums. This opens up the opportunity to gain high-value rewards, such as currency items, which are often more consistent and sustainable than other options like divination cards or unique items.
At this point, my goal was clear: maximize the potential of Inscribed Ultimatums by focusing on Path of Exile 2 Currency rewards, which are generally more predictable and valuable than the random chance of obtaining divination cards or unique items.
Why Currency Items?
After discussing with a friend, we concluded that currency items would likely provide the most reliable and sustainable profit. Divination cards and unique items often involve more risk, and while the potential payout is high, the rewards can be too inconsistent. Currency items, however, tend to be more stable and provide a solid foundation for currency farming.
I proceeded by adding currency-focused mods to four of my Inscribed Ultimatums. To my surprise, the results were exceptional. Running just a few maps netted me a significant amount of divines and exalted orbs, with my total profit scaling rapidly as I continued to refine the strategy.
The Profit
I initially ran four maps, and within those first few runs, I earned about 40 divines worth of loot. At first, I thought it might be some crazy luck, but after running a total of 10 maps, I had earned over 80 divines. The amount of currency and high-tier items I was receiving in the Inscribed Ultimatums was beyond what I had expected.
To get a better understanding of the process, I continued tracking my progress with a detailed spreadsheet, which included divines, exalts, and sacred orbs, as well as the time spent in each map and other notable drops. After running 50 maps, I had accumulated 296 divines, 206 exalts, and 54 anointed orbs—along with additional items such as sacred orbs and various unique drops.
Results:
- Total divines: 296
- Total exalts: 206
- Sacred orbs: 10
- Notable drops: 8 Patients, 2 Voltaxic Rifts, and 12 Divine Beauties
The total value of this run amounted to 296 divines from an investment of 102 divines, a remarkable 2.9x return on investment. This was incredibly profitable, and I hadn’t expected to see such results after only a few hours of farming.
Failures and Challenges
While the strategy proved incredibly profitable, there were some setbacks. The Ruin mod, which stacks damage each time you are hit, led to my failure of one Ultimatum. This mod is particularly dangerous, as reaching a high enough stack of Ruin results in an automatic fail of the encounter.
It’s important to note that Ruin is negated by certain defensive mechanics, such as evasion and block, so it’s essential to consider your build and defenses when planning Ultimatum runs. In the instance where I failed, I lost around four divines. However, even with this loss, the overall strategy remained highly profitable.
Maximizing Efficiency: Scarabs and Idols
Another key to success in this strategy lies in the careful selection of scarabs and idols. I used scarabs to guarantee Ultimatum encounters and boost the chances of encountering high-value mods. Scarabs such as the Scarab of Duelling, which adds a unique boss encounter like the Trial Master, can also provide additional rewards through Tainted Catalysts.
The idols I used focused on increasing the chances of defeating waves of enemies or improving my survivability in specific scenarios. For example, the Grizzly Gauntlet idol increased the number of rounds in the Ultimatum encounter, allowing me to stretch the rewards over 13 rounds. This added bonus significantly boosted the amount of loot I was able to gather, especially when paired with the duplication chances from my idols.
Inscribed Ultimatum Mechanics and Vendor Recipes
Once you run through a few Inscribed Ultimatums, it’s important to understand the vendor recipe system. You can five-to-one vendor bad Ultimatums, which allows you to turn unwanted or lower-tier Inscribed Ultimatums into potentially better versions. This added layer of flexibility helps mitigate losses from unfavorable drops and increases the overall profitability of the strategy.
For example, by selling five lower-tier Ultimatums, you can reroll and receive a higher-tier Ultimatum. This process ensures that even if you’re handed a bad version of an Inscribed Ultimatum, you have a chance to turn it into something more lucrative.
Time Investment and ROI
For those curious about the time investment, the average time spent in each map is about 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the Ultimatum modifier. Some encounters are quicker, while others require more time due to the complexity of mods. However, even with the occasional longer run, the reward-to-time ratio remains high.
By estimating around 30 to 40 divines per hour, the Inscribed Ultimatum strategy can yield excellent profits over time. While this isn’t guaranteed, the high rate of return for this method makes it one of the most profitable farming strategies in Path of Exile 2.
Final Thoughts
The Inscribed Ultimatum strategy is an incredibly lucrative and effective way to farm currency or Chaos Orbs in Path of Exile 2. By combining the right scarabs, idols, and mods, players can maximize their rewards and enjoy consistent profits from their Ultimatum encounters. Although the strategy requires careful preparation, the payoff is well worth the effort, making it an ideal approach for endgame players looking to boost their wealth efficiently.
As with any strategy in Path of Exile, RNG still plays a role in your success, but by following this method and consistently applying it, players can achieve reliable and impressive results. Whether you’re a veteran or a newer player looking to explore high-level mechanics, this Inscribed Ultimatum strategy offers an exciting and rewarding avenue for making substantial profits in Path of Exile 2.