Orb of Fusing: Linking Your Gear Sockets in Path of Exile 2

If you've ever spent hours in Path of Exile 2 tinkering with your equipment and praying for the right sockets to plug in, you'll be familiar with the Orb of Fusing. It's the little currency item that can make or break your build - and your patience. In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about using Orbs of Fusing to connect your gear sockets. From how they work to pro tips on how to get that sweet six link, we've got you covered. And if you're running low on orbs, we'll point you in the direction of Flarejoy for some handy Path of Exile 2 supplies to keep your grind going strong.

What is an Orb of Fusion, anyway?

In Path of Exile 2, the Orb of Fusing is your tool for connecting sockets on weapons and armour. Sockets are those little slots where you plug in skill and support gems to power up your character. The Orb of Fusing allows you to re-roll the connections between them, turning separate sockets into a linked chain. It's simple in theory: right-click on the orb, left-click on your gear, and let the RNG do its thing.

But here's the kicker - it's a total dice roll. One try could give you a perfect five-link, while the next dozen could leave you with nothing but unlinked sockets and a growing sense of despair. That's why understanding how to use it wisely is key.

Why socket linking is a big deal

Socket linking isn't just some fancy equipment trick - it's the backbone of your character's power in Path of Exile 2. Linking sockets allows you to pair active skill gems with support gems, amplifying their effects. The more sockets you link, the more support gems you can attach, and the more powerful your skills become.

Imagine this: you've got a Lightning Strike skill gem. Link it to a chain support gem and suddenly your bolts are bouncing between enemies like an electric pinball machine. Add a third link with increased critical damage and you're frying mobs left and right. That's the magic of socket linking. But to make it happen, you need to connect the sockets, and that's where the Orb of Fusing comes in.

How to use Orbs of Fusing like a pro

Using an Orb of Fusing is simple, but getting the results you want takes a bit of strategy. Here's how to maximise your chances:

Quality matters: Before you start fusing, increase the quality of your item. Each 1% increase in quality increases your linking odds by 1%. So a 20% quality item will give you a 20% better chance. Grab some armourer's scraps for armour or blacksmith's whetstones for weapons and get that quality up to 20% or higher.

Max out your sockets first: Don't waste orbs on an item with less than maximum sockets. For most high-end equipment, that's six. Use Jeweller's Orbs to add sockets until you've reached the cap.

Brace yourself for the grind: Connecting two or three sockets is no problem, but four, five or six? That's where the real test begins. A six-link has about a 0.1% chance per attempt - 1 in 1000, if the player's arithmetic is correct. You could burn through hundreds of orbs before the stars align.

If you're tired of rolling the dice, the Crafting Bench offers a guaranteed six-link... for a brutal 1500 orbs of fusing. It's steep, but it's there if you've got the cash to spare.

The Pain of Chasing Five and Six Links

Let's not sugarcoat it - linking five or six sockets is hard. Here's what you're up against:

Five links: Not as rare as six, but still a challenge. Expect to use dozens of orbs, maybe more if luck is not on your side.

Six Links: The holy grail. With odds of around 1 in 1000 per attempt, some players hit it quickly, while others are still fusing after 2000 orbs. It's a grind that will test your resolve.

The trick? Set a limit. Decide how many orbs you're willing to spend before you give up and explore other options. Trust me, it's better than watching your currency disappear into thin air.

Other ways to get Linked Gear

Not a fan of the RNG? You've got options:

Trade up: If you're in a trade league, hit the market. Other players will sell pre-linked gear, often at a fraction of the frustration cost.

Grab a Tabula Rasa: This unique chest piece comes with six linked sockets. No stats, sure, but it's a lifesaver for leveling or builds that don't need heavy gear bonuses.

Vendor Recipes: Got a six-link you don't need? Sell it to a vendor for 20 Orbs of Fusing. It's a great way to recycle unwanted drops.

Mistakes that will cost you orbs (and your sanity)

Before you dive in, avoid these beginner traps:

Skipping sockets: Always max out your sockets first with Jeweller's Orbs. Linking a four-socket item when it could have six is just throwing orbs away.

Ignoring quality: Don't fuse until you've increased the quality of your item. That 20% boost isn't optional - it's a game-changer.

Fusing damaged equipment: Regular fusing orbs won't touch corrupted items. You need Tainted Orbs of Fusing, and they're a different beast altogether.

No budget: It's tempting to keep going "just one more time", but set a limit on how many orbs you use. The RNG doesn't care about your hopes and dreams.

Farming Fusing Orbs: Tips for keeping your supply full

Running low on orbs? Here's how to farm more:

Map it out: Orbs of Fusing drop from monsters and chests on maps. Higher levels mean better loot, so push those map levels.

Vendor six socket junk: Each six-socket item will give you seven Jewellery Orbs from a vendor. Trade four of these for an Orb of Fusion from the correct NPC.

Trade smart: Use trade leagues to exchange Chaos Orbs or other currencies for Fusing Orbs. It's quick when you have the goods.

Recipes for profit: Sell a six-linked item to a vendor for 20 Orbs of Fusing. Keep an eye out for matching drops.

Level up with Flarejoy

Here's the thing: hunting for socket links can quickly drain your orb supply. That's where Flarejoy comes in. They've got a killer range of Path of Exile 2 products, including currency packs full of Fusing Orbs. Whether you're one orb away from a six-link or just starting your build, Flarejoy has you covered - fast delivery, fair prices and all the POE2 goodies you need to dominate Wraeclast.

Wrap up: Fuse smart, win big

The Orb of Fusing is your key to unlocking the full potential of Path of Exile 2. It's a wild ride of luck and strategy, but with the right approach - boosting quality, setting limits, and knowing your alternatives - you'll get those sockets connected and your build humming. And when the grind gets you down, stop by Flarejoy to stock up and keep the adventure alive.

Happy fusing, Exile!