Path of Exile

The first few days of a new Path of Exile league always bring chaos and excitement. Everyone's poor, the market's wild, and every PoE Orb you find suddenly feels valuable. But knowing which PoE Orbs to save, sell, or actually use can make a huge difference during the early grind. Smart decisions in those first hours often shape how smooth your entire league start will be.

Early on, most players burn through PoE Currency too fast. They spam Orb of Fusings on random gear or use up their Alchemy Orbs on junk items. That's a mistake. The beginning of a league is when every piece of PoE currency counts. Orbs like Jeweller's Orb, Chromatic Orb, and Orb of Fusing are better saved for key upgrades. You'll need them once you reach the first maps and start crafting serious gear. Before that point, spending them on low-level items usually leads to waste. The same goes for Gemcutter's Prisms and Regret Orbs. Hold onto them until builds settle and skills stabilize, because their value rises as the player base progresses.

Path of Exile Divine Orbs and Exalted Orbs are a different story. They're rare and always valuable, especially early when supply is almost zero. If you drop one during the first few days, don't use it. The temptation to gamble on crafting is strong, but it's rarely worth it so early. Selling high-tier PoE orbs in the opening week can fund your entire mapping setup. Even one Divine Orb can turn into enough Chaos Orbs to buy multiple gear upgrades and smooth your build for days. Keeping a small stash of premium currency for later also pays off when you start trading for specific uniques or meta bases once prices stabilize.

Chaos Orbs are the main currency during league start, and they move faster than anything else. Almost every early trade runs on Chaos. For that reason, you should focus on building a steady supply instead of burning them on minor crafts. A good strategy is to sell whatever has short-term value while demand is high. Things like 5-linked PoE items, leveling uniques, or meta skill gems can fetch great prices in the first two or three days, then drop fast once everyone reaches maps.

Converting that early loot into Chaos gives you flexibility later when real upgrades start showing up.
Some orbs seem small but are worth keeping. Chromatic Orb, for example, are essential for coloring sockets, and the price often spikes as players begin mapping. The same goes for Fusing Orbs, which can become scarce during the first week when everyone starts linking their gear. Keep a few stacks ready for yourself, but if you have extras, selling them in bulk early can bring quick profit. The goal is balance: keep what you'll realistically use and sell the rest while the market's hungry.

Using orbs early should feel deliberate, not random. Apply an Alchemy Orb only to items that have a real chance to carry you for several acts. Don't waste them on gear you'll replace ten minutes later. Save Essence crafts or quality gems until you've settled into your main skill setup. Think of every PoE orb as time saved down the line. Every bit of currency you don't waste today gives you more room to breathe when the market matures.

The value of common orbs gradually declines over time. The supply fills up, traders stock up, and players farm more. Alchemies, Fusings, and Chromatics typically lose ground to higher-tier orbs like Divine and Exalted, which typically maintain or even increase in value. Timing your sales around that curve can double your profits if you intend to trade frequently. Simply refrain from using currency on transient items if you're playing more casually, and you'll automatically stay ahead. The best mindset for early league economy is simple: stay liquid and avoid greed. Don't craft just to craft, and don't hoard for no reason. Trade when it makes sense, and always think two steps ahead. A single smart sale can fund your entire week, while one careless click can burn through hours of farming. In a world as unforgiving as Wraeclast, every orb matters, and knowing when to hold and when to sell often decides how far you'll go once the real grind begins.