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The Orb of Chance has always been one of those “mystery box” items in Path of Exile. In PoE 2, the idea is the same, but with a twist: using it can either upgrade a normal item into a Unique… or destroy the item completely.

Because of this risk, many players are unsure when to use it, what items are worth chancing, and whether the system changed from PoE 1. Let's walk through everything step by step in simple, useful language.

What Does the Orb of Chance Do?

The Orb of Chance is a gamble-craft item. When used on a normal (white) item, one of two things happens:

1. It upgrades the item into a Unique (if that base has Unique versions).
2. It destroys the item entirely.

There is no “middle result.” It doesn't turn into a magic or rare item like in PoE 1 — it's Unique or nothing.

Restrictions: Which Items Can Be Chanced?

You can only use an Orb of Chance on:

• Normal (white) items
• Items that have at least one Unique version that is not drop-restricted
• Items that are not corrupted
• Items that are not fractured / enchanted / influenced / special-crafted

If the item has no valid Unique or only has boss-exclusive Uniques, you'll get the error:

“Item cannot increase in rarity.”

So don't worry — the game warns you before you waste the orb.

Does Item Level Matter?

Yes, but only in a simple way:

• The normal item's item level must meet the minimum requirement of the Unique you're trying to hit.

If a Unique requires ilvl 50, and your normal item is ilvl 35, the orb will always fail.

Otherwise, ilvl does not change your odds. A level 75 base does not make the chance higher.

What Are the Odds of Getting a Unique?

Genuinely? Very low.

PoE 2 uses a “Unique tier system,” meaning:

• Common Uniques = higher chance
• Mid-tier Uniques = much lower
• Rare-tier Uniques = extremely low
• Chase-tier Uniques = lottery odds

The rarer the Unique, the worse the chance. And yes, some items basically feel impossible to chance — just like PoE 1.

If your item can roll several Uniques, the chance is split among all of them.

Which Bases Are Valid? Is There a List?

There's no in-game list, but the rule is easy:

If a base item has at least one regular (non-boss) Unique version, it is valid for chancing.

Things you cannot chance:

• Items with only boss-drop Uniques
• Items with only league-restricted Uniques
• Items with no Unique versions at all

If you're unsure, the easiest test is simply using the orb. The game will block it before consuming anything.

What Happens When the Orb of Chance Fails?

If it fails, the item is destroyed.
Poof. Gone.

This is why most players don't gamble with rare or hard-to-find bases.

How to Avoid Losing Your Item

PoE 2 added special omens you can use:

Omen of Chance

Your next Orb of Chance cannot destroy the item.
So the outcome becomes:

• Either you get a Unique
• Or the item stays the same (safe)

Omen of the Ancients

Your next Orb of Chance guarantees a Unique of the same item class, but:

• You cannot target which Unique
• It must be a valid chancing target

These omens make chancing far less punishing, especially for expensive bases.

When Should You Use an Orb of Chance?

Here's the simple rule most players follow:

Good times to use it

• When the base item is cheap
• When the base has multiple mid-tier Uniques (higher chance of getting something useful)
• When you have an Omen of Chance
• When you're making cheap crafting gambles for fun or profit

Bad times to use it

• When the base item is rare or expensive
• When you're aiming for a chase-tier Unique
• When you have no safety omen and the item is difficult to replace

A lot of players only use Orbs of Chance as a hobby — not a real crafting plan.

Are They Tradeable? Are They Valuable?

Yes, Orbs of Chance are fully tradable.

In PoE 2's economy:

• They're PoE 2 low–mid value currency
• More valuable than basic orbs
• Less valuable than major crafting orbs
• Very common early, but needed often enough that players trade for them

Chance Shards also exist — combine enough shards to make a full orb.

Vendor Recipes and Extra Uses

In PoE 2, the Orb of Chance has one job:
Safe or risky upgrading into a Unique.

There are no special vendor recipes tied to it beyond shards and basic currency conversion.

Is This System Different From PoE 1?

Yes — the biggest difference is:

PoE 1:

• Upgrades normal → magic/rare/unique
• No chance of destroying the item

PoE 2:

• Upgrades normal → Unique or destroys it
• No magic or rare outcomes
• Unique tiers matter much more
• Omens provide new safety or guarantees

It's a more dramatic system but also more exciting.

Known Issues / Errors Players Encounter

Players commonly report:

• “Item cannot increase in rarity”
  → Means you can't chance this base.
• Attempting to chance corrupted items
  → Blocked entirely.
• Not meeting minimum item level for the Unique
  → Silent failure or no upgrade.

Overall, the system works consistently, but new players often misunderstand why an item is invalid.

Good Strategies for Using Orbs of Chance

Here are practical tips that real players follow:

1. Chance cheap bases that have strong mid-tier Uniques.

This gives the best value for every orb.

2. Save expensive bases until you get an Omen of Chance.

This prevents painful losses.

3. Don't try to chance top-tier Uniques.

Their odds are so low that even thousands of Orbs might not get one.

4. Use chancing as a side activity, not a main crafting method.

Think of it as a fun gamble rather than a reliable source of gear.

5. For content creators or economy players:

Chancing cheap bases can be profitable when you hit one popular Unique.
It's not consistent, but it's a nice bonus during mapping.

Summary

The Orb of Chance in PoE 2 is a high-risk, high-luck crafting currency that can upgrade a normal item into a Unique — or destroy it. Only items with valid Unique versions can be chanced, item level matters only for minimum requirements, and omens can reduce the risk or guarantee an upgrade. Chancing is usually worth doing only on cheap bases or when you have a protective omen. It's a fun side mechanic, but not a core crafting strategy.