In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), crafting and upgrading gear are essential parts of maximizing your character's power and preparing for the tough challenges of endgame content. One of the most useful crafting materials that players frequently rely on is Blacksmith's Whetstone. This item allows you to enhance your weapons, improving their quality and therefore, their overall performance in combat. Whether you're looking to craft an optimal weapon for your build or hoping to increase the value of a specific item to sell in the Poe 2 trade market, Blacksmith's Whetstone plays a key role in your crafting journey.
However, acquiring this coveted crafting material isn't as simple as just picking it up off the ground. In this guide, we'll break down all the ways to obtain Blacksmith's Whetstone, how to use it effectively, and some essential tips for optimizing its use in PoE 2.
What is Blacksmith's Whetstone?
Before delving into how to acquire Blacksmith's Whetstone, it's important to understand its role in the game.
In PoE 2, Blacksmith's Whetstone is used to increase the quality of weapons. When applied to a weapon, it grants a small percentage boost to the weapon's overall quality (up to 20% maximum). Weapon quality impacts the effectiveness of the weapon, adding bonuses like increased damage, attack speed, or critical strike chance, depending on the type of weapon. Increasing the quality of your weapon can significantly improve your build's damage output, especially in high-end or specialized builds.
Max Quality Increase: 20% quality can be achieved through Blacksmith's Whetstone.
Type of Items Affected: It specifically affects weapons like swords, axes, bows, and maces, and is not usable on armor.
Additionally, Blacksmith's Whetstone is an essential part of the crafting process, often used in conjunction with other materials like Chromatic Orbs or Orb of Alchemy to enhance the stats and quality of a weapon.
How to Get Blacksmith's Whetstone in PoE 2
There are several ways to obtain Blacksmith's Whetstone in PoE 2. These methods range from simple crafting rewards to random drops and trades. Below are the most reliable and effective ways to gather Blacksmith's Whetstones:
- Quest Rewards and Vendor Purchases
Vendor Purchases: In PoE 2, you can purchase Blacksmith's Whetstone from various in-game vendors. While not the primary method of obtaining them, vendors offer a small but consistent supply. These items can be bought using Alchemy Shards or Scrolls of Wisdom, depending on the vendor. Vendors that sell Blacksmith's Whetstone can be found in the major hub cities, such as Oriath or Lioneye's Watch, after completing key quests in the story.
Quest Rewards: As you progress through the game, certain quests and acts will reward you with crafting materials. While Blacksmith's Whetstone may not always be a direct quest reward, completing main or side quests often gives currency or crafting materials that can later be traded for Whetstones. Be sure to check your quest reward lists after completing major milestones.
- Drops from Monsters and Chests
Like many other valuable crafting materials in PoE 2, Blacksmith's Whetstone can drop from defeated monsters, bosses, and chests throughout the game. These drops are random, meaning you'll often find Blacksmith's Whetstone while grinding through mobs or exploring new areas.
Monster Drops: As you defeat enemies, especially in the later acts and endgame maps, Blacksmith's Whetstones have a chance of dropping. They are more common in areas where crafting materials like Orb of Fusing or Orb of Alchemy are likely to appear, including high-level boss fights and unique mobs.
Chest Loot: Blacksmith's Whetstones also occasionally appear in chests found in dungeons, temples, and other hidden areas. These chests contain various items, including valuable crafting materials. Always be on the lookout for these treasures while exploring new areas.
- Trade with Other Players
In the player-driven economy of PoE 2, trading is an incredibly valuable way to acquire crafting materials like Blacksmith's Whetstone. Some players farm Whetstones intentionally for sale, making it possible to buy them directly from others in exchange for currency or items.
Trade Market: You can search for Blacksmith's Whetstones on the in-game trade market. By using the trade interface, you can either buy them directly from other players or set up an offer for Whetstones you're looking for. This is often the most efficient way to collect Blacksmith's Whetstones if you have the currency to spare.
Bartering for Whetstones: Some players may offer Blacksmith's Whetstones as part of a barter deal. You can trade other crafting materials, rare items, or currency for the materials you need.
- Delve and Map Farming
Delve: PoE 2 introduces a deeper exploration of the Delve system, which offers players the opportunity to farm crafting materials and loot from encountering unique bosses and treasure rooms deep in the mines. During your time in the mines, you'll often come across Blacksmith's Whetstone as one of the rewards from Delve encounters.
Map Farming: As you progress to the endgame, maps are your go-to source of powerful loot, including Blacksmith's Whetstones. Running endgame maps, especially those with buy POE 2 Chaos Orbs high monster density or bonus modifiers, is an efficient way to gather Blacksmith's Whetstones. The rarity of drops increases with the level of the map, so higher-tier maps (T10 and above) will yield Blacksmith's Whetstones more frequently.