How to Upgrade Weapons and Armor in Path of Exile 2
- Ray Kasen
- Feb 9
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 11
As you dive into the world of Path of Exile 2, you’ll often find yourself wondering if the gear you’ve picked up can be improved. Upgrading the quality of your weapons and armor is a key part of optimizing your build, but as a beginner, you might not know where to start. Don’t worry—this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about upgrading your gear in PoE 2!

Currency for Upgrading Gear
In Path of Exile 2, there are three main types of currency used to improve the quality of your items:
Armourer’s Scraps: Used to upgrade the quality of armor pieces, including helmets, body armor, gloves, boots, shields, and caster focuses.
Blacksmith’s Whetstones: Specifically designed to improve the quality of martial weapons like maces, bows, crossbows, and quarterstaves.
Arcanist’s Etchers: Used to enhance the quality of spellcasting weapons such as wands, sceptres, and staves.
Each of these currencies can increase an item’s quality up to a maximum of 20%.

How to Upgrade Weapons and Armor
Upgrading your gear is a straightforward process:
Select the Item: Choose a piece of gear you want to upgrade.
Use the Currency: Right-click the appropriate currency (Armourer’s Scraps, Blacksmith’s Whetstones, or Arcanist’s Etchers) and then left-click the item.
Check the Quality: The game will highlight items that can still be upgraded. If an item isn’t highlighted, it either already has 20% quality or is corrupted (and thus cannot be upgraded).
Pro Tip: While you can upgrade any item, it’s best to save your currency for rare or unique gear that you’ll use in the endgame.
Why Upgrade Your Gear?
Improving the quality of your weapons and armor provides a 20% boost to their base stats. For example:
Upgrading evasion-based body armor increases its evasion rating by 20%.
Enhancing a weapon’s quality boosts its damage output.
This makes upgrading a crucial step in maximizing your character’s effectiveness.
Tips for Efficient Upgrading
1. Unlock the Salvage Bench
To obtain Armourer’s Scraps, Blacksmith’s Whetstones, and Arcanist’s Etchers, you’ll need access to the Salvage Bench. Here’s how to unlock it:
Complete the “Finding the Forge” quest from Renly in Act 1.
Search the burning buildings in Ogham Village to retrieve Renly’s Tools.
Return to Renly, and he’ll set up the Salvage Bench in town.
Once unlocked, you can salvage items with quality to obtain upgrade currencies. For example:
Salvaging martial weapons with quality yields Blacksmith’s Whetstones.
Salvaging armor pieces with quality gives Armourer’s Scraps.
2. Interact with Vendors
Vendors can be a great source of items for salvaging. Here’s how to make the most of them:
Search for items with the keyword “quality” in the vendor’s shop.
Purchase these items and salvage them at the Salvage Bench to obtain upgrade currencies.
3. Look for “Superior” Items
Items with the “Superior” prefix have quality above 0% and can be salvaged for upgrade currencies. Always pick these up during your adventures!
4. Buy and Upgrade Gear from Vendors
Vendors occasionally sell rare items that are just a few upgrades away from being excellent. Use your upgrade currencies to enhance these items and make them endgame-ready.
5. Purchase a Currency Stash Tab
As you progress, you’ll accumulate a lot of upgrade currencies. The Currency Stash Tab is a premium storage solution that keeps your currencies organized. While it requires real money to purchase, it’s a one-time investment that will save you a lot of hassle in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your weapons and armor in Path of Exile 2 is a simple yet impactful way to boost your character’s power. By using Armourer’s Scraps, Blacksmith’s Whetstones, and Arcanist’s Etchers wisely, you can ensure your gear is ready for the challenges ahead. Don’t forget to unlock the Salvage Bench, interact with vendors, and keep an eye out for “Superior” items to maintain a steady supply of upgrade currencies.
With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of gear optimization in PoE 2. Happy upgrading, exile!