Why is an Exalted Orb worth like 18 chaos?

I don't quite understand the currency exchange rate.

It would just one property. So wouldn't you need a good item and hope its a good add on? And if it's not you just chalk it up and try again?

I mean I just got one and I'm level 46 so I don't see how it would benefit me atm. So Should I just trade the thing or hold onto it?

Confusion. Like chaos orbs.. I'd rather have an alchemy orb it seems more beneficial. Examples for a newb anyone? >_<

They're mostly used for end-game item building

First, you start with a good white item with the right sockets/links and base type
Then you transmute it to make it blue
Then you use tons of alterations and augmentations to make it have two fantastic stats (like super high HP and a resist)
Then you regal it to add one more stat and make it rare
If it's a great mod, then you use exalts to keep adding them until you either max it with great stats, or hit a horrid one
If you hit a horrid stat that makes it so bad you don't want to use it on either the regal step or any of the exalt steps, you scour the item and repeat the process

It's something you use on the very best 70+ items.

Say if you had a 5-6link piece of armor with

120% ED
120HP

30 chaos res
16 allres
40res fire


You can use an exalted to gamble an extra 400 base armor, 50%ED +200armor or get something completely useless.

Same applies for wands

>90spell damage affix
>40% element you use
>90% crit modifier
>90% crit rate
>50% mana regen

You would be gambling for a 20% cast speed mod, an extra damage mod or something dumb like +1 physical damage.

Chaos Orbs are like a Scouring and an Alch. Useful to reroll 5-6 link items which are hard to come by.

Exalted are useful if you have a very good rare item and you want to make it even better.

Damn seems for now I could trade it and gear up my stuff I have which isn't too great atm.

Although being at 46 it may be best to hold onto it. I guess that makes sense though, thanks. Feels like the system from Kingdom of Fire.. -_-

If you followed those steps and mess it up along the way, you get nothing back? Do any of the orbs reset to previous stats or just completely wipe it off?

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CultOfPersonality wrote:

If you followed those steps and mess it up along the way, you get nothing back? Do any of the orbs reset to previous stats or just completely wipe it off?

You get nothing back, total wipe each time if you use a scour to reset

Crafting is gambling - most of the time you lose, rarely you score big.

Gotchaaa. So then it'll never really lose too much value if its for end game items.

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CultOfPersonality wrote:

If you followed those steps and mess it up along the way, you get nothing back? Do any of the orbs reset to previous stats or just completely wipe it off?

No. Scouring an item removes all stats and you don't get back any of the orbs you spent on it.

Crafting the perfect item in path of exile is a nearly impossible billion dollar gamble.

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CultOfPersonality wrote:

Gotchaaa. So then it'll never really lose too much value if its for end game items.

Prices will always fluxuate, that's how free markets work.

Personally, I'm going to save mine until they release higher level content/items/mod rolls - then sell them to people who want to craft the new *best* items.