Farming T17 maps in Path of Exile is crucial for acquiring high-level loot and progressing through the endgame. This guide will break down effective strategies to maximize your map farming efficiency, focusing on maximizing your rewards while minimizing time spent.
Understanding T17 Map Farming
Before diving into strategies, let's understand the core mechanics. T17 maps, such as the Vaal Temple, Strand, and Atoll, offer the highest chances of dropping valuable unique items, divination cards, and other high-end gear. However, simply running them repeatedly isn't the most efficient approach. Success depends on optimizing several key areas:
1. Map Quantity and Rarity
- Map Quantity: This modifier significantly increases the number of maps you'll receive as drops. Prioritize items and strategies that boost your map quantity. Consider using unique items known for their map quantity bonuses, such as Cartographer's Chisel.
- Map Rarity: This increases the chance of receiving higher-tier maps as drops. While important, it's often a secondary consideration compared to map quantity.
2. Efficient Map Clearing
- Build Optimization: Your character build is paramount. A build focused on speed and clear speed is essential for efficiently completing maps. Focus on skills and gear that allow you to quickly eliminate large groups of enemies. Consider builds that excel at Aoe (Area of effect) damage.
- Skill Selection: Choose skills that clear entire screens quickly. Avoid skills with slow animations or limited area of effect.
- Movement Skills: Effective movement is crucial. Utilize skills like Faster Attacks, Blink Arrow, or Flame Dash to navigate maps swiftly.
3. Utilizing Map Modifiers
- Understanding Modifiers: Map modifiers significantly impact the difficulty and rewards. Some modifiers increase the quantity of drops, while others increase the difficulty. Learn to identify modifiers that benefit your farming strategy.
- Altering Modifiers: Use Orb of Alteration and Orb of Augmentation to change undesirable map modifiers. Prioritize modifiers that increase quantity over those that increase rarity, unless your build can handle the increased difficulty.
Strategies for T17 Map Farming
Here are several strategies to maximize your T17 map farming:
1. The "Chaining" Method
This involves continuously running the same map repeatedly. By using Strongboxes, Chests, and other map-related sources, you'll generate a consistent supply of maps, significantly reducing downtime.
2. The "Harvest" Method
This method utilizes the Harvest crafting system. It is particularly effective at generating high-tier maps and valuable crafting components. This involves carefully planning your Harvest crafts to favor map generation and optimizing your craft selections.
3. Utilizing Unique Items and Gear
Certain unique items and gear offer significant bonuses to map quantity and rarity. Investing in these can greatly improve your farming efficiency. Research which uniques are most effective for your build and the map types you're farming.
Beyond the Grind: Additional Tips
- Guilds and Communities: Join communities and guilds focusing on map farming. They provide invaluable tips, strategies, and support.
- Watch Streams and Videos: Learn from experienced Path of Exile players by watching their streams and video guides. Observe their techniques and strategies firsthand.
- Patience and Persistence: Farming T17 maps requires patience and persistence. Don't get discouraged by slow progress, and remain consistent in your efforts.
By implementing these strategies and consistently improving your approach, you’ll significantly increase your chances of acquiring the valuable loot you're seeking from T17 maps. Remember, adapting your strategy to your build and play style is crucial for long-term success.
