Path of Exile 2 brings with it a host of new systems that deepen the already vast mechanics of the original game. One of the most intriguing and potentially game-changing additions is the Recombination system — a new way to craft, upgrade, and manipulate gear. Whether you’re a veteran of Wraeclast or new to POE 2 Currency the world of PoE, understanding how Recombination works is crucial if you want to stay competitive in both the campaign and endgame.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the Recombination system in PoE 2, including how it works, its benefits, strategies, and how to use it to your advantage for gear optimization.
What Is Recombination?
Recombination is a crafting mechanic in Path of Exile 2 that allows players to merge two items of the same base type in order to combine or "recombine" their modifiers. Unlike traditional crafting methods that depend heavily on currency orbs and RNG, Recombination adds a targeted randomness that allows for deeper gear customization with a more strategic twist.
Instead of applying individual modifiers or rerolling properties through orbs like Chaos, Exalted, or Divine, Recombination lets you fuse two items into one, selectively transferring and potentially amplifying affixes (mods) in the process.

How Recombination Works
At its core, the Recombination system is fairly straightforward, but its implications for crafting are massive. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

Step 1: Select Two Items
Both items must be of the same item type (e.g., two helmets, two bows, two rings).

They should ideally have desirable modifiers you want to preserve or combine.

Step 2: Use the Recombination Device
Found in towns or crafting hubs, the Recombination Device allows you to input your two items.

Once both items are placed, you can preview a rough probability of which mods may carry over.

Step 3: Combine
When you hit "Recombine," a new item is created, potentially keeping or mutating mods from the two inputs.

The result will retain the item type and influence, but the affixes will be a mixture based on a weighted chance.

Step 4: Evaluate and Repeat
If the result is good, great! If not, you can use it as input for another recombination, or try crafting via other methods.

Recombination is not infinite—each attempt consumes both input items.

Key Mechanics and Considerations
1. Modifier Inheritance
The system uses a weighted algorithm to determine which mods transfer to the new item. Mods with similar tags or tiers are more likely to persist.

Important Points:

Mods that appear on both items have a much higher chance of staying.

Mods from influenced items can carry over, meaning you can combine influence types strategically.

Some mods may merge into stronger versions (e.g., +50 Life + +40 Life = +80 Life mod).

2. Prefix/Suffix Limitations
Just like standard crafting, items are limited to:

3 Prefixes

3 Suffixes

This means that even if you try to combine two fully-modified rares, only a maximum of six total mods will appear on the final item.

Pro Tip: Recombine crafted rares with minimal but powerful affixes to focus the outcomes and avoid excessive clutter.

3. Item Level and Mod Tiers
The item level of the new item is based on the higher of the two inputs. This is important because item level dictates:

What mod tiers can roll

Whether certain mods are even possible

High iLvl bases are ideal for endgame recombination crafting, especially if you're targeting elite affixes.

4. Crafting Bench Synergy
You can still use bench crafts on the output item, assuming it's not full. This makes recombination a powerful prelude to more traditional crafting routes.

Best Practices for Recombination
Now that you know the mechanics, here are some strategies to make the most of Recombination in PoE 2:

1. Use “Donor” and “Target” Items
Think of one item as the base you want to enhance, and the second as a donor. For example:

Item A: High-tier Life and Resistances

Item B: Decent suffixes, but has +% Chaos Resistance you want to transfer

By recombining, your goal is to keep Item A’s stats while adding the Chaos Resist from Item B.

2. Focus on Few High-Quality Mods
Recombining items with too many different affixes dilutes the chance of getting what you want. Instead:

Use items with 1–2 strong mods each to combine and build up power.

Craft on white or blue bases first, then use recombination to expand.

3. Influence Crafting
Recombination is one of the few ways to mix different item influences, like:

Crusader + Redeemer

Hunter + Warlord

By recombining influenced items, you can attempt to combine influence-only mods into a hybrid rare that wasn’t previously possible through normal means.

4. Use Currency Wisely
While Recombination doesn't cost currency directly, you still need great items to Path of Exile 2 Currency feed into it, which may come from:

Harvest crafting

Dungeon drops

Trade

This makes it a mid-to-late game crafting option, best reserved for when you can afford to experiment or target specific affixes.