The Orb of Annulment in both Path of Exile (PoE) and Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2) functions fundamentally the same way: it removes one random modifier from a magic or rare item without allowing the player to choose which modifier is removed. This core mechanic—removing a random affix with the risk of losing a valuable stat—is consistent between the two games, preserving the Orb of Annulment’s high-risk, high-reward nature in crafting.

Functionality: It still removes a single random prefix or suffix from a magic or rare item when applied.

Target Items: It can only be used on magic or rare items, not on normal or unique items.

Gameplay Role: It remains a critical tool in crafting for removing unwanted stats and refining gear, albeit with inherent risk.

Risk Factor: There is no control over which modifier is removed, keeping the gamble and chance element intact.

Strategic Use: Players use it on items with multiple mods where removing one bad affix can meaningfully improve the item.

However, the key differences that may affect how players experience the Orb of Annulment in PoE 2 include:

No Vendor Recipes: Unlike PoE, PoE 2 currently does not have vendor recipes to craft Orbs of Annulment from other items, making the orb somewhat rarer and more dependent on chance drops and trading. Players often look to the market or websites to find poe 2 currency for sale to keep a steady crafting supply.

Crafting Economy and Meta: PoE 2 is evolving its crafting systems, and potential new crafting mechanics may change the orb’s prominence or usage frequency.

Drop Rates and Farming: The orb can be farmed mainly from monster drops, high-level maps, and bosses, similar to PoE but with potentially different drop dynamics based on PoE 2’s content and economy. Some players even turn to cheap poe 2 currency from trades to secure multiple Orbs for crafting.

Additional Crafting Mechanics: PoE 2 introduces new mechanics like Omens that can influence or mitigate the risks associated with using Orbs of Annulment, providing additional strategic layers not present in the original game.

The Orb of Annulment retains its familiar function and role as a risky but essential crafting currency between PoE and PoE 2. The random removal of a single mod and its use on magic or rare items remain unchanged essentials of its identity. Changes mostly pertain to how players acquire it and interact with it within PoE 2’s evolving crafting framework, which may alter its availability and strategic value but not its fundamental mechanics.

Players transitioning from PoE to PoE 2 will find the Orb of Annulment behavior very familiar, though with fewer acquisition options and potentially modified crafting strategies due to the new systems in PoE 2.