With the launch of Path of Exile 2: Dawn of the Hunt just around the corner, players are gearing up for a fresh economy, a new meta, and, most importantly—an opportunity to build wealth from scratch. Every new league in Path of Exile resets the economy, creating a gold rush of opportunity for players who plan and execute smart farming strategies from day one.

In Dawn of the Hunt, the Atlas tree and mapping system are more important than ever. Choosing the right mechanics, farming methods, and currency strategies will determine whether you're poor and struggling to upgrade gear—or swimming in Divine Orbs within a few days of the league launch.

This guide will walk you through the fastest ways to generate currency, the most efficient Atlas tree pathing, and the mechanics that yield the best returns in the early days of the league.

1. Speedrunning the Campaign: The Foundation of Progress

Before you can dominate maps, you need to get through the campaign quickly. The first few hours of a new league are crucial—delays during the campaign mean falling behind the economic curve.

Why Fast Leveling Matters

Early access to maps allows you to start interacting with high-value league mechanics, farm new bosses, and access the Atlas passive tree. It also gives you the chance to profit from high prices on early uniques, crafting bases, and even simple currency like Chaos Orbs and Essences, which spike in value in the first 48 hours.

Speed Leveling Tips

• Choose a fast build: Builds with great mobility and AoE clear (e.g., Spark, Toxic Rain, Lightning Arrow, or Explosive Trap) are ideal for campaign speedrunning.

• Pick up movement speed early: Equip boots with movement speed, use Onslaught-granting gear like Thrill Steel Helmets, and prioritize passive tree nodes that boost travel speed.

• Adapt to loot: If you find a powerful unique (e.g., a +1 gem wand or high-damage two-hander), consider switching builds to make the most of it.

• Push to Act 6 ASAP: Level 65 is the general target for efficient mapping, and you should aim to reach this as fast as possible without unnecessary backtracking or detours.

2. Mapping for Currency: How to Sustain and Scale

Once you've finished the campaign, the real currency farming begins. Your first goal in maps is to sustain map drops, unlock Atlas passives, and begin scaling mechanics that generate a consistent profit.

Atlas Tree for Map Sustain

Start with nodes that ensure a healthy flow of maps and Waystones. This guarantees continued progression and allows you to avoid wasting time grinding low-tier maps.

Key early nodes include:

• Constant Crossroads: +20% increased quantity of Waystones found.

• Fortunate Path: +100% increased rarity of Waystones.

• High Road: 20% chance for Waystones to be a tier higher.

These nodes help you climb the Atlas faster, giving access to high-tier maps, which are where currency generation truly begins.

Efficient Map Running Tips

• Run maps 3 levels above your character: This increases experience gain and map drop quality.

• Speed over full clears: Fully clearing maps is inefficient. Focus on completing objectives and bosses quickly.

• Unlock Atlas passive points early: The faster you complete new maps and objectives, the quicker your farming potential scales.

3. Best Atlas Tree Mechanics for Currency Farming

Mapping without a plan leads to burnout and poor profits. Instead, target specific league mechanics that have been tested and proven to generate massive returns, especially early in a new league.

Below are the most efficient mechanics to invest in during Dawn of the Hunt:

Trial of Chaos Farming

This mechanic remains one of the best early league strategies due to its ability to produce Soul Cores—high-value crafting items that can sell for multiple Divine Orbs.

• Focus on farming Soul Core of Aszkapa, which often sells for 2–5 Divines early in the league.

• Guaranteed profitability when combined with Ultimatum Fragments.

• Runs only take 12–15 minutes, and profits can hit 3–6 Divines per hour with an optimized setup.

Atlas Nodes to Prioritize:

• Chaos Theory

• Essence of Madness (for synergy)

• Soul Exchange (increased Soul Core yield)

Breach Farming

Breach is back in a major way for PoE 2. Stacking Breaches with quantity modifiers can yield massive amounts of splinters, valuable uniques, and even Chayula Breachstones early on.

• Best with Frantic Invasion and Rising Py Atlas nodes.

• Stack multiple breaches per map using Scarabs and Sextants.

• Consider maps with “Area contains 2 additional Breaches” and use a dedicated Breach farming Atlas cluster.

Divine Yield: Expect 2–4 Divines/hour with juiced maps and optimized pathing.

Ritual Farming

Ritual is great for targeted reward farming. Invest in Ritual nodes that increase Tribute, item rerolls, and reward choices.

• Audience with the King and omen drops can generate massive value.

• Great for farming bases, scarabs, and high-end uniques.

• Use Scarabs and map devices to guarantee Ritual encounters.

Ideal for players who enjoy deterministic loot with low RNG variance.

Citadel Fragment Farming

This strategy focuses on Copper Citadels, which drop fragments used for boss fights and crafting recipes.

• Use Atlas nodes that boost waystone drop chances and boss fragment multipliers.

• These fragments are in high demand early league when players are rushing bosses and unlocking endgame content.

Profits range from 2–5 Divines per hour, with the bonus of increasing boss-fighting opportunities.

Expedition Farming

Expedition is a classic currency farm and remains viable in Dawn of the Hunt.

• Requires a small upfront investment in map mods and Scarabs.

• Yields logbooks, Explosive Remnants, and currency shards.

• Not as consistent as other methods, but a single good drop can be worth 5–10 Divines.

Invest in Atlas passives like:

• Ancient Writings

• Unearthed Secrets

• Explosive Archaeology

Delirium Mapping

Still strong, but more RNG-heavy.

• Look for maps with Mirror of Delirium spawns.

• Stack with Scarabs and fog duration passives.

• Best used in linear maps like Tropical Island or Strand.

Average returns are slightly lower than Breach or Chaos, but still solid.

Essence Farming

Essences are great for crafting early gear, but less profitable overall.

• Only invest in Essence nodes if you're combining them with other mechanics.

• Good for self-sustain, not for bulk currency profit.

Gamble Farming (Vaal Orbs, Chance Orbs)

• High-risk, high-reward strategy.

• Best for advanced players who can identify gambling bases and understand value.

Not recommended for beginners or early league unless you're extremely confident.

Crafting and Flipping

• Identify valuable item bases (like +1 skill gems bows, fractured items).

• Craft and sell for massive markups.

• Requires market knowledge, but is one of the most lucrative strategies.

In the early league, even basic crafts can be profitable due to high demand.

Party Play Mapping

• Running in groups speeds up maps, increases drops, and improves bossing efficiency.

• Best for social players who can coordinate mechanics.

Selling Boss Carries & Trial of Sekchas

• Many players pay well for ascendancy trials and boss carries early in the league.

• These services drop off in value later but are fantastic day 1–3 strategies.

4. Avoid These Traps: Strategies That Waste Time

Mapping Without a Plan

• Avoid random map running. Always target a mechanic, even if it's something simple like Ritual or Breach.

• Random maps lead to burnout, low income, and missed opportunities.

Trial of Sekchas Farming

• Extremely RNG-dependent.

• Requires long setups and often yields nothing.

• Not recommended for players looking for consistent returns.

5. Currency Management Tips: Don't Just Make It—Grow It

Making currency is only half the equation—keeping and growing it is what makes players rich in PoE.

Convert Small Currency into Divines Early

• Don't sit on thousands of Orbs of Alchemy, Regret, or Alteration.

• Use vendors, TFT (if applicable), or trade sites to convert to Divine Orbs, which are the backbone of trade.

Flip for Profit

• Buy undervalued items during peak mapping hours.

• Resell during slower hours or on weekend trade spikes.

Sell Fast, Not High

• Early league, fast turnover is king.

• Underpricing an item by 5–10% often results in quicker profits and faster reinvestment.

Conclusion

With the Dawn of the Hunt league upon us, players who come prepared with a plan will dominate both the economy and the game. Whether you're speedrunning the campaign, optimizing your Atlas for Breach and Trial of Chaos, or flipping gear for big profits—every moment you spend efficiently farming and managing Path Of Exile 2 Currency compounds into future wealth.