Path of Exile is a game of strategy, efficiency, and optimization, especially when it comes to currency farming. Today, we're focusing on a powerful farming method that combines Heist and Harvest mechanics, specifically utilizing the unique idol "The Crop Rotation." This strategy maximizes life force generation, making it one of the best ways to accumulate Path of Exile currency. We'll break down the best methods, modifiers, and optimal gameplay strategies for maximizing your profit while running Harvest in your maps.
Understanding The Crop Rotation Idol
The Crop Rotation idol introduces a unique mechanic where Harvest crops in your maps contain only Tier 1 plants, and harvesting crops have a chance to upgrade the tier of plants of different colors. This means that if you harvest a yellow crop, you have a chance to upgrade the tiers of blue and purple crops, and vice versa. The goal is to efficiently upgrade your crops to Tier 3 and Tier 4, where the biggest profits lie.
Currency Breakdown and Profitability
Harvest farming is all about generating and selling life force. Here's a breakdown of life force values at the time of this strategy:
• Yellow Life Force: ~15,000 per Divine Orb
• Blue Life Force: ~188,000 per Divine Orb
• Purple Life Force: ~20,000 per Divine Orb
By running this method, you can generate massive amounts of life force, such as:
• 150,000+ Yellow Life Force
• 100,000+ Blue Life Force
• 50,000+ Purple Life Force
Since yellow life force is the most valuable, you want to maximize the number of Tier 3 Yellow plants in your maps while still upgrading your blue and purple crops.
Optimal Farming Setup
To maximize the efficiency of your Harvest runs, you need the right map modifiers and Scarabs. Here's what you should aim for:
Scarabs and Idols Setup
1. Idols:
• Chance for additional Harvest (aim for more than 100%)
• Chance for crops to not wilt (prevents crops from disappearing when another is chosen)
• Increased quantity of life force
• 100% chance to contain a Sacred Grove (so no need for a Scarab)
2. Scarabs:
• Scarabs of Doubling (5 Chaos Orbs each) – Doubles the number of Harvest crops.
• Scarabs of Monster Lineage (1-2 Chaos Orbs each) – Increases monster spawns and life force drops.
• Horned Scarab of Awakening (70 Chaos Orbs, recommended for T17 maps) – Grants an imbued crafting option.
Map Selection and Modifiers
• T16 Maps (easy and fast farming)
• T17 Maps (higher risk, higher rewards)
• 8-Mod Maps (increased monster pack size and quantity)
• Chiseling Maps (for increased quantity)
• Altar Farming (run the boss first, fish for Searing Exarch/Eater of Worlds altars before Harvest)
The T17 variant is harder but much more rewarding because the map quantity and pack size are significantly higher. If you want to min-max, running T17 maps with altars is the best approach.
The Crop Rotation Process
The goal is to upgrade crops efficiently while keeping your highest-value life force. Here's the step-by-step breakdown:
1. Enter the map and locate the Sacred Grove.
2. Identify your starting point:
• Find the color with the highest number of crops.
• Start with yellow if possible (highest base value).
• If yellow is low, start with the color that has the most crops.
3.Harvest the selected crops:
• Harvesting upgrades the tier of the other colors.
• Use the Chance to Not Wilt modifier to keep crops alive longer.
4. Check for Tier 3 and Tier 4 crops:
• T1 crops drop almost nothing.
• T2 crops drop some life force.
• T3 crops are where you make the most currency.
• T4 crops spawn bosses that drop massive amounts of life force.
5. Clear all upgraded crops.
• Always prioritize harvesting the color with the most crops to upgrade others.
• When a T4 boss appears, prioritize that over upgrading.
• If you have a high Chance to Not Wilt, gamble by harvesting the highest-tier crop first.
6. Repeat until all crops are harvested.
By following this method, you can ensure you maximize the total life force gained from each run, especially focusing on yellow.
Advanced Strategies
For players looking to push the strategy further, consider the following optimizations:
1. Run T17 maps: The increased pack size and quantity significantly boost the amount of life force gained.
2. Use Altar Mods: Killing the map boss first and farming Searing Exarch/Eater of Worlds altars increases life force drops.
3. Use the 75 Chaos Orb "Gilded" Harvest Scarab: This guarantees more crops and increases your chance of hitting multiple T3 or T4 crops.
4. Invest in a strong clearing build:
• You want a build that can quickly clear the map and boss before focusing on Harvest.
• Good options include Lightning Arrow Deadeye, Tornado Shot, or Explosive Trap Saboteur.
Conclusion
This Heist-Harvest farming strategy is one of the most efficient ways to farm currency in Path of Exile. By leveraging The Crop Rotation idol, maximizing T3+ Harvest crops, and optimizing Scarabs and map mods, you can generate huge amounts of life force and convert it into Divine Orbs. Whether you're running T16s for consistency or pushing T17s for extreme profits, this method remains one of the most lucrative farming strategies in the game.
Try it out and see how much currency you can farm!
Final Tips:
• Always start with the crop that has the most clusters.
• Don't rush into T17 maps without proper gear and a strong build.
• Upgrade your crops strategically to maximize the value of each Harvest.
• Consider running with friends to split costs and increase efficiency.
Happy farming, Exiles!