The Reforging Bench is an essential crafting tool in Path of Exile 2, replacing the original three-to-one vendor recipe from the first game. This powerful bench allows players to reroll, combine, or upgrade items to improve their builds and gear progression. However, unlocking and mastering its mechanics requires some effort. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you unlock and maximize the potential of the Reforging Bench.

How to Unlock the Reforging Bench

The Reforging Bench becomes accessible during Act 3 of the Campaign. To unlock it, follow these steps:

1. Complete the "Treasures of Utzaal" QuestTravel to The Drowned City, where you’ll find The Molten Vault. This area is home to the boss, Mektul, the Forgemaster.
2. Prepare for the EncounterMektul is a challenging boss, especially for newer players. Here are some tips for a smoother fight:
3. Capped Fire Resistance: Reducing fire damage is crucial.
4. 1,500+ HP and Defensive Layers: Use Evasion or other mitigation strategies.
5. High DPS and Crowd Control: Mektul’s fight is on a four-minute timer, so burst damage and CC (Freeze, Shock) can make a big difference.
6. Defeat Mektul, the ForgemasterAvoid the lava pools, dodge projectiles, and focus on strategic damage. Once defeated, Mektul will drop the Hammer of Kamasa.
7. Deliver the Hammer of KamasaBring the hammer to Oswald at the Ziggurat Encampment. In return, you’ll unlock the Reforging Bench, receive a small amount of Gold, and gain an Uncut Skill Gem.

After completing this quest, the Reforging Bench becomes available in every town and your hideout. It is highly recommended to unlock it early, especially for players in Solo Self-Found (SSF) mode, as it significantly improves crafting flexibility.

How to Use the Reforging Bench

The Reforging Bench replaces the old vendor recipe system, allowing you to combine three items of the same type to create a new one. Here are some important rules and tips for using it:

General Rules

• Same Rarity: Items must share the same rarity (e.g., all Rare).
• Same Type: Items must be of the same type (e.g., three Crossbows or three Catalysts).
• Uncorrupted: Corrupted items cannot be reforged.
• Item Level: The resulting item will take the lowest item level of the three combined. Avoid using items with large level gaps to ensure better crafting outcomes.

Crafting Options with the Reforging Bench

Rerolling Flasks and Gear

• Save poorly rolled flasks, gear, or consumables. Once you have three of the same item type, reforge them to get better stats or combinations.

Rerolling Essences

• Combine three similar Essences to get a random Essence. Occasionally, you may obtain a Greater Essence, though this has a low chance (<1%).

Rerolling Catalysts

• Reforge three of the same Catalyst to create a new, random Catalyst. This is useful for SSF players with excess Catalysts.

Rerolling Precursor Tablets

• Combine three Magic rarity Precursor Tablets to get a new one. This can optimize farming strategies and unlock better map layouts for endgame content.

Rerolling Relics

• Combine three identical Relics to reroll their values. This is especially useful for optimizing stats for endgame content like the Trial of Ascendancy.

Rerolling Runes

• Combine three identical Runes to get a new one, offering the chance to obtain rare and valuable effects such as additional Elemental Resistances or Max HP.

Upgrading Distilled Emotions

• Combine three of the same Distilled Emotion to upgrade it to the next tier. Examples of Distilled Emotions include:Distilled Despair, Distilled Isolation, Distilled Greed
• Higher-tier Distilled Emotions are critical for crafting and anointing key items like Amulets and Waystones.

Upgrading Waystones

• Combine three Waystones of the same tier and rarity to obtain a Waystone one tier higher. This is a valuable strategy for completing your Atlas and sustaining map progression.

Rerolling Affixes on Uniques

• Combine three identical Uniques to obtain an unidentified version with rerolled affixes. This is a cost-effective way to improve low-roll Uniques like Ventor’s Gamble.

Rerolling Soul Cores

• Combine three similar Soul Cores to get a new one. Rare Soul Cores are highly sought after in the Trade League and can be profitable to craft.

Why the Reforging Bench Is Essential

The Reforging Bench is a versatile tool for crafting and upgrading, making it an indispensable part of Path of Exile 2. It allows players to:

• Fix poorly rolled items.
• Upgrade consumables and equipment.
• Optimize gear for endgame builds.

Whether you're playing SSF or in a Trade League, the bench helps streamline crafting and progression, giving you the edge needed to conquer Path of Exile 2’s most challenging content. Unlock it as soon as possible and start experimenting.