Path of Exile 2 players are constantly on the lookout for lucrative farming strategies to maximize their currency earnings. One of the most debated methods currently is farming the Trial Master, a boss encountered after completing the 10th round of the Trial of Chaos. While it can potentially yield league-changing items, it’s a high-risk strategy that might not always pay off. In this article, we will delve into the pros and cons of farming the Trial Master, share a real player experience with 15 back-to-back runs, and analyze whether it’s worth your time and currency.
Why Farm the Trial Master?
The primary reason to farm the Trial Master is the opportunity to obtain big-ticket items that can dramatically increase your wealth in the game. There are two main items worth mentioning:
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Adorned Jewel: This item has a 2% drop chance and comes corrupted, which means it cannot be improved with a Divine Orb. Unidentified, it typically sells for around 111 Divine Orbs, but identified versions vary significantly in value. A high roll (75% or above) can fetch around 160 Divine, while a perfect 100% roll might reach one or two mirrors’ worth. However, low rolls (15% or below) sell for as little as one Divine.
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Mahles Macation (The Shield): This shield does not come corrupted and is valued at around three Divine Orbs when uncorrupted and unidentified. However, if it is successfully upgraded with a 600% increased effect of socketed Soul Cores and a third rune socket through corruption, its value can soar to over 100 Divine Orbs.
Additional items of interest include corrupted inscribed ultimatums, some of which double your investment of three Divine Orbs after completing 10 floors in the next trial. These can be sold for quick and reliable profit.
Farming the Trial Master: Preparation and Costs
Farming the Trial Master requires obtaining three unique fragments: Cowardly, Deadly, and Victorious. These can be earned from specific mini-bosses in the Trial of Chaos or purchased directly from Alva at the currency exchange. Buying the fragments upfront typically costs around one Divine per set, making it more efficient than manually farming them.
Real Player Experience: Vinnie’s 15 Trial Master Runs
To get a realistic understanding of potential profits and losses, content creator Vinnie ran the Trial Master 15 times in a row. His goal was to determine how much currency could be made and whether it was a worthwhile investment. Here’s what he found:
Results and Profit Analysis
The total cost to run 15 Trial Masters was approximately 15 Divine Orbs (one Divine per run). Vinnie’s final profit amounted to around 20 Divine Orbs and 180 Exalted Orbs, with the bulk of the profit coming from two uncorrupted Mahles Macation Shields. Despite the potential for massive gains, the absence of an Adorned Jewel meant that the actual profit was rather modest compared to the investment.
The Gamble Factor
After identifying and corrupting the shields to try for a high-value roll, Vinnie ended up losing significant potential profit. Both shields failed to gain the optimal enhancements, turning a potential profit into a loss. This highlights the inherent risk of gambling on upgrades versus selling items in their untouched state.
Is It Worth Farming the Trial Master?
Farming the Trial Master is undoubtedly high-risk, high-reward. While there is the potential to earn life-changing amounts of currency if lucky, most runs will not yield the coveted Adorned Jewel or perfectly enhanced shields. The safer, more consistent profit comes from farming the Trial of Chaos itself rather than pushing for the Trial Master boss.
Players who are risk-averse or aiming for steady income may want to skip the Trial Master altogether and focus on reliable currency farming methods. On the other hand, if you’re willing to gamble and have enough currency to absorb potential losses, the thrill of hitting the jackpot might be worth it.
The Trial Master farming strategy is a gamble that can sometimes pay off tremendously, but it’s not without significant risks. As demonstrated by Vinnie’s 15-run test, even getting lucky with drops doesn’t guarantee huge profits if the upgrades fail. Weighing the risk versus reward and your comfort level with potential losses is crucial before diving into this farming method.
