How to Get Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2

Welcome, Exiles. Today, we’ll show you how to get Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2 in the most efficient way. This is not a miracle guide about beating the RNG system to get more cores. This guide will explain how and where they drop.

Just to remind you, Soul Cores are valuable items obtained through the Trial of Chaos activity, which is also how players unlock their Ascendancy in Path of Exile 2. At the end of the trial, you’ll receive either a corrupted item or a Soul Core. These cores function like runes, slotting into your gear to provide various bonuses.

Some Soul Cores offer powerful benefits, like 30% increased elemental damage with attacks, making them highly sought after for certain builds. Replacing a standard rune with a Soul Core can result in noticeable DPS gains. You can earn them directly from the activity or purchase them on the exchange for around 30–33 currency units.

Since they can boost damage, item rarity, resistances, and ailments, Soul Cores are widely used in endgame builds, making the Trial of Chaos a valuable source for character progression.

If you're looking to maximize your build without the grind, the best way to get what you need is to Buy PoE 2 Soul Cores at SkyCoach. Instead of spending hours farming Trials of Chaos, you can instantly enhance your gear with powerful modifiers that standard runes just can’t provide. SkyCoach offers fast, safe, and hassle-free delivery of any Soul Core type, ensuring you get exactly what you need without the frustration.

Read our other PoE 2 guides:

• How to Play Path of Exile 2 on Steam Deck
• How to Get & Upgrade Waystones
• Stormweaver Sorceress Build Guide
• Best Path of Exile 2 Settings
• Best Unique Items

How to Farm Soul Cores in PoE 2

If you’re looking to get your hands on Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2, there are two main ways to do it. The most common and reliable method is by running the Trial of Chaos—yeah, that tough endgame activity you need for your Ascendancy. To start the trial, you’ll need an Inscribed Ultimatum, which drops from enemies as you play. Once inside, you’ll face waves of enemies that get progressively harder, ending with a boss fight. Complete the trial, and you’ll likely earn yourself some Soul Cores. PoE 2 Soul Core drop rate is pretty minimal, but the higher the trial tier, the better the chance.
Not a fan of grinding through waves of chaos? No worries—there’s a quicker option. You can use the Currency Exchange system to trade in-game currency for Soul Cores. For some players it could be one of the best ways to get Soul Cores in Path of Exile 2. While it is hassle-free, keep in mind the market can get pricey depending on demand.

In summary, there are only two ways to get Soul Cores:

• Trial of Chaos:
  • The main way to earn Soul Cores.
  • Requires Inscribed Ultimatums to access.
  • Higher-tier trials = better rewards.
• Currency Exchange System:
  
  • Trade currency to get Soul Cores instantly.
  • Super convenient, but sometimes it costs a bit more.

And that’s it—these are the only confirmed methods for snagging Soul Cores right now. If you enjoy challenging content and big rewards, the Trial of Chaos is totally worth it. Prefer to skip the grind? The Currency Exchange has you covered—just be ready to spend a bit of currency for convenience.

Soul Cores vs. Runes: Which Should You Use?

In Path of Exile 2, Soul Cores and Runes both provide stat boosts and unique effects, but they function quite differently. While Runes are more common and serve as standard enhancements, Soul Cores offer stronger and often more specialized modifiers that can significantly impact your build.

Key Differences Between Soul Cores and Runes:

Sometimes, though, you have to choose which one is to slot into your gear, and Soul Cores might not always be the right fit.

When to Use Soul Cores Over Runes

• If your build relies heavily on a specific mechanic, such as increased crit damage, ailment buildup, or penetration, Soul Cores will give you a much bigger advantage than standard runes.
• Soul Cores like Ticaba (+12% Critical Damage Bonus) or Topotante (15% Elemental Resistance Penetration) are far superior to basic runes for damage-oriented builds.
• If you're looking to min-max your stats and push your character’s efficiency, Soul Cores are the better investment—though harder to acquire.

When Runes Might Be the Better Choice

• If you're just starting out or don’t have access to high-tier Trials of Chaos, runes are easier to find and provide reliable baseline boosts.
• Some runes, like the Iron Rune (20% increased Physical Damage) or Rebirth Rune (Life on Kill), are simple but effective for early to mid-game survivability.
• Since Runes are easier to swap out, they’re a safer, flexible choice if you’re experimenting with your build and don’t want to commit to a specific modifier.

If you're serious about optimizing your build, Soul Cores are the superior option in most cases. However, runes are far more accessible and still provide strong baseline stats that can carry you through the early and mid-game.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Soul Cores

A lot of new players ask the same question: what are the best Soul Cores for endgame builds of PoE 2? There’s no straight answer to this, but here are some common mistakes that players make and how to avoid them:

1. Using Soul Cores Without Considering Build Synergy

Some players slot in random Soul Cores without considering whether they actually benefit their build.

• Fix: Always check what stats your build needs before selecting a Soul Core. For example, if you're running a crit build, Soul Core of Ticaba (+12% Critical Damage Bonus) is amazing, while Soul Core of Jiquani (Recover Life on Kill) might not help much.

2. Wasting Soul Cores on the Wrong Gear

Unlike runes, Soul Cores are harder to obtain, so placing them into low-tier weapons or armor is a huge waste.

• Fix: Save Soul Cores for your endgame gear. Don’t socket them into items you’ll replace in a few levels.

3. Ignoring Elemental and Ailment-Based Cores

Many players focus only on raw damage and ignore elemental effects like Ignite, Shock, and Freeze.

• Fix: If you’re running an elemental damage build, don’t overlook cores like Soul Core of Puhuarte (+30% chance to Ignite) or Soul Core of Tzamoto (+20% Freeze Buildup). These effects stack and can significantly boost your damage output.

4. Not Running High-Tier Trials for Better Cores

Some players stick to low-tier Trials of Chaos, resulting in fewer or weaker Soul Core drops.

• Fix: If possible, run higher-tier trials for better-quality Soul Cores and bigger rewards. The harder the trial, the more valuable the loot.

5. Overpaying for Soul Cores in the Currency Exchange

If you’re buying Soul Cores, prices fluctuate, and it’s easy to overpay for a common one.

• Fix: Check market trends and compare prices before purchasing. Some Soul Cores are much cheaper at certain times due to availability and demand.

Generally speaking, Soul Cores are a better version of Runes, but since they’re much more rare, you have to think more carefully about what gear you’re using them for. If you’re at the stage of your progression when you’re trying out new gear more often than usual, you should probably keep the Soul Cores in your stash until you come across an item that you’re going to stick with. This is why Soul Cores are the best options for builds that have limited gear options.

Conclusion

Soul Cores are powerful upgrades in Path of Exile 2, offering specialized bonuses that significantly enhance endgame builds. While Runes serve well during early and mid-game progression, Soul Cores become essential for maximizing performance in higher-tier content. Acquiring them through the Trial of Chaos rewards players seeking challenging gameplay, while the Currency Exchange provides a faster, more convenient alternative.
To get the most value, use Soul Cores on long-term gear rather than temporary items. With thoughtful planning, they can provide a major boost to damage, survivability, and overall efficiency. No matter how you obtain them, Soul Cores are key to pushing your build to its full potential in Path of Exile 2.

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