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Navigating the endgame in Path of Exile 2 can be challenging, especially when it comes to sustaining Waystones for mapping. Running out of these essential items can hinder your progress, particularly at higher tiers. However, with the right strategies, you can ensure a steady supply of Waystones to keep your mapping journey smooth and enjoyable. Here are some crucial steps to help you maintain a healthy stock of Waystones.
Prioritize Boss Maps on the Atlas
The most effective way to sustain Waystones in Path of Exile 2 is by focusing on Boss map nodes in the endgame. Bosses have a high chance of dropping Waystones upon defeat. If you're low on high-tier maps, use lower-tier maps to reach Boss nodes, and then use your higher-tier Waystones to challenge these bosses. This strategy often yields an equivalent or even higher-tier Waystone, sometimes multiple ones.
Spend Currency On Waystones
It might be tempting to save your 
Regal Orbs and 
Exalted Orbs for trading or crafting, but investing them in Waystones can be more beneficial. Consider Waystones as investments; the more you enhance them, the more you gain in return, provided you survive the encounters. Here's a breakdown of how to allocate currency to Waystones:
- Tier 1-5 Waystones: Upgrade to Magic items using
Orbs of Augmentation or 
Orbs of Transmutation. - Tier 6-10 Waystones: Upgrade to Rare items with Regal Orbs.
- Tier 11-16 Waystones: Maximize upgrades with Regal Orbs, Exalted Orbs,
Vaal Orbs, and Delirium Instills.
Focus on these two critical stats for lucrative mapping:
- Increased Waystone Drop Chance: Aim for at least 200%.
- Increased Rarity of Items Found in This Area.
Also, prioritize modifiers that increase the number of monsters, especially rare ones.
If your items aren't selling on the trade site, list them for Regal Orbs instead of Exalted Orbs. They'll sell faster, and you'll acquire usable currency.
Take Waystone Drop Chance Atlas Skill Tree Nodes
As you advance through Waystone tiers and complete Doryani's quest, you'll earn Atlas skill tree points. Utilizing these points effectively is key to sustaining Waystones. Here are three essential nodes to prioritize if you're struggling with Waystones:
- Constant Crossroads: Increases the quantity of Waystones found in your maps by 20%.
- Fortunate Path: Boosts the rarity of Waystones found in your maps by 100%.
- The High Road: Gives a 20% chance for Waystones found to be a tier higher.
These nodes should be accessible by the time you complete Tier 4 maps. Don't hesitate to respec your Atlas Skill tree if needed; gold is plentiful, but Waystones are not.
Finalize Your Build Before Doing Tier 5+ Maps
A common reason players run out of Waystones is due to an incomplete endgame build, leading to frequent deaths against bosses, rares, or regular mobs. If you're struggling, consider consulting a build guide for your class and respeccing accordingly. No amount of increased Waystone drop chance or monster spawns will help if you're constantly dying in maps.
Remember, what works during the campaign may not be effective in the endgame mapping phase.
Use Precursor Tablets
Precursor Tablets can significantly enhance the rarity and number of monsters in a map, along with additional modifiers when used at a tower. A lesser-known tip is that you can stack the effects of multiple Tablets by using them on nearby towers, resulting in maps with the combined benefits of several Tablets. These should be used rather than hoarded, even as early as Tier 5+ maps.
Buy Waystones on the Trade Site
Even with all these strategies in place, you might still find yourself short on Waystones due to bad luck. In such cases, purchasing Waystones from the trade site can provide a much-needed boost. The average price for Waystones across all tiers is around 1 Exalted Orb, though sub-Tier 10 Waystones may be cheaper. When buying in bulk, use the in-game trade channel by typing /trade 1 in the chat box to access the most active channel.
