It is a currency item in Path of Exile 2.
Stack Size: 1/40
Martial Weapons: Adds 7 to 11 Fire Damage
Armour: +12% to Fire Resistance
Place into an empty socket on equipment items. Once socketed it cannot be removed.
In Path of Exile 2, the Desert Rune is a powerful currency item that adds fire-related properties to your gear, enabling you to strengthen your equipment with additional Fire Damage or Fire Resistance. This versatile item can be used to tailor your weapons or armor to enhance your effectiveness in combat, particularly for builds focused on fire damage or fire resistance.
This article will dive into the Desert Rune, explaining what it does, how to use it, and the benefits it offers in Path of Exile 2.
The Desert Rune is a currency item in Path of Exile 2 that you can use to enhance your martial weapons and armor with specific fire-related properties. Once you insert a Desert Rune into an empty socket, it will permanently augment your equipment with fire damage or fire resistance, depending on the type of item.
Stack Size: 1/40 – The Desert Rune has a stack size limit of 40, meaning you can hold up to 40 Desert Runes in a single stack. If you have more than 40, you’ll need to use or trade them to make room for additional items.
Effect on Martial Weapons: When applied to a martial weapon (such as swords, maces, bows, or wands), the Desert Rune adds 7 to 11 Fire Damage to your attacks. This bonus enhances the fire damage output of your weapon, making it an excellent choice for fire-based builds or characters who want to infuse their attacks with extra elemental damage.
Effect on Armor: When used on armor, the Desert Rune grants a +12% increase to Fire Resistance. This effect boosts your resistance to fire damage, helping you survive in environments or against enemies that deal fire-based damage.
Socketing the Desert Rune: The Desert Rune must be placed into an empty socket on an item. Once it is inserted into a socket, the effect is permanent and cannot be removed. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider which items to use the Desert Rune on, as you won’t be able to change it afterward.
Using the Desert Rune is simple, but there are a few important steps to follow:
Obtain Desert Runes: You can acquire Desert Runes in several ways:
Target the Right Item: The Desert Rune can be used on martial weapons or armor that have an empty socket. Before applying it, make sure that the item you’re working with fits your character’s build and needs. If you want to boost your fire damage, you’ll want to use it on a weapon. If you need fire resistance to survive tougher encounters, apply it to your armor.
Right-click and Apply: Once you’ve selected the Desert Rune and the item you want to modify, right-click on the Desert Rune in your inventory and left-click on the item you wish to enhance. The Desert Rune will be placed into the empty socket, and the item will be augmented with the appropriate bonus: fire damage for weapons or fire resistance for armor.
Enjoy Permanent Modifications: Once socketed, the Desert Rune’s effects will be permanent. You’ll see the changes reflected in your item stats, and these bonuses will remain active for the entire duration of the item’s use.
The Desert Rune offers significant benefits for players who want to augment their gear with fire-related properties, making it a great choice for certain builds and playstyles in Path of Exile 2.
Boost Fire Damage on Weapons: The Desert Rune adds 7 to 11 Fire Damage to your martial weapon, which is perfect for fire-based characters or players who want to incorporate fire damage into their attacks. This bonus will increase the overall damage output of your weapon, making it more effective against enemies weak to fire.
Increase Fire Resistance on Armor: The +12% Fire Resistance bonus on armor is especially valuable in fire-heavy areas or against fire-based enemies. This bonus helps mitigate fire damage, making it easier to survive when you encounter high-damage fire attacks or enter environments that deal constant fire damage over time.
Permanent Modifications: One of the key benefits of the Desert Rune is that once applied, the effects are permanent. This allows you to tailor your gear to suit your needs without worrying about re-crafting or replacing it. Once it’s socketed, you can focus on other aspects of your build without worrying about constantly reapplying the rune.
Versatility for Different Builds: The Desert Rune offers versatility, as it can be used either to increase fire damage on weapons or to boost fire resistance on armor. This allows players to tailor their gear depending on whether they are looking to deal more damage or survive tougher challenges.
Easy to Use: Applying the Desert Rune is simple and doesn’t require advanced crafting knowledge or resources. Just socket it into the right item, and it will immediately enhance your gear with the desired bonus. This makes it an accessible tool for both new players and experienced crafters.
Focus on Fire Damage Builds: If your build is focused on fire damage (such as Fireball, Flameblast, or Ignite builds), applying the Desert Rune to your weapons is a great way to amplify your fire-based attacks. Be sure to use it on weapons that will allow you to benefit from the added damage, such as wands, staves, or bows that complement your elemental damage.
Use on Armor for Survival: If you’re struggling against fire-based enemies or want to survive in environments with significant fire damage, consider using the Desert Rune on your armor. The +12% Fire Resistance will make it easier to survive while exploring fire-heavy zones or facing bosses with fire-based attacks.
Choose the Right Item: Because the Desert Rune cannot be removed once applied, make sure that you’re using it on items that fit your long-term build. If you apply it to an armor piece that you end up replacing soon, it may be a waste. Choose items that you plan to use for a while to get the most out of the Desert Rune’s benefits.
Complement Other Crafting Tools: The Desert Rune can be used alongside other crafting tools like Essences or Fossils to further enhance your equipment. Pairing fire-related crafting materials can help you fine-tune your items for maximum efficiency in your build.
Stockpile Runes: If you’re preparing for more challenging content or an expansion, it might be beneficial to stockpile Desert Runes. By gathering a collection, you’ll have a supply of fire-enhancing materials ready to apply when you need to upgrade your gear.
The Desert Rune is a valuable currency item in Path of Exile 2 that offers fire-related enhancements for both martial weapons and armor. By adding fire damage to your weapons or boosting your fire resistance on armor, the Desert Rune allows players to tailor their gear to suit their specific build or the challenges they face in the game. Whether you’re looking to deal more damage or survive fire-heavy encounters, this rune provides a straightforward and powerful crafting option.