Path of Exile 2 is a game that thrives on its ability to evolve, offering players new strategies and mechanics to explore with each league. One such discovery recently uncovered in the game centers around the lucrative potential of Ultimatums when combined with specific modifiers and strategies. This article will explore an unexpected method of profiting through Ultimatums, using a mix of rare and inscribed ultimatum rewards that have proven to be immensely profitable for players who know how to make the most of them.

The Discovery: Ultimatum Scarabs and Idols

The journey into this profitable venture began unexpectedly while running Tier 17 Scar Maps. During these runs, the player noticed that their idols granted them a 100% chance to encounter Ultimatum encounters, a mechanic that involves completing a series of increasingly difficult waves for valuable rewards. While this mechanic can sometimes seem underwhelming, the true potential was only realized after a combination of different strategies was employed.

Running these maps with Glittering Scarabs led to an increase in monster density, which included rare monsters, and that brought up the question: could Ultimatum be more than just an afterthought in the map’s progression?

Juicing the Ultimatum: Using Idols and Scarabs

The first insight was simple but powerful: Ultimatum encounters can be “juiced” using specific modifiers on idols. The idols in question gave a 100% chance to duplicate the rewards of an Ultimatum, a mechanic that boosts the potential for big returns. With the right setup, including four idols that each provided a 25% chance to duplicate Ultimatum rewards, the strategy began to gain momentum.

But there was more to this than just doubling rewards. The Catalyzing Scarab, a well-known and expensive item in the game, can modify all Ultimatum rewards to be Catalysts. While this change alone wasn’t necessarily groundbreaking, pairing this scarab with the Scarab of Inscription created a whole new avenue for profitability. This combination transforms all Catalyst rewards into Inscribed Ultimatums, a unique variation of the Ultimatum that offers players even more potential rewards.

Why Currency Items are the Best Bet

The next question that needed answering was: which types of rewards were worth targeting in these Inscribed Ultimatums? The options were varied — Divination Cards, Currency items, and Unique items — but after testing, POE2 Currency stood out as the most reliable and sustainable rewards.

Unique items and div cards, while they could provide valuable loot, were seen as too much of a gamble. They could be rewarding, but they also carried the risk of providing low-tier or less desirable items, making them unreliable for consistent profit. On the other hand, currency items, especially Divines and Exalts, provided a much more predictable and consistent source of profit. With four of the Inscribed Ultimatums targeting currency rewards, this strategy proved to be highly profitable, providing an excellent return on investment.

The Results: Profit Beyond Expectation

After running a modest number of maps, the results were nothing short of surprising. By the time the player ran their first four maps, they had already accumulated roughly 40 Divines worth of Inscribed Ultimatums. What seemed like just a lucky start quickly turned into an overwhelmingly profitable strategy.

Upon running ten maps, the player had amassed over 80 Divines. By the time they ran 50 maps, the results were astronomical — 296 Divines, 206 Exalts, 54 Anul, 10 Sacred Orbs, and several other rare drops like Voltaxic Rifts and Divine Beauties. These were the kinds of results that many players dream about, and they happened incredibly fast with minimal risk.

Challenges Along the Way: Ruin and Ultimatum Modifiers

Of course, no strategy is without its challenges, and the Ultimatum mechanic is no exception. While the strategy proved to be consistently profitable, the player did run into issues during some of the more difficult Ultimatum modifiers. One of the key mechanics in Ultimatum is Ruin, a status that increases with each hit taken from monsters. Reaching a certain threshold of Ruin causes the Ultimatum to fail. This mechanic is especially difficult when paired with monsters that deal a lot of damage, making it hard to avoid Ruin stacking up quickly.

In one instance, the player failed an Ultimatum due to Ruin stacking from certain monsters in the encounter. Despite this setback, the overall strategy remained profitable, with only a handful of failures across 50 maps. Moreover, the player discovered that some of the more difficult Ultimatum encounters could be avoided by simply skipping waves that provided bad rewards or dangerous modifiers. This is a key strategy: if you encounter a final wave that offers a bad reward, don’t waste time completing it — just end it early and move on to the next Ultimatum.

Maximizing the Strategy: Idols, Scarabs, and Modifiers

To make the most of this strategy, the player employed a variety of different modifiers, including the Gruesome Gauntlet Idol, which increases the number of rounds an Ultimatum encounter lasts. While the number of rounds was increased to a total of 13, it’s important to note that some Ultimatums will not work as well with this strategy due to the random nature of the modifiers that can be applied during each round. If you end up with a series of bad modifiers, this will lower the profitability of the strategy.

A quick tip here is to use the Scarab of Dueling, which introduces the Trial Master boss into the encounter. This not only increases the reward pool but also adds the possibility of obtaining valuable Tainted Catalysts. These can be further used to enhance other aspects of your character or sold on the market for a hefty profit.

Running White Maps vs. Corrupted Maps

Another element that can confuse players new to the strategy is the decision of whether to run corrupted or normal maps. While running corrupted maps with high-modified rare maps might seem like the optimal choice, the player found that running white maps also yields the same result in terms of Inscribed Ultimatums. This revelation is important because it means players don’t necessarily need to invest heavily in high-tier, corrupted maps to enjoy the strategy’s benefits. Running basic maps can still lead to high rewards, reducing the cost of the overall strategy.

The Key to Maximizing the Strategy

The key to making this strategy truly effective is ensuring you have a high chance to spawn Ultimatum encounters. The best way to guarantee this is by using idols that provide a 100% chance to encounter Ultimatums, though these idols aren’t strictly necessary. A Catalyzing Scarab can also be used, though it can get expensive. Ultimately, maximizing your chances to encounter Ultimatums is the first step toward making this strategy work.

Additionally, running the Inscribed Ultimatums efficiently requires you to know when to quit bad encounters. If you’re offered a poor reward or a dangerous modifier, it’s better to quit and save your resources for better opportunities. Sometimes, the most profitable strategy is simply to avoid wasting time on encounters that won’t pay off.

Selling the Inscribed Ultimatums

If you don’t want to run the Inscribed Ultimatums yourself, there’s always the option of selling them on trading platforms like the TFT Discord. The Inscribed Ultimatums can be sold for significant amounts of Divine Orbs, and while the prices may vary depending on the tier, they can provide a fast and easy profit for those who prefer to trade rather than run the content.

The Conclusion: A Highly Profitable Strategy

In summary, the strategy of running Inscribed Ultimatums in Path of Exile 2 has proven to be incredibly profitable for those who are willing to invest in the right idols, scarabs, and strategies. While there is always an element of risk in Path of Exile, the rewards are clear: consistent and reliable Path of Exile 2 Currency drops, as well as rare items and divination cards, make this strategy one of the most efficient ways to earn in the game. With a little bit of preparation, it’s possible to turn Ultimatums from a mere side activity into a highly lucrative money-making strategy in Path of Exile 2. Happy mapping, and may your rewards be plentiful!