Can’t Equip That Sword? How to Identify Items in Path of Exile 2

If you are new to the game Path of Exile 2, one of the first confusing things you will encounter is picking up cool-looking gear that you cannot use right away. You pick up a gorgeous sword or helmet, but its stats are hidden by a shroud of shadow and question marks. You cannot see if it is better than your current item until you "reveal" it.

In the gaming world, this process is called "Identifying." This guide will teach you how to identify items path of exile 2 in the easiest way possible, so you can spend less time confused and more time smashing monsters.

What Does "Identifying" Mean?

The Mystery Item Problem

Imagine finding a wrapped gift. You can see the shape, but you don't know what’s inside until you open it. In Path of Exile 2, when a magic or rare monster drops an item, it often drops "unidentified." This means the magical powers of the item are hidden. You must "Identify" it to reveal its stats.

If you try to equip an unidentified item, your character will refuse, and the game will give you an error message. You simply cannot wear it until you know what it does.

The Classic Way (Identifying with Scrolls)

Using Wisdom Scrolls

The most common way how to identify items path of exile 2 involves an item called a Scroll of Wisdom.

Think of a Scroll of Wisdom like a pair of magic glasses that lets you see the truth.

1. Pick up the Scroll: You will find these scrolls dropping from monsters, breakable pots, or chests all the time. They look like a white scroll with red ties.

2. Right-Click: Right-click on the Scroll of Wisdom in your inventory. Your mouse cursor will now look different, usually like a magnifying glass or a glowing effect.

3. Click the Item: Hover over the unidentified item in your inventory and click the left mouse button. Poof! The black cloud disappears, and you can now see all the stats, bonuses, and requirements of the item.

Pro Tip: In the early game, you will be short on these scrolls. Make sure to pick them up whenever you see them!

The Cheaper Way (Talk to an NPC)

Visit Uncrom the Hooded One

Walking around with a full inventory of mystery items can be annoying. Luckily, the game gives you a free service to help with this.

Very early in the game, you will meet a mysterious character named Uncrom (often called "The Hooded One" by the community). He hangs out in the main town hub.

1. Travel to Town: Go back to the main safe zone (like Clearfell or any major encampment).

2. Find Uncrom: Look for the NPC wearing a big hood. You can’t miss him; he stands near the waypoint or in a central area.

3. Talk to Him: Speak to Uncrom. You will see a dialogue option that says "Identify Items."

4. Shift+Click: A window will open showing your inventory. You can hold Shift and click on all your unidentified items, and he will identify them instantly.

The best part? Uncrom does this for free. It doesn't cost you any gold or scrolls. This is the best method how to identify items path of exile 2 once you get back to town.

The Advanced Way (Vendor Recipe)

The "Second Chance" Trick

Sometimes, you will identify an item only to find out it’s not very good. However, there is a clever trick involving the town vendors that might give you another shot at loot.

If you sell a full set of unidentified rare items (gear with yellow text before you identify them) to a vendor, you will receive a special currency item called a Chaos Orb. Chaos Orbs are very valuable for advanced crafting later on.

However, if you are just learning how to identify items path of exile 2, don't worry about this too much. Just remember: if you are feeling lucky, you might want to hold onto a full set of unidentified gear to sell for a bonus later. If you just want to use the gear, go ahead and identify it right away.

Why Do We Have to Do This? (The Game Design Reason)

The Feeling of Discovery

You might wonder why the game makes you do this extra step. It seems like a hassle, right? The reason is actually very smart game design.

1. Excitement: It creates a moment of suspense. Every time you identify an item, it feels like opening a pack of trading cards. You never know if you just found a treasure or junk.

2. Trading Value: In the player economy, "unidentified" items are sometimes worth more. Why? Because if you find a high-level unidentified ring, there is a chance it could become something amazing. Gamblers like to buy unidentified items to try their luck themselves.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make

Don't Waste Your Scrolls

Here are a few simple tips to save you time and headaches while you master how to identify items path of exile 2:

• Don't identify everything on the ground: You cannot identify an item while it is still on the ground in most cases. You must pick it up first.

• Inventory Management: If your inventory is full of unidentified stuff, use Uncrom. It is much faster than clicking each one with a scroll.

• White Items are Normal: Items with white names (normal items) do not need to be identified. They are basic and have no hidden magic powers. Only blue (magic), yellow (rare), and orange (unique) items need identification.

Summary

To put it simply, identifying items is the key to gearing up your character. You cannot progress through the cruel lands of Wraeclast if you are running around with hidden stats.