Path of Exile 2: How to Unlock and Use Salvage Bench

Path of Exile 2 introduces several new quality-of-life systems that make crafting and POE2 Currency gear progression smoother than ever. Among the most useful is the Salvage Bench, a powerful tool that lets you recycle unwanted equipment into crafting resources. If you’re tired of filling your stash with junk rares or constantly running out of materials for upgrades, the Salvage Bench is going to be one of your best friends. This guide explains how to unlock it, what it does, and how to make the most out of salvaging in Wraeclast.

Unlocking the Salvage Bench

The Salvage Bench isn’t available from the start of your adventure. Instead, it’s tied to a side quest called “Finding the Forge”, which you’ll encounter around Act 2–3, depending on your exploration pace.

Locate the Questgiver – In Act 2’s hub town, you’ll meet an NPC named Renly, a blacksmith experimenting with reforging gear. He’ll tell you about his lost tools.

The Quest: Finding the Forge – Renly’s tools were stolen and hidden in a nearby dungeon area, often tied to a side-zone encounter. The dungeon is marked on your map once you accept the quest.

Retrieve the Tools – Clear through the dungeon, defeating monsters and a mini-boss guarding Renly’s Forge Tools. Pick them up and return them to him.

Reward: Salvage Bench Access – Once you hand back the tools, Renly will install a Salvage Bench in the hub town. From this point forward, you’ll be able to use salvage whenever you return to town.

Tip: If you skip side quests, make sure not to overlook this one. The Salvage Bench is crucial for long-term crafting efficiency.

How the Salvage Bench Works

At its core, the Salvage Bench converts equipment into crafting materials. It functions similarly to item dismantling in other ARPGs but with a Path of Exile twist: the outcomes depend on both item rarity and mod tiers.

Item Rarity Breakdown

Normal (white) items → Small amounts of basic materials like shards and scraps.

Magic (blue) items → Yield common affix shards tied to their mods (e.g., “+Life” mods may salvage into Life Essence shards).

Rare (yellow) items → Provide multiple shards, sometimes higher-quality essences or orb fragments depending on their affixes.

Unique items → Cannot be salvaged. Keep them for builds, vendor them, or stash them.

Affix-Driven Salvage

The Salvage Bench doesn’t just spit out random materials. Instead, it pulls resources directly related to the item’s mods:

Physical Damage affixes may give shards for weapon crafting.

Resistance affixes break down into elemental essence shards.

Life/Mana mods provide regeneration or resource-related materials.

This design ensures that salvaging naturally builds up the right pool of materials for customizing future items.

Salvage Bench vs. Vendor Recipes

Veteran Path of Exile players might wonder: why salvage instead of vendor recipes? The answer lies in targeted crafting. Vendor recipes are still useful for early-game or currency staples (like turning rares into Alteration shards). However:

The Salvage Bench gives more specialized crafting shards tied to affixes.

Salvage avoids clogging your stash with niche vendor recipes.

It integrates directly into the crafting ecosystem introduced in Path of Exile 2.

Think of vendors as generalists, while the Salvage Bench is your dedicated crafting recycler.

Best Practices for Using the Salvage Bench

Salvage Unused Rares Early

Don’t hoard every rare that drops. If it doesn’t fit your build and has no resale value, salvage it. You’ll stockpile shards much faster.

Check Affixes Before Salvaging

Got a rare with a juicy resistance roll but low base stats? Salvage it for high-value elemental shards instead of selling it for Alterations.

Balance Between Currency and Materials

Vendor recipes are still good for currency farming. For example, three-linked items or chromatic socket recipes can be worth more than their salvage. Weigh your needs—crafting shards vs. tradable currency.

Use Salvage Strategically in Mid–Late Game

Once you hit maps, salvaging becomes a primary source of mid-tier crafting mats. This is crucial for pushing red maps, where resists, life, and damage scaling require constant tweaking.

Salvage Bench in Endgame Crafting

In the endgame, the Salvage Bench shines as a sustainable way to keep your crafting loop running:

Map Drops – Salvage rares after identifying them to convert into high-value affix shards.

Crafting Progression – Instead of relying on RNG orb drops, salvage fuels targeted reforges.

Economy Integration – Salvage mats can often be traded with other players, especially early in a league where specific affix shards are in demand.

Players pursuing top-tier builds will find that a well-stocked Salvage Bench drastically cuts down the grind of rerolling gear.

Final Thoughts

The Salvage Bench is one of Path of Exile 2’s most player-friendly systems. It rewards you for clearing maps, decluttering your stash, and reinvesting drops into future upgrades. By unlocking it early through Renly’s quest, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother mid- and late-game crafting journey.

Whether you’re a new exile learning the ropes or a veteran chasing min-max perfection, mastering the Salvage Bench ensures that no drop goes to waste. In a game defined by loot, efficiency, and buy POE2 Currency smart resource use, this system is a cornerstone of your Path of Exile 2 experience.