Combat-focused players can find joy and success in gear acquisition by leveraging the more challenging, enemy-dense content available in Path of Exile 3.26. This guide walks through how intense combat can lead to lucrative gear gains.

First, embrace Maven-influenced and Elder/Conqueror-influenced maps. These maps introduce stronger, more rewarding enemies, and PoE Currency can drop elevated modifiers or influence-based uniques that sell well in trade.

Second, focus on Ultimatum (if available in your league configuration). This combat gauntlet scales difficulty and rewards with each wave. Surviving the final waves can yield high-tier currency, gear bases, and item-enhancing catalysts.

Third, participate in Breach and Abyss encounters within maps. These add a flood of enemies that can drop breach rings, Abyss jewels, and Stygian Vises — all of which have solid demand among min-maxers and jewel crafters.

Fourth, push beyond T16 maps and into Maven’s Invitations. Bossing content like “The Hidden” or “The Feared” offers huge returns in unique items, cluster jewels, and elevated influence mods. Proper bossing builds shine here.

Fifth, fight in Delirium mirror maps and full Delirious maps. These chaos-filled battlegrounds test combat readiness but reward handsomely with simulacrum splinters, cluster jewels, and large stacks of currency.

Sixth, incorporate strongboxes, particularly Arcanist’s and Diviner’s, which have a high chance to drop gear directly or produce currency to Poe 1 Divine Orb  fund future runs. Use scarabs to spawn more boxes per map.

Lastly, refine your build around survivability and high single-target damage. Combat farming is not about speed but survivability and output under stress. With the right skills and endurance, combat-focused farming becomes a core method for endgame progression.