How to Craft an Endgame ES Body Armour in POE2 (Vile Robe)

A high Energy Shield (ES) body armour is the defensive cornerstone of countless endgame builds in Path of Exile 2. For the "Dawn of the Hunt" league, crafting on a fractured Vile Robe base is one of the most reliable methods to achieve a coveted 800+ ES chest piece.

This guide will provide a complete, step-by-step flowchart for this crafting process. We'll go beyond just the 'how' and delve into the critical 'why' behind each decision, from choosing the initial fractured mod to handling unexpected crafting outcomes.

The ES Body Armour Crafting Flowchart

This flowchart visualizes the entire crafting journey. We will break down each key decision point below to explain the underlying strategy.

Deconstructing the Crafting Process

Let's explore the strategic thinking behind the steps in the flowchart.

The Foundation: Why Fracture T1 Spirit?

The first and most important decision is which modifier to lock in. For a top-tier ES Body Armour, our primary recommendation is to fracture T1 +# to Spirit.

As we discussed in our guide on which mods to fracture, the best fractured mods are either "Enablers" or "Anchors." T1 Spirit is a perfect example of a mod that is both:

1. It's an Anchor: The + to Spirit modifier is extremely rare (low weighting). Securing it upfront overcomes the most difficult part of the craft and sets a massive value floor for your item.
2. It Saves Future Costs: Because the mod is so rare, trying to add it later with an Omen of Whittling would be astronomically expensive. Fracturing it is the most cost-effective path to a true endgame item.

An alternative strategy is to fracture T1 +# to maximum Energy Shield or T1 % increased Maximum Energy Shield. This approach, similar to the philosophy in our Gemini Bow Crafting Guide, offers a lower initial cost and is more practical for immediate self-use. However, because top-tier builds almost always require a high Spirit roll, the final cost to perfect an item starting with a fractured ES mod will ultimately be much higher.

Key Crafting Decisions Explained

As you proceed with the craft, you will inevitably face difficult choices. Here's how to handle them.

1. What If You Hit Good SUFFIXES While Crafting PREFIXES?

You're using Chaos Orbs, aiming for ES prefixes, and suddenly you hit T1 Lightning Resistance and T2 Dexterity. It's tempting to stop, but you must resist.

The correct action is to keep using Chaos Orbs. Your goal at this stage is singular and clear: land two usable ES prefixes. The prefixes define the item's identity and value. Good suffixes are a distraction. Stick to the plan, secure your prefixes, and then you can work on suffixes deterministically with Omens and Exalted Orbs.

2. How to Handle an Unwanted High-Tier Life Mod?

While rolling for your ES prefixes, you hit one T1 ES mod and an unwanted T1 +# to maximum Life. As we detailed in our deep dive on the Orb of Annulment, you must be brave and use an Orb of Annulment.

That high-tier life mod is a "blocker." It prevents you from hitting your second ES prefix and will be very expensive and difficult to remove later. The earlier you deal with a problematic high-tier mod, the lower your overall crafting cost will be.

Conclusion

Crafting an endgame ES Body Armour is a detailed process, but it's more straightforward than many other endgame items, making it an excellent project to start your high-end crafting journey. By understanding the logic behind fracturing Spirit, using Chaos Orbs effectively, and managing unexpected outcomes with Annulment Orbs, you have a clear path to success.

Remember to be patient, as crafting can be a significant investment. We hope this guide helps you create an exceptional chest piece. Happy crafting, exile!