Item Slots & Base Types

Understand Path of Exile's item slots and base types. Learn how they affect item properties, crafting, and gameplay to optimize your character builds and gear.

This section of the Path of Exile guide covers item slots and base types. Understanding these fundamental aspects of itemization is crucial for effective gearing and crafting.

• Item Slots: The different categories where equipment can be placed (e.g., Head, Body, Hands, Feet, Amulet, Rings, Belt, Weapons, Off-hand). Each slot has specific types of items that can be equipped.
• Base Types: The foundational item type that determines an item's inherent properties, such as its implicit modifiers, level requirement, and potential for explicit modifiers. For example, a 'Two Handed Sword' base type will always have certain characteristics, regardless of its explicit modifiers.
• Implicit Modifiers: These are modifiers inherent to the item's base type and cannot be changed through typical crafting methods. They provide a baseline advantage or property.
• Explicit Modifiers: These are the affixes (prefixes and suffixes) that are randomly rolled onto an item during the crafting process or when it drops. They provide a wide range of stats and effects.
• Item Rarity: Normal (white), Magic (blue), Rare (yellow), and Unique (brown) items have different potential for modifiers and inherent properties. Understanding how base types interact with rarity is key to finding or crafting powerful gear.
• Crafting Implications: Different base types have different implicit modifiers and can roll different explicit modifiers, making some bases more desirable for specific builds or crafting strategies.