Path of Exile 2: Well of Souls & Desecrated Modifiers Explained

Sep-03-2025

 

Path of Exile 2's Patch 0.3.0 – The Third Edict has introduced one of the most exciting new mechanics in the Rise of the Abyssal League: Desecrated Items and the mysterious Well of Souls. Together, they open up a new layer of crafting that makes gearing more flexible while giving you more control over your character's progression.

 

If you're wondering how it works and why it matters, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

 

 

What Are Desecrated Items?

Desecrated Items are essentially rare pieces of gear or Waystones that have been infused with the power of the Abyss. Instead of rolling completely random modifiers, they carry a hidden Desecrated Modifier that you can later reveal and select at the Well of Souls.

 

This means you're not just gambling on drops anymore—you can actively shape your equipment to better suit your build. For example, a weapon might already roll with the stats you need, and through Desecration you can lock in an extra layer of power without ruining its core affixes.

 

Abyssal Bones & What They Do

Abyssal Bones are the main currency used for Desecration. They drop from Abyss encounters, chests, and bosses. Different bones work on different item types:

 

Jawbone → Desecrate weapons or quivers

Ribs → Desecrate armor

Collarbones → Desecrate amulets, rings, or belts

Cranium → Desecrate jewels

Vertebrae → Desecrate waystones

 

Once used, the item gains a hidden Desecrated Modifier, which can then be revealed at the Well of Souls.

 

The Journey to the Well of Souls

The Well of Souls isn't available from the start. You'll first need to create a character in the Rise of the Abyssal League. After clearing Act 1, you'll progress through Act 2's Horn of the Vastiri questline, which eventually guides you to the Mastodon Badlands. The Well's entrance lies behind the tusk-marked archway of the Lightless Passage, a dungeon teeming with Abyssal foes and elite monsters.

 

Inside, you'll meet the Lurking Creature and experience a short narrative moment with The Hooded One, who serves as your translator. Completing this interaction permanently unlocks the Well of Souls, accessible anytime via waypoints, functioning as a personal crafting hub for Desecrated Items and Waystones.

 

 

How Desecration Works

The process of turning a normal rare into a Desecrated Item starts with Abyssal Bones—currencies dropped from Abyss encounters. Each bone type corresponds to a gear slot (weapons, armor, jewelry, jewels, and Waystones). When you apply one, the item gains a hidden Desecrated Modifier, shown in eerie green text.

 

But here's the twist: you can't use that modifier until you take the item to the Well of Souls. There, you'll perform a ritual that reveals three possible modifiers. You choose one, and it becomes a permanent part of the item. No rerolls, no regrets—your decision locks it in.

 

This system gives you far more agency than regular crafting. Instead of endlessly spending orbs to chase a single outcome, you can handpick the best fit from the Well's offerings.

 

Advanced Layer: Abyssal Omens

To spice things up, the Abyssal mechanic also introduces Omens—consumable items that modify the outcome of your Desecration. For example, an Omen might guarantee a specific boss-themed modifier, let you reroll affix options once, or even corrupt an item into a six-mod Desecrated monster.

 

Omens are risk and reward tools. They make Desecration less predictable but open doors to insanely powerful outcomes if you're willing to gamble. For players chasing endgame builds, they're worth keeping an eye on.

 

Why Desecrated Modifiers Matter

Desecrated Modifiers shine in two areas:

Character Gear Progression: Instead of burning through Chaos Orbs or Exalted Orbs hoping for a useful stat, you can directly add something impactful. This reduces the randomness of gearing and smooths out progression, especially in the midgame where upgrades usually feel scarce.

 

Waystone Empowerment: Perhaps the most exciting use is with Waystones. By Desecrating them, you unlock new modifiers that can scale map difficulty and rewards. Stronger Waystones mean more loot, more Abyss encounters, and ultimately more bones to keep the loop going.

 

This loop is what makes the system so rewarding: farm Abyss → get bones → Desecrate gear → unlock stronger maps → farm even harder → repeat. It's both self-sustaining and highly rewarding.

 

With this powerful new system at your fingertips, your journey through Wraeclast becomes more strategic and rewarding than ever before.

Good luck, exile. May the Well of Souls favor your choices.