Among the many coveted unique amulets in Path of Exile, Ashes of the Stars stands out as one of the most build-defining and POE orbs expensive drops in the game. With its powerful bonuses to gem quality, reservation efficiency, and passive skill level, this item can turn an already strong caster or minion build into an unstoppable force. Because of its rarity and high demand, farming and maximizing its use requires strategy, patience, and market awareness.

This guide will cover where it drops, how to efficiently farm it, strategies for maximizing its impact in your build, and how to profit from it if you plan to sell.

1. Understanding Ashes of the Stars

Before diving into farming methods, it’s important to understand why this amulet is so powerful. Its modifiers include:

+20–30% to quality of all skill gems

+1 to level of all skill gems

10–20% increased Reservation Efficiency of Skills

This combination benefits nearly every archetype. Spells scale dramatically with quality, a flat gem level is invaluable for damage and utility, and reservation efficiency makes aura stacking smoother. It’s especially popular among builds like Elementalist Flameblast, Herald of Agony, and Summoner Necromancer.

Because of its versatility, Ashes of the Stars remains one of the most sought-after chase uniques in modern leagues.

2. Where Does Ashes of the Stars Drop?

Ashes of the Stars is a rare drop from Searing Exarch, one of the pinnacle endgame bosses introduced in the Siege of the Atlas expansion.

Requirements:

Complete the Searing Exarch questline.

Progress through tiered maps until you can challenge the Exarch.

Gather Incandescent Invitations, which drop from tier 14+ influenced maps.

The amulet itself is not guaranteed—its drop rate is low, making it a true chase item. However, there are strategies to increase your chances.

3. Farming Strategy for Ashes of the Stars

Step 1: Target Searing Exarch Influence

Run high-tier red maps (T14+).

Apply Searing Exarch influence when given a choice between Exarch and Eater of Worlds.

Defeat the map bosses to collect progress toward invitations.

Step 2: Collect Incandescent Invitations

After progressing, invitations drop. These allow you to fight Searing Exarch or his sub-bosses.

Regular invitations can yield Eldritch currency and other valuable loot, helping sustain costs.

Step 3: Farm Searing Exarch Repeatedly

Once you’ve unlocked access, chain farm his arena fight.

To maximize efficiency, invest in Atlas passives that increase Exarch altar spawns, invitation drop rates, and Eldritch currency yield.

Step 4: Maximize Efficiency

Use high-quantity maps (Chisel, Alch, Vaal for corrupting) for better rewards.

Run Kirac missions that offer Exarch influence.

Spec into the Atlas Keystone: Wrath of the Cosmos to improve rewards at higher risk.

4. Currency Alternatives – Buying Instead of Farming

Because the drop rate is low, farming may take dozens of boss kills. If your build isn’t optimized for bossing, you may be better off farming raw currency and buying Ashes of the Stars from trade.

Good Currency Farms:

Essence Farming: Run maps with Essence nodes for guaranteed crafting currency.

Delirium Orbs & Simulacrums: High reward scaling.

Legion & Breach Farming: Consistent splinter farming for emblems.

Expedition: Logbooks and reroll currency sell very well.

With enough raw Exalted Orbs, you can purchase Ashes directly, avoiding the RNG.

5. Maximizing Ashes of the Stars in Your Build

Once you’ve obtained the amulet, the real fun begins—optimizing it for your build.

Key Considerations:

Quality Scaling Skills

Minions: Zombies, Skeletons, Spectres, and Animate Guardian all gain significant power from quality.

Damage-over-time spells: Flameblast, Righteous Fire, and Toxic Rain benefit heavily.

Auras: Extra quality enhances buffs like Purity of Elements or Determination.

Reservation Efficiency

With 20% efficiency, you can often squeeze in an additional aura.

Pair with Enlighten Support and passive tree reservation nodes for even better synergy.

+1 to Gem Levels

Multiplicative scaling with Empower, Awakened Gems, and items like +2 wands.

Great for min-maxing DPS on spells or minions.

6. Advanced Tips for Farming and Profit

Flip Invitations: Buy invitations early in a league when supply is high, then sell later at profit as demand rises.

Sell Eldritch Currency: Even if you don’t get Ashes, farming Exarch provides valuable drops like Embers and Ichors.

Spec into Boss Rushing: If you only want Ashes, ignore mapping rewards and rush influence objectives to invitation farming.

Craft and Resell: Some players buy lower-rolled Ashes (e.g., 20% quality) and corrupt or divine them into higher rolls, then flip for big profits.

7. Conclusion

Ashes of the Stars is one of Path of Exile’s most prestigious chase items, transforming builds through gem scaling, aura efficiency, and universal gem level boosts. While the drop rate from Searing Exarch makes it a long grind, players can either farm invitations directly, spec Atlas passives for bossing, or build wealth through alternative strategies to buy POE orbs.

Once acquired, Ashes is not just a trophy—it’s a centerpiece for scaling some of the most powerful builds in the game. Whether you’re farming to equip it or flipping it for profit, mastering the methods above ensures you’ll make the most out of this incredible amulet.