In poe 2 currency wealth is more than just a means to progress or improve gear For the most elite guilds across the game currency has taken on a symbolic and even ritualistic meaning especially in the form of ceremonial currency burning This dramatic and costly practice involves the intentional destruction or extravagant use of high-value orbs as a show of dominance unity or philosophical rejection of conventional economy rules Within the tightly-knit structure of high-tier guilds these acts function as economic theater reinforcing identity status and influence both internally and across the wider player base

The Origins of Ceremonial Burnings

Currency burning in POE 2 did not begin as a formal system Instead it emerged organically from early league traditions where guild leaders or top-ranking members would perform “sacrifice crafts” during milestone events such as league openings or boss race victories These sacrifices involved using currency in wasteful or unpredictable ways such as attempting to six-link a white item with only a 0.03 percent success rate or corrupting a perfect rare map with a Vaal Orb for no strategic gain The intent was not to profit but to demonstrate surplus power

Over time these practices became ritualized Guilds now schedule official ceremonies often accompanied by in-game roleplay music and synchronized actions where members gather in a shared hideout and take part in coordinated currency burnings The most prestigious events may involve the destruction of Mirrors of Kalandra Exalted Orbs or Legacy Uniques known for their rarity across all timelines

Symbolism and Social Hierarchy

Within elite guilds ceremonial burnings serve as a cultural signal of internal strength and stability They reinforce the idea that the guild’s economic engine is so powerful it can afford to destroy assets others consider priceless Members who participate or sponsor these rituals gain social capital often rising in guild prestige or earning exclusive roles like “Keeper of the Flame” or “Vault Warden”

Burning also acts as a loyalty test and trust exercise Members who contribute expensive orbs to the ceremony are seen as having full commitment to the guild’s philosophy placing long-term status and unity above short-term profit In some guilds members are required to burn a symbolic amount of currency upon promotion to officer ranks a practice that mirrors ancient tribal rites of passage

Ripple Effects on the Broader Economy

The frequency and visibility of these rituals can influence league-wide economics In some leagues spikes in demand for certain currencies have been traced to scheduled guild ceremonies where hundreds of orbs are purchased and burned in a short window This artificial scarcity can trigger short-term inflation followed by rapid deflation once the event concludes

Other players may imitate these ceremonies without the same economic cushion often burning valuable resources in hopes of mimicking elite behavior but ultimately destabilizing their own progression This imitation effect has caused developers to monitor extreme wealth concentration and occasionally patch mechanics that made excessive accumulation too easy

Psychology of Destruction as Power

Ceremonial burning speaks to a psychological need to express dominance through waste This parallels real-world behavior found in elite social classes where conspicuous consumption signals superiority In POE 2 the concept is amplified by the game’s fantasy setting where reality itself is malleable and power is both economic and metaphysical To destroy something valuable is to demonstrate that you no longer answer to the same rules as the average player

For these guilds wealth is not the goal It is the medium through which identity is shaped narratives are constructed and legacies are established In this framework the ritual of burning currency becomes an artistic and strategic act part rebellion part celebration and entirely unique to the evolving culture of POE 2