Crafting a five-positive Helical Ring in Path of Exile is one of the most rewarding-and nerve-wracking-projects available to endgame players. When successful, the result is a ring with absurd multipliers, capable of competing with POE orbs or surpassing mirror-tier alternatives. This article breaks down a proven approach, including traditional crafting, fracturing, and the high-risk Locks and Reflecting Mist step that ultimately defines the item.

Why Helical Rings Are So Valuable

Helical Rings are unique among ring bases because they inherently amplify modifier values. When combined with top-tier suffixes such as Global Critical Strike Multiplier and high-tier resistances, every positive roll is magnified. This makes the base exceptionally attractive for crit-based builds, but also extremely expensive to perfect.

Hitting five positive modifiers is not just about luck; it requires disciplined sequencing and understanding where risk should be taken-and where it should be avoided.

Step 1: Acquiring the Correct Base

Start by purchasing a Helical Ring base with item level 84 or higher. This ilvl is mandatory to unlock tier-1 elemental resistance rolls, which are essential for a high-end result. Do not compromise here; a lower ilvl will cap the ring's potential and invalidate the entire process.

Step 2: Locking in Global Critical Strike Multiplier

Use Deafening Essences of Scorn until you hit a maximum roll Global Critical Strike Multiplier. This modifier is the cornerstone of the ring and must be as high as possible to justify further investment.

Once achieved, you will need to manipulate the item to reach four total modifiers. This is done by either Exalting or selectively Annuling. The goal is to prepare the ring for fracturing without polluting it with unnecessary affixes.

When ready, attempt to fracture the Global Crit Multiplier. This is often the most expensive and frustrating step. Expect to use a significant number of locks-15 or more is not uncommon. Success here permanently secures the most valuable stat on the item and allows aggressive future crafting.

Step 3: Essence Spamming for Resistances

With Global Crit Multiplier fractured, switch to Deafening Essences of Spite to guarantee Intelligence. From here, you are fishing for tier-1 All Elemental Resistance, which has the highest priority, or alternatively any tier-1 single resistance.

Patience is key. Because Helical Rings scale modifier magnitude, even one tier-1 resistance roll becomes extremely powerful. Do not settle for mid-tier rolls unless you plan to resell or abandon the project.

Step 4: Exalt Slamming the Final Resistance

Once you have a strong resistance from the essence step, use an Exalted Orb-or a Foulborn Exalt, if currency allows-to add another high-tier resistance. Which resistance you are targeting depends on what you already rolled in the previous step.

At this stage, the ring is often messy. A clean open prefix is rare. More commonly, you will need to Annul an unwanted prefix to make room for a crafted bench mod later. This is risky but frequently unavoidable if you want a five-positive outcome.

Step 5: Locks and Reflecting Mist

This is where the craft becomes truly dangerous.

Acquire several Hinekora's Locks and at least one Reflecting Mist. Before applying the Mist, bench craft Chaos Damage to Attacks. This is a relatively safe placeholder prefix; crafting Mana instead introduces additional downside risk if it becomes negative.

Apply a Lock to the ring, then use the Reflecting Mist. Hover the Mist over the ring before clicking. This step cannot be overstated. If you accidentally apply the Mist without checking the preview, you can instantly destroy weeks of progress.

The ideal outcome is five positive modifiers, even if it comes with one negative prefix. In most cases, players would happily accept a four-positive suffix outcome over a technically "cleaner" but weaker alternative.

Buy vs. Craft Considerations

If this process sounds excessive, that is because it is. As of current market conditions, pre-crafted Helical Rings suitable for Lock and Mist setups sell for around 145 Divine Orbs, while fully perfect versions can exceed 200 Divine Orbs. Skipping the crafting phase entirely is a valid option for players who prefer certainty over experimentation.

Final Thoughts

A five-positive Helical Ring is not a casual project. It demands currency, mechanical knowledge, and a tolerance for loss. However, when everything aligns, the result is a ring with cheap POE orbs phenomenal multipliers that can anchor an entire build. For players chasing true endgame optimization, few crafts in Path of Exile are as thrilling-or as satisfying.