1. What Are Atlas Bonuses?
Atlas bonuses are passive effects applied across your maps, influenced by your Atlas passive tree, completed maps, and modifiers like Scarabs or Sextants. These bonuses impact:
Item quantity: More drops per map run
Item rarity: Higher chance for rare or unique items
Map drops: Unlocks higher-tier maps faster
Boss encounters: Increases the frequency or difficulty of bosses
The key to maximizing your Atlas is to plan around these bonuses and apply modifiers where they give the highest return.
2. Understanding Scarabs in 0.4
Scarabs are consumable items that add modifiers to maps. There are several types, each with a specific function:
Silver Scarabs: Boost currency drops
Golden Scarabs: Boost rare and unique item drops
Titanium Scarabs: Boost maps and endgame loot
Cartographer’s Scarabs: Enhance map drops, providing extra variety and quantity
Scarabs are not one-size-fits-all; using the wrong Scarab on the wrong map can be inefficient. For example, using a Silver Scarab on a map with low loot density may waste its potential.
3. Where to Use Scarabs for Maximum Efficiency
To maximize efficiency:
High-density maps: Maps with lots of monsters are perfect for Scarabs that increase loot quantity.
Rare or unique maps: If your goal is high-value drops, Golden or Titanium Scarabs can make these maps far more rewarding.
Influenced maps: Scarabs amplify modifiers on Conqueror, Shaper, or Elder-influenced maps, which already have better loot potential.
A simple rule: scarabs are multipliers, so use them where they amplify an already strong map.
4. Sextants and Strategic Modifiers
Sextants allow you to add modifiers to clusters of maps in the Atlas. In 0.4, they work in tandem with Scarabs to create high-value farming regions.
Best placement: Target map clusters where you run multiple maps in a row. This ensures all maps benefit from the modifier.
Combining with Scarabs: A Sextant modifier that increases rare monsters combined with a Golden Scarab can lead to massive loot runs.
Modifier synergy: Some Sextants add map bosses or elemental packs; using the right Scarab enhances these rewards further.
5. Atlas Passive Tree and Bonus Maximization
The Atlas passive tree is central to maximizing Scarab efficiency. Nodes that increase:
Quantity: Make Scarabs more effective by multiplying drops
Rarity: Boost your chance for uniques or divination cards
Map drop chance: Ensure your Scarab-enhanced maps contribute to unlocking higher-tier maps
Tip: prioritize nodes that amplify your current farming goals. If you’re running maps for currency, quantity nodes matter most. For unique items, focus on rarity nodes.
6. Planning Your Scarab and Sextant Usage
Efficiency in PoE 2 0.4 comes down to preparation:
Check your Atlas region: Identify areas with uncompleted maps.
Select the right Scarab: Match it to your map density and reward goals.
Apply Sextants strategically: Target map clusters with high run frequency.
Monitor Atlas passive bonuses: Adjust nodes to maximize Scarab effects.
This approach ensures every Scarab and Sextant you use provides maximum benefit rather than being wasted on maps that don’t give high-value returns.
7. Avoiding Common Mistakes
Using Scarabs randomly: Without planning, Scarabs can be wasted on low-value maps.
Ignoring the Atlas tree: Failing to align Scarab usage with Atlas nodes reduces effectiveness.
Overstacking modifiers: Too many modifiers can make maps too difficult or chaotic, reducing efficiency.
The key is strategic placement and synergy—not just spamming Scarabs.
8. Endgame Planning with Bonuses
In the late game, maximizing Atlas bonuses is essential for farming endgame content like Shaper, Elder, or Conqueror regions. Use Scarabs to:
Target high-value maps for currency and gear farming
Unlock higher-tier maps faster by completing objectives efficiently
Increase boss encounters for crafting materials and rare drops
With careful planning, Scarabs and Atlas bonuses turn your Atlas into a high-efficiency loot machine, dramatically improving both your progression speed and rewards.
Summary
Scarabs, Sextants, and Atlas bonuses in cheap PoE 2 Items 2 0.4 are more than optional tools—they’re the foundation of efficient endgame progression. Use Scarabs strategically on high-density and influenced maps, combine them with Sextants on map clusters, and leverage the Atlas passive tree to amplify their effect. Avoid random usage and plan your runs carefully, and you’ll see faster Atlas completion, more loot, and smoother endgame farming.
