Some div cards are easy to farm, while others require a much higher level of investment, both in terms of time and currency. One of the most notable (and controversial) divination cards right now is the Damnation Divination Card. Priced at an astronomical rate of 1,000+ divines, it has become one of the most expensive cards in the game's history. In this guide, we'll break down how to farm the Damnation card and POE currency, what strategies you can use, and whether it's worth the risk of gambling with this pricey card drop.

Why Is the Damnation Card So Expensive?

Before we dive into farming strategies, it's essential to understand why the Damnation card has inflated to such absurd prices. As with most high-priced div cards, it's primarily the result of gambling and market speculation.

The card itself drops from two specific maps, and players can use Harvest Bench crafting to artificially inflate the price by combining the card with a valuable item, specifically the Original Sin card. The high price of the Original Sin card, which itself is valued at about 4 mirrors, increases the demand for the Damnation card. Pilfering from the Harvest Bench, in combination with lucky drops, makes the price skyrocket.

As a result, the market has gone into overdrive, with the Damnation card being priced between 800 to 1500 divines, fluctuating wildly. The gambling aspect-hoping that you'll get lucky and drop the card-leads to its overvaluation, making it one of the most expensive cards in Path of Exile history.

But despite the eye-watering price tag, it remains a hot commodity for some players. If you're willing to put in the effort and resources to farm this card, there are a few strategies to keep in mind.

Farming the Damnation Card: Three Key Strategies

There are three primary methods to farm the Damnation card. Each strategy has its own benefits and drawbacks, depending on your playstyle, map efficiency, and currency on hand.

1. Red Vial Farming Strategy (High Risk, High Reward)

The first strategy involves using the Red Vial method, which is the most expensive and risky option. Here's how it works:

 Map Setup: For this strategy, you will need to run Tier 16 maps with exalted modifiers and pack size bonuses. The goal is to roll for as much pack size as possible, ideally 50% pack size, after applying Exaltations, Divination chisels, and other buffs.

 Scarabs: Use 4x Plenty Scarabs (which increase the chance of divination card drops) and 1x Pilferin Scarab (to increase the likelihood of finding multiple div cards from a single drop).

 Delirium Orbs: Use 1 to 5 Delirium Orbs on each map, depending on your build's capability. You can go all-in with five orbs for maximum returns, but this is only advisable if your build is capable of handling the chaos that comes with this setup.

 Expected Results: This method is incredibly expensive. On average, you will lose 1.5 divines per map until you drop a Damnation card. It's estimated that you will need to farm roughly 300 maps before one Damnation card drops, meaning you could lose over 40 divines before you get lucky.

 Pros and Cons: This method offers the highest possible reward in terms of raw currency return when you do get a Damnation card drop. However, it also involves significant risk. Some players report going as high as 800 to 900 maps without a drop, resulting in massive losses-sometimes more than a mirror's worth in currency. If you can afford to lose currency and have a fast enough build to farm 20-25 maps an hour, this could work for you.

2. Mirage Farming (Slightly Less Risky, Consistent Returns)

The second strategy involves farming with Mirage Tier 16 maps. This method is less risky than the Red Vial strategy but still offers good returns. Here's the breakdown:

 Map Setup: In this setup, you'll be running Tier 16 Mirage maps. Mirage maps are great because they essentially double the value of the resources you're using. For example, a full Mirage map gives you the benefit of two maps in one, meaning you get double the value from scarabs, chisels, and Delirium orbs.

 Scarabs: Use 4x Plenty Scarabs and one Pilferin Scarab, just like the Red Vial method. The Mirage maps will give you more loot and increase the chances of finding valuable divination cards.

 Delirium Orbs: You can still use 3 to 5 Delirium Orbs here, depending on your build's strength. The additional monsters and loot from Mirage maps make this a slightly cheaper but still efficient method.  Expected Results: Unlike Red Vials, this method is not as expensive. You re likely to earn positive returns per hour, but the overall drop rate for Damnation cards is still low. While it's a safer bet, you still won't be hitting a huge payout without the right RNG.

 Mirage Caveat: You do need to skip the Mirage itself if you're not running 4x Plenty Scarabs. The Mirage boss in a Mirage map can bug out, meaning you won't get any div cards from the Mirage if you do not get the correct boss or modifiers. This needs to be kept in mind when running Mirage maps.

 Pros and Cons: This method is more consistent and involves fewer risks than the first method. The returns are positive overall, especially if you're able to farm the maps quickly. However, the payoff is still not as high as Red Vial farming, and you may need to run several hundred Mirage maps to see any significant results.

3. R2 Cheap Strat (Low Risk, Low Reward)

The third method is the most cost-effective and least risky strategy, though the returns are the lowest overall. Here's how it works:

 Map Setup: For this setup, you'll be using 8-mod Tier 16 maps without any map rolling, which saves you on currency. You won't be using the expensive Pilferin Scarabs, but instead, you'll use Monsters' Lineage Scarabs to give you extra loot without the high cost.

 Delirium Orbs: This method relies heavily on using Delirium Orbs at a lower cost, aiming to get good returns without the high gamble associated with the other methods.

 Expected Results: With this method, you won't lose any currency on your maps, and your divination card drops will be more consistent. The payoff from a Damnation drop, however, will not be as high since you won't be duplicating the card (as you would with Pilferin). It's a safer option for players who don't want to gamble with high-tier farming.

 Pros and Cons: This strategy allows for a safe and steady approach, but you won't see the massive rewards that come with more expensive farming methods. This is great if you don't want to go all-in but are still looking for the chance of a huge payout.

Optimizing Your Farming: Atlas Strategy and Layouts

No matter which farming strategy you choose, you'll need to optimize your Atlas strategy. For the best results, make sure to focus on Beyond, Ritual, and Ore Deposits in your Atlas tree. These nodes increase monster density, drop rates, and provide more opportunities for Bismuth bosses to spawn, which can increase the loot you get from each map.

Best Map Layouts for Farming

Certain maps offer better returns than others when it comes to farming div cards:

 Dunes: Known for its high monster density and open layout, Dunes is a great choice for div card farming.

 Strand: Another popular layout with a good monster density. It's easy to navigate and great Path of exile currency for farming.

 Tower: While the boss is tricky, Tower has excellent monster density, making it a top choice for farming loot.

Conclusion: Is Farming Damnation Worth It?

The Damnation card is one of the most sought-after cards in Path of Exile, but it comes with a steep price. The strategies outlined here offer various levels of risk and reward, depending on your available currency and willingness to gamble. If you can handle a high-risk approach, the Red Vial method can be extremely rewarding. However, the Mirage method provides more consistent returns with less risk. Finally, the R2 Cheap Strat is the most safe but offers lower overall returns.

Farming this card is definitely a gamble, but it can pay off in spades if you get lucky.