PoE 2 Tacati's Soul Core of Affliction

In Path of Exile 2, one of the most impactful new additions in the Trial of Chaos endgame system is the introduction of Soul Cores—a powerful new socketable item category. Among the 14 new Soul Cores, Tacati's Soul Core of Affliction stands out as an exceptional tool for Chaos damage builds. In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how this Soul Core works, how you can find it, and how I’ve personally used it to elevate my build’s effectiveness in PoE 2's endgame. Plus, I’ll touch on how you can use PoE 2 Currency wisely to support your Soul Core investments.

What is Tacati’s Soul Core of Affliction?

Item Type: Soul Core 
Slot Compatibility: Helmets 
Effect:

• Enemies you Curse have -8% to Chaos Resistance

When inserted into a helmet’s Rune Socket, this Soul Core applies a global debuff effect to cursed enemies, reducing their Chaos Resistance by 8%. This debuff stacks with other sources of Chaos Resistance reduction, amplifying the potency of Chaos-based builds.

Note: Once socketed into a gear item, the Soul Core cannot be retrieved, though it can be replaced by another socketable item.

How to Obtain Tacati’s Soul Core of Affliction

Tacati’s Soul Core of Affliction can only be found in Endgame Ultimatum Encounters within the Trial of Chaos, a brand-new content system introduced in PoE 2. These trials test both survivability and strategic build power across wave-based challenges.

To increase your odds of acquiring Tacati’s Soul Core:

• Focus on high-tier Ultimatum waves where Soul Cores have a higher drop rate.
• Look out for specific modifiers in the Trial that increase Soul Core rewards.
• Trade with other players using PoE 2 Currency like Chaos Orbs, Divine Orbs, or new currency types introduced in the sequel.

Personal Experience Using Tacati’s Soul Core

I discovered Tacati’s Soul Core of Affliction during my fourth Trial of Chaos encounter and instantly recognized its value for my Chaos DoT (Damage over Time) Occultist. I was running Wither + Despair + Bane, and applying multiple curses with Vixen’s Entrapment equivalent gloves. Once I socketed Tacati’s Soul Core into my rare helmet, my boss-kill times dropped by nearly 20%, especially against high Chaos Resistance targets like map bosses and pinnacle enemies.

The synergy is insane when paired with:

• Despair Curse
• Withering Step or Wither Totems
• Malevolence aura

Enemies that previously felt spongey became far more manageable. For me, this item was a game-changer in pushing deeper endgame content.

How to Use It Effectively

• Best Build Types: Chaos DoT (Bane, Essence Drain, Viper Strike), Poison builds, Occultist or Trickster.
• Gear Priority: Look for helmets with high life/resistances and an empty Rune Socket.
• Curse Management: Be sure your build can consistently apply curses—automated triggers or cast-on-hit mechanics are ideal.

Investing in Soul Cores with PoE 2 Currency

If farming Soul Cores isn't yielding results, the player-driven economy offers another path. Use PoE 2 Currency smartly:

• Buy directly from trustworthy vendors or via in-game trade chats.
• Monitor prices; Soul Cores fluctuate based on meta popularity.
• Consider flipping Soul Cores for profit if your build doesn’t benefit from them.

Some top currencies used in trading Soul Cores:

• Chaos Orbs – baseline trade unit
• Divine Orbs – for high-demand Soul Cores
• Orb of Binding & other new PoE 2 currencies – niche trades and crafting options

Tacati's Soul Core of Affliction is more than just a stat-boosting item—it's a build-defining enhancement for any character that thrives on Chaos damage. In my personal gameplay, this item created a noticeable shift in power, especially during longer boss encounters. If you’re running any Chaos-based strategy in PoE 2, this Soul Core is absolutely worth chasing.

So dive into the Trial of Chaos, optimize your curse setup, and don't forget to stock up on PoE 2 Currency—your success may depend on it.