Strongboxes are back and better than ever in Path of Exile 3.29. With GGG buffing the league mechanic, farming charts quickly has become a priority, and strongboxes offer the perfect solution. This strategy uses cheap scarabs to rush through maps while collecting charts, currency, scarabs, and div cards. In POE currency a single session, I even got a replica Alberon's Warpath worth 40 divines from a random heist event. If your build can clear tier 16 maps, this strategy is fast, easy, and highly profitable.
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Why Strongboxes
Strongboxes are the ideal farming strategy for the current meta because they allow you to:
Farm charts quickly - Charts are very valuable right now, and strongboxes let you blast through maps at high speed
Generate consistent currency - Arcanist and Diviner's strongboxes drop raw currency and div cards
Collect scarabs - Strongboxes frequently drop Ambush Scarabs, which are in high demand
Trigger random events - Completing maps can spawn heist events, delve encounters, and other profitable mechanics
Earn Eldritch altar rewards - Boss rushing ensures you collect all map boss altar rewards
The strategy is simple: boss rush to eliminate Eldritch altars, click strongboxes and altars along the way, grab charts, and get out.
Scarab Setup
Core Scarabs
2x Ambush Scarabs - Adds strongboxes to the map. You can use up to 3, but 2 is sufficient for this strategy
1x Potency Scarab - Increases explicit modifiers on strongboxes. This makes modifiers like "contains four extra Ambush Scarabs" go from 4 to 7, and "100% increased quantity" becomes 175%. Less than 1 chaos each, this scarab is a no-brainer
1x Discernment Scarab - Makes strongboxes much more likely to be uncommon variants like Arcanist and Diviner's. These are where the majority of currency comes from. Under 4 chaos each, absolutely worth it
1x Hidden Compartments Scarab - Gives a 15% chance for strongboxes to be openable multiple extra times. This stacks with passive tree bonuses for recursive value
Scarab Cost Analysis
All strongbox scarabs are cheap right now. Ambush Scarabs are around 2 chaos each in bulk. Even if prices double or triple, they would still be worth using. The only expensive scarab is Containment at half a divine, but that is completely optional.
Map Selection
Why Mesa
Mesa is the ideal map for this strategy because:
Easy boss rush - Run straight to the boss, kill him, then continue
Fast layout - Simple and quick to clear
Simple and cheap - No complex setup required
Div Card Considerations
Mesa has terrible div cards. However, you can scry div cards now using Scrying Orbs dropped from completing maps. This is an extra layer of currency farming if you want to run a map with better div cards. Graveyard has some good div cards, but the layout is not great. Good layouts and good div cards do not overlap well, so it is up to you whether to chase div cards or speed.
Atlas Passive Tree
Strongbox Nodes
Take every single strongbox node:
Guaranteed extra strongbox
Increased chance of extra monsters
Rare and corrupted strongboxes
Chance for re-openable strongboxes
Double currency and double div cards
Additional Nodes
Shrine nodes - All shrine nodes for speed boosts (optional, drop if short on points)
Scarab nodes - All generic scarab nodes for more scarab drops
Map mod effect - Standard nodes that multiply scarab effectiveness. If you are not using scarabs, skip this
Eater of Worlds pack size - Optional nodes for additional density
Concealed Logistics - Helps with map sustain, especially useful when King's March consumes maps
Blocking Low-Value Scarabs
Block Delirium, Blight, Ritual, and Expedition scarabs. Breach scarabs are not great in value right now. Abyss scarabs are surprisingly valuable because players are buying them in anticipation of upcoming buffs.
Optional Nodes
Speaker of the Dead and Unrelenting Torment - Allows you to be possessed by ghosts. Fun and adds extra density. If using Templar Astrolabe, you definitely want Speaker of the Dead to avoid fighting a boss with 10 ghosts
Map Setup and Rolling
Templar Astrolabe Option
You can run Templar Astrolabes if you want. They work fine with this strategy. However, you cannot get Astrolabes from maps that already have Astrolabes, so we have been skipping them entirely. In one night, we still collected almost every type of Astrolabe from running strongbox maps.
Scarab Investment
This is a scarab-mandatory strategy. It will work without scarabs, but it will be much less valuable. If you do not want to use scarabs, focus on farming charts instead.
No Astrolabe Required
You do not need Astrolabes for this strategy to work. Running maps without them keeps the strategy cheap and accessible.
Profit Sources
Primary Income
Arcanist strongboxes - Raw currency drops
Diviner's strongboxes - Div card drops
Scarab drops - Ambush Scarabs and other valuable scarabs
Charts - Collected from every map, valuable for voyages
Secondary Income
Eldritch altar rewards - From boss rushing
Random events - Heist, delve, and other mechanics triggered by completing maps
Map drops - Astrolabes and other maps for trading
Jackpot Potential
Random events can produce massive payouts. I got a replica Alberon's Warpath worth 40 divines from a random heist event. While not guaranteed, these occasional jackpots make the strategy even more appealing.
How to Run the Maps
Step-by-Step Process
1. Enter the map with your scarabs activated
2. Rush to the map boss - Kill the boss first to eliminate boss-related Eldritch altars
3. Click strongboxes along the way, prioritizing Arcanist and Diviner's
4. Click Eldritch altars as you find them
5. Grab charts from the map
6. Complete the map and exit
Each map should take 1 to 2 minutes with a fast build. The goal is speed, not full clearing.
Tips for Maximizing Efficiency
Scarab Management
Buy scarabs in bulk before your farming session
Ambush Scarabs are cheap and readily available
If prices increase significantly, the strategy is still worth running
Map Rolling
Roll for pack size if possible
Avoid dangerous modifiers that slow you down
Do not over-invest in rolling
Atlas Tree Flexibility
The strategy works even at low point totals
Drop shrines and optional nodes if you are short on points
Focus on strongbox nodes first, then scarab nodes
Chart Management
Collect all charts from every map
Charts are valuable for voyages
Use charts for additional profit
Final Thoughts
Strongbox farming is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to build currency in PoE 3.29. With scarabs at record-low prices and strongboxes providing consistent currency, scarabs, and charts, this strategy is accessible to almost any player.
The flexibility of the Atlas tree means you can run this strategy even with limited points. The speed of the maps means you can farm a large number of buy Path of exile currency charts quickly. And the occasional jackpot from random events makes every map exciting.