Combat-centric mapping chases hard fights and thick waves. Start by selecting layouts with natural staging zones—Plaza, Arena, Colonnade, Crimson Temple—where you can chain packs and bosses without leashing issues or cramped terrain.

Roll maps to increase pressure, not tedium. More rare packs, increased monster life, extra projectiles and AoE push builds to perform. Be wary of lethal stacks: -maximum resistances plus crit multi plus added as extra elemental can cross from “exciting” to “unfair.”

Build around survival while staying aggressive. Layer armor/evasion, spell suppression, ailment immunity and recovery so you can stand PoE 1 Currency your ground during Legion eruptions, Beyond chains or altar-amplified packs. Deaths erase profit and rhythm.

Use scarabs and compasses that force conflict: Beyond, Legion, Breach, Delirium mirrors or strongbox multipliers. These concentrate mobs into high-intensity bursts that reward AoE uptime, stun/chill avoidance and reliable guard skills.

Atlas passives should fuel constant fighting: more altar chances, more Legion generals, enraged strongboxes, additional beyond portals. Skip travel-heavy or puzzle-like mechanics that siphon time away from battles.

Flask setup is your safety net. Instant life, armor/evasion boosts, quartz/phasing and curse immunity keep you planted when projectiles and ground effects stack up. Map mods that gut recovery or flask gain are poor fits—reroll and keep the pressure on.

Loot planning favors boss and PoE Currency rare-focused rewards: catalysts from Metamorph, splinters from breach/legion, influenced bases and fractured items. Combat mapping shines when you convert tough encounters into deterministic currency.

Aim for “difficult but repeatable.” If a mod combo forces cautious pulls or constant deaths, it’s not a combat test—it’s a time sink. Keep the fights loud, quick and learnable.