Despite sweeping changes to Atlas passives, map modifiers, and general drop scaling in Path of Exile 3.27, a surprising number of currency strategies have been completely gutted-or at least significantly altered. Yet one approach has essentially survived intact. If anything, it has become even more profitable due to market shifts and the sheer value of stack decks early and mid-league POE currency.

 

In this guide, we're taking a deep dive into the strategy that continues producing roughly one Divine every two maps, with results varying slightly depending on the economy. It's simple, scalable, beginner-friendly, and remains one of the smoothest ways to print currency without complicated setups or expensive gear.

 

Let's break down exactly how the updated 3.27 version works: what changed, what stayed the same, and how to maximize your profit with every map you open.

 

Why Cloister Scarab Stack-Deck Farming Still Works

 

Divination Scarabs of the Cloister were always strong-but in 3.27, they've become essential for anyone farming stack decks consistently and efficiently. The combination of scarabs, Ritual mechanics, Beyond, and high-quantity maps is still unmatched for raw loot explosions.

 

Here's the core loop of the strategy:

 

1.Use five Divination Scarabs of the Cloister in your map device.

 

2.Run maps with high item quantity (8-mods preferred).

 

3.Use an Atlas tree that guarantees Ritual in every map.

 

4.Block all competing mechanics that would otherwise dilute spawns.

 

5.Add Beyond for insane monster density.

 

Even with scarab prices sitting around 12 chaos each, the return is so strong that players consistently profit before even factoring in raw drops, bubblegum currency, and incidental scarabs or maps.

 

Step 1: The Scarab Setup-Why All 5 Slots Matter

 

The most important rule of the strategy:

 

Use all five map device slots for Divination Scarabs of the Cloister.

 

Yes, you can technically run four, but doing so will noticeably reduce your stack-deck count. Using five maximizes:

 

 Divination card sources

 Cloister multipliers

 Density synergy with Ritual/Beyond

 Your average decks per map (typically 60-100)

 

With scarabs costing around 12c each, a full set costs 60 chaos. But the value of the resulting stack decks drastically outweighs the investment.

 

Map Craft

 

Use:

 "Increased quantity of items found in this area."

 It's inexpensive and consistently outperforms any other craft for raw card drops.

 

Step 2: Profit Math-Why This Strategy Is Insanely Stable

 

Let's talk numbers.

 

Average Return Per Map

 

 Minimum expected stack decks: ~60

 Typical return: 70-100, depending on quantity and RNG

 If stack decks are selling for 1.8-2 chaos each, that's:

 Minimum return: 60 decks × 1.8c = 108 chaos

 Average return: 75 decks × 1.8c = 135 chaos

 

Subtract your 60c scarab cost, and you're reliably clearing:

 

 50-80 chaos profit per map

 

 Equivalent to roughly 1 Divine per 2 maps in the current economy

 

And this does not include:

 

 Raw chaos drops

 Additional scarabs

 Tier 17 maps

 Ritual vessel rolls

 Exarch/Altars money

 

Realistically, players often land higher than 1 Divine every two maps.

 

Step 3: Mapping Approach-What Maps to Run

 

Best-in-slot: 8-mod corrupted maps

 

If you can buy or sustain them naturally, 8-mods are king. They offer:

 

 Huge item quantity

 Extremely high pack size

 Synergy with Beyond and Ritual

 

Just make sure your build can handle the random modifiers.

 

If you can't run 8-mods:

 

You can still use:

 

 Underground Sea

 Strand

 Jungle Valley

 Mesa

 

Chisel → Alch → Vaal → Run it.

 

Even without 8-mods, you will still profit-just slightly less.

Optional: Delirium Orbs

 

If your map isn't already corrupted:

 

 Apply one Delirium Orb for a slight density and reward boost.

 

If your map is already 8-mod corrupted:

 You cannot apply Delhi-stick with the mods.

 

Step 4: Updated Atlas Tree-Ritual + Beyond Combo

The Atlas tree drives this strategy. Here's what you want:

 

1. Ritual Cluster (Mandatory)

 

Take every major Ritual node:

 Sacred Lands (monsters resurrect with cards)

 Devotion (+1 ritual, guaranteeing 4 rituals per map)

 Ritual spawn chance nodes

 

Ritual creates its own monsters that:

 Drop stack decks

 Scale with quantity and Beyond

 Add bonus card drops from revivals

 

You must force Ritual to appear in every map-or you lose a huge chunk of profit.

 

2. Block All Competing Mechanics

 

Block:

 Expedition

 Legion

 Rogues

 Abyss

 Delirium

 Heist

 Metamorph

 

These dilute your Ritual spawn chances.

 

Leave enabled:

 Ultimatum

 Blight

 Sacred Grove

 

These occasionally give valuable scarabs or raw currency.

 

Optional:

If Ritual still doesn't spawn reliably, block Sacred Grove as well.

 

3. Beyond Cluster

 

Take:

 Torrent of Fear

 Scent of Blood

 Pale ClarionOr swap Pale Clarion for Varunastra's Wrong if you prefer unique drops.

 

Beyond greatly increases:

 

 Monster density

 Pack chains

 Loot explosions

 Stack deck counts

 

For this strategy, Beyond is a massive profit multiplier with almost zero downside.

 

4. Map Modifiers / Pack Size

 

Take every pack size and quantity scaling node you can get:

 

 Perfection

 Mountain Range

 Enhanced Monster Modifiers

 Explicit Modifier effect

 

More packs = more altars = more Ritual monsters = more stack decks.

 

5. Boss Influence - Exarch vs. Eater

 

Both work, but there's a clear winner.

 

Exarch Recommended

 

Why?

 

 The Exarch "duplicate basic currency" altar affects stack decks.

 

 Exarch maps drop more raw chaos.

 

 Early league divines are cheap, making consistent chaos gains valuable.

 

Eater is still fine

 

There is just less synergy with stack decks early league.

 

If you're comfortable clicking altars and enjoy more stable returns, Exarch is the safe pick.

 

Step 5: Singular Focus (Optional)

 

If you want to control your map drops:

 

 Singular Focus (3 points) is a great addition.

 

It shifts map drops toward your chosen map, helping you sustain your favorite layout indefinitely.

 

Step 6: Example Loot-What to Expect

 

Here's a real example:

 

Two maps produced…

 

 147 stack decks (approx. 270 chaos)

 Tier 17 "Fortress" map

 Multiple scarabs

 Bubblegum currency

Scarabs spent:

 10 × 12c each = 120c

 

Net profit:

 

 270c - 120c = 150c profit

 

 Equivalent to 1 Divine at current rates-and that's only from stack decks.

 

Add raw drops, T17 maps, altars, and miscellaneous items, and the profit climbs even higher.

 

This level of consistency is what makes the strategy so reliable throughout the league.

 

Why This Strategy Survives Every Patch

 

Cloister Scarab farming is effectively future-proof, because:

 

 Stack decks always have demand.

 

 Ritual scales off quantity, not patch-specific mechanics.

 

 Beyond ensures massive density regardless of map changes.

 

 The market doesn't crash for stack decks like it does for essence or scarab spam.

 

Even with scarab prices fluctuating, the profit margin remains strong. Players who refine their mapping speed can squeeze 2-3 Divines per hour with ease.

 

Final Thoughts: A Strategy That Will Stay Profitable All League buy POE exalted orbs

 

While many farming strategies in Path of Exile rise and fall with each patch, Cloister Scarab stack-deck farming has proven to be the exception. With the right Atlas tree, full scarab investment, and density multipliers, you'll consistently generate huge amounts of stack decks-enough to turn almost any build into a currency-printing machine.