Build guides often show the finished boss setup and skip the awkward gearing decisions that come first. Jiquani's Soul Core of Targeting is worth considering only after you know how often your PoE 2 build uses Marks and whether it benefits from higher Mark Skill levels. If you are weighing weapon upgrades against other Path of Exile 2 Currency expenses, the key question is simple: will this Core improve your real combat rotation, or just look good on the item?

What Targeting Actually Adds

Socketed into a weapon, Jiquani's Soul Core of Targeting grants +1 to the level of all Mark Skills. It is limited to one and requires level 50, so it is a specialized choice rather than a general-purpose damage upgrade.

That distinction matters. The Core does not directly add weapon damage in the information provided here. Its value comes from improving the Mark part of a skill setup, while the weapon still needs to carry its weight through its base and other useful offensive modifiers.

For a build that applies a Mark as part of its usual sequence, the extra level can support the setup without giving up the weapon slot entirely to a Mark-specific item. For a build that rarely uses Marks, the same slot may be better spent on a Core that helps its main damage source or resource needs more directly.

Check Your Rotation Before You Commit

Do not judge the upgrade by the tooltip alone. Look at what you actually do in a difficult fight. If applying a Mark is a regular step before returning to your main attack, Targeting may contribute to a repeatable part of your damage plan. If the Mark is only used occasionally, its benefit is likely to be less noticeable in ordinary play.

Ask these questions before using the Core.

◆ Is a Mark part of the build's normal combat rotation?

◆ Does the build gain meaningful value from higher Mark Skill levels?

◆ Can the weapon remain equipped for its base and offensive modifiers?

◆ Would another Soul Core support the build's main damage or resource needs better?

These checks help separate a genuine build upgrade from an item that is merely new or thematically appealing. If the answers are mixed, compare the weapon's full contribution rather than treating +1 Mark Skill level as an automatic win.

Build Around a Good Weapon, Not the Core

A common gearing trap is choosing a weaker weapon just because it has the slot or setup needed for a preferred Soul Core. Start with the weapon itself: its base and offensive modifiers should already make sense for your character. Then decide whether giving its Soul Core slot to Targeting is worth the trade.

This order keeps the decision grounded in how the character performs. Targeting can complement a strong weapon, but it does not turn a poor weapon into a strong one. If replacing your current weapon would cost too much damage or make the rest of the setup harder to support, keep looking rather than forcing the Core into the build.

When Bossing Makes It More Attractive

Marks are aimed at individual enemies, so the Core may be easier to justify when a large share of your combat time is spent on bosses or other important targets. In that setting, a cycle of applying the Mark, triggering its effect, and returning to the main attack can make the skill feel like a deliberate part of the setup instead of an occasional extra.

That does not make Targeting a universal bossing choice. Its value still depends on the build's Mark use and on what you give up in the weapon slot. If your setup barely uses Marks, a more direct benefit is likely the clearer choice.

For PoE 2 players, the practical approach is to secure a weapon worth keeping, then test whether higher Mark Skill levels support the fights you care about. Treat Jiquani's Soul Core of Targeting as a focused upgrade, not a reason to reshape a build that does not need it. If you are planning broader gear spending, compare the cost against other priorities, including poe2 rmt, and make the choice that improves your actual setup.