Path of Exile 2 Skills Guide
PoE 2 brings a new world of skill gems, support gems and new mechanics to fuel every build. Players can mix and match a huge amount of gems to create their own playstyle, whether elemental attacks, melee strikes or summoning minions. These gems depend on attributes, levels and synergy with the overall skill tree and are powered by resources like Mana or Spirit. In this guide we will go in-depth on how to handle gems, sockets, orbs and more to show how important it is to explore every part of PoE 2. The following sections will give you a detailed look at everything from uncut gems to advanced info on each ability.
Basic Concepts of Skill Gems in PoE 2
Players use skill gems to unleash powerful attacks, buffs or spells in PoE 2. These gems have requirements, like character level and attribute demands like Dexterity, Intelligence or Strength. The right gem for your build makes a huge difference in overall DPS, accuracy and survival. Below is a summary of the basics of skill gems and how they work in PoE 2. Each gem is an actual in-game item that goes into a socket, so you need to manage sockets wisely.
Skill Gem Overview
Below is a quick look at some popular skill gems, their base requirements and their core attributes. The values below are approximate and may change as items and patches come out:
| Skill Gem | Gem Type | Level Requirement | Attribute Demand | Example DPS Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tempest Flurry | Melee/Elemental | Level 10 | 15 DEX, 15 INT | 500–700 DPS at early game |
| Charged Staff | Melee/Physical | Level 12 | 25 STR, 10 INT | 600–800 DPS at early game |
| Orb of Storms | Spell/Elemental | Level 8 | 20 INT | 300–500 DPS at early game |
| Ice Strike | Melee/Cold | Level 15 | 20 STR, 20 DEX | 700–900 DPS at early game |
Each entry is just an example of what you might find while playing through the campaign. Many gems get synergy from passive nodes, gear mods and supportive items so the final output is often above these numbers. Skill gems also require attribute management since some gems ask for a certain DEX or INT ratio before they become active. By looking at the middle of the tooltip you can see if the gem’s requirements are met.
Knowing each skill gem allows you to build around your playstyle. Melee players often choose direct attacks, spellcasters go for ranged spells or area of effect abilities. The amount of gems ensures there’s room to experiment and each skill gets more power when paired with the right support gem.
Support Gems and Their Role in PoE 2
In Path of Exile 2, support gems boost, modify or add new mechanics to skill gems. For example a skill gem that deals lightning damage might see its range, attack speed or overall power increased by specialized support gems. Items like Conduction or Lightning Infusion add unique perks to your skill’s elemental identity. This synergy happens when the support gem is socketed next to the base skill gem, indicated by in-game link lines.
Common Support Gem Examples
Below is a list of common support gems and their effects on skill gems:
- Conduction – Adds extra lightning damage over time and may increase shock effects.
- Lightning Infusion – Converts a portion of physical or elemental damage into lightning, increasing the skill’s effectiveness against clusters of enemies.
- Clarity – Increases mana regeneration during the active skill or aura.
- Ruthless – Grants higher damage multipliers on consecutive hits, but may require certain attribute demands (like Strength).
- Innervate – Triggers a buff upon killing, increasing lightning damage for subsequent attacks.
From a gameplay perspective, support gems turn an average skill into a beast. They might change area of effect, add new damage types or increase cast speed. Make sure to check if each support gem is compatible with the skill gem. The game will show a green checkmark if it’s compatible or a red X if not. This helps you plan which gem combos are worth it.
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Support gems are the foundation of advanced builds, creating different playstyles and strategies. By combining multiple supports with a single skill gem you can create devastating attacks, unstoppable minion armies or punishing area of effect blasts. Checking skill tooltips will show you which supports are active and how they affect your attack or spell.
Sockets, Jeweler’s Orbs, and the Path to More Power
Sockets allow skill gems and support gems to be placed, so they’re essential for any build. At the start you might have limited slots for gem usage. As you progress in PoE 2 more sockets will be unlocked with the help of orbs. A Jeweler’s Orb is a currency item that adds extra support sockets to existing skill gems. Sockets on the skill gem interface also show valuable links that ensure synergy between skill gems and support gems.
Jeweler’s Orb Ranks and Socket Additions
Below is a table illustrating different Jeweler’s Orb tiers and their general effects:
| Orb Tier | Socket Additions | Approx. Drop Rate | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser Jeweler’s Orb | +1 Support Gem Socket (Up to 2) | Moderate | Early game resource. Useful for first upgrades to new skills. |
| Greater Jeweler’s Orb | +1 or +2 Support Gem Sockets | Low | Mid-game item. Potential to raise a skill gem’s synergy. |
| Superior Jeweler’s Orb | +2 or +3 Support Gem Sockets | Rare | Late-game find. Gains are higher and helpful for endgame setups. |
Make sure to plan before using these orbs. If you invest them in a gem that becomes less relevant later it will feel like a waste. Check if a gem aligns with your long term character goals before using an orb. Once a skill gem is settled in your final build, spending orbs to max out the sockets is worth it.
Jeweler’s Orbs drop while adventuring but the rarity depends on the difficulty, area or just plain luck. It’s good to accumulate a few and stash them until the time is right. The best approach is to wait until a gem proves itself and then upgrade it with the orbs for maximum synergy.
How to Access Additional Skill and Support Gems
Progression in Path of Exile 2 will unlock more powerful gems so you can refine your setup or try out new attacks and spells. Uncut gems drop from enemies and come in three main types: Uncut Skill Gems, Uncut Support Gems and Uncut Spirit Gems. Each uncut gem is an opportunity to craft a skill or support gem or upgrade an existing gem.
Ways to Obtain More Gems
Here’s a short list of popular ways to get more gems:
- Monster Drops – Regular enemies and bosses sometimes drop uncut gems.
- Quest Rewards – Some quests reward gem choices upon completion.
- NPC Vendors – Some shops sell gems but availability depends on your character progress.
- Trading with Other Players – Exchange currency items for gems you want.
- Progressing Through Acts – Deeper acts reward higher tier uncut gems with access to stronger abilities or upgrades.
These methods overlap as you progress through the story campaign. By paying attention to each act’s boss drops or vendor inventories you can usually get a reliable set of gems. You can expand your builds further by upgrading low level skills with higher tier uncut gems, bridging the gap between early and late game.
Having more gems means more options to experiment. A new skill that seemed meh at level 1 might become a beast at level 9 or 11. Check the advanced stats in the advanced info panel to decide which gem to upgrade. More gems means more creativity, deeper synergy and specialized approaches to boss fights or wave clear. Uncut gems encourage you to keep exploring since each drop can change your entire build’s playstyle.
Mastering Auras, Spirit Gems, and Resource Management
Auras give you buffs or damage effects and cost a specific resource. Most auras cost Mana but Spirit Gems are a unique set of abilities in PoE 2 that use Spirit resource. This resource is reflected by a secondary globe on the interface and usually has a visual effect. When used wisely auras and spirit based skills have a huge impact on your character’s combat.
Aura and Spirit Gem Comparison
Below is an overview of some aura or spirit-focused gems, their resource reservations, and effects:
| Gem Name | Type | Reservation | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herald of Thunder | Aura | 30 Spirit (base cost) | Adds lightning damage, triggers shock effects. |
| Clarity | Support/Aura | 10–15 Additional Spirit | Improves mana sustain for active spells or attacks. |
| Inner Glow | Spirit Gem | 35–40 Spirit (base cost) | Increases elemental resistances and regeneration rate. |
| Surge | Spirit Gem | 25–35 Spirit (base cost) | Grants short bursts of movement speed and cast speed. |
Activating multiple auras requires resource management. For example Herald of Thunder costs 30 Spirit and an added support gem could add 10 more. Resource management becomes crucial when layering multiple auras on top of each other. The spirit resource bar is usually next to the mana orb so you can monitor usage during combat.
Spirit gems offer interesting possibilities since they free up some of your mana while drawing from a different pool. This interplay between mana and spirit leads to advanced tactics like channeling multiple buffs or powering continuous damage over time skills. Finding the right combination of auras, supports and resource usage is one of the key to building an unstoppable character.
The Skill Tree, Nodes, and Stat Requirements
The skill tree in Path of Exile 2 is a web of passive nodes that shape your character’s strength, defense or resource management. Many nodes grant elemental damage, physical damage or attributes like Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence. Some passives increase maximum mana or spirit so you can fit more auras or buffs. Others unlock advanced triggers that link with your skill gems. One way to start is to target passives that match your main attack or spell. For example if you use Tempest Flurry consider passives that increase melee damage or lightning damage. If attributes become an issue—like not having enough Strength to fit a gem—passive nodes on the tree can fix that.
You can refund skill points using respec points or special orbs. This gives you the freedom to change your character’s path when you find a new gem or synergy that looks good. Some players keep a few respec points in reserve to handle sudden changes in strategy especially if a high level gem becomes available. Investing in attributes or synergy nodes for your core skill gems gives you more DPS, better accuracy or improved survivability. Check the advanced info panel on the skill gem itself to see the final effect of the node. Over time these small additions to your build will add up and you’ll have a beast in PoE 2.
The PoE 2 skill tree encourages experimentation while rewarding those who plan for synergy. By pairing the right passives with the right skill and support gems players discover new combos that push the damage or defensive layering. Attributes, passives and gear choices are the foundation of a build and each skill can shine in the game’s progression and endgame.
