The countdown to Path of Exile 2’s early access is winding down, and the excitement is at an all-time high. With its completely reimagined skill and gem system, it’s the perfect time to dive into what makes these mechanics tick and highlight the best skills and support gems to use. If you’re looking to optimize your builds or simply explore the endless possibilities, this guide will break down the essentials and help you craft the ultimate setup.
Path of Exile 2 Gem System
One of the most exciting changes in PoE 2 is its completely revamped gem system. Here’s a quick overview:
Skill Gems are tied to your abilities. Want to fire more arrows or throw grenades? That’s where skill gems come in.
Support Gems modify your skills in unique ways, such as adding more projectiles, changing damage types, or even altering how the skill interacts with enemies.
Sockets & Links are now tied to skills rather than gear, allowing for immense customization. Each skill can have up to five linked support gems.
How Skill Gems Work in Path of Exile 2?
Skill gems define your abilities, and each one can have unique effects depending on the support gems you pair with them. For example:
Lightning Arrow: Fires a projectile that chains between enemies. Add a support gem like Multiple Projectiles, and suddenly, you’re firing multiple arrows per shot.
Explosive Shot: A crossbow skill that detonates grenades, dealing area damage. Pair it with supports for added range or Ignite damage for devastating results.
Support Gems Simplified:
Support gems enhance your skills:
Damage boosts: Add modifiers like "20% more cold damage" or "increased critical strike chance."
Utility enhancements: For example, Faster Casting speeds up spell animations, while Elemental Focus sacrifices ailments like Freeze for higher raw damage output.
PoE 2 Best Skill Gems Ranked
Here are some of the standout skill gems in Path of Exile 2, broken down by archetypes:
1. Best Skills for Ranged Builds
A staple for bow users, Lightning Arrow chains between enemies, making it excellent for clearing mobs.
Recommended Supports: Multiple Projectiles for increased spread, Added Lightning Damage for scaling electric shocks, Faster Attacks for smoother gameplay.
This crossbow skill detonates on impact, igniting enemies and causing chaos. It’s perfect for players who love AOE destruction.
Recommended Supports: Ignite Proliferation to spread fire damage, Cluster Grenades to maximize area coverage.
Great for players who want a straightforward skill for consistent area damage.
Recommended Supports: Increased Area of Effect for larger coverage, Frenzy Support to generate Frenzy Charges for more damage.
2. Best Skills for Melee Builds
A high-damage skill for players who love big, satisfying hits. Charge it up and devastate everything in your path.
Recommended Supports: Fist of War for massive AOE bursts, Pulverize to increase AOE and damage, Endurance Support to keep you alive during risky charges.
A returning favorite from PoE1, Bone Shatter rewards players for stacking trauma, dealing more damage the longer you fight.
Recommended Supports: Melee Splash for AOE damage, Endurance Charge on Melee Stun for survivability.
Slam the ground to create fiery cracks that erupt repeatedly. Synergizes well with fire-based builds.
Recommended Supports: Ignite Proliferation for more burn damage, Chance to Ignite to ensure consistent debuffs.
3. Best Skills for Casters
Summons a massive icy projectile from the sky, freezing enemies and dealing AOE damage. Perfect for boss fights and mob clear.
Recommended Supports: Hypothermia for bonus freeze damage, Increased Critical Strikes to ensure devastating hits.
Creates an AOE chilling Vortex that scales based on your overkill damage. Build around this for insane cold DPS
Recommended Supports: Glaciation Support to enhance freeze buildup, Cold Penetration for bypassing enemy resistances.
A channeling fire skill that builds damage over time. Great for stacking Ignite builds.
Recommended Supports: Ignite Proliferation to spread damage, Faster Casting for smoother channeling.
4. Best Skills for Minion Builds
Summon fiery minions that automatically attack enemies while you focus on positioning.
Recommended Supports: Minion Damage for higher DPS, Multiple Minions to increase the swarm size.
Keeps your minions alive even after death for a few seconds, allowing them to get in extra hits or tank.
Recommended Skills: Pair with zombie-based builds or skeleton summoners for maximum effectiveness.
Capture the spirits of enemies to summon them as minions. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
PoE Best Support Gems Ranked for Any Build
Here are a few standout support gems that can elevate your build:
Multiple Projectiles: Essential for ranged builds like bow or crossbow users.
Elemental Focus: Boosts raw damage but disables ailments like Freeze or Ignite. Great for pure DPS builds.
Faster Casting: A must-have for spellcasters who want smoother animations.
Ignite Proliferation: Vital for fire-based builds to spread burns across mobs.
Endurance Support: Perfect for melee characters who need extra survivability during tough fights.
Glaciation Support: Amplifies freeze buildup, ideal for cold builds.
Meat Shield Support: Makes your minions tankier and focus on protecting you.
Tips for Picking Up the Skill Gems for Your Build
One of the most exciting aspects of PoE 2 is the freedom to experiment, thanks to the new gem and socketing system. Here are some tips to get the most out of your builds:
Don’t Fear Complexity: Although the system may seem overwhelming, try different combinations of skill and support gems. You may discover synergies that others overlook.
Experiment with Buff Gems: Previously known as auras in PoE1, buffs now require more active decisions. Test out combinations like Herald of Ash with Plague Bearer for hybrid damage setups.
Focus on Keystone Nodes: The revamped passive skill tree allows for deeper specialization. Build around key passives like Glacial Impact or Blinding Strike for powerful endgame combos.
Keep an Eye on Spirit Costs: Many gems reserve Spirit (PoE2’s mana equivalent). Balance your active and support gems to avoid running out mid-fight.
Path of Exile 2’s deep gem system offers nearly limitless build opportunities. Whether you’re summoning swarms of skeletons, raining fire from the heavens, or smashing enemies with an earth-shattering slam, there’s a build for every playstyle. Experiment with skill and support gems, test out the new mechanics, and most importantly, have fun carving your path through this brutal, dark world.
Stay positive, stay disciplined, and see you in Wraeclast, Exiles! Let’s go!
Google Safe
0
Home
.png)
.png)
