In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), skill customization has been revamped with significant changes to the support gem system. This guide dives into the mechanics of acquiring and optimizing support gem slots, enabling players to maximize their builds effectively.
Understanding the New Support Gem System
In PoE 2, skills are powered by skill gems, and these gems can be enhanced using support gems. Support gems modify the behavior of your active skills, such as increasing damage, adding new effects, or reducing resource costs. The number of support slots a skill gem can use determines how much you can enhance it. In PoE 2, every skill gem can have up to five support slots, creating a “6-link” system—one active skill gem linked with five support gems.
By default, skill gems start with two support slots, and players must unlock additional slots through gameplay progression.
Steps to Unlock More Support Gem Slots
- Initial Skill Gems
When you first acquire a skill gem, it will have a base of two support gem slots. These slots are color-coded (red for strength, blue for intelligence, and green for dexterity), matching specific attribute requirements. As you find or craft new gear, you’ll notice that the slot colors align with the attributes the item emphasizes. - Using Upgrade Currency
PoE 2 introduces tiered currency items to upgrade support slots:- Tier 1 Upgrade: Allows you to increase from two to three support slots.
- Tier 2 Upgrade: Expands from three to four support slots.
- Tier 3 Upgrade: Unlocks the final slot, reaching the maximum of five support slots.
- These currency items, similar to those in the original game (e.g., Chromatic Orbs or Jeweler’s Orbs), are rare and should be used wisely. Prioritize upgrading skills central to your build’s effectiveness.
- Acquiring Rare or High-Level Gems
As you progress, you may find skill gems that inherently allow more support slots. Higher-level skill gems are likely to provide better linking potential, offering a shortcut to fully optimizing a 6-link gem setup. - Gear with Bonus Slots
Items in PoE 2 can also affect the number of support slots available. Some rare or unique equipment can increase the number of linked support slots for gems socketed within. Seek out and craft gear that complements your build and maximizes your support gem potential.
Tips to Maximize Support Gem Efficiency
- Balance Attributes
Ensure your character meets the attribute requirements for both skill and support gems. For instance, a blue (intelligence-based) skill gem with green support slots will demand dexterity, which may require careful gear adjustments. - Experiment with Gem Combinations
PoE 2’s enhanced gem system offers significant flexibility. Try out various support gems to find combinations that maximize your damage output, defensive capabilities, or utility. For example, pairing a fireball skill gem with support gems for area damage, faster casting, and ignite effects can turn it into a devastating tool against mobs. - Focus on Meta Gems
New meta or trigger gems in PoE 2 allow automatic casting of supported skills under specific conditions. For example, “Cast on Shock” can trigger linked skills when you inflict the Shock status ailment. These meta gems can streamline gameplay while freeing you to focus on active skills. - Plan Your Builds Around Slot Availability
Don’t stretch your resources thin by trying to upgrade every skill gem to maximum support slots early in the game. Instead, focus on core skills central to your build and enhance them with well-suited support gems. - Adapt to Gear Drops and Crafting
As in the original PoE, crafting plays a key role in creating optimal setups. Use orbs and crafting recipes to tailor your gear with slot colors and connections that align with your planned gem combinations.
Why Support Slots Are a Game-Changer
The ability to enhance skill gems with multiple support gems allows for unparalleled build diversity. Players can fine-tune their characters, optimizing damage-per-second (DPS) or survivability. For example, an archer could link their bow skill gem with multiple support gems to amplify critical strike damage, increase attack speed, and apply elemental damage effects.
Additionally, the tiered upgrade system means players must strategize resource usage, adding depth to gear management. Every decision, from which gems to support to which items to equip, plays a crucial role in shaping your character’s power.
