0PoE 2 Beginner Guide (Part 2): Skill Gems, Support Gems and Spirit Gems
- Alphonse
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- Path of Exile 2
- 01/09/25
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Skill Gems, Support Gems, and Spirit Gems are core elements that define your character's abilities and playstyle in Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2). Unlike PoE 1, skills in PoE 2 are tied to your weapons rather than your class. This guide will cover Skill Gems Unlocking, upgrading, and meeting requirements, Support Gems Enhancing abilities with additional effects, and Spirit Gems Utilizing a secondary resource for permanent buffs.
↖ Gems/Skills
Skill Gems are the foundation of your character's abilities. They determine the core skills you use in combat and are essential for building a powerful character.
↖ 1. Uncut Skill Gems
Uncut Skill Gems are essential for unlocking or upgrading your abilities. These gems drop from enemies and vary in level.
| Gem Type | Purpose | How to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Gems | Unlock or upgrade specific skills | Dropped by mobs; higher-level mobs drop higher-level gems |
| Support Gems | Enhance existing skills with additional effects | Dropped by mobs or found in loot |
Skill Unlocking Process:
- On PC press G or open the menu Skills Panel.
- Also, use uncut skill gems to unlock new skills or upgrade existing ones.
- For example, second-row skills require level 3 uncut gems while third-row ones need level 5.
Leveling Up Gems:
- To obtain better uncut skill gems progress through the game and defeat higher level mobs that drop them.
- Therefore always collect high-levelled gems so as to enhance key abilities.
↖ 2. Skills Are Tied to Weapons, Not Classes
Skills are linked to your equipped weapon rather than your character's class. This allows for diverse builds and playstyles.
| Class | Focus | Example Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Witch | Spellcasting passives | Can wield a crossbow and use crossbow abilities |
| Ranger | Dexterity-based passives for bows | Can specialize in ranged attacks using spells |
Class Selection Note: Choose a class based on its passive abilities and Ascension options rather than its skills. Each class has three Ascensions that further define its playstyle.
↖ 3. Skill Requirements
Some skills have specific requirements that must be met before they can be unlocked or used.
| Requirement Type | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Attribute Requirements | Lacking enough Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence | Equip gear or allocate passive points to boost stats |
| Weapon Restrictions | Skill tied to a specific weapon type | Equip the required weapon |
| Already Equipped Skills | Duplicate skills cannot be unlocked | Check equipped skills in the Gem Menu |
Hover over a skill to view any unmet requirements. Address these issues by adjusting your gear, allocating passive points, or switching weapons as needed.
↖ 4. Upgrading Skills
- Uncut skill gems are also helpful for powering up already acquired skills which results in more damage and effects.
- For instance, a Level 15 uncut 'skill gem' can upgrade Level 10 Glacial Bolt skill to level 15 . This significantly improves its damage output.
- Prioritize upgrading frequently used skills to maximize their impact in combat.
↖ Support Gems
Support Gems are essential tools for enhancing your active abilities. They modify the behavior of skills, adding extra effects or increasing their power.
How to Obtain Support Gems?
Uncut Support Gems: These drop on the ground during gameplay.
Three Tiers:
- Tier I – Unlocks the first row of support gems;
- Tier II – Requires an uncut Tier II support gem;
- Tier III – The highest tier can be unlocked with Tier III uncut support gem.
Key Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Customization | Uncheck the recommendation box to access a wider range of support gems for custom builds. |
| Single Use Per Skill | Each support gem can only be used with one skill at a time. |
| Variety | Experiment with different support gems to find combinations that suit your playstyle. |
How to Use Support Gems?
- Slotting: Pick the skill that requires enhancing and put in place a supportive gem for it.
- Recommendations: There are recommended gems for your skills, but you can opt to have them all.
- Prioritization: Decide which particular support gem(s) (e.g., "area of effect" enlargement) does one of your skills benefit the most.
↖ Spirit Gems
The thing about spirit gems is they require their own resources known as spirits, and leave lasting effects on your character in return.
| Resource Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Mana | Used for casting active abilities like Fireball or Frostbolt. |
| Spirit | A secondary resource used for activating permanent buffs (e.g., Herald of Ash). |
Managing Spirit:
- Initial Spirit Pool: You start with approximately 100 Spirit after completing the campaign.
- Increasing Spirit: Equip gear with "+Spirit" modifiers to expand your Spirit pool and activate multiple buffs simultaneously.
How to Use Spirit Gems?
- Slotting Spirit Gems: Take the non-cut gemstone and then right-click it. Choose a spirit skill to use here.
- Spirit Consumption: The activation of a spirit skill requires some part of your existing supply of soul stones; this cost goes up when support gems come into play too.
- Multiple Buffs: Put on spirit-enhancing gear that run several buffs together.
Related: Path of Exile 2 Beginner Guide (Part 1): Character Creation, Attributes and UI
If you understand their workings and maximize their effectiveness, these systems can be used to create very strong character builds that match your personal style of play. Consider favoring frequently used skills in advance, testing out different support gems as well as managing your eternal blessings resource effectively for permanent effects.
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