Path of Exile 2 significantly revamps the skill system from the original game, introducing improvements that enhance flexibility, customization, and strategic gameplay.
Dedicated Skill Gem Interface
Skill Gems are no longer tied to armor sockets.
Characters now have nine dedicated skill gem slots, each with its own support gem sockets.
This separation from gear removes restrictions from equipment choices and simplifies gem management.
Uncut Gems and Gemcutting
Skill and support gems are now obtained as Uncut Gems, which must be processed through a gemcutting system at designated locations.
Gemcutting allows players to decide which skill or support gem to craft from the uncut drop, adding a layer of planning and resource management.
Uncut Gems scale with area level, encouraging exploration for higher-tier skills.
Jeweler’s Orbs for Skill Enhancement
Jeweler’s Orbs can now increase the number of support gem sockets in a Skill Gem.
Three tiers exist, allowing up to five support sockets per Skill Gem, replicating the flexibility of the “6-link” system from POE 1 in a more controlled and visible manner.
This enables complex skill customization without relying on random gear drops.
Weapon Sets
Players can assign different skills to separate weapon sets and switch between them instantly.
Each weapon set can benefit from dedicated passive points or modifiers, making dual-wielding or hybrid setups highly versatile.
This encourages strategic planning around skill loadouts and situational adaptability.
Other Mechanics
Chromatic Orbs still exist to adjust gem colors, but color restrictions are less of a limiting factor due to the dedicated skill system.
The system rewards exploration, as higher-level zones offer better uncut gems and potential skill upgrades.
Key Benefits of the POE 2 Skill System:
Decouples skill gems from gear restrictions.
Introduces player-driven gemcutting and skill crafting.
Expands support gem customization with Jeweler’s Orbs.
Allows flexible Weapon Sets for situational skill deployment.
Maintains color customization while reducing gear dependency.
Encourages strategic exploration for better skill options.
Offers deeper, clearer, and more flexible build customization.
POE 2’s skill system innovations make skill selection and customization faster, more strategic, and more player-friendly. By separating skills from gear, introducing gemcutting, and adding Weapon Sets, players can experiment freely and optimize builds more effectively than ever before.