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InPath of Exile 2Skill Gems and Support Gems work a little bit differently than theyworked inPath of Exile 1. For starters, Gear Sockets are used for Runes inPoE 2, not Gems, which now have their own separate menu and systems.
When you unlock Support Gems,Path of Exile 2playerscan use these new itemsto enhance their existing Skill Gems. This guide explains the basics of this new Support Gem system inPoE 2and how to slot Support Gems into the new Skill Gem menu.
What Are Support Gems In Path of Exile 2?
PoE 2 Support Gem System, Explained
InPath of Exile 2, Support Gems are used to support your Skill Gems. Essentially, while Skill Gems grant an ability you may bind to your skill bar, Support Gems add extra effects to those skills when cast.
For example, a Mercenary can equip the Pin Support Gem onto theFragmentation Roundsskill, allowing the skill to also Pin enemies in place in addition to its extra damage to Frozen enemies.
Though you can only equip two Support Gems for each skill at first, as youprogress throughPath of Exile 2, Support Gem sockets unlock and allow you to add even more layers to your skills.
How To Equip Support Gems In PoE 2
Open up your Skill Gems menu with eitherG on PCor byopening your character menu and tabbing to theSkills tab on Xbox and PlayStation. Here you’re able to see all of your current Skill Gems, each of which will start with two Support Gem sockets to the right of the main ability node.
When you get a Support Gem, select the Gem from your Inventory and look at its effects. Consider which of your Skills it will benefit the most, then drag it over to an empty Support Gem slot next to the skill you want to enhance.
Console players should open the Inventory, hover over the Support Gem’s icon, and press X or Square to open up a special menu that will allow you to slot it into an open Support Gem socket.
You cannot use two copies of the same Support Gem in your Support Gem Sockets. If you are a Mercenary with the Gemling Legionnaire passive Gem Studded, you can bypass this restriction.
Once slotted, Support Gems will automatically proc their effect when the associated Skill is cast. You can mix and match Support Gems to your liking and freely swap them between Skills toexperiment with their interactionsbetween abilities.
