Path of Exile 2 has introduced a new Skill Gem System that helps you build your character. For most beginners, it can be challenging to master this whole new system. These Skill Gems can bring a huge change in the way you build your character.
Along with the Skill Gems, we have support gems as well that work on modifying and improving your existing skills. So, if you are having a hard time understanding these Skill Gems then we have got you covered.
Let’s dive into today’s guide and learn more about the usage and obtaining methods of these gems.
How Does the Skill Gem System Work in Path of Exile 2 
Compared to the original Path of Exile, PoE 2’s Skill Gem System is pretty powerful based on the fact that it allows you to get full control of your character’s build.
This system is based on 2 main items, the Skill Gems and Support Skill Gems. So, how does this actually work? Well, the skills are now socketed into your character which means that you are directly placing the gems into your character in order to activate a skill.
But, there’s a catch, you are actually getting the Uncut versions of Skill and Support Gems. You can turn these uncut versions into the actual Skill Gems. What you have to do is click on the Uncut Skill Gem in your inventory and it will take you to the Gem Cutting Menu. Here, you can unlock any ability from a huge list with a corresponding Skill Gem.
Once a skill is unlocked, you can modify it further by using the Support Skill Gems. As soon as you activate a skill, you will get access to two more slots. In these slots, you can place the support gems to unleash the real power of that skill.
By default, your character will have access to 9 skill slots which can be extended later on by diving into the Mercenary Class or through some weapons, rings, or other items.
How to Get Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2
Now, there are multiple ways to get your hands on these powerful Skill Gems. Mainly, you get these by completing quests, defeating bosses, and crushing the enemies that come your way. Now, an important part, you actually get the Uncut Skill Gems and Uncut Support Gems that are used as the Skill and Support Gems. All you need to do is interact with them in the inventory to open the Skill Menu.
Sometimes, you might get the higher level Uncut Skill Gems while other times you may get the lower ones. It depends on the threat level, if your opponent has a higher level then chances are that you will get a high-level Uncut Skill Gem.
But, there is definitely another way when you are running low on Uncut Skill and Support Gems. And that is purchasing from an online store. This is for sure one of the best ways to instantly obtain Skill Gems. But, that’s not all, you can even buy other PoE 2 items as well like Jewels, Runes, and Ritual Omens. If you don’t want to spend time exploring around just for these items then you should definitely go with the purchasing option. And when it comes to the online purchase there is no better place than IGZ, it’s definitely a must-place to buy all your PoE 2 items.
How Does Support Gem Work
Now that you have activated your skill with Uncut Skill Gem in PoE 2, it’s time to enhance its effects further to make it super powerful. At this point, you are gonna need those Support Gems.
The Support Gems are also obtained in the same way, and you first get those Uncut versions of them which later on works as the Support Gems. So, all you need to do is get them as a quest reward, a drop, or buy from an online store. These stores often update the items list that are for sale.
After opening the skill menu, you will see two smaller slots next to your activated skill. That’s where your Support Gems will go. Place the support gems from your inventory in these slots. But first, you have to convert the Uncut Support Gems into Support Gems using the Gem Cutting Menu like we did for Skill Gems.
How to Choose the Right Skill Gem for Your Build
This is an essential part, choosing the right Skill Gems is truly a game-changing thing here. Now, first off, you should know that each of the skills that you work on has some specific requirements. Some skills need a specific level while others are based on the attribute requirements.
Choose the Skill Gems accordingly, let’s say you want to go with the Warrior Build. A Warrior Build mainly focuses on making your character super strong and giving it the best physical attack damage, plus the area of attacks. This will turn your character into a beast who will definitely endure all the incoming damage and land heavy blows to the toughest bosses out there.
So, we are gonna choose the wise Skill Gems wisely at this point. The ones that help us out in building our required character. Here are a few gems for you:
- Shield Wall
- Ancestral Warrior Totem
- Supercharged Slam
- Sunder
To make this even more powerful, you can add up the Support Gems.
Again, this is just an example of how you can use your Skill Gems wisely based on your build. Take your time, and go through the Skills Menu to choose the right Skill Gems for your character.
Types of Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2
Now, Path of Exile 2 has various different types of skill sets and each skill set breaks down into levels which further have various skills that can be unlocked with corresponding Skill Gem.
For your convenience, we have listed all the skill types or classes below:
- Bow
- Quarterstaff
- Occult
- Elemental
- Mace
- Crossbow
- Wands
- Sceptres
- Staves
- Spear
- Shield
These are all of the skill types that you will find in the skill menu. Dive into that menu and pick the best ones for your character and customize them further with Support Gems.
Skill Gems Tips & Mistakes to Avoid in Path of Exile 2
Let’s have a look at some important tips and mistakes to avoid that we have listed below:
- In Path of Exile 2, you can only use each Support Gem for once. If a Support Gem is already in use, you cannot use it again.
- The Skill Gems are no longer available to purchase at the in-game vendors. So, you have the best option of buying these Skill and Support Gems from an online store.
- Now, you have the option to choose any skill for any class. The skills are no longer bound to a certain class. This is a great opportunity to try out different skills for your class.
- Since we have two main gems in this new Gems System, always remember that Skill Gems are there to activate a skill, and the Support Gems provide different sorts of buffs and upgrades to that activated skill.
FAQs
How to Get Uncut Skill Gems in PoE 2?
Getting your hands on those shiny Skill Gems is a pretty straightforward thing. Finish off quests and get those gems as the reward, take down bosses, kill the threats, or visit an online store.
These are all the possible ways to get the Skill and Support Gems. Personally, I would go with the online purchase option whenever I feel lazy. Because, you know, it can be pretty tiring to search around the areas to get those gems. The online buy option gets you the gems in no time. There are different stores on the web, but the best one out there is definitely the IGZ.
How to Get Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2 Above 20?
So, if you are unable to get those level 20 Skill Gems then we have got you. For this, you must reach area level 82 on your map and this can only be done by using a Vaal Orb on a Tier 15.
This Val Orb is going to be used on a map that is equipped with an Irradiated Modifier to raise the level by 1 and also the Corrupted Modifier to raise the area level by one again. At this point, you should start getting those level 20 Skill Gems as a drop.
What to do with spare skill gems in Path of Exile 2?
Your spare Skill Gems can be used to upgrade your existing skills. This can be done in the upgrading menu. You can upgrade your existing lower-level skill with the higher-level Uncut Skill Gem.
To do that, simply head to the Upgradable Menu and you will see which of your skills can be upgraded if you have the right Uncut Skill Gem in your inventory.
What is the Best Way to Increase Gem Quality in PoE 2?
The best way to increase the quality of your Skill Gem is the Quality effect. For this purpose, we have Gemcutter’s Prism. This is different for each type of skill.
Using the Gemcutter’s Prism to increase the quality will always give you a 5% boost.
Is it Possible to Downgrade Skill Gems in PoE 2?
As far as we know, for now, you can reset your skill points rather than downgrading the Skill Gems. To do that, you will need to meet an NPC named The Hooded One. He will be in the Hunting Grounds.
He offers a service called Refund Passives. Using this, you can reset your passives and each reset costs a specific amount that is probably based on your level.
So, that’s everything for our Path of Exile 2 Skill Gems guide. Now, you know that these gems are extremely important for your character’s build. We have covered all the possible ways to obtain these gems which include collecting them as a drop, obtaining them as a quest reward, or buying from an online store. Such stores are great places to buy PoE 2 items.
See you in the next one!
