Balance Patch Summary — Skill Nerfs & Buffs (0.5)

Version History

Path of Exile 2 (also known as PoE2) is a sequel to Path of Exile, and is developed by Grinding Gear Games.. It is currently in Early Access.

The Early Access/Public Beta period started on December 6th, 2024. It is available for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. A launch date for the game's full release has not yet been announced.

Classes

• Marauder
• Warrior
• Ranger
• Huntress
• Sorceress
• Duelist
• Mercenary
• Shadow
• Templar

Videos

• Path of Exile 2 was originally called "Project Chimera". This is referenced by a chimera boss in POE2 which was the first boss originally designed, and the last boss finished prior to the Early Access announcement livestream.
• The game was originally announced on November 15, 2019, during ExileCon 2019 as a major "Version 4.0" update to the first game with a new campaign and major overhauls to core game mechanics and graphics. In ExileCon 2023, it was announced Path of Exile 2 will now be its own separate game that will be supported alongside the prequel.

ExileCon 2019

When Path of Exile 2 was first revealed in ExileCon 2019, it was planned to be an update to the first game with a new campaign and overhauled gameplay mechanics. At ExileCon 2023, it was announced that PoE2 will be its own separate game, and that many of the plans from the original preview were altered.

• The campaign would have consisted of seven Acts, rather than six.
• No new base classes were planned. The game still used the seven classes from the first game. Each class would have received three new Ascendancy classes (one the Scion) for a total of 19 new Ascendancy classes. The PoE2 Ascendancy classes would had first have to be unlocked in PoE2 in order to be used in PoE1. The following Ascendancies were teased in ExileCon 2019, though they may not be relevant in the current iteration: Survivalist (Ranger) - Projectile effects, Spell Avoidance Tactician (Ranger) - Spears, Flare Arrow (meta "arrow rain" skill), ballistas, melee bow attacks Beastmaster (Ranger) - Shapeshift (Werecat (crit), Bear); Wild Cat Companion (Cheetah, Lion, Panther), Aspect buffs Arcanist (Witch) - Lightning damage and Energy system Defiler (Witch) Reaver (Marauder) - Melee and ally buffer Unnamed Marauder - Ancestral proxies and Ancestor Totems
• While support gems could be socketed to skill gems, skill gems still had to be socketed to equipment. Each equipment could have 1 to 4 sockets (4 for 2h weapons, 2 for 1h weapons/shields and body armour, 1 for helmet, gloves, and boots). Most equipment dropped with fixed socket colours based on the item base, but there would have been end-game currency items that changed it. Some equipment had hybrid socket colours that could support two different gem colours. Certain items like Tabula Rasa would have had additional gem sockets. Abyss sockets would have been part of the gear.
• Both PoE1 and PoE2 would've shared the same endgame system.

Pre-EA builds

Some mechanics were changed between the ExileCon 2023 build and Early Access:

• Support gem sockets used to have colours, which could be changed individually with Chromatic Orbs.
• There was a stat called Deflection, which worked like Spell Suppression but for attack damage. Deflection could be found on Dexterity-based shields. This was removed along with the removed distinction of monster attacks and spells. Note that this form of Deflection works differently from the current game.
• Players could have 5 flasks equipped like in the first game. New utility flasks, such as the Antidote Flask, were present in the game.
• Normal monsters used to not give any flask charges.
• It was possible to open portals during boss fights. There was a 2.5 second interruptible cast time on opening portals during a boss fight.
• Crossbows had an implicit that determined its ammo type and a grenade launcher could be equipped on the off-hand which grants a grenade skill. These were later turned into individual skill gems.

Skill Gems

Gems are a type of item that either grants a skill (skill gem) or modifies a skill (support gem) when placed into a gem socket.

There are currently 244 different skill gems, 16 different meta skill gems and 533 support gems in the game, for a total of 793.

Skill gems

Skill gems can be socketed in the skill panel to gain an active skill which can be assigned on the player's keybinds. Up to 9 skill gems can be bound simultaneously by default. The number of skill gems you can have socketed at one time can be increased with an Unset RingUnset RingRequires Level 44Grants 1 additional Skill Slot or the Instill-exclusive passive, Augmented Flesh.

Characters need to meet the skill gem's level and attribute requirements to be able to use it. Level and attribute requirements increase as a skill gem is leveled up.

When creating a skill gem using an Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem., it will be engraved at a gem level matching that of the uncut gem. Skill gems can be levelled up further using an Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem. up to level 20. A Gemcutter's PrismGemcutter's PrismStack Size: 20Improves the quality of a Skill GemRight click this item then left click a skill gem to apply it. adds 5% quality to a skill gem, up to 20%.

Corruption

Corrupting a skill gem can cause it to gain or lose a skill level, gem socket, or quality.

• Corruption effects that add or subtract a gem level are innate to the skill gem and works independently from the gem's actual level.
• A skill gem can have up to 23% base quality via corruption.
• Corruption cannot cause a skill gem to have more than 5 sockets.

Corrupted gems can be leveled using an Uncut Skill Gem.

When double corrupting a skill gem with Crystallised CorruptionCrystallised CorruptionStack Size: 10Modifies a Corrupted Skill Gem unpredictably or destroys itRight click this item then left click on a corrupted gem to apply it., it cannot roll the same effect as the corruption effect it already had (Ex. you cannot get +1 to gem level on a corrupted gem that already has a +1 to gem level corruption).

Kalguuran skill

Kalguuran skills are special types of skill gems that can be acquired from Remnant encounters. Kalguuran skills have no attribute requirements and are not aligned to any attribute. All Kalguuran skills use Runic Ward as their skill cost. Kalguuran skill gems can have their levels upgraded by using a Thaumaturgic Flux.

Spirit gems

Spirit gems, or persistent buff skill gems, are special skill gems which can only be created using an Uncut Spirit GemUncut Spirit GemCreates a Persistent Buff Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to Level #Right Click to engrave a Persistent Buff Skill Gem.. They can be socketed to gain access to skills that grant persistent buffs, trigger other skills, or to summon permanent minions. These gems have require the reservation of spirit in order to gain their effect.

Spirit gems can be supported by support gems, but this will often increase the reservation based on the support gem's cost multiplier. Other support gems may incur a flat spirit reservation instead which does not scale.

Similar to skill gems, characters need to meet the spirit gem's level and attribute requirements and sometimes weapon requirements to be able to use them.

Skills granted by spirit gems can be activated in the skill panel by right-clicking the desired spirit gem. They may also have a skill component which can be used directly.

Spirit gems can be corrupted and uses the same results as skill gems.

Support gems

Support gems can be socketed into individual skills; these modify the effects of the supported skill. Each gem is limited to two support slots at start, with up to three additional supports available via the use of Jeweller's Orbs. Skills granted by items and Ascendancy skills can also have sockets; their number of sockets is based on the item's item level or your character level, respectively.

You cannot have multiple support gems that share the same category socketed to the same skill. Additionally, only one copy per rank of support gems that add a spirit reservation is allowed across all your skills; for example, you cannot socket more than one copy of Herbalism IHerbalism ISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: HerbalismTier: 2Additional Reservation: 15 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Persistent Buff Skills, causing you to gain increased Life recovery from Flasks while the Skill is active.30% Increased Recovery from Life Flasks while a Supported Skill is activePlace into a Skill's Support Gem socket in the Skills Panel to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple Support Gems of the same Category socketed within one Skill., but you can socket Herbalism IIHerbalism IISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: HerbalismTier: 4Additional Reservation: 30 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Persistent Buff Skills, causing you to gain increased Life recovery from Flasks while the Skill is active.50% Increased Recovery from Life Flasks while a Supported Skill is activePlace into a Skill's Support Gem socket in the Skills Panel to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple Support Gems of the same Category socketed within one Skill. in another skill.

The total number of support gems of each color are limited by the corresponding stat totals of the character, with 5 points of the stat allowing one support of that color.

• Strength - Red
• Dexterity - Green
• Intelligence - Blue

For example, a character with 20 Strength, 40 Dexterity and 30 Intelligence would be able to use a total of 4 red, 8 green and 6 blue support gems.

Support gems cannot be corrupted or leveled.

Connected: Support gems count as connected as long as they not disabled and support the skill they are socketed into. They count as connected if they support a meta skill or any skills socketed in that meta skill. This feature is only used for certain mechanics such as Gemling Legionnaire's Integrated Efficiency.

Lineage support gems

Lineage support gems are special types of support gems. These cannot be crafted using Uncut Support Gems and can only be found as drops from the core drop pool or specific bosses.

Only one copy of each Lineage support gem can be socketed across all your skills. Solus IpseSolus IpseGrand VisageArmour: (220-264)Evasion: (200-240)Energy Shield: (75-90)Requires Level 65, 36 Str, 36 Dex, 36 Int+(60-100) to maximum Mana25% increased Light Radius(150-200)% increased Armour, Evasion and Energy ShieldEquipment and Skill Gems have 25% increased Attribute RequirementsYou can Socket 2 additional copies of each Lineage Support Gem, in different SkillsOne warrior alone survived to face the Arbiter. allows you to socket up to three copies of the same Lineage support gem on different skills.

Kalguuran support

Kalguuran supports are special types of support gems that can be acquired from Remnant encounters. They do not require attribute points to socket and are not aligned to any attribute. Kalguuran supports have effects that scale or interact with Runic Ward.

Gemcutting

Support Gems

Gems are a type of item that either grants a skill (skill gem) or modifies a skill (support gem) when placed into a gem socket.

There are currently 244 different skill gems, 16 different meta skill gems and 533 support gems in the game, for a total of 793.

Skill gems

Skill gems can be socketed in the skill panel to gain an active skill which can be assigned on the player's keybinds. Up to 9 skill gems can be bound simultaneously by default. The number of skill gems you can have socketed at one time can be increased with an Unset RingUnset RingRequires Level 44Grants 1 additional Skill Slot or the Instill-exclusive passive, Augmented Flesh.

Characters need to meet the skill gem's level and attribute requirements to be able to use it. Level and attribute requirements increase as a skill gem is leveled up.

When creating a skill gem using an Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem., it will be engraved at a gem level matching that of the uncut gem. Skill gems can be levelled up further using an Uncut Skill GemUncut Skill GemCreates a Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to level #Right Click to engrave a Skill Gem. up to level 20. A Gemcutter's PrismGemcutter's PrismStack Size: 20Improves the quality of a Skill GemRight click this item then left click a skill gem to apply it. adds 5% quality to a skill gem, up to 20%.

Corruption

Corrupting a skill gem can cause it to gain or lose a skill level, gem socket, or quality.

• Corruption effects that add or subtract a gem level are innate to the skill gem and works independently from the gem's actual level.
• A skill gem can have up to 23% base quality via corruption.
• Corruption cannot cause a skill gem to have more than 5 sockets.

Corrupted gems can be leveled using an Uncut Skill Gem.

When double corrupting a skill gem with Crystallised CorruptionCrystallised CorruptionStack Size: 10Modifies a Corrupted Skill Gem unpredictably or destroys itRight click this item then left click on a corrupted gem to apply it., it cannot roll the same effect as the corruption effect it already had (Ex. you cannot get +1 to gem level on a corrupted gem that already has a +1 to gem level corruption).

Kalguuran skill

Kalguuran skills are special types of skill gems that can be acquired from Remnant encounters. Kalguuran skills have no attribute requirements and are not aligned to any attribute. All Kalguuran skills use Runic Ward as their skill cost. Kalguuran skill gems can have their levels upgraded by using a Thaumaturgic Flux.

Spirit gems

Spirit gems, or persistent buff skill gems, are special skill gems which can only be created using an Uncut Spirit GemUncut Spirit GemCreates a Persistent Buff Skill Gem or Level an existing gem to Level #Right Click to engrave a Persistent Buff Skill Gem.. They can be socketed to gain access to skills that grant persistent buffs, trigger other skills, or to summon permanent minions. These gems have require the reservation of spirit in order to gain their effect.

Spirit gems can be supported by support gems, but this will often increase the reservation based on the support gem's cost multiplier. Other support gems may incur a flat spirit reservation instead which does not scale.

Similar to skill gems, characters need to meet the spirit gem's level and attribute requirements and sometimes weapon requirements to be able to use them.

Skills granted by spirit gems can be activated in the skill panel by right-clicking the desired spirit gem. They may also have a skill component which can be used directly.

Spirit gems can be corrupted and uses the same results as skill gems.

Support gems

Support gems can be socketed into individual skills; these modify the effects of the supported skill. Each gem is limited to two support slots at start, with up to three additional supports available via the use of Jeweller's Orbs. Skills granted by items and Ascendancy skills can also have sockets; their number of sockets is based on the item's item level or your character level, respectively.

You cannot have multiple support gems that share the same category socketed to the same skill. Additionally, only one copy per rank of support gems that add a spirit reservation is allowed across all your skills; for example, you cannot socket more than one copy of Herbalism IHerbalism ISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: HerbalismTier: 2Additional Reservation: 15 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Persistent Buff Skills, causing you to gain increased Life recovery from Flasks while the Skill is active.30% Increased Recovery from Life Flasks while a Supported Skill is activePlace into a Skill's Support Gem socket in the Skills Panel to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple Support Gems of the same Category socketed within one Skill., but you can socket Herbalism IIHerbalism IISupport, Buff, PersistentCategory: HerbalismTier: 4Additional Reservation: 30 SpiritSupport Requirements: +5 StrSupports Persistent Buff Skills, causing you to gain increased Life recovery from Flasks while the Skill is active.50% Increased Recovery from Life Flasks while a Supported Skill is activePlace into a Skill's Support Gem socket in the Skills Panel to apply its effects to that Skill. You cannot have multiple Support Gems of the same Category socketed within one Skill. in another skill.

The total number of support gems of each color are limited by the corresponding stat totals of the character, with 5 points of the stat allowing one support of that color.

• Strength - Red
• Dexterity - Green
• Intelligence - Blue

For example, a character with 20 Strength, 40 Dexterity and 30 Intelligence would be able to use a total of 4 red, 8 green and 6 blue support gems.

Support gems cannot be corrupted or leveled.

Connected: Support gems count as connected as long as they not disabled and support the skill they are socketed into. They count as connected if they support a meta skill or any skills socketed in that meta skill. This feature is only used for certain mechanics such as Gemling Legionnaire's Integrated Efficiency.

Lineage support gems

Lineage support gems are special types of support gems. These cannot be crafted using Uncut Support Gems and can only be found as drops from the core drop pool or specific bosses.

Only one copy of each Lineage support gem can be socketed across all your skills. Solus IpseSolus IpseGrand VisageArmour: (220-264)Evasion: (200-240)Energy Shield: (75-90)Requires Level 65, 36 Str, 36 Dex, 36 Int+(60-100) to maximum Mana25% increased Light Radius(150-200)% increased Armour, Evasion and Energy ShieldEquipment and Skill Gems have 25% increased Attribute RequirementsYou can Socket 2 additional copies of each Lineage Support Gem, in different SkillsOne warrior alone survived to face the Arbiter. allows you to socket up to three copies of the same Lineage support gem on different skills.

Kalguuran support

Kalguuran supports are special types of support gems that can be acquired from Remnant encounters. They do not require attribute points to socket and are not aligned to any attribute. Kalguuran supports have effects that scale or interact with Runic Ward.

Gemcutting