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Path of Exile 2 brings a transformative shift to one of the game's most iconic systems: skill gems. In the original game, the skill gem and support gem system allowed players to create highly customizable builds by linking skills with various modifiers. While flexible, the old socket and link system had some limitations in user experience and item dependency. With PoE2, Grinding Gear Games reimagines the core of how skills are equipped and supported, resulting in a more intuitive and powerful system that deepens character progression.

One of the most significant changes is the elimination of socketed gear as the primary way to link support gems to active skills. Instead, skill gems in PoE2 now have their own internal support gem slots. This means that a level 1 active skill gem may start with one or two support slots, and as the gem levels up, it unlocks additional slots that can be filled with support gems. This completely detaches skill customization from item sockets and opens up much more freedom in gearing choices.

This change greatly reduces friction for players, especially during leveling or early endgame. Previously, finding the right six-link item with the proper color combination was a major hurdle that often required a significant time or currency investment. Now, players can focus more on finding items with good stats and less on hunting for specific socket configurations.

The new system also improves clarity. With skill gems acting as containers for their own supports, players can more easily see what modifiers are affecting a given skill. This not only makes build experimentation more accessible to new players, but also gives veteran players a clearer overview of their damage scaling, utility, and synergy potential.

In addition to this mechanical overhaul, Path of Exile 2 introduces many new active and support gems. These include entirely new mechanics, such as shapeshifting skills that let characters transform mid-combat, as well as highly specialized support gems that enable new playstyles. The design philosophy emphasizes creative freedom—players are encouraged to invent novel strategies by combining effects in unexpected ways.

Another subtle but impactful improvement is the aesthetic clarity that comes with more visually distinct skill effects. Because skills are less restricted by socketed gear, players are more likely to use multiple high-impact abilities rather than relying on just one or two overpowered links. This leads to more dynamic combat where positioning, timing, and combo execution matter more.

The revamped gem system in Path of Exile 2 is a major leap forward in both quality-of-life and mechanical depth. By empowering players to build skills more flexibly and clearly, Grinding Gear Games has retained the original spirit of infinite customization while removing longstanding frustrations. This evolution reflects a broader design goal of poe2 items sale: to preserve complexity, while making systems more approachable and rewarding.