In Path of Exile 2, acquiring combat skills works differently from the traditional leveling system. While leveling up grants points to invest in the passive ability skill tree, which allows you to enhance various stats, combat skills are not unlocked this way. Instead, you must find Uncut Skill Gems, which can be refined into Skill Gems that grant specific abilities tailored to your character’s level.
Uncut Skill Gems are highly valuable in Path of Exile 2, as they provide access to powerful new skills for combat. However, they are relatively rare and not easily found across the game’s locations, making them a prized resource for character progression.
Path of Exile 2: What are Uncut Skill Gems?
Uncut Skill Gems are used to obtain specific Skill Gems. You can access the Gem Cutting menu by right-clicking an Uncut Skill Gem, where you select a Skill Gem based on your preferred weapon or playstyle. Uncut Skill Gems are categorized into Active, Passive, and Spirit. These correspond to different types of skills they can be crafted into, providing flexibility for shaping your character’s abilities.
- Uncut Active Gems: Transforming an Uncut Active Gem into an Active Skill Gem produces a Skill Gem with the same level as the Uncut Gem.
- Uncut Passive Gems: Unlike the original game, Path of Exile 2 restricts players to equipping only one of each Passive Skill Gem per build. This encourages more strategic planning and diversifies endgame Skill Gem setups.
- Uncut Spirit Gems: These are used to craft Spirit Skill Gems, which introduce a new mechanic that utilizes the Spirit resource to sustain ongoing buffs.
This system provides distinct roles for each type of Uncut Skill Gems, offering flexibility and strategic depth in skill customization.
Path of Exile 2: How to Find Uncut Skill Gems
Uncut Skill Gems are rare items in Path of Exile 2 but can be obtained through various methods. One of the simplest ways to acquire them is by defeating bosses, including both quest bosses and mini-bosses. Additionally, there’s an efficient method to locate bosses within the game.
To locate bosses in Path of Exile 2, simply open a map and look for Skull icons. These icons indicate the presence of a boss nearby, and hovering over them will provide additional information about the boss.
Uncut Skill Gems can also drop randomly from chests or normal enemies. For example, one might even find an Uncut Skill Gem in a random cache. Another reliable way to obtain these gems is by completing quests, especially early in the game. Many players will acquire their first Uncut Skill Gems as rewards for finishing starter quests.
Uncut Skill Gems come in different levels, with higher-level gems dropping only in mid-to-late game areas. These gems are essential for unlocking new skills, so be sure to evaluate whether upgrading existing Skill Gems or acquiring new ones better suits your build.
Path of Exile 2: How to Use Uncut Skill Gems
When you find an Uncut Skill Gem, it will display a number representing its level. This level determines which skills you can create with it. For instance, a Level 5 Uncut Skill Gem can be used to craft a Level 5 skill that matches your character’s requirements.
Uncut Skill Gems can also be used to upgrade an existing Skill Gem to the level of the Uncut Skill Gem. For instance, if your Sorceress has the Flame Wall skill, you can use a higher-level Uncut Skill Gem to increase Flame Wall’s level, boosting the skill’s power and its other attributes depending on the specific skill.
To upgrade a skill using an Uncut Skill Gem, the skill you’re upgrading must be at a lower level than the Uncut Gem itself. For example, if your priority skills are already at the same level as the Uncut Skill Gem you found, it’s better to use that gem to create a Skill Gem for a new skill.
As you progress through the game, the Uncut Skill Gems you find will increase in level. Initially, you’ll encounter Level 1 and Level 2 Uncut Skill Gems, but as you move through Act 1, the levels will gradually rise, with Level 5 Uncut Skill Gems becoming available toward the end of the Act. However, higher-level Uncut Skill Gems will remain rarer than their lower-level counterparts.
Burning PoE2 Questions Answered
1. What are some of the major classes in Path of Exile 2 besides the Druid?
Ans. Some of the other major classes in Path of Exile 2, besides the Druid include: Monk, Mercenary, Sorceress or Ranger.
- Monk: If you enjoy playing high-risk, high-reward, glass-cannon-style melee characters, the Monk class in Path of Exile 2 is perfect for you.
- Mercenary: When designing this newcomer to the Path of Exile series, game director Jonathan Rogers drew significant inspiration from shooter games, and this influence is clearly reflected in the Mercenary’s movesets.
- Sorceress: If you enjoy tapping into the power of the elements or mastering time and space, the Sorceress class in PoE2 is the perfect choice for you.
- Ranger: Designed to evoke the feeling of Legolas from Lord of the Rings, the Ranger is a highly mobile, magical class that makes you feel in complete control of every arrow you fire.
2. What are the new features and mechanics in Path of Exile 2 compared to the original game?
Ans. In Path of Exile 2, players will enjoy the opportunity to have local couch co-op, cross-play, and cross-generation progression capabilities which makes it much easier for all players to choose how they want to play. New currencies and new classes are only one of the many innovative features that separate PoE 2 from its predecessor.
3. What are some effective build options for the Ranger class in Path of Exile 2?
Ans. Adjust your build to handle tougher encounters by improving both damage and defense. Use utility flasks to boost evasion or clear harmful effects. Choose armor that helps avoid hits and increases resistances for better survival. Stay out of melee range to keep your effectiveness high. Mounts help you avoid movement slowdowns. Pick the Ranger ascendancy that fits your style. Customize your approach by pairing skills with the right Support Gems for maximum impact.
4. How does the combat in Path of Exile 2 compare to the original game’s “click to do DPS” combat?
Ans. The original Path of Exile in 2017 had an easier “click to do DPS” combat, but now that seems rather bland and overly straightforward compared to its sequel. In Path of Exile 2, it is not about spamming the same ability over and over again until all enemies are defeated. The game forces and challenges you to think tactfully by using action modifiers, chaining effects, exploiting combos, and facing situations such as goblin hordes or giant monsters completely immune to damage.
