The skill system in Path of Exile 2 can be a bit confusing for newcomers. Unlike most ARPGs, which provide players with a set of skills unlocked as they progress through the campaign, PoE2’s skills are item-based and can be used by any character.
Although this mechanic may seem unusual initially, skill gems and their support variants offer incredible flexibility for building unique characters and trading skills across your roster. In this guide, we’ll explore how the skill gem system works in PoE2, how to incorporate 4 free Skill Gem items into your build, and how to enhance them using support and meta gems.
How Skill Gems Gain Extra Links in Path of Exile 2
At first, many believed you needed high-level Skill Gems to unlock 2-link or 3-link sockets, but that’s not the case. Instead, the process involves using specific currency items to upgrade the Gem sockets. Regardless of the Gem’s level, it will always come with two sockets. To add more links, you first use a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb to upgrade the Gem from two sockets to three, and then there are further options for enhancement.
On the trading site, people are selling these for about half an Exalted Orb. So, with 1 Exalted Orb, you can purchase 2 of them, allowing you to upgrade any of your 2-link Gems to 3-link Gems. And this is just the beginning.
Once you’ve upgraded to a 3-link, you can use a Greater Jeweller’s Orb, which is priced around 12 to 13 Exalted Orbs on the market, to turn a 3-link into a 4-link. Similarly, the Perfect Jeweller’s Orb will upgrade a 4-link to a 5-link, giving you a total of 6 links for your Gems, which is the maximum number of links you can achieve for your Gems in the game.
Ideally, players should aim to find a Gem that is at least level 20. The steps to upgrade are as follows: first, use a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb, then a Greater Jeweller’s Orb, and finally a Perfect Jeweller’s Orb. It’s recommended to stay with three-link Gems until you reach level 18, 19, or 20, as the currency items needed for crafting higher links are significantly more expensive. It’s better to wait until you have a perfect level 20 Gem before upgrading.
Where to Find the 4th Link Currency Item Spot in Path of Exile 2
Here’s the location where you can farm Lesser Jeweller’s Orbs. You can obtain them for free, meaning you won’t need to purchase them from the trading site.
You’ll find a Special Basket on the ground, and interacting with it guarantees a drop of a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb. With this Orb, you can upgrade any of your 2-link Gems to a 3-link, and this can be done early in the game.
How to Find the Exact Location of the Basket
In Act 3, there’s a hidden item that grants you a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb. The location is marked on this map, where you’ll need to find the Orok Campfire. Once you locate it, search for the Basket, which is guaranteed to drop a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb. Here are the steps to reach it:
- In Act 3, you’ll encounter a specific currency item that you can collect.
- On the map, locate Sandswept Marsh. Hover your mouse over the area to see if the nearby tree lights up. If it does, you can earn additional free currency by following the steps and heading there.
- You’ll need to explore the map without entering any other areas, as your goal is not to progress but to find a special camp. It may take about three to four minutes to thoroughly search the entire map.
- When you reach a waypoint, it will lead you to a campsite where you’ll find two Elites guarding a Basket. Defeat both Elites, then open the Basket to receive a free currency item worth half an Exalt.
- You can do this as soon as you arrive in Act 3, which means you’ll have the potential to obtain a 3-link item. By looting this particular Orb, you can socket it into any of your Gems, upgrading them from a 2-link to a 3-link.
When to Upgrade and Use the 4th Link in Path of Exile 2
Now there are two methods you can use here:
- One approach is to use the Orb as soon as you find it, but you’ll also want to check the required level for specific Gems. For example, a level 14 Skeletal Arsonist requires level 58. It’s important to know the level thresholds for Gems. So, when you reach level 58, it’s a good time to upgrade a level 14 Gem to a three-socket. Of course, you can wait for a higher Gem level, but keep in mind that the required level will only increase as the Gem level grows.
- The second way to use the currency items is while playing the game, particularly if you’re struggling with certain content, such as Ascension Trials or a story boss you can’t defeat. In these cases, you can use the currency to enhance your abilities by upgrading the Gem to a 3-link.
Once you have extra links, you gain increased damage or enhanced potential for your skills. These two options can be utilized depending on your needs and your build.
