MoneyOnComputer

[elting]

Gemcutting in Path of Exile 2 is the essential process of transforming Uncut Skill Gems into usable Skill Gems that grant your character active abilities, support effects, or persistent buffs. Unlike the original Path of Exile, where skill gems dropped fully formed, PoE 2 introduces Uncut Gems as raw materials that you “cut” to unlock or upgrade skills, giving you greater control over your build’s progression.

To begin gemcutting, simply right-click an Uncut Skill Gem in your inventory to open the Gemcutting menu. Here, you can browse through skill categories—such as bow, staff, or occult—and select the exact skill you want to create or upgrade. The level of the Uncut Skill Gem determines the maximum skill level you can unlock or enhance; for example, a level 3 Uncut Gem allows you to unlock or upgrade a skill to level 3. This means higher-level Uncut Gems are valuable for powering up your key skills.

The Gemcutting interface is designed to help you find skills that match your character’s class, equipped weapon, and attribute requirements. While the game initially filters skills to show the most practical options, you can disable these restrictions to explore all available skills, allowing for experimentation or specialized builds. This flexibility means you can tailor your skill choices precisely to your playstyle.

Beyond active skills, gemcutting also applies to Support Gems and Persistent Buff Gems (called Spirit Gems). Support Gems enhance your active skills by modifying their effects, while Spirit Gems provide buffs that improve your character or allies. Like active skills, these are crafted from their respective uncut versions through the gemcutting system.

An important feature of gemcutting is the ability to upgrade existing gems. If you have a skill gem at a lower level, cutting a higher-level Uncut Gem of the same skill will instantly upgrade it, preserving any quality or support sockets you have already applied. This streamlines progression and avoids the need to find new skill gems through drops or vendors.

Additionally, some players use gemcutting strategically to create multiple copies of the same skill, enabling different support setups or managing mechanics that benefit from dual skill instances. This can be particularly effective for skills that build charges or have cooldowns, offering increased uptime or versatility.

Gemcutting is your gateway to unlocking and customizing skills in Path of Exile 2. By converting Uncut Skill Gems into active, support, or buff gems, you gain precise control over your build’s abilities and power level. Mastering the gemcutting system is key to crafting a character that fits your preferred playstyle and conquers the challenges of the game.