MoneyOnComputer

[elting]

Unlocking the full potential of Support Gems in Path of Exile 2 involves understanding when and how to cut and use them effectively in your build. Support Gems do not grant new skills but instead modify your active Skill Gems, enhancing their damage, duration, cast speed, or other effects. Managing these gems strategically can significantly boost your character’s power.

You start by acquiring Uncut Support Gems, which drop from monsters, bosses, and quest rewards throughout the game. Once you have an Uncut Support Gem, right-clicking it opens the Gemcutting interface. Here, you select an active Skill Gem in your inventory and choose from compatible Support Gems to engrave onto it. This process transforms the Uncut Support Gem into a usable Support Gem that can be slotted into your skill setup.

It’s important to note that not every Support Gem works with every Skill Gem. For example, a Support Gem that increases skill duration can only be applied to skills that have a duration component. The game’s interface helps by recommending suitable Support Gems based on the skills you have, but you can also browse all available Support Gems if you want to experiment beyond the recommendations.

When to cut and use Support Gems depends largely on your build and progression. Early in the game, you’ll want to cut and equip Support Gems that directly enhance your main active skills, such as those increasing damage or cast speed. As you progress and find higher-tier Uncut Support Gems, you can replace or add new Support Gems to optimize your build further.

Support Gems also come with attribute requirements—Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence—that increase your build’s overall stat needs. This means you should plan your character’s attributes accordingly to equip the Support Gems you want. Additionally, you cannot use the same Support Gem on multiple skills simultaneously, so choosing which skills to support is a strategic decision.

Initially, skills come with two support sockets, but as you progress, you can unlock more support sockets on your skills, allowing you to equip up to five Support Gems per skill. This expansion lets you layer multiple support effects, greatly amplifying your skill’s power.

To unlock and use Support Gems effectively:

Acquire Uncut Support Gems through drops and quests.

Use the Gemcutting interface to engrave Support Gems onto compatible active Skill Gems.

Prioritize cutting Support Gems that enhance your main skills early on.

Ensure your character meets the attribute requirements to equip Support Gems.

Plan skill and support gem combinations carefully, as you cannot duplicate the same Support Gem on multiple skills.

Expand support sockets on your skills as you progress to maximize support layering.

By understanding when and how to cut and use Support Gems, you can strategically boost your skills’ effectiveness and tailor your build to your preferred playstyle in Path of Exile 2.