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Path of Exile Gems: A Comprehensive Guide to Skill and Support Gems

Updated: Mar 19, 2023

Are you a beginner in Path of Exile and looking for a guide on how to use gems? Or are you an experienced player seeking to optimize your build? Either way, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to skill and support gems in Path of Exile. We’ll explain what gems are, how to use them, and how to choose the right ones for your build.


Table of Contents

  • Introduction

  • What are Skill Gems?

  • Types of Skill Gems

  • What are Support Gems?

  • Types of Support Gems

  • How to Socket Gems

  • Choosing the Right Gems for Your Build

  • Gem Quality and Corruptions

  • Leveling Up Gems

  • Gem Links and Colors

  • Gem Swapping and Selling

  • Gem Crafting

  • Conclusion

  • FAQs

Introduction


In Path of Exile, gems are items that grant active or passive abilities when socketed into equipment. Skill gems are used to gain active abilities while support gems are used to augment the abilities of skill gems. Understanding how to use gems is crucial in optimizing your build and achieving success in the game.


What are Skill Gems?

Skill gems are items that grant active abilities when socketed into equipment. They can be acquired through quest rewards, drops, or trading with other players. When equipped, they grant the player access to a specific skill. For example, a Fireball skill gem grants the player the ability to cast a fireball spell.


Types of Skill Gems

There are three types of skill gems in Path of Exile:

  1. Active Skill Gems: These gems grant the player access to active abilities.

  2. Vaal Skill Gems: These are a subset of active skill gems that have more powerful versions of their respective abilities.

  3. Trigger Skill Gems: These gems allow players to trigger abilities automatically when certain conditions are met.


What are Support Gems?

Support gems are items that grant bonuses to skill gems when socketed into the same item. They can be acquired through quest rewards, drops, or trading with other players. When equipped, they modify the abilities of the skill gems they are linked to. For example, a support gem may increase the damage dealt by a skill or reduce its mana cost.


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Types of Support Gems

There are several types of support gems in Path of Exile, including:

  1. Active Skill Gems: These support gems grant active abilities to linked skill gems.

  2. Trigger Support Gems: These gems allow linked skills to be triggered automatically under certain conditions.

  3. Duration Support Gems: These gems increase the duration of linked skills.

  4. Melee and Ranged Attack Support Gems: These gems enhance melee and ranged attacks.

How to Socket Gems

Gems can be socketed into equipment with sockets. The number and color of sockets in an item are determined by the item’s rarity and the type of equipment. For example, a common weapon may have one or two sockets, while a rare one may have up to six sockets. The colors of the sockets are also determined by the item type but can be modified through crafting.


Choosing the Right Gems for Your Build

Choosing the right gems for your build is essential to achieving success in Path of Exile. The first step is to determine what type of character you want to play, such as a spellcaster or a melee fighter. Once you’ve determined your character type, you can choose the appropriate skill and support gems to maximize your abilities.


Gem Quality and Corruptions

Gems can be modified through quality and corruption. Quality can be increased by using Gemcutter’s Prisms, which increase the quality of the gem, increasing its effectiveness. Corruptions are a more advanced form of modification that can only be done by corrupting the gem through the use of a Vaal Orb. Corruptions can grant powerful bonuses but also come with risks, as they may also cause negative effects or even destroy the gem altogether.


Leveling Up Gems

Gems can be leveled up by gaining experience points through use. As a gem levels up, its abilities become more powerful, and its mana cost and other requirements may increase. Gems can be leveled up to a maximum of level 20 but can be further upgraded through the use of Gemcutter’s Prisms.


Gem Links and Colors

Gem links are connections between sockets that allow gems to be linked together. Linking gems allows support gems to augment the abilities of the skill gems they are linked to. The number and arrangement of gem links are determined by the item’s rarity and can be modified through crafting. Gem colors are also important in determining which gems can be socketed into which item.


Gem Swapping and Selling

As you progress through the game, you may find that the gems you have equipped are no longer effective or useful for your build. In these cases, you may want to swap them out for different gems that better suit your needs. Gems can also be sold to other players for currency or items.


Gem Crafting

Gem crafting allows players to modify gems through the use of crafting materials. Gems can be modified to change their quality and color, or even add or remove gem sockets. Gem crafting can be a powerful tool for optimizing your build and achieving success in the game.


Conclusion

Gems are an essential part of Path of Exile, and understanding how to use them is crucial to achieving success in the game. Skill gems grant access to powerful abilities, while support gems can augment those abilities to maximize their effectiveness. By choosing the right gems for your build and utilizing gem crafting and modification, you can optimize your build and achieve success in Path of Exile.


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FAQs

What are the best gems for a spellcaster build? For a powerful spellcaster build, look no further than Path of Exile gems like Arcane Surge, Spell Echo, and Controlled Destruction. Our guide has all the details you need to take your build to the next level!

Can gems be removed from equipment once they have been socketed? Yes, you can remove gems from your equipment by using a vendor recipe or a Gemcutter's Prism. Check out our guide for all the details.

How do I upgrade the quality of my gems? To upgrade the quality of your gems, you can use Gemcutter's Prism or trade with other players. Our guide has all the tips you need to get started.

What are the risks associated with gem corruption? Gem corruption can be risky, but it also has the potential for great rewards. Our guide explains everything you need to know about gem corruption and how to manage the risks.

How can I obtain Vaal Skill Gems? Vaal Skill Gems can be obtained by completing quests, defeating bosses, or trading with other players. Our guide has all the tips you need to get your hands on these powerful gems.

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