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Active Skill Gems in Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 2, Active Skill Gems are essential items that grant your character a variety of abilities, including melee and ranged attacks, spells, and summoning skills. Unlike traditional class-restricted systems, these gems can be used by any class, offering a high degree of flexibility in how you build and play your character.

Acquisition and Customization

• Uncut Skill Gems: Throughout the campaign, you’ll discover Uncut Skill Gems. These are blank gems that can be engraved to become the Active Skill Gem of your choice. This allows you to select skills that align with your desired playstyle.

• Skill Gem Sockets: Each character has access to nine Active Skill Gem sockets located in the Skill Window. You can equip these sockets with any Active Skill Gems you obtain, customizing your character’s abilities to suit various combat scenarios.

Equipping and Managing Skills

• Skill Window Placement: Active Skill Gems are placed into the leftmost sockets of your Skill Window. Once slotted, these skills become available for use in combat.

• Skill Bar Assignment: After equipping a skill, you can assign it to your Skill Bar, typically found at the bottom right of the screen near your Mana Orb. This location may vary based on your platform and whether you’re playing solo or in co-op mode.

• Flexible Configuration: You can change the skills assigned to your Skill Bar at any time. By clicking on the Skill Bar, a popup window will display all your available skills, allowing you to rearrange them according to your needs.

Categories of Active Skills

Active Skill Gems can be classified into several types, each serving a different combat role:

1. Melee Attacks: Focused on close-range combat, these skills are ideal for characters who engage enemies directly.

   • Examples: Boneshatter, Earthquake

2. Ranged Attacks: These skills allow you to attack enemies from a distance using bows or other projectile weapons.

   • Examples: Lightning Arrow, Escape Shot

3. Spells: Magical abilities that can damage enemies, apply effects, or manipulate the battlefield.

   • Examples: Contagion, Ball Lightning

4. Minion Skills: Summon creatures or entities that fight alongside you, providing additional damage or support.

   • Examples: Raise Zombie, Bind Spectre

Skill Gems and Weapon Requirements

While any class can use any Skill Gem, many skills are designed to work with specific weapon types. This means that to use certain abilities, you must have the appropriate weapon equipped. For instance:

• Weapon-Specific Skills: Lightning Arrow requires a bow to function, as you cannot fire arrows without one.
• Equipment Synergy: Choosing the right weapons to match your skills is crucial for maximizing your character’s effectiveness in combat.