Path of Exile 2: How to Level Skill, Support Gems and Character Progression

Key Takeaways:

1. Skill and support gems are the foundation of any strong build in Path of Exile 2, requiring strategic levelling and pairing to maximize efficiency.
2. Farming Uncut Gems by defeating bosses and random encounters is crucial for advancing your character’s capabilities.
3. Understanding how to progress builds from early game chaos-based builds to minion-heavy endgame builds is essential for success.

Skill Gem Levelling in Path of Exile 2

In Path of Exile 2, your character’s power heavily depends on the effective use and levelling of skill gems. Skill gems determine your abilities, and their combinations with support gems form the backbone of your build. Let’s break down the process of levelling skill gems and their role in gameplay.

How to Obtain and Level Skill Gems

Skill gems are levelled using Uncut Skill Gems, which drop from monsters and bosses as you progress through the game. These items have a Roman numeral on them indicating the tier to which they can level a skill gem. For instance:

• A tier “V” Uncut Skill Gem allows a skill gem to reach level 5.
• Higher-tier Uncut Gems can be used to upgrade skill gems even further, up to tier 13.

To use an Uncut Skill Gem:

1. Access the Gemcutter’s window.
2. Select an existing gem to upgrade or create a new one.
3. Use the Uncut Skill Gem to enhance the skill to the desired tier.

Support Gems and Their Role

Support gems, which modify skill behaviour, cannot be directly levelled in Path of Exile 2. The game simplifies support gem mechanics, removing the quality and variant systems (e.g., Phantasmal or Anomalous). Instead, you select the best support gem for your primary skill based on your playstyle.

Like skill gems, Uncut Support Gems are required to obtain these items. Turn off the “Show Recommended Gems” filter in the Gemcutter’s window to explore the full list of available support gems and find the perfect fit for your build.

Farming Uncut Gems in Path of Exile 2

Uncut Gems (both skill and support) are farmed by defeating random bosses and engaging in encounters found throughout the campaign. To maximize your farming efficiency:

1. Identify Encounters: Look for map markers that signify random encounters or boss locations.
2. Complete Encounters: Defeat the spawned enemies to obtain Uncut Gems, gear, and currency.
3. Prioritize Story Progression: Early skill gems will frequently be replaced as you move closer to endgame, so only farm extensively once your build is more stable.

Best Starter Builds for Path of Exile 2

Choosing the right build during early game progression can drastically improve your levelling speed and survivability. One of the most effective starter builds for witches focuses on chaos-based damage-over-time (DoT) abilities, such as Essence Drain and Contagion.

Chaos DoT Build: Levels 1–20

This build relies on spreading chaos-based damage to enemies, which is ideal for clearing mobs and dealing consistent damage to bosses.

Key Skills and Support Gems:

1. Essence Drain
   • Support Gems: Increased Duration (for longer DoT uptime), Swift Affliction (increased damage at the cost of shorter duration), and Added Chaos Damage.
   • Primary Use: Single-target damage with spreading potential when combined with Contagion.
2. Contagion
   • Support Gems: Area of Effect (to spread debuffs to nearby enemies) and Added Chaos Damage.
   • Primary Use: Spreads Essence Drain’s damage across large areas.
3. Unearth
   • Support Gems: Brutality (increased physical damage) and Faster Attacks (for faster summoning of mobs).
   • Primary Use: Summons projectiles and minions to assist in combat.

Playstyle Tips:

• Open fights by casting Essence Drain on a primary target.
• Follow up with Contagion to spread the damage.
• Use Unearth to summon mobs for added utility and damage.

Transitioning to Midgame Builds

By level 20–25, players often transition to builds that reflect their preferred playstyle. For Witch players, a natural progression involves either sticking with chaos-based builds or pivoting to minion-based builds.

Minion Midgame Build

Minion builds focus on overwhelming enemies with a horde of summoned creatures. This setup shines during group fights and is particularly strong in boss encounters with adds.

Key Minions and Support Gems:

1. Skeletal Snipers
   • Support Gems: Brutality (damage multiplier) and Faster Attacks.
   • Primary Role: Long-range DPS minions that excel in boss fights.
2. Pain Offering
   • Support Gems: Increased Area of Effect and Increased Duration.
   • Primary Role: Sacrifice a minion to empower others with attack and cast speed.
3. Bone Cage
   • Primary Role: Crowd control and survivability by trapping enemies in an area.

Advanced Builds and Endgame Strategies

Endgame Minion Build: Skeletal Reavers

In the endgame, many Witch players opt for the Skeletal Reaver build, which utilizes melee minions with stacking rage and bleed mechanics.

Key Mechanics and Playstyle:

• Skeletal Reavers: Gain increased damage as their rage builds but lose health over time.
• Skeletal Clerics: Heal and resurrect your Reavers, ensuring they stay in combat longer.
• Synergies: Pairing Clerics with Pain Offering provides consistent buffs to your minions, maximizing their damage output.

Skill Rotation:

1. Activate Pain Offering to empower your minions.
2. Summon Skeletal Snipers to weaken enemy armor.
3. Use Bone Storm to channel high area-of-effect damage while your minions attack.

FAQs

What Are Uncut Gems in Path of Exile 2?

Uncut Gems are items used to either create or upgrade skill and support gems. They drop from bosses and encounters during the campaign.

Can Support Gems Be Upgraded?

No, support gems cannot be levelled up. Instead, players choose from a variety of fixed support gem types.

What’s the Best Starter Build for Witches?

The chaos damage-over-time build using Essence Drain and Contagion is highly effective for beginners, offering fast map clearing and consistent boss damage.

How Can I Farm Gems Efficiently?

Focus on random encounters and bosses during the campaign. Progress through the story first to access higher-tier content and better drops.