Path of Exile 2 introduces a fresh take on the Gems system, with vital distinctions like Active, Support, and Spirit Gems forming the crux of gameplay. These Gems now feature built-in sockets, making item management distinct from the original game. However, there’s a catch—Jeweller’s Orbs play a critical role in enhancing Gem sockets, thus influencing the flexibility of builds, but they don’t come cheap.
Despite an impressive start in early access, it’s complicated to compare Path of Exile 2 directly with its predecessor due to notable differences in core gameplay. One such change is the power balance among builds, which is significantly lower in Path of Exile 2. This seems deliberate, possibly to curb the power creep prevalent in the original game and to craft a more balanced standalone sequel. While the Gem system offers a promising shift from armor sockets, it’s not without its downsides.
In the original Path of Exile, players could effortlessly purchase Gems from vendors, a convenience that doesn’t extend to Path of Exile 2. Here, players must either rely on finding Uncut Gems or trading to acquire what they need. This new method makes Gems a necessity in all builds, encompassing Skill Gems for attacks and spells, Support Gems for boosting those abilities, and Spirit Gems that require reserved Spirit to activate permanent buffs. This reimagined Gem system offers both advantages and challenges.
The significant departure in Path of Exile 2’s Gems compared to PoE is the addition of built-in sockets, allowing players to ease the pressure on itemization. Yet, this design choice leads to new challenges. While players can bypass the need for high-quality linked items by focusing on Gems with sockets, the burden has merely shifted from items to the Gems themselves.
Jeweller’s Orbs in Path of Exile 2 present a particularly tricky situation. They are the only method for adding extra sockets to Gems beyond the initial pair, but these orbs are rare and costly. To illustrate, a Lesser Jeweller’s Orb can fetch the price of one Exalted Orb, while a Greater Jeweller’s Orb might go for a Divine Orb. Therefore, Path of Exile 2’s economy remains largely untouched, still reliant on valuable items to optimize builds.
The steep price and rarity of Jeweller’s Orbs turn skill experimentation and build swapping into costly ventures, often discouraging players. Many of the top Skill, Support, and Spirit Gems only become accessible after Act 3, limiting early-game versatility, especially since numerous Gems are absent from the game at this stage.
The pressure in Path of Exile 2 pivots from equipment to Gems when it comes to enhancing builds. Investing Jeweller’s Orbs into early Gems might prove impractical, as players will later need to acquire new Gems with preferable sockets. To tackle endgame challenges effectively, players require multiple five-linked Gems, an objective that’s not easy to achieve.
This shift is beneficial in reducing itemization costs tied to socket-based pricing, with armor sockets obtainable through Artificer’s Orbs. Nonetheless, itemization remains convoluted, affecting everyone from novices to seasoned players who enjoy exploring the game’s breadth. Whether early access will bring transformative changes is yet to be seen, though significant adjustments might be necessary.
