U4GM - PoE 2’s Jeweller's Orbs: Optimizing Your Gear with Sockets and Supports
In Path of Exile 2 (PoE 2), one of the most vital components of gearing up your character is ensuring your items are properly socketed. The Jeweller's Orb is an essential tool in this process, allowing you to modify the sockets of your gear. Whether you want to create a perfect setup for your abilities or optimize your damage potential, understanding how to use Jeweller's Orbs effectively is key to progressing in the game.
What is a Jeweller's Orb?
In PoE 2, a Jeweller's Orb is a currency item that allows you to roll the number of sockets on a piece of equipment. You can use it on weapons, armor, or shields to change how many sockets the item has, and occasionally, the color of these sockets. This modification is crucial when it comes to linking your skills with support gems, and understanding how to manipulate this system is vital for maximizing your character’s potential.
How Jeweller's Orbs Work
When you use a Jeweller's Orb on an item, it will randomly change the number of sockets on that item, ranging from 1 to 6 sockets, depending on the type of item and the Orb used. The Jeweller's Orb does not guarantee the sockets will be linked, which is another process handled by another PoE 2 currency item, the Orb of Fusing. However, with multiple uses, you can fine-tune your gear, ensuring you have the right number of sockets for your needs.
Optimizing Gear for Sockets and Supports
To fully optimize your gear with supports and skill gems, you’ll need to carefully consider how many sockets your equipment should have. For most builds, the typical setup includes 3, 4, or 5 sockets, as these allow for a good balance between raw skill gems and supports. However, some endgame builds might require 6 sockets for maximum damage or utility, especially in combination with certain support gems like the Empower, Enhance, or Concentrated Effect.
The Importance of Socket Color
While the number of sockets is important, the color of those sockets is also crucial. Depending on your build, you may need specific socket colors to accommodate certain gems. For example, red sockets are commonly used for damage-dealing skill gems, while green sockets may be needed for support gems that augment or modify your abilities.
Getting the right socket colors requires a little more effort. Jeweller’s Orbs may not directly modify the color of the sockets, but you can use other PoE 2 currency items such as Chromatic Orbs to change the colors once the item has been socketed. Some players use Jeweller’s Orbs in combination with Chromatic Orbs to create an optimal setup.
Maximizing Your Jeweller’s Orbs
Since Jeweller's Orbs are valuable and relatively rare, it’s important to use them wisely. You can either use them on your gear yourself or trade them on the PoE 2 marketplace. If you have a surplus of PoE 2 currency, you may want to purchase high-quality gear already socketed with the proper number and color of sockets, which can save you time. Alternatively, if you're crafting your own items, you can maximize your efficiency by targeting specific pieces that already have good base stats and only need socket alterations.
Optimizing your gear with Jeweller’s Orbs in PoE 2 is a powerful tool to maximize your character’s performance. By understanding how to roll the correct number of sockets and using your PoE 2 currency wisely to adjust socket colors, you can significantly boost your damage output, survivability, and overall efficiency in the game. Remember, every piece of equipment plays a crucial role in your build’s success, and careful planning of socket and support gem setups can make all the difference in your Path of Exile 2 adventure.