Overview

The upcoming “The Third Edict” update for Path of Exile 2 introduces a massive overhaul to the entire Support Gem system, aiming to significantly enhance build diversity and player choice. These changes are among the biggest new systems being implemented, alongside new skills and character buffs.

Removal of the “One of Each Support Gem Per Character” Restriction

One of the primary issues with the previous support gem system was the limitation of only being able to use one support gem of each type per character. This design encouraged players to focus heavily on a single ability, as using supports on one skill meant they couldn’t be used on others, thereby working against the idea of comboing multiple abilities.

To address this, Grinding Gear Games has removed this restriction entirely, allowing players to use as many copies of any support gem as they like.

• Increased Build Diversity: This change is expected to “drastically increase the amount of possible builds” and “skill diversity”.
• Enhanced Skill Combos: Previously, builds were limited, such as a poison build only being able to apply poison or use Stacking Poison on a single skill, which restricted combos outside of the specific poison archetype. Now, players can combine these effects across multiple skills.
• Viability for Utility Skills: Many utility skills that previously couldn’t scale into the endgame because their optimal support gems were better used on primary damage skills will now become more viable. For example, players can now use Martial Tempo to speed up Killing Palm without sacrificing its use on a main skill.

Tiered Progression for Support Gems

The previous system lacked a strong sense of progression, with only three tiers and many important supports being available at Tier 1, offering no strict upgrades as players advanced. To remedy this, many support gems now feature multiple levels with evolving effects throughout the game.

• Dynamic Upgrades: As you progress, support gems can transform, offering different benefits or drawbacks at higher tiers.
  • Double Barrel: Initially grants an extra bolt at the cost of 30% less reload speed. At Tier 2, this penalty is reduced to 20%. At Tier 3, it gains a new ability to automatically reload when you heavy stun an enemy.
  • Rapid Casting: Early levels provide a straightforward increase in cast speed (e.g., 15% then 20%). However, at Tier 3, its functionality changes to grant 10% increased cast speed for each different spell cast in the last 8 seconds, significantly boosting spell-heavy builds.
• Strategic Choices: The highest tiers of some supports might operate differently, requiring players to decide if the upgrade aligns with their specific build.

Introduction of Lineage Supports (Endgame Supports)

For endgame content, a completely new system called Lineage Supports is being introduced. These can be thought of as “Unique Items, but for supports,” offering significantly more power and build-defining capabilities.

• Endgame Exclusive: Lineage Supports are exclusively available in the endgame.
• Acquisition: Unlike regular support gems, they cannot be found through Uncut Support Gems. Many are dropped by specific bosses, while others are part of the regular drop pool, varying in rarity from common to very rare.
• Impact: Some Lineage Supports are “build defining,” while others offer “straight up power upgrades”.
• Quantity: Approximately 40 Lineage Supports will be added throughout the endgame, offering a vast array of new power to discover.
• Examples:
  • Ratha’s Assault: An upgraded version of Double Barrel that reloads your skill as you dodge roll and increases the number of bolts it can hold, but crucially, it becomes the only way to reload that skill.
  • Kurgal’s Leash: Found in the Abyssal Depths, this support empowers both you and your minions when you command them, granting Unholy Might to both.
  • Garukhan’s Resolve: Dropped by the Faridun Swordmaster boss, it causes your Critical Strikes to Bifurcate, requiring mobility to enable properly.
  • Paquate’s Pact: Obtained from the boss sealed in the Vaal Vault, this support enhances your Warcries, causing them to inflict massive amounts of corrupted blood at the cost of your own life.

New and Buffed Support Gem Interactions

Beyond the systemic changes, new support gems are being added, and existing ones are being buffed to scale effectively into the endgame.

• Elemental Expansion for Ranger: An Ice Fragments support is introduced, creating more ice fragments when killing frozen enemies, complementing skills like Escape Shot and Freezing Salvo.
• Warrior Endurance Charges: New supports include one that makes Perfect Strike generate Endurance Charges and another for generating Endurance Charges from Heavy Stuns, making it easier to summon multiple Ancestral Warrior totems.

These comprehensive changes to support gems aim to provide players with unprecedented flexibility, depth, and a more rewarding progression curve in Path of Exile 2, encouraging experimentation and diverse build strategies.

One of the most significant updates is the complete overhaul of the support gem system. This change aims to enhance character builds and provide players with more options in how they approach gameplay. New skills are also being introduced, giving players even more tools at their disposal.

For instance, the Accolyte of Chayula has received a notable buff, allowing Chaos damage to ignite, shock, chill, and freeze. This change embraces a more elemental approach, making Chaos damage much more versatile and useful.

Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict Guides and Overview

• Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict and Abyssal League Revealed
• Path of Exile 2: The Third Edict – Act IV and Interludes overview