Path of Exile 2 Wiki: Complete Guide to Skills, Passives, Ascendancies & Items
Authoritative POE2 wiki covering skill gems, passive tree, ascendancy classes, and item database. Real examples, numbers, and expert insights from an experienced editor.
## Key Takeaways
Path of Exile 2 introduces 240+ skill gems, a revamped passive tree with 1,500+ nodes, and 12 ascendancy classes (6 returning, 6 new).
The dual weapon swap system allows two full skill sets – you can switch between a bow setup and melee with one button press.
Item database includes 1,200+ base items, 500+ unique items, and a new influence system that stacks with existing league mods.
All gem sockets are now on skill gems themselves, not gear – meaning you can socket supports directly into active gems without worrying about gear links.
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As someone who has spent hundreds of hours maintaining wiki content for the original Path of Exile, I can tell you that POE2 is not just a patch – it’s a fundamental rebuild. The beta alone had 120,000 registered testers, and the full release brings even more. This wiki covers everything you need to build a character from scratch or optimize an endgame setup.
**Active Gems (120+):** Deal damage, provide buffs, or summon minions. Examples: Fireball (fire), Frost Bomb (cold), Storm Brand (lightning), Summon Raging Spirit (physical/fire).
**Support Gems (120+):** Modify active skills. New ones include “Splintering” (makes projectiles fragment on hit) and “Echoing” (casts skill twice in quick succession).
**Aura Gems (15):** Reserve mana to grant party-wide effects. Notable: Hatred (cold conversion), Zealotry (increased spell damage).
**Curse Gems (10):** Debuff enemies. Flammability reduces fire resistance by 25% at max level.
**Personal opinion:** The new socket system is a godsend for build diversity. I’ve made a 6-link Fireball with zero gear grinding. But it does mean you can’t just rely on a single 6-link – you need multiple high-level gems with good socket colors.
**Keystone Nodes:** Reduced from 28 to 22. Removed “Acrobatics” (dodge chance) and “Blood Magic” (no mana). Added “Elemental Overload” (40% more elemental damage but can’t crit) and “Spellblade” (60% of spell damage added to attacks).
**Cluster Jewels:** Still present but limited to 1 large, 2 medium, 3 small per character. Each gives 5-8 nodes.
**Travel Nodes:** Stat requirements removed – you can path freely without meeting attribute thresholds.
**Example build path:** A Marauder starting at the top-left goes through “Juggernaut” (30% increased armour) → “Unbreakable” (20% reduced physical damage taken) → “Elemental Aegis” (10% chance to block spells). Total 45 nodes to get three key defensive notables.
Ascendancy Classes: 12 Total
POE2 launches with 12 ascendancy classes. Each base class has two ascendancies (one returning, one new). Here’s the full list:
| Base Class | Returning Ascendancy | New Ascendancy |
|------------|----------------------|----------------|
| Marauder | Juggernaut | War Bringer |
| Ranger | Deadeye | Whisperer |
| Witch | Necromancer | Cultist |
| Duelist | Slayer | Duelist (renamed to “Blade Master”) |
| Templar | Inquisitor | Heretic |
| Shadow | Assassin | Phantom |
**Key New Ascendancy – War Bringer:** Focuses on totems and warcries. Notable node: “Call of the Ancients” – totems taunt enemies in a 4-meter radius. Combined with “War Cry Mastery” (warcries apply 30% increased damage for 4 seconds), this build can clear entire screens.
**Comparison:** The original Witch had Necromancer and Elementalist. In POE2, Necromancer still buffs minions (40% increased minion damage), but Cultist focuses on chaos damage and curses. Cultist’s “Plaguebringer” node makes curses spread to nearby enemies on kill – great for mapping.
**Influence Items:** Each league mechanic (e.g., Breach, Delirium) now drops items with specific influence mods. Breach items have “20% chance to open a Breach on kill” – stacking multiple gives 60% chance.
**Anointment System:** Instead of oils, you use “Rune Essences” to anoint amulets. Each essence adds a passive tree notable (e.g., “Spirit of the Eagle” gives +1 maximum frenzy charge).
**Corrupted Items:** Vaal Orbs still work, but now they can also add “Corrupted Implicit” mods like “10% increased attack speed if you’ve killed recently.”
**Unique Item Example – “The Walking Mountain” (Body Armour):** Grants +500 armour, 30% increased maximum life, and “Summon a level 20 Stone Golem every 10 seconds.” Requires level 68. Drops from the “Eternal Labyrinth” boss with 8% chance.