Path of Exile 2 Guide to Weapon Sets and Skill Points

In Path of Exile 2 (PoE2), the weapon set system offers players the ability to switch between different weapon loadouts, enhancing gameplay with dynamic combinations of skills, damage types, and stat requirements. Coupled with the passive skill tree, this feature introduces a new layer of customization and versatility for character builds. While the mechanic might seem a bit overwhelming at first, understanding its core functionality can drastically improve your efficiency in combat and enhance your overall gaming experience. This guide will break down the key elements of weapon sets, how they interact with skill points, and tips on how to use them effectively.

Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) Understanding Weapon Sets

Weapon sets allow players to equip multiple sets of weapons, each with its own unique stats and properties. For instance, you can have a pair of crossbows with different ammunition or staves that deal different types of elemental damage, such as lightning and fire. This flexibility extends to all classes and builds, making it possible to tailor your setup to different combat scenarios.

One of the most powerful aspects of weapon sets is the ability to swap between them during gameplay. This is achieved by pressing the assigned button (like X on PC) to switch between your weapon sets without interrupting your skills. For example, you could equip a Quarter Staff that deals lightning damage and another that deals ice damage. Depending on which skill you’re using, the game will automatically swap to the appropriate weapon, saving you time and optimizing your DPS.

Additionally, you can fine-tune your build by assigning specific abilities to certain weapons. If you’re running a lightning-based build, you could set up a weapon set with enhanced lightning damage and assign it to a skill like Voltaic Mark or Chain Lightning. This system allows for a high degree of customization, letting you explore combinations of weapons and abilities that best suit your preferred playstyle.

How Weapon Sets Integrate with Skill Points

In PoE2, skill points are a vital resource for improving your character’s abilities, and weapon sets offer additional depth by allowing you to allocate points specifically for each weapon set. When you gain a new level or unlock special skill points, you’ll have the option to distribute them across your weapon sets, thereby enhancing their effectiveness.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Weapon Set Skill Points: These points are separate from the global skill points you gain through leveling up. You need to have available global skill points to allocate into weapon set skills. These points can be spent on specific nodes that enhance particular weapon sets, such as improving one-handed or two-handed weapon damage or augmenting elemental damage types like fire, cold, or lightning.
2. Specialized Allocations: The weapon set skill points can be used to unlock specific bonuses tied to the weapon set. For example, you may have a choice to specialize in a one-handed weapon tree or a two-handed weapon tree. The system allows for a lot of freedom, enabling you to build hybrid setups and make the most of various weapon types within the same character.
3. Dynamic Builds: The weapon set system offers dynamic builds by enabling you to switch between two weapon setups that cater to different needs. For instance, one setup could focus on defensive stats for tanking, while the other could prioritize DPS for clearing enemies. This makes it easier to switch between offensive and defensive tactics depending on the situation, offering both flexibility and increased survivability.

Important Tips Path of Exile 2 (PoE2) for Weapon Set and Skill Point Usage

1. Unlocking Weapon Set Skill Points: To start allocating points to a weapon set, you need to have unspent skill points. Once you have them available, you can allocate them either globally or to a specific weapon set. For example, if you’re working with weapon set one, you can spend points in the one-handed or two-handed weapon skill trees, or specialize in elemental damage. The key is to have enough skill points to allocate as per the weapon set’s requirements.
2. Stat Requirements: Each weapon may have stat requirements, such as strength or intelligence, to be equipped. The weapon set system can help by allocating specific stat points to meet these requirements without forcing you to change your global build. For example, if your primary build uses dexterity but you need a strength-based weapon, you can temporarily switch to a weapon set that boosts strength for the weapon swap. This saves you from having to rework your character’s entire build.
3. Limitation with Keystones: One important limitation of the weapon set system is that you cannot apply keystones through weapon sets. Keystones are critical passive skill tree nodes that modify your entire build, and unfortunately, you cannot swap them dynamically between weapon sets. As a result, you need to plan your character’s core abilities carefully, ensuring that the weapon set system complements, rather than overrides, your fundamental playstyle.
4. Dual-Wielding and Off-Hand Use: The weapon set system also offers great synergy with dual-wielding. For instance, if you have a weapon that deals higher damage in your main hand and another that provides additional accuracy in your off-hand, you can swap between them to maximize your effectiveness. This dynamic helps especially when building around abilities with low accuracy, as you can equip a secondary weapon to ensure consistent hits.

More awesome point from the YT: Drybear check him out for more info!

Weapon sets and skill points in Path of Exile 2 are a core part of enhancing your gameplay experience. With the ability to swap between different weapon setups and customize your character’s abilities through specific skill point allocation, you unlock endless possibilities for build optimization. Whether you’re focusing on a dual-wielding setup, optimizing elemental damage, or balancing your offense and defense, the weapon set system adds depth and versatility to your PoE2 journey. As you continue to experiment and fine-tune your build, weapon sets will become an essential tool in maximizing your effectiveness across different encounters.