The Skill Tree of Path of Exile 2 is as extensive as in its predecessor. For veterans, a familiar system, but for newcomers, a complicated undertaking. Therefore, we present to you the most important information about the Skill Tree, so that even as a beginner you know how to build a strong hero.
What is the Skill Tree? In Path of Exile 2, there is the passive Skill Tree with different nodes that you can activate. These points help you to become stronger. They build your build, increase damage, grant you more points in strength, dexterity, and intelligence, or reduce the resistances of your enemies.
Especially in the endgame, a well-constructed Skill Tree with the right perks is crucial for survival, but how is it structured and what details should you be aware of before you distribute your points? We will show you.
How the Skill Tree works in Path of Exile 2
The Skill Tree is structured like a starry sky, which in turn is divided into various areas. Each class has its starting point in the Skill Tree and can then navigate its way through the other areas and level up from there.
It is important to know that there are four types of nodes in the Skill Tree. Each type offers its own advantages. The following are known:
- Travel Nodes: These nodes grant you a bonus in strength, dexterity, or intelligence. You decide which value you want to increase.
- Minor Passives: Grants small bonuses like an increase in elemental damage.
- Notable Passives: These nodes offer you a higher bonus, for example increased elemental damage or also the reduction of elemental resistance of your enemies, making them more vulnerable to damage.
- Keystones: The Keystones are important perks that can define your build. They drastically change the functions of your hero and open up a variety of build possibilities.
Additionally, there are specializations for weapons. These dynamically change your passives depending on which weapon you are currently using.
If you have completed the trials of the Sekhem, you will even receive additional nodes to further improve your build – this refers to your Ascendant Class.
How should you start? If you want to completely forgo builds and guides, you should use the search at the top right. There, you can enter keywords like fire, cold, or minions. Depending on which word you write in there, different nodes will be visually highlighted.
It is always advisable to pick up other suitable skills on the way to the nodes because you often have more skill points available than there are nodes of a certain type. For example, it makes sense to increase general elemental damage alongside ice elemental damage to buff your ice witch.
Furthermore, it is also important to invest in critical damage, as this significantly increases your damage – especially when your crit chance is also increased.
Why is the Skill Tree so important? With the Skill Tree, you create your endgame build to be able to withstand even the toughest monsters. Therefore, anyone who wants to master the most difficult content from PoE 2 cannot avoid getting familiar with the complicated Skill Tree. In total, you have access to over 1500 nodes that can strengthen your hero.
Can I reset the Skill Tree? Yes, just like in Diablo 4, you will have the option to reset your Skill Tree with earned gold. The NPC “The Veiled”, which you can find after Act 1, will reset your passive points for gold.
The price for resetting is dynamic and adjusts to your progress, the deeper you have invested in the Skill Tree. You will also receive a 50% discount on the cost of resetting if you reset nodes for attributes.
That was a rough explanation of what you should know about the Skill Tree. The details on how to best allocate your skill points can be found in the respective guides. If you don’t yet know which character and build you should start with, we recommend the Ice Witch. She is perfect for beginners: Path of Exile 2: Beginner build lets you freeze the battlefield as a Sorcerer
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