Master the PoE 2 Passive Tree and Weapon Specialisation

PoE 2 Passive Tree and Weapon Specialisation

Path of Exile 2 introduces a massive Passive Skill Tree that allows for extensive build customization. The tree features nodes supporting various weapons, playstyles, and damage types. Some passive skills remain active at all times, while others adjust dynamically based on the weapon you are currently wielding.

In PoE 2, your Passive Skill Tree includes additional passives that can be allocated for one or two weapon sets. This system can be automated by assigning specific skills to a designated weapon. When you activate the skill, your character will automatically swap to the corresponding weapon and activate the relevant Weapon Specialisation tree.

Passive Tree

In Path of Exile 2, the Passive Skill Tree offers a vast array of options to enhance every aspect of your build. Most nodes provide generic modifiers that improve specific damage types, while others grant unique bonuses through Notables or immense power via Keystones located at the edges of the tree. As you level up, complete side quests, and progress through the campaign, you gain additional passive points to further customize your build.

The starting position on the Passive Tree depends on your class, giving each one unique early-game options. However, once you leave the starting area, the entire tree becomes accessible, and it’s the same for all classes. This shared design provides incredible build flexibility, enabling creative combinations like a melee-focused Sorcerer.

Passive skill allocation is not permanent. If you wish to change your build or correct mistakes, you can spend Gold to respecialize your Passive Tree.

Categories of Passive Skills

The tree includes four main types of passive skills:

• Travel nodes: Offer a choice between Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence.
• Minor Passives: Provide small bonuses like Fire Damage, Projectile Damage, or Energy Shield.
• Notable Passives: Found at the end of sequences of minor passives and grant significant bonuses. Some Notables provide powerful effects, such as increasing Spell Damage while your Energy Shield is full.
• Keystones: Unique, build-defining passives that offer dramatic effects, such as Chaos Inoculation, which sets your Life to 1 but makes you immune to Chaos Damage.

Weapon Specialisation System

Path of Exile 2’s Weapon Specialisation adds another layer of customization. It is beginner-friendly, offers min-maxing potential for veterans, and enables thematic builds like a Witch Hunter Mercenary wielding a crossbow and a melee weapon.

If you’re not ready to use two weapon sets, Weapon Specialisation points can instead be allocated as additional passives to further enhance your build. Nodes are categorized as:

• Globally allocated nodes (left).
• Weapon Set I specific nodes (middle, red).
• Weapon Set II specific nodes (right, green).

Starting Location

The Passive Tree in Path of Exile 2 aligns with the themes of the Attributes:

• Intelligence is linked to Lightning and Spells.
• Dexterity is associated with Cold and Projectiles.
• Strength is tied to Fire and Melee.

These associations, however, are not rigid. The types of passive skill clusters blend together as you move toward or away from a specific quadrant of the tree.

For example, the Sorceress starts with elemental-focused nodes, whereas the Witch begins with minion-focused nodes. This design supports two classes per attribute combination, allowing for flexibility in playstyles.

When selecting travel nodes, each node offers a choice between Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence. This grants you significant control over your build’s attributes, enabling you to customize your character regardless of their starting location.

Weapon Specialisation

Path of Exile 2 introduces Weapon Specialisation, allowing you to dynamically shift your passive skills based on your active weapon. These specialised passives are unlocked as you level up and complete objectives during the Campaign.

The passives obtained through Quest Books are specifically designed to enable Weapon Specialisation. While these dynamic passives are limited in number, they provide immense power and flexibility to your build.

Skill Gem Weapon Swap Mechanics

By default, your skills use the weapon you currently have equipped. However, you can assign a specific weapon set for a skill to use. To do this, open your Skill Gem tab and navigate to the extended description of the desired Gem.

In this menu, you can configure which Weapon Set your character swaps to when using the skill:

• Ticking Weapon Set I (I) ensures the character always swaps to the first weapon set before using the skill.
• Ticking Weapon Set II (II) does the same for the second weapon set.
• Ticking both allows the skill to be used regardless of the active weapon set.

An exception occurs when a skill requires specific weapon conditions. If a skill cannot be used with the current weapon but can with the other set, the game automatically swaps to the eligible weapon.

Example:
If you try to use Shield Charge while holding a 2-handed Mace, the game swaps to your second weapon set if it includes a shield, allowing the skill to activate.

Passive Skill Tree Weapon Swap Mechanics

Path of Exile 2 allows you to dynamically adjust allocated nodes on your Passive Skill Tree through the Weapon Swap system, a feature known as dual specialization.

Weapon Swap Points are a type of passive point that activates only when a specific weapon set is equipped. These points enable greater flexibility, but allocating them requires meeting three conditions:

1. Weapon Set Point Maximum
   Your character must have a Weapon Set Point Maximum greater than 0 (e.g., 24 in the reference image). These are earned throughout the campaign.
2. Unallocated Skill Points
   You need to have unallocated passive skill points (e.g., 9 in the reference image) available to assign them to a specific Weapon Set rather than globally.
3. Weapon Set Selection
   Specify which weapon set (Set I or Set II) the points will apply to. This is done by selecting the appropriate set (indicated by an arrow in the interface).

When allocating points, carefully monitor which nodes are assigned Globally, to Weapon Set I, or to Weapon Set II to ensure your build functions as intended during weapon swaps.

Refunding Passive Points

Respecialising your Passive Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2 is now easier than ever! Instead of relying on Orb-based mechanics, you use Gold, a resource that drops throughout the game and is also used as a "Tax" in the Currency Exchange system.

If you make a mistake or decide to experiment with a new skill or passive combination, simply visit the mysterious Hooded One, whom you'll encounter in Act 1. Here, you can easily refund your passive points for Gold.

The cost of refunds is dynamic, scaling with your level and how far into the Passive Tree the refunded point is located. This makes early respecialisation much cheaper compared to Path of Exile 1. Additionally, Attribute nodes are discounted by 50%, encouraging players to explore alternative Attribute routes and experiment with new builds.

Summary

The Passive Skill Tree in Path of Exile 2 introduces Weapon Specialisation, encouraging players to incorporate multiple skills and weapons into their builds.

• Most passive skills remain active regardless of your weapon.
• Some passives are tied to specific weapon sets and automatically activate when the corresponding weapon is equipped.
• You can assign which weapon and its associated passives are used with a specific skill.
• Keystones offer powerful benefits but often come with significant trade-offs, requiring build adjustments.
• Starting nodes vary by class to support two classes per Attribute combination, but the rest of the tree is shared across all classes.
• Small Attribute Passives allow you to choose between Strength, Intelligence, or Dexterity.
• Passive points can be refunded at the Hooded One for Gold after unlocking them in Act 1.