PoE 2 Build Planner: How to Import and Export Builds
Why the planner matters and where to start
The Build Planner in Path of Exile 2 brings someone else's build straight into the game interface. You no longer need a second screen with a guide open to check every node. According to player reports, the game highlights which passives to take and in what order, points to skill and support gems, and shows stat priorities for your gear slots.
The planner runs on .build files. Loading one on PC is easy. Making your own file takes third-party tools, and according to player reports consoles cannot do it yet. The current patch is 0.5, so check the version of any build before you commit to it.
Below you will find where the file goes, how to switch the build on in the tree and the gem window, how to export your own setup, and what to check up front so you do not lose an evening to a bad file.
How to import a build on PC
Download the .build file from the site that publishes the build and copy it into the planner folder. On Windows it usually sits in Documents / My Games / Path of Exile 2 / BuildPlanner. Your drive letter and user name will differ, so follow the tail of the path, not the drive.
The routine is short. Find the downloaded file, copy it, open the BuildPlanner folder and paste. If you cannot see a BuildPlanner folder, create it by hand inside the "Path of Exile 2" directory next to your other user files.
On Steam Deck the path looks different. It is the same folder, but inside the Proton prefix, the set of files Steam creates to run Windows games. The exact location depends on the system version, so the easiest way is to find the "My Games" directory and confirm BuildPlanner sits in its "Path of Exile 2" subfolder.
How to switch a build on in game: tree and gems
With the file in place, launch the game and open the passive tree (the P key by default). Pick your build in the Build Planner block. The nodes you need light up, and the order is visible right away.
Gems work in a similar way. Right-click any gem in your inventory and choose the build name from the drop-down in the window that appears. You do not have to own the gems yet, since the list shows what you will need at each stage. Support gems are slightly different. Pick the skill you want to link first, then click the build name in that window. Interface elements can move between patches, so look for them by name rather than by screen corner.
If you are starting a build from scratch, power leveling and a campaign boost help: by the time the planner highlights late nodes, your character should be high enough to take them. It also helps to know where Ascendancy points come from, namely the Trial of the Sekhemas and the Trial of Chaos.
How to export your own build
There is no built-in export button, so players use a workaround through third-party tools. It may change, so treat it as a working scheme for now rather than an official feature.
You will need Path of Building 2, a build calculator you can download from GitHub. It turns your character into a code. From there:
In Path of Building 2 open Import/Export and click Generate under Build Sharing.
Click Share, then Copy, to copy the code.
Open the third-party converter PoE2 Build Forge and paste the code into the field at the bottom of the page.
Click Convert. If the site says it cannot fetch the code directly, open the link from the prompt and copy the full code from there.
Paste the full code into the same field, click Convert again and download the finished .build file.
According to player reports, the file stores more than node order. Slotted gems go in too, so equip what the build is supposed to use before you export. The planner shows notes and gear hints only if they are written inside the file.
What to check before loading a build
The planner does not judge whether a file is good, it only shows what is inside. The file also never updates itself, so the checking is on you. Here is what to find out first.
Patch. The build should match the version you play. Right now that is 0.5.
Build type. Leveling, endgame farming, bosses and mapping call for different setups.
Class and Ascendancy. The path has to match your character exactly.
Required uniques. If the author marks them as mandatory and you do not have them, set the build aside.
Gem requirements. Gems demand Strength, Dexterity and Intelligence, and without enough of them the build will not work.
Gear flexibility. A good build starts with very little gear, though expensive ones can hinge on niche items.
The biggest mistake, according to player reports, is picking a build by its final form. You have to get there first, so the build must be playable along the way. If it needs uniques, capped resistances and high-level gems just to get going, keep it for an alt and take something simpler now.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
If the planner shows nothing or acts strangely, the cause is usually simple.
Wrong folder. The file must sit directly in BuildPlanner, not next to it.
Outdated build. How much an old file hurts in a new patch is hard to say in advance, so grab fresh ones.
Wrong class. Make sure the build is made for your character and matches your goal.
Ignoring gear. Sometimes the base weapon type matters more than any unique, for example maces instead of swords.
No notes. If the author never explains why a node or stat is needed, you cannot adapt the build to your own items.
If the file still does not show up in game, it may be a bug on the game side. In that case contact Grinding Gear Games support.
Picking a build that fits your pace
The planner removes the routine, but choosing the build is still up to you. A common community approach is to take a leveling build, reach maps, and only then move to an expensive setup. That way you do not stall for lack of currency. It is community opinion, yet it fits the fact that late builds lean heavily on resistances and gear.
There are simple resistance targets: elemental resistances cap at 75%, and players usually aim for roughly 30-50% against chaos. If you are unsure a file suits you, you can order a build check or build improvement. For a new league there are league starter builds, and if you need something tailored to your items, a custom build fits.
Gear and currency for your build
A loaded build most often runs into item limits. For fast equipment there is leveling gear. For crafting and trading you will need Divine Orbs and Exalted Orbs, plus gold for the side costs.
At the top end, expensive setups lean on rare currency such as the Mirror of Kalandra and special items like Kalandra's Touch. You do not need that early. First make sure the build plays on your current gear, then grow it.
Quick order of actions
Pick a build that fits the current patch, your class and Ascendancy.
Download the .build file and put it in BuildPlanner.
Select the build in the passive tree and in the gem window.
Follow the node order and check gem and gear requirements.
If you need your own file, export it through Path of Building 2 and the converter.