Ever found yourself staring at your Path of Exile 2 passive skill tree, a shiny new jewel in your inventory, and wondered, "Okay, where does this actually go?" It’s a common moment, especially when you're first diving into the intricate world of character customization. Think of these jewels as potent little power-ups, ready to give your build that extra edge.
So, how do you actually get these bonuses working for you? It’s surprisingly straightforward, and thankfully, the game doesn't make you jump through too many hoops. The key lies in those special nodes scattered across your passive skill tree – the ones that look a little different, hinting at their unique purpose. These are your jewel sockets.
To slot a jewel, you’ll need to have both your Passive Skill Tree and your Inventory windows open simultaneously. I usually hit 'P' for the tree and 'I' for the inventory, but you can arrange your hotkeys however you like. Once both are visible, it’s as simple as a drag-and-drop operation. Just grab the jewel from your inventory and place it into an empty, unlocked jewel socket on the passive tree. Boom! You've just activated its bonuses, and your character is now a little bit stronger, a little bit more specialized.
What’s really great about this system is its flexibility. If you decide a particular jewel isn't quite cutting it anymore, or you've found something even better, you can remove it just as easily. And here's the best part: there's no cost associated with adding or removing jewels from these sockets. This means you can experiment freely, tweak your build on the fly, and really fine-tune your character without worrying about wasting resources. It’s all about finding that perfect synergy to tackle the challenges ahead.