Can You Use Two of the Same Support Gems in Path of Exile?

The short and direct answer is: No, you cannot effectively use two of the same support gems on a single skill gem in Path of Exile. While you can indeed link two identical support gems to the same active skill, the game will only utilize the effects of the higher-level gem. The lower-level support gem will essentially be ignored in terms of its support effects on the skill. This mechanic is a fundamental part of Path of Exile’s design, preventing players from excessively stacking the same modifiers and creating unbalanced builds.

This design choice ensures that players are encouraged to utilize a diverse array of support gems to augment their skills, leading to a more engaging and strategic experience. Though the lower-level support gem won’t provide additional support, both gems will still gain experience and contribute to your character’s mana reservation, so consider leveling them if you are pursuing corrupted gems.

Understanding Support Gem Mechanics

Links and Skill Augmentation

Path of Exile revolves around the concept of linking active skill gems with support gems. An active skill gem is the primary skill you use (like “Fireball” or “Cyclone”), while support gems modify how that skill behaves (such as “Added Fire Damage” or “Faster Attacks”). These gems are placed within sockets on your equipment (weapons, armor, etc.). Sockets must be connected via links to allow the gems to interact.

Multiple support gems can be linked to a single active skill, each modifying the skill in their unique way. This is where the strength of character builds comes from – the synergy between various support gems and your core skill.

Redundancy and the Dominance of the Highest Level

When two support gems of the same type are linked to the same skill, the game only considers the effects of the highest-level gem. The levels of the other support gems linked of that type are effectively ignored for the purpose of skill modification.

• Example: If you have a level 10 “Added Fire Damage” support gem and a level 5 “Added Fire Damage” support gem both linked to your “Burning Arrow” skill, only the level 10 gem’s effects will be applied. The level 5 gem will still gain experience and increase mana reservation, but it adds absolutely nothing to the benefit of the skill.

Leveling and Experience Gain

Even though a lower-level duplicate support gem won’t provide additional effects, it still participates in experience gain. All support gems linked to an active skill receive experience whenever you defeat enemies, regardless of whether their support effects are actively being used. This makes leveling duplicate gems a valid strategy for obtaining level 20 or corrupted versions later.

Mana Reservation

Support gems often have a mana reservation cost, which means a certain portion of your mana will be reserved while the gem is equipped. In the case of duplicate support gems, the mana reservation of both gems will apply, even if only the highest-level gem’s effects are used. This can impact your character’s ability to cast other skills, and is worth taking into account when deciding to have duplicate gems equipped for leveling.

Why This Design?

This design decision was likely implemented by the developers to prevent exponential power scaling through duplicate support gems. Without this restriction, players could potentially achieve astronomical damage by stacking the same support modifiers repeatedly. This restriction ensures that Path of Exile is a game of strategic planning and varied build ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I stack the same support gem multiple times for more effectiveness?

No. Only the highest level support gem of any given type will affect the linked skill. Duplicate gems do not provide additive effects.

2. Do duplicate support gems still gain experience?

Yes. All support gems linked to a skill will gain experience, even if their effects are redundant.

3. Do duplicate support gems impact mana reservation?

Yes. Even if the effect of the lower-level gem isn’t being used, the mana reservation of all linked support gems will be applied.

4. Why doesn’t the game allow stacking of identical support gems?

This limitation is to maintain game balance and prevent players from creating overly powerful builds through repeated stacking of modifiers.

5. Can I use two different support gems that provide the same damage type (e.g., two “+Fire Damage” support gems)?

Yes, you can. As long as the support gem names are different, their effects will stack. For example, “Added Fire Damage” and “Combustion” support gems will stack their fire damage.

6. What is the point of leveling duplicate support gems if they don’t add support?

Leveling multiple copies of a support gem helps you get to level 20 gems faster to prepare for corruption in attempts to get +1 level or +quality.

7. What is the max level a support gem can reach?

The standard max level for a support gem is level 20. Corruption can increase the level to 21. With some item modifiers, an effective gem level can be pushed higher than 21.

8. What is the max quality a support gem can reach?

The standard max quality for a support gem is 20%. Corruption can increase the quality to 23%. Various gear and support gems can increase the quality of a gem.

9. How do I get quality on gems?

You can use Gemcutter’s Prisms on level 20 gems to increase their quality. Also, you can level gems to 20 and vendor the gems and a Gemcutter’s Prism to get a level 1 gem with 20 quality.

10. Why would I want a corrupted gem?

Corrupted gems can reach higher level and quality thresholds, granting an edge. Corrupting gems is a gamble though.

11. Can I uncorrupt a corrupted gem?

No, once a gem is corrupted, it cannot be uncorrupted. It is a permanent state.

12. Can gems have increased levels from item affixes?

Yes. Certain items can provide +levels to specific gem types, allowing you to exceed the base level cap for the gem.

13. What happens if I use a Vaal orb on a gem?

Vaal Orbs will corrupt an item, including gems. There are four potential outcomes, including +1 or -1 level, + or – 1-10 quality, converting it to a Vaal skill version or nothing at all.

14. Is there any other way to increase the quality of support gems?

Yes, some support gems, like Enhance Support, and specific item affixes will increase gem quality.

15. Should I sell my excess gems?

Yes, it can be beneficial to sell excess gems as they can be valuable as currency. Gems, especially gems with high quality are important for trading.

Conclusion

While you can physically link two of the same support gem to a skill in Path of Exile, the game only takes the highest-level gem into account for the sake of the linked skill. This design choice promotes strategic diversity and prevents the creation of overly powerful builds. Although the lower level gems’ support effect will be ignored, it can still gain experience and increase the amount of mana reservation. By understanding these nuances of the game, you can create more efficient and effective builds.