What is the Max Sockets in Path of Exile? A Comprehensive Guide
The number of sockets on an item in Path of Exile (PoE) is a crucial factor determining its power and versatility. Sockets allow you to place skill gems and support gems, directly impacting your character’s abilities and effectiveness. Understanding the maximum number of sockets available for different item types is essential for efficient character building.
The maximum number of sockets an item can have in PoE depends entirely on the item type. Here’s a breakdown:
- Chest Armour, Two-Handed Melee Weapons, and Bows: Can have a maximum of 6 sockets. This makes these items highly prized for builds requiring numerous gem links.
- One-Handed Weapons (swords, maces, axes, daggers, wands), Shields: These items can have a maximum of 3 sockets. Note that while staves are two handed weapons, they have a unique exception and can only have a max of 3 sockets.
- Helmets, Gloves, and Boots: Can have a maximum of 4 sockets. These items are crucial for supporting skills, and movement abilities.
It is important to note that item level (ilvl) influences the number of sockets an item can potentially have. An item cannot have more sockets than its item level allows. However, having a high ilvl does not allow for a higher number of sockets than the maximum limits mentioned above for the specific item type.
Understanding Item Sockets in Path of Exile
Why are Sockets Important?
Sockets are the cornerstone of any build in Path of Exile. They are where you place your skill gems, which determine your active abilities, and your support gems, which enhance those abilities with effects like increased damage, speed, or area of effect.
The combination of skill gems and support gems within a linked set of sockets allows you to tailor your character to a specific playstyle. For example, a Fireball skill gem might be linked with Greater Multiple Projectiles, Concentrated Effect, and Controlled Destruction support gems to create a powerful, wide-range, hard-hitting damage spell.
How Do I Get More Sockets?
The primary way to change the number of sockets on an item is by using Jeweller’s Orbs. When applied, a Jeweller’s Orb will randomly change the number of sockets an item has, within the limits set by the item type and item level. The resulting sockets will also be randomly linked together, which can be beneficial or require further adjustments.
Item Quality’s Impact
The quality of the item also affects socket manipulation. For every 1% quality an item has, the result from using a Jeweller’s Orb is improved by 1%. This means a 20% quality item will have a 20% higher chance to roll more sockets, making it easier to reach the maximum number of sockets allowed for that item type. It is a great way to get that one extra socket you need!
Crafting Bench
The Crafting Bench, found in your hideout, provides a method for crafting sockets. Specifically, Vorici in the research safehouse can allow you to create sockets on your gear. This method becomes especially important for crafting specific colors, and for maxing out the number of sockets on a specific piece of gear.
Item Level Matters
Item level plays a critical role in socket limits. An item cannot exceed the number of sockets that its item level allows. For example, even if a chest piece has the potential for six sockets, a low-level chest piece might be capped at a lower number of sockets.
Linking Sockets
Having the maximum number of sockets is only part of the battle. The links between the sockets are just as crucial. Links allow support gems to modify the active skill gem they are linked to. A linked setup of sockets is called a “6 link” (in the case of 6 sockets) which is essential for creating powerful character builds. You can manipulate links via Fusing Orbs, which will randomly alter how sockets are linked together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the maximum number of sockets on a one-handed weapon?
A one-handed weapon (such as swords, maces, daggers, and wands) can have a maximum of 3 sockets.
2. How many sockets can a shield have?
A shield can have a maximum of 3 sockets.
3. What is the maximum number of sockets on chest armor?
Chest armor can have a maximum of 6 sockets, making it essential for high-skill-gem builds.
4. How many sockets can two-handed melee weapons have?
Two-handed melee weapons can have a maximum of 6 sockets.
5. How many sockets can bows have?
Bows, being considered two-handed weapons, can have a maximum of 6 sockets.
6. How many sockets can helmets, gloves, and boots have?
Helmets, gloves, and boots can have a maximum of 4 sockets each.
7. Can a staff have 6 sockets?
No, despite being a two-handed weapon, a staff can only have a maximum of 3 sockets. This is an exception to the rule.
8. How does item level affect the number of sockets?
The item level (ilvl) determines the maximum number of sockets an item can have. A low-level item cannot reach the maximum number of sockets even if the item type allows it. However, a high item level does not allow it to exceed the item’s socket type limit.
9. How do I increase the number of sockets on an item?
The primary method is to use Jeweller’s Orbs. Each application will randomly change the number of sockets within the item level and type limits.
10. What are linked sockets?
Linked sockets are sockets that are connected in a chain, allowing support gems placed in these sockets to modify the active skill gem they are linked to.
11. Can you have more than 6 sockets on an item in Poe?
No, you can never have more than 6 sockets on a single item in Path of Exile. If it’s possible to have 6 on the item, then you can reach six sockets (but not more).
12. Does quality affect the chance of getting more sockets?
Yes, item quality increases the chance of rolling more sockets using a Jeweller’s Orb. For each 1% quality, the socket result is improved by 1%.
13. What is a 6-link item?
A 6-link item is an item with six sockets that are all linked together, allowing multiple support gems to enhance a single skill gem.
14. How do I get white sockets?
White sockets can be obtained by crafting in Vorici’s crafting bench, and when he is assigned to the research safehouse in the Immortal Syndicate encounters.
15. Can you guarantee 6 sockets on an item?
While there are methods of improving your chances, you cannot guarantee that an item will roll six sockets after using a Jeweller’s Orb. However, using Vorici’s crafting bench at item level 50 or greater will guarantee six sockets on an item that can support it.
Conclusion
Understanding socket limitations is crucial for planning and executing effective character builds in Path of Exile. By understanding these limits, and using all the methods available to you to reach these limits, you can unleash the true potential of your character and conquer the challenges of Wraeclast. From 3-socket one-handed weapons to powerful 6-socket chest armor, socket management is at the heart of progression in PoE.