You’ll also learn how to claim your FREE 3-link item in PoE2 and discover where to farm these essential currency items. Let’s get started!
1. What Are Linked Skill Gems in PoE2?
In Path of Exile 2, skill gems have linked sockets that allow support gems to modify the main skill gem. The more links a gem has (like 4-link or 5-link), the more support gems you can attach, significantly boosting the power of your abilities.
The maximum link you can have is 6 links, which is achieved by upgrading your skill gems using special currency items like Lesser Jewels, Greater Jewels, and Perfect Jewels.
2. How to Check Your Current Gem Links
You can check how many links a skill gem has by simply looking at the link icons displayed on the skill gem's socket slots.2-Link Gem: Default for most new gems.3-Link Gem: Upgraded using a Lesser Jewel.4-Link Gem: Upgraded using a Greater Jewel.5-Link Gem: Upgraded using a Perfect Jewel.6-Link Gem: The maximum possible link count for a skill gem.
3. How to Get a FREE 3-Link Gem in PoE2
Step 1: Go to Act 3 (Crow Difficulty)During Act 3 in Crow Difficulty, you can obtain your first free Lesser Jewel. This item allows you to turn a 2-link gem into a 3-link gem.
Step 2: Look for the Hidden Camp and BasketLook for a hidden camp on the Sandswept Marsh map.Inside the camp, you’ll find a basket on the ground guarded by two elite enemies.Defeat the elite enemies and interact with the basket.
Step 3: Claim the Lesser JewelAfter interacting with the basket, you’ll receive a Lesser Jewel. This currency item can be used to upgrade any 2-link skill gem into a 3-link gem.
Pro Tip: You can use this method as soon as you enter Act 3 to get a 3-link item early. Don’t miss this chance.
4. How to Get 4, 5, and 6-Link Skill Gems in PoE2
If you’re looking to upgrade your skill gems to 4, 5, or even 6 links, you’ll need to use Lesser Jewels, Greater Jewels, and Perfect Jewels. Here’s a step-by-step process to achieve it.Step 1: From 2-Link to 3-Link (Use Lesser Jewel)Item Required: Lesser JewelCost: Free (found in Act 3 as shown earlier) or purchased from other players for about 0.5 Exalted Orbs.
How It Works:Use the Lesser Jewel on a 2-link skill gem.This will upgrade the 2-link gem into a 3-link gem.Once your gem is 3-linked, you’re ready to move to the next step.Pro Tip: You can farm more Lesser Jewels by following the Act 3 basket method or by trading for them in the market.
Step 2: From 3-Link to 4-Link (Use Greater Jewel)Item Required: Greater JewelCost: Roughly 12-13 Exalted Orbs on the market.How It Works:Use a Greater Jewel on a 3-link skill gem.This will upgrade the 3-link gem into a 4-link gem.You can attach one more support gem, which increases the power of the skill.Pro Tip: Wait until your gem is at least level 20 before upgrading it to a 4-link. The cost of Greater Jewels is high, so make sure the skill gem is worth the investment.
Step 3: From 4-Link to 5-Link (Use Perfect Jewel)Item Required: Perfect JewelCost: Roughly 32 Exalted Orbs on the market.How It Works:Use a Perfect Jewel on a 4-link skill gem.This will upgrade the 4-link gem into a 5-link gem.A 5-link gem allows for one more support gem, giving you a significant boost in power.Pro Tip: Don’t rush to 5-link until you have a high-level skill gem (at least level 18 or 19). The process is expensive, and you don’t want to waste valuable currency on a low-level gem.
Step 4: From 5-Link to 6-Link (The Final Form!)
Item Required: Perfect Jewel (Again)Cost: Another Perfect Jewel (32 Exalted Orbs).How It Works:Use a second Perfect Jewel on your 5-link skill gem.This upgrades the gem to a 6-link gem, the maximum possible number of links.You now have 5 support gem slots for your skill gem, which is the most powerful configuration possible in PoE2.Pro Tip: Save your Perfect Jewels until you have a level 20 skill gem. Lower-level gems will cost you more to upgrade in the long run since the Perfect Jewel is very expensive.5. Where to Farm Lesser, Greater, and Perfect Jewels in PoE2
You don’t always have to rely on trading for Lesser, Greater, and Perfect Jewels. Here are some tips to farm them in the game:Lesser Jewel Farming (For 3-Link)Location: Act 3, Sandswept MarshHow to Get It: Find the camp with a hidden basket.Guaranteed Drop: Once you interact with the basket, a Lesser Jewel is guaranteed to drop.Tip: Do not miss this opportunity as it gives you a free upgrade early in the game.
Greater Jewel Farming (For 4-Link)Location: Can be obtained as a drop from elite bosses in Acts 4-6.How to Get It: Farm elite enemies and bosses. They have a small chance of dropping Greater Jewels.Alternative: Purchase from other players for 12-13 Exalted Orbs.
Perfect Jewel Farming (For 5-6 Link)Location: Late-Game Areas (Act 6+)How to Get It: Found as an extremely rare drop from bosses and elite enemies.Tip: Since they are rare, you may be better off trading for them. The market price is around 32 Exalted Orbs.Tip: Bosses in Trial areas are known to drop Perfect Jewels, so prioritize completing Trials to maximize your farming potential.
6. Should You Link Early or Wait for High-Level Gems?
One of the most common questions players ask is: Should I upgrade my gem links early or wait until the gem is high-level?Here’s the strategy:Level 14-15 Gems: Stick with 3-links at this level.Level 18-19 Gems: Consider upgrading to 4-links if you have a Greater Jewel.Level 20 Gems: This is the ideal time to upgrade to 5-links and 6-links.
Why Wait? The higher the level of the skill gem, the stronger it becomes. If you spend currency to upgrade a low-level gem, you may be wasting valuable resources.
7. When to Use Lesser, Greater, and Perfect Jewels
| Jewel Type | Required Gem Link | Upgrade | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lesser Jewel | 2-Link | Upgrade to 3-Link | Free / 0.5 Exalt |
| Greater Jewel | 3-Link | Upgrade to 4-Link | 12-13 Exalted Orbs |
| Perfect Jewel | 4-Link | Upgrade to 5-Link | 32 Exalted Orbs |
| Perfect Jewel | 5-Link | Upgrade to 6-Link | 32 Exalted Orbs |
Pro Tip: To avoid wasting Jewels, follow this rule:
Lesser Jewels: Use immediately for 3-links.Greater Jewels: Use on level 18-19 skill gems.Perfect Jewels: Use on level 20 gems only.8. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I get my first 3-link for free?Go to Act 3, Sandswept Marsh, find the hidden camp, and interact with the basket for a free Lesser Jewel.
Q2: Should I upgrade my gem early or wait?Wait until the gem reaches level 20 before using Perfect Jewels. For Lesser and Greater Jewels, use them when the gem is around level 18-19.
Q3: How do I farm Perfect Jewels?Defeat elite enemies and bosses in Acts 6 and beyond. The drop rate is low, so consider buying them from other players.
Q4: How much do Greater and Perfect Jewels cost?On the current PoE2 market, Greater Jewels cost 12-13 Exalted Orbs and Perfect Jewels cost 32 Exalted Orbs.
Linking skill gems is one of the most important mechanics in Path of Exile 2. A 6-link skill gem can dramatically increase your power and make endgame content much easier. With this guide, you now know how to:- Get your first free 3-link item in Act 3.- Upgrade to 4, 5, and 6-links using Lesser, Greater, and Perfect Jewels.- When to link gems and how to farm currency.
If you follow these strategies, you’ll have a powerful 6-link skill gem ready for endgame bosses in no time.
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