The Third Edict update (v0.3.0) for Path of Exile 2, launching on August 29, 2025, represents the most significant overhaul to the game’s core mechanics since its Early Access began.
This transformative patch fundamentally reworks the Support Gem system by:
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Removing long-standing restrictions
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Introducing tiered progression
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Adding 40 ultra-rare Lineage Support Gems that function as build-defining unique items
For theorycrafters and build enthusiasts, these changes unleash unprecedented creative possibilities while dramatically altering progression curves and endgame chase mechanics.
This guide analyzes the profound implications of these changes, explores potentially game-breaking combinations, and provides a framework for understanding how the new gem economy will reshape Path of Exile 2’s meta from the campaign through pinnacle content.
1. The Foundation: Understanding the Support Gem Overhaul
1.1 Removal of Duplicate Restrictions
The most fundamental change in The Third Edict is the complete elimination of the single-copy limit on Support Gems.
Previously, players could only socket one copy of each type of Support Gem per character, severely limiting creative combinations and forcing difficult choices about which skills benefited from the most powerful supports.
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New Freedom: Players can now use multiple copies of the same Support Gem across different skills simultaneously.
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Build Impact: This enables combinations like applying Poison Support to every skill in your arsenal, or stacking multiple movement skills with the same attack speed supports.
The implications are vast—entire builds can now share unified gameplay patterns where every skill contributes meaningfully.
1.2 Introduction of Tiered Support Gems
Support Gems now feature tiered progression (Regular, Greater, Perfect) that evolves throughout gameplay.
This system replaces the simple numerical scaling of Path of Exile 1 with a more nuanced approach.
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Progressive Power: Early gems grant simple boosts, while later tiers provide unique mechanics.
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Strategic Choices: Higher tiers aren’t always straightforward upgrades—they often introduce qualitative changes that are situationally optimal.
Comparison of Support Gem Tiers
| Gem Name | Tier I Effect | Tier III Effect | Strategic Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Casting | Straight cast speed boost | +10% cast speed per spell cast in last 8s | Rewards spam casting |
| Martial Tempo | Generic attack speed | Conditional attack speed based on gameplay style | Build-specific choices |
| Clarify | Mana regeneration boost | Enhanced regen + utility effects | Alters resource use |
2. Lineage Support Gems: The New Endgame Chase
2.1 What Are Lineage Support Gems?
Lineage Support Gems are ultra-rare, build-defining supports that function like unique items.
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Acquisition: Exclusive drops from specific endgame bosses—they cannot be obtained through normal gem progression.
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Power Level: They introduce entirely new mechanics, not just numerical buffs.
2.2 Notable Lineage Support Gems & Effects
Examples revealed so far:
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Ratha’s Assault – Crossbow skills reload via dodging, changing gameplay rhythm.
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Zarokh’s Refrain – Supported Spells Echo twice, tripling damage with scaling investment.
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Sione’s Temper – Spells generate Wildshards, unleashing projectile bursts.
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Dialla’s Desire – +1 gem level and +10% quality, stacking unprecedented power.
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Rakiata’s Flow – Enemy resistances invert, turning resist-heavy monsters into vulnerabilities.
Lineage Gem Sources (Known/Reported):
| Gem Name | Effect | Reported Source | Build Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ratha’s Assault | Reload mechanics tied to dodging | Unknown boss | Dodge-based ranged builds |
| Zarokh’s Refrain | Spells Echo twice | Zarokh (Trial of Sekemas) | Spellcaster DPS tripling |
| Sione’s Temper | Projectile bursts via Wildshards | Unknown | Machine-gun spellcasting |
| Dialla’s Desire | +1 gem level, +10% quality | Unknown boss | Universal damage boost |
| Rakiata’s Flow | Inverts enemy elemental resistances | Unknown boss | Elemental penetration specialist |
3. Theorycrafting Potential: Game-Breaking Combinations
3.1 Multi-Gem Synergies
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Universal Poison: Apply Poison Support to all skills → stacking poison with every action.
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Elemental Equilibrium Consistency: Multiple skills supported differently to trigger equilibrium seamlessly.
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Critical Strike Stacking: Every skill benefits from crit scaling, not just primary attacks.
3.2 Lineage Gem Breakpoints
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Zarokh’s Refrain: Echo stacking with cast speed could produce 4–6 repeats per spell.
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Rakiata’s Flow: Reverse-scaling damage—monsters with 75% resist effectively become -75%.
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Dialla’s Desire: Gem levels could hit 30+, breaking prior balance assumptions.
4. Progression and Crafting Implications
4.1 Tiered Support System and Campaign Progression
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Smoother Power Curve: Regular upgrades keep leveling engaging.
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Strategic Investment: Decide whether to upgrade gems now or save for Perfect versions.
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Deterministic Crafting: Tiered currencies (Regular, Greater, Perfect) reduce RNG frustration.
4.2 Endgame Chase Economy
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Target Farming: Specific bosses tied to specific Lineage gems.
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Market Dynamics: Extreme rarity will drive trade value.
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Build Specialization: Farming certain gems may require specialized builds.
5. Practical Implementation: Building Around the New System
5.1 Framework for Theorycrafting
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Identify core mechanic
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Allocate supports across skills
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Integrate Lineage gems strategically
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Plan tier upgrades & crafting
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Balance offense vs survivability
5.2 Sample Build Concepts
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Eternal Toxicologist: Poison applied across all skills + Sione’s Temper for projectile poison bursts.
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Echo Mage: Zarokh’s Refrain with multiple echo gems → spell cascades.
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Resistance Inversion Specialist: Rakiata’s Flow builds targeting high-resistance enemies.
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Gem Level Maximizer: Dialla’s Desire stacking → skill gems exceeding level 30.
5.3 Gearing Considerations
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Attributes: More support gems = higher stat requirements.
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Mana: High-tier supports raise mana costs → regen becomes mandatory.
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Curses & Ailments: Distributed across more skills for stronger scaling.
6. Conclusion: A New Era for Build Crafting
The Third Edict update fundamentally transforms Path of Exile 2’s buildcraft:
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Duplicate restriction removal = synergy freedom
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Tiered progression = smoother, more strategic power scaling
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40 Lineage Support Gems = true endgame chase items
For theorycrafters, this patch is both an opportunity and a challenge: expanded creativity, deeper optimization, and volatile early economies await.
When the update launches on August 29, 2025, PoE2 will enter a new era of sandbox build design that rewards creativity, mastery, and farming strategies more than ever before.
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