Weapon Sets & Support Gems: A Missed Opportunity for Build Diversity

After spending time with PoE2's early access, I want to discuss a limitation I've noticed with the current support gem system and propose a potential solution that could enhance build diversity.

While the new weapon set system is fantastic for allowing different playstyles, the single-use support gem restriction significantly limits its potential. Currently, we can only use one copy of each support gem across our entire build, regardless of weapon set. This creates a frustrating situation where one of your weapon sets inevitably feels suboptimal or having identical weapon sets due to the lack of crossover skills and a lot of skills somewhat wanting the same support gems - majority of crossbow skills, for instance, I find are wanting to have Scattershot, this means I have to figure out which skill I am using the most to give Scattershot and leave the rest as they are.

I currently have in the works, a build for Warbringer Crossbow, something I have seen show up on my YouTube feed a couple of times and thought of making something myself. One thing that I have noticed is that you either roll a Strong AoE with Weak Single Target (Bosses/Rares) or vise versa - and this is evident in the YouTube videos as well, as they highlight this con in the build.

Under the current system, you're forced to choose which set gets the optimal support gems, leaving the other set feeling significantly weaker. This defeats the purpose of having weapon sets in the first place, as one set will always feel like a compromise. This is evident in gameplay I have done where I used my secondary weapon set purely to hold a shield for Shield Dash, a means of movement around the zones.

Proposed Solution: "Gems per Weapon Set"
Similar to how passive tree points can be toggled between weapon sets, I propose allowing separate gem setups for each weapon set.

This would mean:
- Support gems could be allocated independently to each weapon set
- When you swap weapons, you also swap your entire gem configuration

You would still have the generalist Gem Setup, like what we currently have, but a new toggle menu similar to that of the Passive Tree, could allow us to have Skill and Support Gems per weapon type. Imagine you have a Bow/Quiver for map clearing but struggle with Single Target, now with this setup when you swap to a staff and be able to dish out the single target damage you didn't have.


This change would:

- Enable true build diversity through meaningful weapon swapping
- Allow for specialized setups for different scenarios (clear/boss/defense)
- Create more interesting build planning and optimization
- Make the weapon swap mechanic more impactful and engaging


Wondering what the thoughts are on this, mainly aimed at removing the restriction of the "Single Support Gem" while also giving some life to the Weapon Sets

Necroing this thread to add support. Just now decided to play around with Weapon Sets (Tempest Bell/Shield Charge) and it's...inelegant to say the least. Furthermore why do the default attacks not switch out automatically when I manusally swap my weapons, I don't want two different basic attack skills cluttering up my hotbar. Taking it a step further there should be two completely separate *sets* of skills for each weapon *set*, knowwhatimean?

Also everything Koopa said.

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Pathshaper#5338 wrote:

Necroing this thread to add support. Just now decided to play around with Weapon Sets (Tempest Bell/Shield Charge) and it's...inelegant to say the least. Furthermore why do the default attacks not switch out automatically when I manusally swap my weapons, I don't want two different basic attack skills cluttering up my hotbar. Taking it a step further there should be two completely separate *sets* of skills for each weapon *set*, knowwhatimean?

Also everything Koopa said.

inowaumeen!

this thread of mine talks exactly about that:

https://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/3690882