PoE 2 Weapon Set Skill Points Explained
10.03.2025 - 21:45:34
Game Guides , Path of Exile 2
Are you confused by the weapon set system in Path of Exile 2? Well, GGG is no stranger to complex mechanics such as this one, which is why it is no surprise that it has been implemented in the game.
But don’t worry! In this guide, we will do what we can to explain the weapon set system in the simplest way possible. Since this involves swapping between two different weapons, you might want to drop by our PoE 2 Store to get some rare items as well.
What is the Weapon Set System?
The weapon set system, also known as Dual Specialization, is a feature in Path of Exile 2 where you can dedicate some passive points to enhance certain skills. You see, you have the ability to equip two different weapon combinations, which you can easily swap to (and from) by pressing the “X” key on your keyboard.
That said, the system involves a couple of things. The first is the weapon and skills you want to use, while the second incorporates passive points to enhance them. Let’s begin with the former.
When you press “G” on your keyboard, it will bring up the skill window. Clicking on the small arrow just beside the DPS number of a particular skill (highlighted in red) shows you some of its additional stats.
More importantly, it gives you the option to check/uncheck which weapon set you’d like this particular skill to use (highlighted in green). This is so that pressing the skill’s hotkey will automatically prompt you to switch to that weapon set for maximum benefit.
The second part is the most confusing, but we will try our best to explain it in a way that’s easier to understand. Basically, you will allocate passive nodes on the skill tree that only get activated whenever you switch to weapon set 1 or weapon set 2. These points are what you call the Weapon Set Skill Points.
What Are Weapon Set Skill Points?
Weapon Set Skill Points in Path of Exile 2 are different from your regular passive points. As mentioned in the previous section, passive nodes that you allocate for a specific weapon set are only active depending on the weapon you are currently using.
For example, you are playing the Stampede Titan build in PoE 2. Your weapon set 1 consists of a two-handed mace that has increased attack speed and a shield that has increased block chance. You want to use them solely for Stampede, so you uncheck weapon set two. This forces you to bring up your mace and shield combo every time you mow down your enemies with Stampede.
Since you are using a shield for weapon set 1, you can also take passive nodes that enhance your chance to block attacks like Defender’s Resolve and Vigilance.
Now, you want weapon set 2 to greatly amplify the damage of your Hammer of the Gods, so you equip a couple of rare two-handed maces that have “+5 to All Melee Skills” each for that.
Because you no longer have a shield in this setup, it doesn’t make sense to have any shield nodes allocated, right? That’s why for your weapon set 2, you take passive nodes that specifically improve area of effect instead, such as Primal Growth and Reverberating Impact. This makes it so that Hammer of the Gods covers more ground every time it is used.
To ensure that Hammer of the Gods utilizes only your weapon set 2, you should uncheck weapon set 1 on its stats page (refer to the image in the previous section; the one highlighted in green).
When you use Path of Building (POB) to import a build and you see some colored lines, those signify the different weapon sets. Weapon set 1 are those nodes connected by red lines, while weapon set 2 are the ones linked with green lines.
How to Allocate Points for Weapon Sets
So, you want to try this system out but you are unsure of what to do. Well, do not fret! We are here to help! Before that, familiarize yourself with this image:
As you can see, there are skill points and then weapon set 1 and weapon set 2. To allocate passive nodes specifically for weapon set 1, click on the appropriate arrow. You will know when you’re doing the right thing if you see something like this:
This is what is shown when you are trying to put points for weapon set 2:
It is important to note that you need to have available skill points before you can allocate passive nodes for your weapon sets. If your skill points are zero, then you will be unable to assign anything!
How to Get Weapon Set Skill Points
In the last section, you saw that there are a total of 24 skill points that you can actually allocate for each weapon set. But, how exactly can you get those? Well, you have to eliminate some enemies and accomplish certain quests in the campaign. Here is a rundown:
- Act 1
- The Crowbell (Unique monster, Location: Hunting Grounds)
- The Lost Lute (Quest item, Location: Ogham Farmlands)
- Act 2
- Kabala, Constrictor Queen (Unique monster, Location: Keth)
- Final Letter (Quest item, Location: Deshar)
- Act 3
- Mighty Silverfist (Unique monster, Location: Jungle Ruins)
- Sacrificial Heart (Quest item, Location: Aggorat)
Accomplishing the first five rewards you with the Book of Specialization. This book gives you a couple of regular passive skill points, as well as a two-point increase in your weapon set skill limit (up to a maximum of 24 for each set).
Although you do not get a Book of Specialization by stabbing the Sacrificial Heart, you still get the same bonuses nevertheless.
When you have completed everything that rewards you with weapon set skill points, you will have a total of 24 that you can assign as you see fit.
Take note that this guide is written in PoE 2 Early Access. It is possible that GGG will introduce new quests and monsters for you to kill to get all the weapon set skill points once the game is fully released. Regardless of what happens in the future, at least you know the gist.
Why Use the Weapon Set System?
Many players are still baffled by the Weapon Set System/Dual Specialization feature in PoE 2 to this day. Why use this system when you can just allocate passive nodes as you would normally do? Well, it is pretty niche, but you have to admit that it unlocks new build possibilities.
The weapon set system forces your character to use a specific weapon enhanced with the right passive skills. The Spark Stormweaver build, for example, can allocate increased area of effect nodes on the passive tree to make Sigil of Power bigger. The Chiming Staff, which is one that grants the Sigil of Power, is typically equipped on the second weapon set in such builds.
The Spark skill itself does not benefit from AoE nodes whatsoever, so it makes no sense for increased area of effect passive skills to be allocated on weapon set 1 for that matter. We hope that you get the objective of this system at this point.
Now that you know how weapon set skill points work, what PoE 2 build are you going to play that can make great use of this system? Let us know in the comments!
Should you require currency to buy awesome weapons, feel free to visit our PoE 2 Currency Store! We are open 24 hours, seven days a week!